Kaapmuiden, Wild Frontier

The route along the N4 between Nelspruit and Malelane passes a number of uninspiring little towns, few of which are particularly appealing to visitors, although Kaapmuiden (Cape mouth) - essentially a small farming village with little more than a particularly good butcher, if you happen to know the lie of the land from locals, to distinguish it - is worth a stop to sneak a look at some of the beautiful old-style tin roofed houses that line the main street.

A colourful silo, once abandoned but still visible from the N4, has been painted with abandon to attract visitors to the town that once served as a junction on the Pretoria to Delagoa Bay railway line. The area around Kaapmuiden is farm land dedicated to sugarcane, subtropical fruit and vegetables; and local farmers tend to make jovial hosts at accommodation that is ideally placed considering that the Kruger National Park is just 25 kilometres away.

The beautiful De Kaap River provides some excellent fishing opportunities in deep pools, whilst a local mountain reserve - some 20 farms have combined to form an eco reserve that allows the free roaming of game such as rhino, kudu, nyala and buffalo - provides some good local game viewing. Hiking trails and bike routes abound in the area, and there are golf courses at Leopard Creek and Malelane.