Eikenhof, Southern Gauteng

Lying in the southern reaches of Johannesburg, roughly 15 kilometres or so from the city centre and Gold Reef City, Eikenhof is regarded as country living and indeed, situated as it is on the outer edge of the place of gold, views from here are of the countryside and there is a great feeling of space.

Most of the homes in Eikenhof are described as small holdings or plots, and you'll easily pick up a five acre property for the price of a large home in an upmarket suburb in Johannesburg. The advantage to staying here is obvious - clear skies, access to gorgeous views and large, safe properties whilst also being only about twenty minutes away from the centre of the city - it doesn't come much better than this.

Eikenhof is also within easy access of the N1 and accommodation out here tends to be in the form of guest farms or country guest houses. Over weekends head out to Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve, originally named after sugar cane found growing here in 1836 but later due to the Transvaal sugar bush or protea caffra, common to this area.

It is the scene of beautiful grasslands interspersed with graceful rocky outcrops that offer peace, a feeling of getting away from it all, and hours of hiking or mountain biking. The backdrop of the Suikerbosrand Mountain Range is a constant reassuring presence whilst hiking trails like the Cheetah Interpretive Trail, the Tourist Route and the Bokmakierie Day Trail allow one a chance to see the rare flora whilst spotting eland, zebra and red hartebeest.