South Africa is a diamond in the rough - scratch the surface and it positively sparkles. Its rich history, diverse cultures, abundant wildlife, mesmerising landscapes and sophisticated infrastructure make it a gem of a destination. With this in mind, we've designed three distinct two-week tours to suit: The First Time Visitor, The Africa Addict and The Connoisseur. These tours, however, provide only a mere taste of what South Africa has in store for you.

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THE FIRST TIME VISITOR

Days 1-3: Cape Town & Surroundings
Cape Town is an electric, cosmopolitan city that has it all. Upon arrival, collect your car at the airport. Once you've checked in, if the skies are clear, head directly to the city's famous landmark - Table Mountain (return cable car ride costs £7). Next stop is the Nelson Mandela Gateway building, where ferries depart for Robben Island (00 27 21 419 1300, www.robben-island.org.za, £10). On day 2, drive to the Cape of Good Hope stopping enroute to see the 3000-strong African penguin colony at Boulders Beach.The next day head north along the N1 to Stellenbosch, the country's second-oldest settlement and an ideal base for a wine-tasting tour of the famous Cape vineyards.

Days 4-6: Garden Route
Just 4hrs drive from Cape Town is the idyllic Garden Route. Extending 320km along the southern coast, its main attractions are beaches and indigenous forests. Head to George, from where the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe (00 27 44 801 8288), a historic steam train, chugs its way to Knysna. Or, if you're feeling more energetic, take a hike through the lush Wilderness NP (00 27 44 877 1197).

Days 7-8: Graaf Reinet
From Knysna, cut across the mighty Outeniqua Mountains (this road is steep and unsealed) to Uniondale, from where you follow the N9 to Graaf Reinet - a charming Karoo town with some wonderful Cape Dutch architecture. Take a quick half-hour drive up to the Valley of Desolation to toast the end of the day while watching the sun sink slowly behind the mountains.

Day 9: Bloemfontein
Punctuate your drive north with an overnight stop in Bloemfontein, South Africa's most centrally located city. Visit the National Women's Monument, outside the War Museum (00 27 51 447 3447), which commemorates the 26,000 Afrikaner women and children who died in British concentration camps during the Anglo-Boer War.

Days 10-11: Drakensberg
Boasting peaks that rise to 3000m, the magnificent Drakensberg Mountains are a 4-5hr drive from Bloemfontein. Driving over Oliviershoek Pass (1780m) to the Royal Natal NP (00 27 33 845 100, www.rhino.org.za), you'll be rewarded with spectacular views. Even more impressive is the Amphitheatre, an 8km stretch of cliff.

Days 12-13: Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park
A 5hr drive brings you to Hluhluwe-Umfolozi (00 27 33 845 100, www.rhino.org.za). With wildlife drives, guided walks and boat cruises, there are plenty of opportunities to spy the Big Five.

Day 14: Durban
Rise early for the 4hr drive to Durban, where you board a connecting flight to Johannesburg for your flight home.

THE AFRICA ADDICT

Day 1: Johannesburg
After collecting your car from the airport, drive 1.5km to Krugersdorp Game Reserve (00 27 11 665 1735) for the night.

Day 2: Kuruman
Rise early for a 5hr drive along the N14 to Kuruman, a small town with a wild frontier feel at the edge of the Kalahari.

Days 3-4: Kalahari
West of Kuruman is a long empty stretch of road through the heart of the Kalahari to the Witsand Nature Reserve (00 27 53 313 1061, chalets from £15 per person), famous for its "roaring sands".

Days 5-6: Kgalagadi
Drive 450km, via Upington, to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (00 27 54 561 2000, www.parks-sa.co.za), a vast reserve that is a haven for wildlife.

Days 6-7: Augrabies Falls
Heading south, drive 370km to Augrabies Falls NP (00 27 54 452 9200) with its impressive 56m-high waterfall. The 3hr Dassie Trail is well worth hiking.

Days 8-9: Namaqualand
Driving south-west along the N14, you'll enter the seemingly barren and hostile region of Namaqualand. Following the winter rains, however, this vast semi-arid desert is transformed into a sea of dazzling colour as millions of wild flowers germinate. The colourful spectacle, which unfolds between August and September, is best viewed along the N7 route leading up to Springbok, the region's main town. Call the Flower Hotline (00 27 21 418 3705) for updates.

Days 10-11: Cederberg
Just 350km south of Springbok, Clanwilliam is a good base for exploring the rugged Cederberg Mountains. After a quick look around town, drive east over the spectacular Pakhuis Pass to the Cederberg Wilderness Area. The park, which is characterised by bizarre red rock formations, is divided into three distinct hiking areas, each with a network of trails. Find out about routes, grades and walking permits at the Clanwilliam Tourist Information Centre (00 27 27 482 2024, www.clanwilliam.info).

Days 12-13: West Coast NP
After long days spent traipsing through the interior, it's time to dip your toes into the ocean. Head south for 90 minutes to the West Coast NP (00 27 22 772 2144, www.parks-sa.co.za), which protects wetlands and seabird colonies. There are walking trails and guided canoe trips.

Day 14: Cape Town
After a good night's sleep, wake revived and ready for the drive to Cape Town for your flight home.

THE TRUE CONNOISSEUR

Days 1-3: Johannesburg/Kruger
Arrive early to allow for your connecting flight to Hoedspruit ( £75 one way), the jumping-off point for Kruger National Park. Upon arrival, collect your hire car from the airport and drive the final 45km to Timbavati Private Game Reserve (00 27 15 793 2394) where you'll be assured of maximum wildlife viewing opportunities.

Days 4-5: Mpumalanga
After a long leisurely breakfast, return to Hoedspruit from where you drive another 140km, winding your way up the dramatic Mpumalanga Drakensberg escarpment to Blyde River Canyon (00 27 13 759 5432). From here, follow the R532 south, stopping at Bourke's Luck Potholes where fascinating cylindrical holes have been carved into the rock by whirlpools. Continue south to the turn-off for the R534 loop road which leads to The Pinnacle, a peculiar rock formation that juts from the escarpment, and the breathtaking viewpoints of Wonder View and God's Window.

Days 6-7: Swaziland
Today, drive about 3.5hrs south, via Nelspruit and Badplass, to the Ngwenya border crossing (open 7am-10pm daily) which is the main gateway to the tiny Kingdom of Swaziland. On entering the Kingdom, you'll be surrounded by a country of rugged landscapes, mist-shrouded peaks and small friendly villages. From Motjane, take the MR1 north 50km to the old gold prospecting town of Piggs Peak. Long past its heyday, it is now known for its excellent local handicrafts. A good place for browsing is Ethnic Bound (00 268 437 3127) in the Peak Craft Centre.

Days 8-9: Battlefields
From Swaziland it is a 4hr drive to Isandlwana, where the British suffered their greatest military defeat of the Zulu War. Indulge yourself and stay at the magnificent Isandlwana Lodge (00 27 34 271 8301, www.isandlwana.co.za) which overlooks the battlefields. The next day, take a guided tour of the battlefields of Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift with a local historian (around £17 per person).

Days 10-11: Dolphin Coast
At the right time of year the waters off Dolphin Coast, which stretches 80km north of Durban, are literally jumping. Every August thousands of dolphins can be seen off the coast, feasting on a bounty of sardines. Contact the Dolphin Coast Publicity Association (00 27 32 946 1997, www.dolphincoast.co.za) for details. Even without the dolphins, it is a great place just to relax on the beach.

Days 12-14: Durban/Cape Town & Surroundings
This morning, following an 80km drive to Durban international airport, it is time to bid a fond farewell to your car as you board your flight to Cape Town ( £84 one-way). From there, follow the same itinerary for Cape Town & Surroundings (First Time Visitor).

FACTFILE

Check list
Language: Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu.
Time: GMT+2
Int. Dialling Code: +27
Money: South Africa Rand (R), currently R12.35 to the UK £. Traveller's cheques in major currencies can be cashed at most banks, while credit cards are accepted widely. ATMs giving cash are available in major towns.
Visas: Issued free on arrival to most Commonwealth and Western European visitors. For a full listing of embassies visit www.gov.za.
Getting there South African Airways (www.flysaa.com) operates year-round flights from London to Johannesburg (10hrs, from £574), Cape Town (11hrs, from £631) and Durban (14hrs, from £611). British Airways, KLM, Swissair and Air France also offer regular services.
Getting around South Africa is perfect for self-driving. International car rental companies such as Budget (www.budget.co.za) and Hertz (www.hertz.co.za) are well represented. Daily flights link major cities, while express coaches service smaller provincial towns.
Where to stay From cheap and cheerful hostels ( £5-10 per person) to quaint B&Bs ( £16-35 per person) and flashy top-end hotels and lodges ( £75+ per night), there's something to suit every budget.
Health Check that your tetanus, diphtheria, typhoid and hepatitis A & B vaccinations are up to date. Malaria is mainly confined to the low-lying areas in the north-east of the country.
Safety Crime in South Africa is not as indiscriminate as reports suggest. Take sensible precautions such as keeping your valuables out of sight, carrying small amounts of cash and avoiding walking alone at night.
Find out more South African Tourism, www.southafrica.net.