This drive takes you out of the urban sprawl of Gauteng to the low mountain range of the Magaliesberg.

Take the R511 north from Johannesburg, between Randburg and Sandton. After about 30km turn on to the N4 and head northwest in the direction of Rustenburg. You will soon reach the Magaliesberg at Hartebeespoort Dam. (From Pretoria you can reach the same point by taking the N4 west.)

Hartebeespoort Dam is a popular local resort, offering fishing, watersports, birdwatching and restaurants. (If you wish to go down to the water take the turn-off to Kosmos.)

Continue west on the N4 to Rustenburg.

All along this stretch you will see the Magaliesberg Nature Reserve, with the low ridge of the mountains on your left.

Just before Rustenburg turn left on to the R24/R30 and head south. After passing over the mountain at Olifantsnek, turn left on to the R24 to Maanhaarrand.

Maanhaarrand ('ridge with a mane') is famous for its many prehistoric rock engravings.

Continue southeast from Maanhaarrand on the R24 for just over 8km, then turn left on to the R560 in the direction of Hekpoort.

Just to the north of Hekpoort the Boers defeated a large British contingent at the Battle of Nooitgedacht in December 1900, during the Anglo-Boer War.

From Hekpoort continue northeast along the R560 for 21.5km, then turn right on to the R512, and right again on to the R28, which returns to Johannesburg. (If returning to Pretoria, stay on the R512, which will take you to the N4 back to Pretoria.)