7 Days in South Africa - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Cape Town & Kruger Safari

This highlights itinerary offers a classic combo of South Africa's two premier destinations, perfect for first-timers to the country who want to see a bit of everything. You'll take in Cape Town, plus the glories of the surrounding Cape Peninsula and Winelands, topped off by three days on safari in Kruger National Park.

Arrive in Cape Town with time to explore this vibrant city, taking in such sights as Table Mountain, the Castle of Good Hope, and the District Six Museum. On Day 2, you'll drive south to venture the dramatically scenic Cape Peninsula covering Chapman's Peak Drive to the Cape of Good Hope. After viewing the Boulders Beach African penguin colony along False Bay, you'll head north to stop at Simon's Town for a bite to eat, then turn inland via Muizenberg—famous for its surfing—for wine tasting in the Constantia Winelands.

The following day, enjoy a full-day indulgence in the Cape Winelands, with visits to three notable wineries in and around Stellenbosch to savor fine wines, cheeses, and dark Belgian chocolates. Leaving the Cape behind, Day 4 takes you to Kruger National Park for three days of wildlife viewing during open-vehicle game drives in search of the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino) plus more elusive nocturnal wildlife. On Day 7, you'll transfer to Johannesburg for your connecting flight onward. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Cape Town, Victoria Falls & Chobe National Park Safari

This nature-focused trip combines sophisticated Cape Town plus Cape of Good Hope with one of Africa's most iconic must-see sights—Victoria Falls. Plus, you'll experience Namibia's watery and wildlife-rich Chobe National Park by houseboat.

Celebrate your Cape Town arrival with a cable car up Table Mountain and dinner on the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Day two is given to exploring the dramatic shoreline of Cape Peninsula, including Cape of Good Hope and Simons’ Town penguin colony, plus Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, where a highlight will be a walk along the curved steel and timber Centenary Tree Canopy Walkway.

Fly to Livingstone Airport in Zambia on day three, then transfer to the Zimbabwe side of Victoria Falls, where your hotel has a sensational locale overlooking "The Smoke that Thunders." You’ll also delight in an afternoon dinner cruise along the Upper Zambezi. Next day enjoy a guided walking tour of the falls and end the day with another sunset cruise.

On day five, transfer to Namibia and board the Zambezi Queen houseboat for two days sensational wildlife viewing as you cruise the waterways of Chobe National Park. Chobe boasts the world's largest concentration of African elephants, large pods of hippos, plus massive herds of Cape buffalo, and many lions and other predators. On day seven you’ll fly to Maun airport for your onward flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Cape Town, Winelands & Eastern Cape Safari

This seven-day itinerary combines scenic excursions through some of the Cape Provinces' most popular attractions with fun experiences guaranteed to boost your pleasure, from a motorcycle sidecar tour of Cape Peninsula to game drives in a private game reserve.

Begin your trip in Cape Town. On Day 2, hop aboard a motorcycle sidecar to drive south along the dramatically scenic Cape Peninsula to the Cape of Good Hope. After viewing the African penguin colony at Boulders Beach, head inland for the scenic Boyes Drive above Muizenberg and then onward for wine tasting in the Constantia Winelands. A sunrise kayak along the Cape Town coast from Moullie Point on Day 3 offers a chance for close-up encounters with whales and dolphins, while your afternoon is given to an open-top bus tour plus a cable-car ride up Table Mountain for scenic hiking. End your day with dinner at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. 

The following day, a biking tour through the vineyards of the Franschhoek Valley includes a picnic lunch at a wine estate before spending the night in the wine and food capital of Franschhoek. On Day 5, fly to Port Elizabeth and drive along the dramatic Garden Route coastline to a private game reserve. You'll spend today and Day 6 thrilling to sightings of lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and other wildlife on early morning and late afternoon game drives, while birders can count off hundreds of bird species on a peaceful boat cruise on the Bushman's River. On Day 7, fly to Cape Town for your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Food & Wine Tour: Cape Town, Winelands & Johannesburg

On this foodie tour, you'll indulge in the fine wines and cuisines that define the region. After sampling a smorgasbord of Cape Town's finest, you'll explore the wine country and the Cape Peninsula, wining and dining as you go, then head to Johannesburg for a gourmand's immersion in pan-African fare.

The adventure begins with your arrival in Cape Town with the balance of your first day on your own to explore this vibrant city, perhaps shopping for arts and crafts on the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, admiring the undersea life at the Two Oceans Aquarium, or enjoying a harbor cruise or even a helicopter flight. On Day 2, enjoy a full-day tour through the Cape Winelands, sampling South Africa's distinctive wines with winery visits around Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl, and/or Elgin. Next day sample South Africa's multi-cultural culinary influences, including a traditional Cape Malay lunch in Bo Kaap, plus the trendy suburb of Woodstock to sample craft beer and gin.

Fly to Johannesburg on Day 4, highlighted by storytelling and a traditional African dinner under the stars with residents of Soweto Township. On Day 5, you'll visit the Nelson Mandela Museum, then shop for fresh produce in a local market and learn to cook like locals: in potjies (cast iron pots) over a fire. Day 6 is given to exploring the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, the world's richest early hominin site, boasting around 40% of all known human-ancestor fossils. End with an interactive pan-African culinary experience—from Moroccan dishes to antelope kebab—on a deck overlooking the Boma Dam. On Day 7, depart Johannesburg for home. Learn more

Itinerary #5: South Africa Family Adventure

This family adventure in South Africa is sure to awe safari-goers of all ages. From rotating your way up Table Mountain in a cable car to viewing lions eye-to-eye on safari, your week is chock-full of great activities and venues.

Start with a harbor cruise in Cape Town on your first day in South Africa. The next morning, ride the cable car up Table Mountain to hike at the summit with a packed picnic lunch. Then view the mountain from the ocean with a trip aboard the Jolly Roger pirate ship, followed by a sunset ride on the Cape Wheel Ferris Wheel. If it's raining, head to the Planetarium and Science Center. 

Day three, journey along the Cape Peninsula, keeping an eye out for baboons, Cape mountain zebra, and ostriches. Then visit the penguin sanctuary at Boulders Beach, maybe by renting a sea kayak to feel as one with the penguins. You'll also visit the Kommetjie Imhoff Village to interact with farm animals and maybe enjoy a horseback ride along the beach or even a coastal train ride to Muizenberg. End the day with a gourmet picnic dinner. 

The next day explore the Winelands. Start with a sensory experience at Babylonstroen Winelands and Gardens, then head to Boschendal, South Africa's second-oldest wine farm, which offers farm learning experiences for kids. A ride on the Wine Tram adds to the fun, as does learning to make chocolate at the Huguenots Chocolate Shop or maybe a visit to the Franschhoek Motor Museum. Continue to Elgin for the night. 

Day five begins with a visit to Redberry Farm, a strawberry farm where fun activities include a hedge maze and biking. Arrive late afternoon at Shamwari, a luxury private game reserve in the Eastern Cape, with time for an evening game drive. Next day you might visit the Born Free Foundation Big Cat Rescue Center, let the kids go wild at the multi-activity Adventure Center, plus take a bushwalk and enjoy sunrise and sunset game drives to spot the Big Five. Day 7, transfer to Port Elizabeth for a flight to Johannesburg or Cape Town and your connecting flight home. Learn more

More Great 7-Day South Africa Itineraries

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