The East Rand, through which the N17 first passes as it travels east to Swaziland, refers to the eastern section of the Witwatersrand (white waters ridge) from which much of the world's gold is extracted. Its beauty is ‘within' and not in its apparent mining and industrial nature. Simply remember the romantic lure of gold to former prospectors and enjoy the simply wonderful summer and winter weather in Gauteng , and you can appreciate why it remains the most-densely populated province in the country with the most industrious and resilient of people! Although the discovery of coal gave birth to Springs, it was the discovery of gold that nurtured its growth.

Ermelo, 205km from Johannesburg , is an important grass and wetland region and has the largest selection of Pin Oak trees in South Africa . Even if your final destination is the KZN north coast ( N2 ), take the 28km trip to Chrissiesmeer along the N17 . Some 270 lakes and pans - host to thousands of flamingo each year - are located within a 20km radius of the village. This is ‘Matotoland' – land of the frogs, and of course, birds.

Travellers to Swaziland continue along the N17 through plantations for some 85km until they reach the Oshoek borderpost, 23km from the Swazi capital of Mbabane.

If your destination is the KZN north coast – be it the World Heritage site of the St Lucia Wetland Park or the coastal resorts running from Richards Bay to Durban – take the N2 from Ermelo to Piet Retief. Also close to the Swazi border, Piet Retief is 460km from Durban , has a flourishing timber industry and is home to a large German community. The influences of this community can be appreciated on a detour along the R33 to Paulpietersburg and Vryheid, one of the best points from which to explore the battlefields. Natural mineral spas in this region have made it a premier source of bottled mineral water.

Lush, subtropical Pongola, along the N2 , is a gateway to Swaziland and some fabulous game reserves, and leads to the village of Mkuze an entry point for Sodwana Bay National Park . With its stunning coral reefs and wealth of marine and land-based wildlife, Sodwana is recognised as one of the top scuba-diving sites in the world. Hluhluwe, just off the N2 some 50km south, is the village that serves the St Lucia Wetland Park – a complex of shallow lakes with five distinct ecosystems supporting, elephant, leopard, buffalo and rhino as well as over 400 species of birds!

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park , best accessed through Mtubatuba, is the second-oldest reserve in the world and is home to the largest population of Black and White Rhino worldwide It offers one of the best and most unobtrusive hides overlooking a water hole for possible Big Five game-viewing. The deep-water harbour of Richards Bay has a surprising Game Sanctuary and Park and if you missed them up north, view crocs at the Crocodile Sanctuary.

The N2 coastal road begins at Mtunzini and this 150km stretch of the north coast to Durban is dotted with holiday villages, mostly around lagoons, with fabulous beaches and relaxed people. The warm, subtropical climate makes this area even a great winter destination. It is referred to as the Dolphin Coast as they favour this stretch of coastline with its relatively clear and shallow water, allowing them to swim close to shore, and it extends from Zinkwazi in the north, past the superb golfing estate of Zimbali, to Ballito in the south. The Sugar Coast – indicative of the rolling sugar cane fields – runs from La Mercy, through Umdloti and past the golfing estate of Mount Edgecombe to vibrant Umhlanga Rocks. Durban is just 10 minutes' away. ( See Route 7 )

Suggested stop or stretch towns on the N17: Ermelo and Chrissiesmeer.

Suggested stop or stretch towns on the N2: Piet Retief, Paulpietersburg and Vryheid 35 - 85km off N2, Pongola, Mkuze, Hluhluwe, Mtubatuba, Richards Bay, Mtunzini, Zinkwazi Beach, Ballito, Umhlanga Rocks and Durban.

More Routes:

JOHANNESBURG - BLOEMFONTEIN - COLESBERG ON N1

COLESBERG - BEAUFORT WEST - CAPE TOWN ON N1

BLOEMFONTEIN - EAST LONDON ON N6

BLOEMFONTEIN – LESOTHO ON N8

JOHANNESBURG - KIMBERLEY - BEAUFORT WEST ON N12

CAPE TOWN - PORT ELIZABETH ON N2 : THE GARDEN ROUTE

PORT ELIZABETH – CRADOCK – COLESBERG ON N10 : THE KAROO

PORT ELIZABETH - EAST LONDON - WILD COAST - DURBAN ON N2

CAPE TOWN – SPRINGBOK ON N7: THE WEST COAST

JOHANNESBURG – DRAKENSBERG - DURBAN ON N3

JOHANNESBURG – SWAZILAND – NORTH COAST ON N17/N2

JOHANNESBURG – KRUGER NATIONAL PARK – MOZAMBIQUE ON N4

JOHANNESBURG – MESSINA - ZIMBABWE ON N1

JOHANNESBURG/PRETORIA – MAGALIESBURG - BOTSWANA ON N4

JOHANNESBURG – UPINGTON – SPRINGBOK ON N14