Day by day
Day 1: Joburg to Magaliesburg
DISTANCE 86km ALLOW 1½ hour
Leave the city just after lunch on a Thursday, heading to Krugersdorp (we took Beyers Naude M5 to Drift Boulevard in Krugersdorp). Take the R24 to Magaliesburg and check in at Mount Grace Country House (1), where you can start winding down with a picnic or spa treatment. You can also choose to stay at Black Horse Estate (see Day 2) for two nights.
Day 2: Magaliesburg to Skeerpoort and back
DISTANCE 76km ALLOW 1½ hour
It’s an early wake-up call for a hot-air balloon ride (2) – in summer, this means 4.45am. Transfers can be arranged, or take the R24 north out of Magaliesburg and turn right on the R560– the launch site in Skeerpoort is 15km away. Afterwards, return to Magaliesburg for a morning of fly-fishing at Barbus Haven (3) (on the R24 just past Mount Grace). Head back up the R24 and turn right onto the R98 to get to Melon Rouge (4) for browsing and lunch – or on the same road is Black Horse Estate (5). If you’re in the mood for some jiving, head out to Big O Tavern (6) – from the R24 in town, take a right turn onto the R509, turn right at the Ubuntu Arts Centre, then left and right. It’s on the corner on your right (215 Thembalethu Street).
Day 3: Magaliesburg to Rustenburg and Hekpoort
DISTANCE 163km ALLOW 2½ hours
Stroll around town this morning, grab a bite at the Trading Post (7) and visit the Voorhuis
(8). There is a brewery and distillery tour back at the Black Horse at 11am, if you like. Then take the R24 north out of town, heading for Rustenburg. Turn right just after Sikelele Game Lodge, then left onto the Buffelspoort Road (64km). From the Magaliesberg Canopy Tour office (9) you will be transferred to the zip lines. Afterwards, head back to Magaliesburg but take the R560 turn-off to the left. Then turn left onto the R401 and look for the signs to Rustig (10), where you will stay overnight. The last 7km is on gravel.
Day 4: Hekpoort to Joburg
DISTANCE 85km ALLOW 1½ hours
Go on the game drive with bush breakfast at Rustig this morning, then tackle one of the walking trails on the farm. Retrace your route via the R401 and just after you turn back on to the R560, look out for the R563 turn-off – across from SmartPet, the road takes you past a few houses and you’ll arrive at Sprout & Sprocket (11), to end your weekend with a long, lazy Sunday lunch. Return to Joburg via the R563, which goes past the Cradle of Humankind, and M47.