Highlights
- Stroll around Cape Town's V&A Waterfront and ride the giant Cape Wheel
- Tour Cape Town's top sites via the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus
- Meet cute and curious penguins at Boulders Beach African Penguin Sanctuary
- See lions, elephants, and rhinos in their natural habitat at Shamwari Reserve
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Cape Town, Explore the V&A Waterfront | Cape Town |
| Day 2 | Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour, Gardens, Wineries & Museums | Cape Town |
| Day 3 | Full-Day Excursion to Cape Point: Penguins & Seaside Villages | Cape Town |
| Day 4 | Fly to Eastern Cape, Transfer to Shamwari Private Game Reserve | Eastern Cape Game Reserve |
| Day 5 | Activities at Shamwari: Game Drives & Bush Walks | Eastern Cape Game Reserve |
| Day 6 | More Family Fun at Shamwari: Adventure Center & Sanctuaries | Eastern Cape Game Reserve |
| Day 7 | Transfer to Port Elizabeth, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Cape Town, Explore the V&A Waterfront
Welcome to South Africa! Your flight arrives in Cape Town, South Africa's legislative capital and oldest city. A private driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel, the luxurious Cape Grace Hotel, a 5-star accommodation located on a private quay between Cape Town's bustling V&A Waterfront and the tranquil yacht marina. Once you've checked in and had a chance to unwind, head out to explore the V&A Waterfront with the family.
Considered one of the city's most iconic destinations, the V&A is located in the oldest harbor in the Southern Hemisphere. Here, you'll find more than 450 retail shops, restaurants, and activities suitable for all ages. Take a ride on the Cape Wheel, a more than 130-foot (40 m) observation wheel with full-enclosed cabins and incredible views of nearby Robben Island, or stop by the Watershed, where you'll find local arts, crafts, and fashion.
Chess lovers can try their hand at the waterfront's giant outdoor chess board, and any little ones in your group will love the Kids Ahoy Playground. You can also learn more about the fascinating history of diamonds at the Cape Town Diamond Museum, or if you'd like to get out on the water, take a boat tour or a sunset ride on a private yacht. End the day with dinner at one of the many local restaurants, then get a good night's sleep at your hotel, resting up for tomorrow's adventures.
Day 2: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour, Gardens, Wineries & Museums
Today you're free to see more of the city on your own and take in some of the local sights. If you want to catch Cape Town's main highlights, try the City Sightseeing Bus, also known as the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus. This is an easy way to see many of the city's important sites, with the option to disembark at various attractions and re-board the next bus—this is an especially great option if you've got small children with you or don't want to walk long distances!
Make a stop at Table Mountain, an immense, flat-topped mountain and a prominent city landmark, riding the cable car to the top and enjoying spectacular views of the city and ocean. At the summit, there are walking trails you can explore, or have coffee or lunch in the restaurant there. Afterward, visit Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Set against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, it's acclaimed as one of the great botanic gardens of the world, covering more than 1,300 acres (528 ha) with several trails and pathways of varying difficulty.
Wine enthusiasts might enjoy a trip out to the Constantia Valley, a region where the oldest wine estate in South Africa proudly stands. Tour the historic vineyards and taste local wines while the kids run around, and if the family isn't too tired after the busy day, end at the District Six Museum & Gallery, a museum dedicated to the complex history of apartheid and its impact on the people of Cape Town.
Day 3: Full-Day Excursion to Cape Point: Penguins & Seaside Villages
Get an early start this morning as you meet your guides and head to Cape Point, located an hour south of Cape Town on the Cape Peninsula. Start with a tour of Cape Town City Bowl, which takes you past the V&A Waterfront and along Blue Flag beaches, with the glistening Atlantic Ocean on your right and the towering Twelve Apostle mountains on your left. Arrive in Hout Bay, where you can take a boat cruise to Seal Island or stroll around the wharf and harbor, making friends with the friendly seals lounging on the docks.
See the 1800s lighthouse at the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, then hike to the newer lighthouse, built in the 1900s to solve visibility issues during cloudy weather. There's also a funicular available for an easier way up—a great option for families with smaller children. The morning ends with a stop in Simon's Town, a legendary naval town overlooking False Bay. Here, you can visit Boulders Beach and its African penguin sanctuary, home to more than 2,000 endangered penguins.
Enjoy a traditional South African lunch, then drive back toward Cape Town, traveling along the False Bay coastal route and passing through the seaside towns of Fish Hoek, Kalk Bay, St James, and Muizenberg. You'll have the opportunity to stop and stretch your legs, visiting the quirky bookstores, vintage clothing shops, and popular seaside restaurants along the way. Watch surfers conquer the waves in Muizenberg, and you might even see breaching whales if it's whale season. Return to your hotel in the early evening, just in time for a sunset stroll or dinner at a local restaurant.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 4: Fly to Eastern Cape, Transfer to Shamwari Private Game Reserve
Your next destination is the malaria-free Eastern Cape, where you'll begin your safari adventure. In the morning, take a private transfer to the airport for your flight out, meeting up with your driver upon arrival to travel to Shamwari Private Game Reserve. Established in the 1990s, this nearly 100-square-mile (250 sq km) reserve was created to rebuild the once-abundant wildlife of the region and preserve its ecological diversity. You'll be staying at Riverdene Family Lodge, a luxury accommodation located inside the reserve, with expansive views of the African bush and plenty of activities for both adults and kids.
Day 5: Activities at Shamwari: Game Drives & Bush Walks
Experience the incredible wilderness of Shamwari, making the most of the various activities on offer through the lodge. You can start the day with a game-viewing drive, as mornings are often the best time to see the animals here. Together with your guide, you'll explore via open-topped 4WDs, seeking out the "Big Five" game animals as well as sighting birds of prey, colorful songbirds, and other wildlife such as antelope, leopards, or the elusive cheetah.
Day 6: More Family Fun at Shamwari: Adventure Center & Sanctuaries
Another full day of fun awaits at Shamwari. In addition to more game drives, guided walks, and other outdoor family excursions, you can sign the kids up for the lodge's Kids Safari Adventure Center, which offers a host of activities that include climbing walls, zipline rides, and indoor crafts.
If you've got a mix of older and younger ages, the lodge has an on-site children's coordinator, as well as childminding services for an additional fee—making it easy to take older children along on the game drives while the younger kids relax at the lodge. Families can also visit the Julie Ward or Jean Byrd Centers, both of which provide sanctuary for Africa's big cats alongside educational and informational tours.
Day 7: Transfer to Port Elizabeth, Depart
Sadly, it's time to say farewell to South Africa. Your driver will collect you from the lodge this morning and transport you to the airport at Port Elizabeth for your flight home. Safe travels!
More Great South Africa Itineraries
Looking for more inspiration for your trip to South Africa? Check out these other South Africa itineraries, explore different ways to spend a week in South Africa on safari, or discover the best time to visit South Africa.
Map
