8 Days in South Africa - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Best of Cape Town, Johannesburg, & Kruger Safari

This 8-day highlights tour combines South Africa’s two top cities and its most important national park for safaris. You’ll experience the very best of Cape Town and Johannesburg, and thrill to bush walks, game drives, plus a visit to an animal rescue center in Kruger.

Celebrate your arrival in Cape Town with a cable car ride up Table Mountain. On day two, drive south along the dramatically scenic Cape Peninsula to the Cape of Good Hope. After viewing the penguin colony at Simons Town, head inland via Muizenberg—famous for its surfing—for wine tasting in the Constantia Winelands. Next day, foodies will particularly enjoy a full-day indulgence in the Cape Winelands, with visits to three notable wineries to savor fine wines, cheeses, and dark Belgian chocolates.

On day four you’ll fly to Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest and most vibrant city. Here you’ll visit the Nelson Mandela Museum, Soweto township, and Kliptown Youth Program, an after-school tutoring program for disadvantaged youth.

Day five you’ll travel to Kruger National Park, considered the crown jewel of South Africa’s game parks. Here you’ll spend three days heading out on morning and afternoon game drives and walking safaris in search of the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino) plus more elusive nocturnal wildlife.. On day ten you’ll depart South Africa from Johannesburg. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Cape Town, Winelands, & Eastern Cape Safari 

Filled with exciting activities, this scenic adventure combines some of South Africa’s most popular regions. You'll ride the cable car up Table Mountain, bike through vineyards, go sea-kayaking, thrill to big game on safari, and more.

This itinerary begins in Cape Town, where you'll have an afternoon to explore. The next morning, hop aboard a motorcycle sidecar and drive south along the dramatically scenic Cape Peninsula to the Cape of Good Hope. After viewing the penguin colony at Simons Town, head inland via Muizenberg—famous for its surfing—for wine tasting in the Constantia Winelands.

A sunrise kayak along the Cape Town coast from Moullie Point on day three offers a chance for close-up encounters with whales and dolphins, while your afternoon is given to a tour by open-top bus plus a cable-car ride up Table Mountain for scenic hiking. End your day with dinner at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Next day, indulge in a full-day biking tour through the vineyards of the Franschhoek Valley, including a picnic lunch at a wine estate.

On day five, fly to Port Elizabeth and drive along the dramatic Garden Route coastline to a private game reserve. You’ll spend the next three days thrilling to sightings of lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and other wildlife on early morning and later afternoon game drives, while birders can count off hundreds of bird species on a peaceful boat cruise on the Bushman's River. On day eight, fly from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town for your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #3: South Africa Safari, Victoria Falls, & Chobe National Park

This multi-country itinerary combines three days in and around sophisticated Cape Town, including sampling the fine wines of Winelands, with the majesty of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, plus an exploration of Namibia’s watery and wildlife-rich Chobe National Park aboard a houseboat.

Begin your trip with a walking tour of Cape Town, taking in the highlight sights such as Parliament and the District Six Museum. You’ll also enjoy a cable car ride up Table Mountain. Day two is given to exploring the dramatic shoreline of Cape Peninsula, including its penguin colony, plus Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. Next day, foodies will particularly enjoy a full-day indulgence in the Cape Winelands, with visits to three notable wineries to savor fine wines, cheeses, and dark Belgian chocolates.

On day four you’ll fly to Livingstone Airport in Zambia, 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.

Day six, 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 eight you’ll fly to Maun airport for your onward flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #4: South Africa Food & Wine Tour

On a fun 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.

Arrive in Cape Town and enjoy a full-day wine tour through the Cape Winelands with winery visits around Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl, or Elgin.

Next day enjoy a fun educational visit, plus vegan snacks and a cooking demonstration, at an organic farm. Then learn how to smoke meats the South African way, then dive into delicious ribs, brisket, pulled pork, and plenty of trimming. And after a salt-curing cooking course, feast on such treats as seared hake, mussel veloute, and squid ink tagliatelle.

Days four, head along the Garden Route for two days in Knysna. Memorable moments include sparkling wine and snacks on the beach, a horse-drawn carriage ride through vineyards, and a sublime wine and chocolate pairing. You’ll also hike the coastal forest at Featherbed Nature Reserve followed by an oyster cruise on Knysna Lagoon.

You’ll then fly to Johannesburg on day six. Spend the balance of the day exploring and talking with the residents of Soweto Township, famous as a center for civil unrest during the Apartheid era. A traditional African dinner under the starry night skies is accompanied by live music. On day seven, gain further cultural and historical insight in Soweto, including visits to the Nelson Mandela Museum. After buying fresh produce in a local market, you’ll learn to cook the traditional way: in potjies (cast iron pots) over a fire. Day eight depart Johannesburg for home. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Family Adventure - Cape Town & Shamwari Safari

Whether you’re traveling with wee ones of adolescents, this 8-day family adventure is sure to awe all family members. From rotating your way up Table Mountain in a cable car to viewing cheetahs eye-to-eye on safari in Shamwari, your week is chock-full of great activities and venues.

Start in Cape Town with a harbor cruise, or visit the Two Oceans Aquarium or the Diamond Museum. 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. You’ll also visit the Kommetjie Imhoff Village farm animals, and maybe play paintball, enjoy a horseback ride along the beach, or a coastal train ride to Muizenberg. End the day with a gourmet picnic dinner. 

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 includes a zip line ride at the Cape Canopy Tour Adventure Park, exploring the vineyard maze at family-friendly Southhill Vineyards, and paddle-boarding the lake at the mountaintop Old Mac Daddy farm lodge.

Next day, transfer to Shamwari, a luxury private game reserve with a special "Kids on Safari Adventure." Your two days here includes game drives, birding, walking safaris, and a visit to the Born Free Foundation Big Cat Rescue Center. Day ten, transfer to Port Elizabeth for connecting flights home. Learn more

More Great 8-Day South Africa Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your South Africa trip? Check out these other 8-day South Africa itineraries, ranging from active, to cultural, to luxury, or family-friendly trips.

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