Highlights
- Explore the bustling V&A Waterfront at your own pace
- Walk among the treetops at Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden
- Listen to stories of the Soweto Uprising of 1976 over dinner
- See leopards and lions up close in the Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Cape Town, Explore the Port City at Leisure | Cape Town |
| Day 2 | Walking Tour of the City, Cable Car Up Table Mountain | Cape Town |
| Day 3 | Full-Day Wine Tour in the Cape Winelands | Cape Town |
| Day 4 | Road Trip Along the Atlantic Seaboard & Cape Peninsula | Cape Town |
| Day 5 | Guided Tour of a Cape Town Township & Robben Island | Cape Town |
| Day 6 | Visit the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens | Cape Town |
| Day 7 | Guided Food & Culture Tour of Bo-Kaap & Woodstock | Cape Town |
| Day 8 | Fly to Johannesburg, Walking Tour of the Maboneng Precinct | Johannesburg |
| Day 9 | Guided Tour of the Soweto Township, Traditional Dinner | Johannesburg |
| Day 10 | Fly to Kruger National Park, Night Game Drive | Kruger National Park |
| Day 11 | Sunrise Bush Walk, Afternoon Game Drive | Kruger National Park |
| Days 12-13 | Admire the Reserve's Wildlife & Archaeological Sites | Kruger National Park |
| Day 14 | Visit the Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre, Afternoon Game Drive | Kruger National Park |
| Day 15 | Transfer to Johannesburg via the Blyde River Canyon | Johannesburg |
| Day 16 | Depart Johannesburg |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Cape Town, Explore the Port City at Leisure
Welcome to South Africa and the picturesque port city of Cape Town! Meet your driver outside the airport and transfer to your accommodation to unpack and unwind. After you settle in, spend the rest of the day exploring the city at your own pace. Head to the V&A Waterfront, named after Queen Victoria and her son, Prince Alfred. Wander down the promenade, shop for arts and crafts at the expansive Watershed market, or visit the Two Oceans Aquarium to explore underwater life. Another option is the Diamond Museum, which explores the history of the diamond rush in South Africa.
In the evening, join a sunset boat cruise to sail across the tranquil waters of Table Bay, with the iconic Table Mountain providing a dramatic backdrop. As the boat glides along the pristine coastline, unwind on deck with a refreshing drink while you watch the sun transform the sky into warm hues of red and orange. When darkness starts to fall, return to the shore and browse the array of eateries. Whether you're craving fresh seafood, international fare, or local delights, there's something here to suit every palate.
Day 2: Walking Tour of the City, Cable Car Up Table Mountain
In the morning, meet your local guide in the city center for a four-hour walking tour of the historic city. Explore Cape Town's different eras and learn about the country's history, as well as the people who shaped it. Start at the Company's Garden, which was previously farmland dating back to the 17th century, that's been turned into a beloved park, offering a respite from the urban bustle. Around the corner is the Iziko Slave Lodge, a national history museum dedicated to exploring the history of slavery in the region.
Nearby sits the historic Green Market Square, which has served as a slave market, vegetable market, and center for political protests under Apartheid. These days, it hosts a flea market with African souvenirs and crafts for sale. Just down the street is the Castle of Good Hope, South Africa's oldest existing Dutch East India colonial building. On the way, you'll pass by several memorials and monuments, including the We Are Still Here Street Memorial, dedicated to destitute children, and the District Six Museum, which commemorates forced relocation under Apartheid.
After visiting some of the city's landmarks, stop for lunch in the downtown core. In the afternoon, give your legs a rest with a hop-on,-hop-off tour aboard the distinctive red open-top bus. Start at the Cape Town City Center Terminal, then take the bus to Table Mountain. From the bus stop, continue to the summit on a cable car for spectacular views of the city, mountains, and ocean. Take the cable car back down the mountain in time for dinner in the city center, near Green Market Square.
Day 3: Full-Day Wine Tour in the Cape Winelands
Start the morning with a pickup from a local guide for a laid-back, full-day wine tour through the Cape Winelands. From the minute you step out the door, your experience will be perfectly curated, so you don't have to worry about a thing—besides sipping wine. The Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve, which extends from the Kogelberg Reserve in the south along the Cape Fold Mountain Chain to the north, is an internationally recognized area within the Cape Floristic Region.
Spend the day exploring the rolling hills of the Winelands, visiting wineries in the Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl, or Elgin wine regions. At each vineyard you visit, eat mouthwatering foods and drink some of the best wines South Africa has to offer, from a variety of whites and reds as well as each estate's own blends and styles. Enjoy the scenery and the beautiful vineyards and white-gabled farmsteads that dot the landscape, then return to Cape Town in time for dinner.
Day 4: Road Trip Along the Atlantic Seaboard & Cape Peninsula
Hit the road with your guide for a full-day road trip along the Cape Peninsula, which juts out into the Atlantic Ocean at the southwestern extremity of Africa. At the southern end of the peninsula is Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope. On the northern end is Table Mountain, overlooking Cape Town. The southernmost point of the Cape Peninsula has outstanding flora and fauna and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Cape Floristic Region. Leave Cape Town early in the morning, passing Cape Town University as you make your way to the coastal suburb of Noordhoek.
Stop here for a coffee break and some photos, then visit the Cape Point Nature Reserve, where you'll visit the Cape of Good Hope and its iconic lighthouse. Continue to Simon's Town to see the penguin colony nearby on Boulder's Beach before breaking for lunch at a local seafood restaurant along the water in the sleepy fishing town. Back in the car, your driver will follow Chapman's Peak Drive, one of the scenic roads along the Atlantic Seaboard. Pass by the beaches of Llandudno and Camps Bay, then stop at the iconic Maidens Cove for a quick dip in the water to end the full-day tour.
Day 5: Guided Tour of a Cape Town Township & Robben Island
Wake up early for a full day of sightseeing, starting at one of Cape Town's iconic townships to get to know the local history and meet with its residents. Visit with key community leaders to discuss history, culture, and politics, as well as current and future socio-economic challenges facing the township. On Sunday mornings, the tour includes a stop at a local church, where you can join the congregation in a joyful celebration of community and faith. After lunch, catch a ferry across the water to the UNESCO-listed Robben Island, located 4.3 miles (6.9 km) offshore.
Meet your guide, a former inmate of the island's prison for criminals and anti-Apartheid political prisoners. Nelson Mandela, South Africa's first Black president and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, was imprisoned here for 18 years of his 27-year term for his anti-Apartheid activism. On the tour, stop at his cell before exploring more of the island. Bird-watching enthusiasts will enjoy a walk along the rugged coastline, as the island is a safe haven for about 132 species of birds, such as crowned cormorants and black-crowned night herons. After the tour, return to the mainland in time for dinner.
Day 6: Visit the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens
Spend the morning enjoying nature in the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, one of the world's most exceptional botanical gardens. Set against the slopes of Table Mountain, this lush paradise houses thousands of species of indigenous and exotic plants. Walk along the elevated curved steel and timber Centenary Tree Canopy Walkway to enjoy panoramic views of the lush garden and surrounding mountains.
In the afternoon, head to La Colombe Restaurant in Constantia, one of South Africa's internationally acclaimed fine dining establishments. Enjoy a late lunch, a fusion of Asian and French cuisine made from the freshest seasonal produce. Pair your meal with the perfect wine from the restaurant's award-winning wine list for a memorable dining experience. Spend your evening strolling along the waterfront or return to your accommodation to relax.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 7: Guided Food & Culture Tour of Bo-Kaap & Woodstock
You might want to skip breakfast this morning, as today, you learn more about the city's incredibly diverse cultures through an international medium—food. A lot of the food in the country is sourced fresh, so the tastings will depend on the time of year and season. You'll also learn about one of South Africa's many ethnic groups, the Cape Malays, originally brought here from Dutch colonies as enslaved people, political prisoners, or exiles. Start your guided tour with a walk through the Company's Gardens to sample rooibos tea and rusks, an Afrikaner biscuit.
Continue to the Earth Fair Market to sample local treats from a variety of vendors, then head to Bo-Kaap, the colorful Cape Malay district, for a traditional lunch. Stop in and visit Atlas Trading Company, a family-owned spice shop that's been in operation since 1946. From here, take the city bus to the trendy suburb of Woodstock to sample craft beer and locally-produced gin. Then, round out the day with a visit to an artisanal chocolate factory. Return to your accommodation in the late afternoon or enjoy a free evening in the city center.
Day 8: Fly to Johannesburg, Walking Tour of the Maboneng Precinct
Say goodbye to Cape Town this morning as you transfer to the airport for a two-hour flight to Johannesburg, South Africa's largest city. Check in to your accommodation in the city, then head out for a walking tour of the Maboneng Precinct, a former industrial zone that's been transformed into a vibrant part of the city. Maboneng, a Sotho word for "Place of Light," is a fitting name for a neighborhood that has quickly become a center for creative urban artists. Visit art galleries and historical museums, then head to the 50-story Carlton Center for a bird's-eye view of the city.
For dinner, make your way to the Chiefs Boma Restaurant for an interactive culinary experience that spans the African continent. Enjoy cocktails or craft beer on the deck overlooking the Boma Dam, then meander through the herb garden before sitting down to enjoy your meal to the music of a marimba band. With over 120 options, ranging from North African dishes to a "Big Five game kebab" made from five kinds of antelope, you're sure to find something to suit your tastes. After dinner, enjoy a glass of wine and roasted marshmallows over a cozy fire.
Day 9: Guided Tour of the Soweto Township, Traditional Dinner
Learn more about the Apartheid era and subsequent uprisings this morning in the eastern township of Soweto, where you can explore by bicycle, tuk-tuk, or foot with your local guide. The neighborhood was once a segregated area for the city's Black population, igniting uprisings, with the most notable one occurring in 1976, when tens of thousands of black students took to the streets to protest the rule that Afrikaans should be the official language for schools in the area. Several hundred students were killed during the uprising, including 12-year-old Hector Pieterson.
The Hector Pieterson Memorial commemorates his and all the students' bravery. After stopping by the memorial, enjoy a quiet stroll down Vilazaki Street to see the former homes of Nelson Mandela and Bishop Desmond Tutu, then visit the Nelson Mandela Museum. In the evening, experience firsthand accounts of Soweto's history from the township's residents. Listen to stories of freedom fighters, students from the 1976 uprising, and other key historical figures. Enjoy live art performances and music as you feast on a traditional African dinner under the starry night sky.
Day 10: Fly to Kruger National Park, Night Game Drive
Leave the city behind this morning as you set off on a one-hour flight or five-hour transfer (depending on your preference) to Kruger National Park, one of South Africa's most remarkable safari destinations. After arriving at the lodge, take some time to freshen up and relax. Have a drink at the bar to unwind, go for a swim, or take a stroll to stretch your legs after the day's travel. In the evening, board an open safari vehicle for your first game drive in the park. The three-hour drive is a thrilling and exciting opportunity to see South Africa's wildlife up close.
You may see the Big Five, which includes elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, lions, and leopards, so keep your eyes peeled. When darkness falls, the tour guides use spotlights to scan the landscape for the glowing eyes of nocturnal animals, like the spotted hyena or African civet. Dinner is a bush braai—a South African take on a barbecue in the middle of the reserve. Mouthwatering meats are sizzled to perfection atop an open wood fire—the perfect ending to a long day. After dinner, continue the game drive before returning to your lodge for the night.
Day 11: Sunrise Bush Walk, Afternoon Game Drive
Get an early start this morning for a drive to a remote location along the Olifants River, where you can set off on a four-hour sunrise bush walk. Surges of adrenaline will come aplenty as you spot wild African animals, but your adequately armed ranger will ensure your complete safety. Follow the area's Big Five on foot as you learn about the African bush and observe animals in their natural habitat. Don't forget to look up, as the reserve is home to an array of birdlife, from lilac-breasted rollers to martial eagles.
Make sure you wear comfortable shoes or boots and clothing that can protect your skin from the brush, and don't leave your camera and binoculars at the lodge for this one—there's plenty to see as you follow the river's edge. Return to the lodge for brunch, then spend a few hours resting and catching up on sleep after your early rise. When the air starts to get cooler in the afternoon, head out on another game drive. While your guides expertly navigate the rugged terrain, watch the sunset over the vast savanna, looking for the silhouette of wildlife against the horizon. Return to your lodge for dinner and a relaxing evening.
Days 12-13: Admire the Reserve's Wildlife & Archaeological Sites
Spend the next two days exploring more of the park in an open-sided game vehicle, which allows for excellent wildlife viewing and photographic opportunities, so keep your camera on hand. Scores of giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, lions, hyenas, and countless other animals call the park home, so you have plenty of opportunities to see amazing wildlife in their natural habitat. Over 300 Stone Age archaeological sites have been located in the area, which you can visit as well to see plenty of evidence of the San and Iron Age people from 1,500 years ago, with San art found throughout the entire park.
Day 14: Visit the Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre, Afternoon Game Drive
In the morning, transfer 50 minutes to the Moholoholo Rehabilitation Center, established for the medical care of injured and orphaned animals and birds. The center offers a unique experience to its visitors, allowing nature lovers to get close to the charismatic residents, including lions, leopards, eagles, and vultures. The center's main philosophy is that awareness is key for the future of rapidly disappearing wildlife, so the knowledgeable staff will teach you about the animals' behaviors, the rehabilitation process, and their ongoing conservation efforts.
After lunch, return to the lodge for one last game drive through the reserve. Scan the landscape for animals you may not have seen yet, such as crocodiles and hippos lurking in the water or warthogs, mongooses, and vervet monkeys in the underbrush. Watch the sunset against the backdrop of acacia trees and rolling hills, listening for the distant roar of lions or nearby bird calls. In the evening, return to the lodge for your final dinner under the stars, then get an early night.
Day 15: Transfer to Johannesburg via the Blyde River Canyon
Enjoy a pre-breakfast sunrise bush walk, then check out of your lodge and hit the road for your five-hour journey back to Johannesburg. On the way, stop at the Blyde River Canyon, one of the world's largest canyons and home to a wide variety of lush subtropical plants. Stand at the canyon's edge and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding cliffs, rugged rock formations, and tranquil Blyde River. Back in the car, make another stop at the Three Rondavels Viewpoint to see the three rock formations that resemble traditional African round huts.
After taking in the sweeping views, keep driving to Johannesburg, arriving around 5:00 pm. Spend the night relaxing at your hotel, or head out to 7th Street in the vibrant suburb of Melville to eat at one of the trendy cafés, bistros, or restaurants lining the road. Unwind after the long drive with a cocktail or beer at one of the nearby bars before returning to your hotel to rest.
Day 16: Depart Johannesburg
After 16 days of discovering South Africa's rich culture, abundant wildlife, and natural landscapes, it's time to head home. If you have some time before your flight, you can explore more of the city on your own. You could visit the Apartheid Museum to learn more about the era of institutionalized racial segregation or head to the Neighbourgoods Market in the trendy neighborhood of Braamfontein. Browse the stalls full of artisanal foods, locally-made crafts, and handmade clothing to find the perfect souvenirs. When it's time, transfer to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels!
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