Derdepoort, Pretoria

Just beyond the Magaliesberg Mountain range, not even 15 minutes from Pretoria's centre, Derdepoort lies just off Zambesi Drive in a largely rural area divided into farms and small holdings. Those who live out here sport addresses that include their plot numbers and it is ideally placed for guest lodges and conference centres, given the sense of freedom that the tranquil surrounds grant visitors.

The big bonus of staying out in Derdepoort that offers space, stands of over 1000 square metres and access to big trees and skies, aside from the obvious feeling of limitlessness, is the handy access to the N1 that leads to almost anywhere, and the well known Kolonnade shopping centre, which lies more or less in the middle of most of the outlying areas of Pretoria.

It helps that just north east of Derdepoort is the Roodeplaat Dam and Nature Reserve, regarded as the gateway to the new Dinokeng Nature Reserve, an initiative that involves local community and the Gauteng Provincial Government. It gives visitors here the opportunity to see a range of indigenous wildlife and the Big Five - perfect for those who don't have enough time to head out to the Kruger National Park or other well known reserves further afield.

The Roodeplaat Dam is divided into two sections and the northern section, given over to thornveld and dense thicket, is popular for fishing and canoeing, as opposed to the southern area, which is more popular with bird watchers where there are a couple of hides that overlook the dam.