Gauteng

If money makes the world go round, Gauteng is one of its major axes. Meaning 'the place where the gold is' Gauteng is the economic powerhouse of Africa. It is South Africa's smallest, wealthiest and most frenetic province. Everything moves fast - cars zoom down the highways, people walk fast through the malls and offices, and new buildings spring up on the drab brown Highveld like so many glass and chrome mushrooms. The whole place buzzes with the energy of making money and spending money. Johannesburg and Gauteng are virtually synonymous but there's more to this province than the hectic Jozi. Pretoria is a laid back city with some lovely old buildings and a wealth of cultural attractions. The restored mining village of Cullinan is worth a visit for its lovely old buildings as well a mine tour and the opportunity to buy diamonds on site.

There are a number of small nature reserves where you could go for walk, or even a horse ride, and see some game. You could go hot air ballooning, paragliding or skydiving. Or take a flip in a vintage plane. A tour of the Cradle of Humankind, which is a world heritage site, offers a new way of looking at human history and prehistory.

Being such a small province, Gauteng is virtually a hub, with easy access to attractions in neighbouring provinces, most notably the Free State and North West Province.