Hennops River, Northern Gauteng

Hennops River, as its name suggests, lies on the Hennops River in Centurion, just east of the Irene Research Institute and south of the Irene Country Club. There was a time when everything out here was predominantly the open veld, and there is still a feeling of being out in the country away from the sprawling development that continues to creep along all that is left of open space between Johannesburg and Pretoria.

Staying out here on the banks of the Hennops River definitely does give you a sense of peace and a feeling of being removed from the cities on either side of you, yet at the same time Hennops River is incredibly well connected. Fourways is but 15 kilometres from here and the Sandton CBD, 25 kilometres. The nearby national highway means that getting to Pretoria or Johannesburg is relatively easy, and yet you benefit from the rolling koppies and grasslands that dominate the landscape and give one a true experience of the highveld, when suburbs and city life are kept at bay.

Homes here tend to sit on large plots of land that offer a hint of an unencumbered horizon and incredible views. The Rietvlei Nature Reserve, just east of Hennops River, across on the other side of the R21, adds to this sense of open, green space. And if you really want to remain with the country theme, head into Irene over the weekend to attend the Irene Village Market at Jan Smuts House, or stop off at the Irene Village Dairy where cows graze on lush grass virtually along the road into the village and you can enjoy fresh scones, farm milk and other delectable yummies.