With 10 days in South Africa, your family can embark on a highlights tour that ticks off the famous sites of Cape Town, Kruger National Park, and Johannesburg. For a wildlife-focused trip, opt for an adventure along the Garden Route, stopping at Gondwana Private Game Reserve and Featherbed Nature Reserve, or for families with younger children, discover the quirky side of South Africa and split your time between Cape Town and Sun City resort.

Itinerary #1: South African Family Safari: Cape Town, Kruger National Park & Johannesburg

With four nights each in Cape Town and Kruger National Park (and one night in Johannesburg), this family-focused itinerary is the perfect introduction to the city delights and natural splendors of South Africa. Each day is packed with well-thought-out activities that'll entertain children of all ages, including a pirate-themed cruise, exciting game drives, and a visit to Gold Reef City theme park.

Young boy on South Africa safari
Let the young explorers in your life discover South Africa's extensive wildlife
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Cape Town & Explore, Dinner at Strolla Cape Town
Day 2 Cape Point & African Penguin Sanctuary Cape Town
Day 3 Table Mountain & Jolly Roger Pirate Ship Cape Town
Day 4 Family Day Out in the Winelands Cape Town
Day 5 Fly to Kruger National Park, Private Safari Kruger 
Day 6 Full-Day Kruger National Park Safari Kruger 
Day 7 Family Adventure at Lion Sands Game Reserve & Big Five Sunset Game Drive Kruger 
Day 8 Kruger National Park Bush Walk Kruger 
Day 9 Fly to Johannesburg, Soweto Guided Tour & Storytelling Dinner Johannesburg
Day 10 Gold Reef City Theme Park, Depart Johannesburg  


Welcome to South Africa! After settling into your accommodation in Cape Town, get your bearings in the city as you explore V&A Waterfront and dine at the family-forward Strolla Restaurant & Bar—kids can have fun in the designated play area. Wake up refreshed and hit the road to Cape Point, where you'll see penguins at Boulders Beach, and check out Noordhoek Village Market for traditional foods and crafts. With two more days in Cape Town, you'll have time to hike or take the cable car up Table Mountain, board the Jolly Roger, a replica pirate ship, for a cruise, and spend a day on a wine tour designed with children in mind.

On the morning of Day 5, you'll say goodbye to Cape Town and take a short flight to Kruger National Park. Famous for its wildlife, including elephants, Cape buffalo, rhinos, and lions, the following three days will fly by as you embark on numerous game drives and join a walking safari led by rangers from Inyati Safari Lodge. Next, another short flight brings you to Johannesburg, where you'll take a deep dive into local history with a guided tour around Soweto. Before catching your flight home, spend your last day letting the young ones burn off energy at Gold Reef City Theme Park. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Adventure, Safari & Family Fun in South Africa: Cape Town & the Garden Route

Animal and nature-loving families will delight in this 10-day South Africa itinerary showcasing the best of Cape Town and the Garden Route. With activities to suit everyone's interests, you'll hike, cruise, and safari along the continent's southern coast, while learning about local culture and traditions. Plus, with wine tours and luxury downtime, everyone will leave feeling refreshed by the country's warm hospitality.

Family time on the beaches of Cape Town
Family time on the beaches of Cape Town
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Cape Town, Optional Activities Cape Town
Day 2 Cape Point & Boulders Beach Penguin Tour Cape Town
Day 3 Table Mountain Cable Car, Pirate Ship Sail, African Dinner Experience Cape Town
Day 4 Western Cape Family Wine Tour Cape Town
Day 5 Drive to Hermanus, Explore Hermanus
Day 6 Drive to Herbertsdale, Gondwana Private Game Reserve Herbertsdale
Day 7 Gondwana Game Reserve, Junior Ranger Program Herbertsdale
Day 8 Drive to Knysna, Knysna Sunset Cruise Knysna
Day 9 Featherbed Nature Reserve Excursion Knysna
Day 10 Drive to George, Depart  


Your nature and wildlife-focused trip begins with an exciting four days in Cape Town, where, as a family, you'll explore both the city sites and surrounding coastlines. After a relaxing evening wandering the V&A Waterfront, you'll make your way to Cape Point to watch charming penguins and check out the famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Next, spend a day hiking around the top of Table Mountain and watch the sunset from the Cape Wheel. Then it's off to the Western Cape for a day of wine, chocolate, and confectionary tastings, before it's time to pick up your rental car and drive to Hermanus.

You'll quickly discover why Hermanus is deemed the "Whale Watching Capital of the World" as you take a family hike along the town's coastal paths and visit the Whale House Museum; then, it's back on the road to Herbertsdale. With two nights here, you'll have plenty of time to spot zebras, hippos, and giraffes on game drives in Gondwana Private Game Reserve until a short drive brings you to Knysna. Known for being on the doorstep of Wilderness National Park and Featherbed Nature Reserve, you'll pack in hikes, safaris, and a cruise before ending your trip at the George airport. Learn more

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Itinerary #3: South Africa for Families: Cape Town, Pilanesberg National Park & Sun City 

Suitable for families with younger children, this activity-filled South Africa itinerary is the ideal mix of modern-day fun and time in nature. Starting with five days in Cape Town, it's easy to soak up the city's vibrant culture and explore the famous sites of the Cape Peninsula. Then, make your way up to the exciting resort of Sun City, stopping for a bucket list safari in Pilanesberg National Park.

A family holiday to remember in South Africa
Enjoy a memorable holiday with your clan
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Cape Town, Explore Cape Town
Day 2 Table Mountain Cable Car, Cape Town Guided Walk, Escape Room  Cape Town
Day 3 Bloemendal Wine Estate Family Day, Kids Pizza Making at Strolla Cape Town
Day 4 Tour Cape Point, Boulders Beach African Penguins Cape Town
Day 5 Cape Town Aquarium, African Dinner & Theater Experience Cape Town
Day 6 Fly to Pilanesberg National Park, Big Five Safari Pilanesberg National Park
Day 7 Sunrise Game Drive, Transfer to Sun City Sun City
Day 8 Relaxed Family Day in Sun City Sun City
Day 9 Transfer to Johannesburg, Guided Visit to Soweto Johannesburg
Day 10 Depart Johannesburg  


After a short transfer to your Cape Town hotel, your base for five nights, you and your family will head out to explore the V&A Waterfront and burn off any extra energy from your flight. Enjoy a hearty breakfast the following morning and head up Table Mountain by cable car, then take an afternoon tour of the Castle of Good Hope before ending your day with a memorable cruise on a pirate-themed ship. With three more days in Cape Town, you'll have time to check out the city's other must-dos, including a wine tour in Durbanville Wine Valley, a visit to the Two Oceans Aquarium, and an immersive dinner experience. 

Leaving the city behind, you'll gather the family and fly to Pilanesberg National Park, known for its ancient volcanic crater landscapes. Enjoy an afternoon searching for lions, cheetahs, and elephants, followed by a sunrise game drive; then, it's on the road to Sun City—an epic resort designed with families in mind. Split two days between Valley of the Waves, Maze of the Lost City, and Crocodile Village, and dine at family-friendly restaurants come evening. Next, a three-hour transfer brings you to Johannesburg, where children will love a day at the Gold Reef City Theme Park before it's time to catch your onward flight the following day. Learn more

Itinerary #4: South Africa Family Adventure: Cape Town, Winelands, Garden Route & Safari

Have a South African adventure with your family and explore the highlights of Cape Town, embark on game drives searching for the Big Five, and take in the stunning scenery along the Garden Route. Adults and children alike will love testing their sandboarding skills and soaring across a ravine on a zipline tour, and with stops at quirky resorts and stunning vineyards, you'll finish your trip with lasting memories.

Family on safari in South Africa
Make new memories with the family on a South African safari
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Cape Town, Explore Cape Town
Day 2 Mountain Peaks & Pirate Ships Cape Town
Day 3 Peninsula Day: Cape Point, Penguins & Playgrounds Cape Town
Day 4 Western Cape Vineyard Tour, Drive to Elgin  Elgin
Day 5 Elgin Valley: Ziplining, Vineyard Maze & Beach Zorbing Elgin
Day 6 Panthera Big Cat Sanctuary, Drive to Oudtshoorn Oudtshoorn
Day 7 Meet the Meerkats, Sandboarding, Drive to Kynsna Knysna
Day 8 Drive to Shamwari Game Reserve Eastern Cape Game Reserve
Day 9 Shamwari Game Reserve, Relax & Explore Eastern Cape Game Reserve
Day 10 Transfer to Port Elizabeth & Depart  


Your trip begins with a day exploring Cape Town's highlights, including a visit to the Watershed Market and the V&A Waterfront. Eager to explore your surroundings, wake the kids early the following morning and head out for an adventure atop Table Mountain, followed by a cruise on the Jolly Roger pirate ship. Spend the next day on the tip of Cape Peninsula, riding the Flying Dutchman funicular railway and interacting with animals at the Kometjie Imhoff Village Farm. Then, hit the road to Elgin, stopping for wine tastings (and grape juice) at the Babylonstroen Winelands & Gardens and Boschendal.

Treat your children to an exciting morning at Cape Canopy Tour Adventure Park, and an evening at the quirky resort of Old Mac Daddy—where they can paddleboard or zorb, then it's back on the road to Oudtshoorn. Stop by Panthera Big Cat Sanctuary on the way to learn about lions, cheetahs, and leopards, followed by a free evening. Continuing your road trip, you'll soon arrive at the Shamwari Game Reserve, where you'll spend your remaining time on game drives and playing at the Adventure Center until it's time to transfer to Port Elizabeth to catch your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Southern African Safari for Families: Kapama, Cape Town & Victoria Falls

Take in the highlights of southern Africa's cities and landscapes with your family on this well-rounded itinerary. Perfect for family members who enjoy staying on the move, you'll split your time between game drives, ocean cruises, and city walking tours while getting a great introduction to South Africa's warm culture. Then, finish your trip in Zimbabwe, admiring the world's largest waterfall and searching for wildlife along the Zambezi River.

Young girls experiencing a family safari in South Africa
Young girls experiencing a family safari in South Africa
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Johannesburg, Bambanani Family Restaurant Johannesburg
Day 2 Drive to Kapama Game Reserve, Sunset Game Drive Kapama Game Reserve
Day 3 Kapama Game Reserve, Relax & Explore Kapama Game Reserve
Day 4 Fly to Cape Town, Explore Cape Town
Day 5 Tour Cape Point, Boulders Beach Penguin Sanctuary Cape Town
Day 6 Table Mountain Scooter Experience Cape Town
Day 7 Jolly Roger Pirate Ship, Picnic in Greenpoint Park Cape Town
Day 8 Fly to Victoria Falls, Boma Dinner & Drum Show Victoria Falls
Day 9 Victoria Falls, Potjie & Sunset Zambezi River Cruise Victoria Falls
Day 10 Painting in Mpisi's Village, Transfer to Johannesburg & Depart  


Your South Africa adventure begins in Johannesburg. You'll dust off any jet lag with a relaxed walking tour of the Mabeneng Precinct and an evening dining at the Bambanani Family Restaurant. After picking up your rental car the following morning, hit the road to Kapama Game Reserve in Kruger National Park. Spend a day and a half embarking on game drives searching for the Big Five, and relaxing at your nature-surrounded lodge. Then a short flight brings you to Cape Town, your home for the following four nights.

Cape Town is filled to the brim with unique things to do, and as a family, you'll tick off the best of them, including a tour of Cape Point, a visit to the Boulders Beach African Penguin Sanctuary, and a morning tour of Table Mountain on an unmotorized scooter. Then, spend your last day in Cape Town on board the Jolly Roger pirate ship and let children burn off energy at Greenpoint Park. Before finishing up your family trip, you'll embark on one more epic adventure, this time to Zimbabwe. Take in the powerful to Victoria Falls and cruise along the Zambezi River at sunset until it's time to catch your onward flight. Learn More

More Great 10-Day South Africa Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to South Africa? Check out these other 10-day South Africa itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.

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Map of 10 Days in South Africa - 5 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas
Map of 10 Days in South Africa - 5 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas