Eldoraigne, Northern Gauteng

Lying in the western parts of Centurion, Eldoraigne is a fairly modern suburb that classes itself as upmarket. There are a series of boomed townhouse villages that offer security and it is an ideal location for first time homeowners or those wanting easy access to Pretoria or Midrand.

Eldoraigne lies just north of Hennopspark, due south of the Zwartkop Country Club and just down the road from the Voortrekker Monument. The N1 and N14, or Danie Joubert Freeway, are both really easy to access from here, and there are a fair number of green belts in the form of nature reserves that, despite being in a fairly built-up area, allow for a feeling of living on the fringes of the major cities of Johannesburg or Pretoria.

Groenkloof Nature Reserve, which lies in the Fountains Valley lies amidst high-rise buildings, railways, major roads and freeways, so it is no wonder that few people know about it unless you have a friend who bikes or hikes through here on a regular basis.

It's a real sanctuary for those who do visit it. Not only does the country's oldest nature reserve and second oldest nature reserve in the world house a fair amount of game in the form of kudu, ostrich, giraffe, impala, blue wildebeest, zebra and an impressive collection of birds but there are also picnic areas, biking, hiking and 4x4 trails. Bikers enjoy the reserve for its fairly rocky terrain, which also provides you with a great view over Pretoria. And all this just up the road from Eldoraigne.