Best of the Western Cape

Top itineraries and travel advice in and around Western Cape

Explore the Western Cape in South Africa, from the iconic Table Mountain in Cape Town to the lush vineyards of the Cape Winelands. Throughout the region, you'll enjoy a world-class experience combining natural wonders, rich history, and cultural vibrancy. Begin your journey in Cape Town, the provincial capital, known for its landscapes, vibrant neighborhoods, and rich cultural heritage. Hike or take the cable car up Table Mountain for panoramic views of the city and coastline. Stroll around the historic V&A Waterfront, visit Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, and explore the colorful streets of Bo-Kaap.

The Western Cape is also renowned for its wine regions, including Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl. Indulge in wine-tasting experiences, savor gourmet cuisine, and enjoy the scenery of rolling vineyards and historic Cape Dutch architecture. Nature enthusiasts will be captivated by the Garden Route, which offers a spectacular drive along the coast, featuring pristine beaches, indigenous forests, and charming towns like Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. For a unique floral experience, visit the Cape Floral Kingdom, one of the world's biodiversity hotspots, especially during the spring bloom.

Adventure seekers can find plenty to do in the Western Cape, such as shark cage diving in Gansbaai, bungee jumping at Bloukrans Bridge, and whale watching in Hermanus. There are also excellent opportunities for hiking, surfing, and kayaking. You can also visit the Afrikaans language monument in Paarl, learn about the region's complex history at the District Six Museum, and immerse yourself in the local arts and crafts markets.

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A stunning sunset on the Western Cape
Map of Guide to South Africa's Top Regions: Where to Go for Safari, Culture, Hiking & More
Guide to South Africa's Top Regions: Where to Go for Safari, Culture, Hiking & More

South Africa's scenery is as diverse as its culture, providing an ideal setting for an activity-packed trip. Below we've outlined the Rainbow Nation's nine provinces (and what they're best for)—plus two landlocked kingdoms—so you can choose your adventure, whether it's big game safaris, Apartheid history, hiking and biking trails, Indigenous villages, or world-class vineyards. Read on to learn more.

Relax and reconnect on a family holiday to South Africa
Map of South Africa Family Adventure: Cape Town, Winelands, Garden Route & Safari - 14 Days
South Africa Family Adventure: Cape Town, Winelands, Garden Route & Safari - 14 Days

This two-week wildlife and adventure-packed family vacation takes you from the Western to the Eastern Cape via South Africa's stunning Garden Route. Start in lively Cape Town, where you and the kids will scale Table Mountain, make pals with the penguins at Boulders Beach, and relax in the surrounding wine country. If that sounds too sedate, you'll also plunge the depths of Shark Alley in a reinforced cage, meet the Big Five during a luxury safari, and tour the Stone Age Cango Caves.

Declare yourself king of the rock
Map of South Africa Family Adventure: Cape Town, Winelands, Garden Route, Safari, & More - 15 Days
South Africa Family Adventure: Cape Town, Winelands, Garden Route, Safari, & More - 15 Days

While parenting can feel like an extreme sport at times, you can really get your adrenaline up on this 15-day itinerary. Warm up with a hike or cable car ride up Table Mountain and some beach time in Cape Town before you get on the road and follow the Garden Route to adventures like ziplines, a shark encounter, sandboard rides down one of the world's largest dunes, and safari drives.

Explore wineries near the town of Franschhoek, located outside of Cape Town
Map of Cape Town & Franschhoek: Best Itinerary Ideas
Cape Town & Franschhoek: Best Itinerary Ideas

Thirteen to 16 days is the most popular trip length for travelers visiting South Africa's Cape Town and Franschhoek, especially when including Johannesburg and Kruger National Park. If you're only headed to Cape Town and Franschhoek, you can enjoy a well-paced trip in six to eight days. Even travelers with limited time can see the highlights in as few as five days. For the best itineraries, including Cape Town and Franschhoek, keep reading below.

An aerial view over Cape Town
Map of Highlights of South Africa: Cape Town, Garden Route, & Safari - 10 Days
Highlights of South Africa: Cape Town, Garden Route, & Safari - 10 Days

This itinerary will start in Cape Town, where you will have a few days to explore the culturally-rich and scenic city, including a visit to Robben Island as well as a cable car ride up to Table Mountain.  You will then drive through the Cape to the quaint town, Caledon, before exploring the Klein Karoo and spending a night in Oudtshoorn. Over the next few days, you will discover the famous Garden Route while staying in Knysna before heading to Amakhala Game Reserve for two days of safari.

We have got to stop meeting like this
Map of South Africa Family Adventure: Cape Town, Winelands, Garden Route, Safari, & More - 16 Days
South Africa Family Adventure: Cape Town, Winelands, Garden Route, Safari, & More - 16 Days

Despite their dramatic size difference, the elephant's closest living relative is the hyrax. See if you can spot both elephants and their cousins as you take your own family on this 16-day adventure that will take you from up in the trees of Kirstenbosch Garden, onto the cliffs of Cape Point, out to sea for marine wildlife sightings, down into caves, and into safari grasslands, just to name a few, to take in landscapes as varied as your family.

You won't be roughing it on safari at your luxury camp (photo courtesy of Shamwari)
Map of Luxury South Africa Highlights: Winelands, Garden Route & Eastern Cape Safari - 7 Days
Luxury South Africa Highlights: Winelands, Garden Route & Eastern Cape Safari - 7 Days

Combine a relaxing luxury vacation with thrilling outdoor adventures on this weeklong South Africa tour. Taste the quality of the country's most famous vineyards on a visit to the Cape Winelands region before hitting the road on the Garden Route, one of the most spectacular coastal drives on the continent. And no trip to Africa is complete without safari fun, so finish the adventure in an open-topped safari vehicle seeking big cats, elephants, rhinos, and other majestic creatures on the savanna plains.

Knysna's turaco
Map of South Africa Road Trip: Cape Town, Winelands, Garden Route, & Eastern Cape Safari - 14 Days
South Africa Road Trip: Cape Town, Winelands, Garden Route, & Eastern Cape Safari - 14 Days

Travel for two weeks through a tapestry of the Cape Town region's attractions with this trip plan. You'll start with Cape Town itself as your base for day trips into the Winelands and out to the Cape of Good Hope, then drive off through smaller cities and towns. Visit animal sanctuaries, ancient caves, national parks, and more before ending your trip with a classic safari.

Family on Safari
Map of South Africa Family Adventure: Cape Town, Winelands, Garden Route & Safari - 10 Days
South Africa Family Adventure: Cape Town, Winelands, Garden Route & Safari - 10 Days

Experience the best of South Africa's stunning scenery and wildlife with this 10-day family trip. Whiz up iconic Table Mountain by cable car, then explore the country's scenic Garden Route and vineyards before going on a safari at the luxury Shamwari Game Reserve. Along the way, you'll make pals with African penguins, see the Big Five, zipline across a ravine, and get in some beach time at beautiful Knysna.

Bloukran's Bridge
Map of Cape Town & Garden Route Adventure - 10 Days
Cape Town & Garden Route Adventure - 10 Days

Spend 10 days taking in the Western Cape with this trip plan. You'll explore Cape Town and see Table Mountain from both a distant beach and right under your feet, sample the wines of Stellenbosch, and dive into a great white cage encounter before you hit the road on the Garden Route for canoeing, hiking, animal encounters, and more.

Make scenic stops along the Garden Route, including Tsitsikamma National Park
Map of Cape Town & the Garden Route: Best Itinerary Ideas
Cape Town & the Garden Route: Best Itinerary Ideas

Cape Town and the Garden Route is a classic pairing for travelers headed to South Africa. It's best to spend 12 to 15 days in-country—this allows for plenty of time to enjoy the top sights and activities at each stop. Travelers can also opt for a faster paced trip, covering the top highlights of each region in just 10 or 11 days. Check out our favorite itinerary ideas below, and start planning your perfect trip.

Tsitsikamma National Park
Map of South Africa Road Trip: Cape Town, Winelands, Garden Route, & Eastern Cape Safari - 15 Days
South Africa Road Trip: Cape Town, Winelands, Garden Route, & Eastern Cape Safari - 15 Days

Take yourself through some of the Cape Town's top spots with this 15-day road trip. Your trip begins with five days in Cape Town itself and its neighboring attractions, including the Cape of Good Hope, Table Mountain, and historic Robben Island. Then you'll get in your car and head to the relaxed town of Greyton, caves and animal reserves of Oudtshoorn, and Tsitsikamma National Park and the famed lagoon of Knysna, before you conclude with a safari in the Eastern Cape.

The basis of bobotie
Map of South Africa Food & Wine Tour: Cape Town, Garden Route, & Johannesburg - 13 Days
South Africa Food & Wine Tour: Cape Town, Garden Route, & Johannesburg - 13 Days

Follow your nose for 13 days of South African gastronomy with this itinerary. Start with three days amid the city streets and spices of Cape Town, then go along the Garden Route to encounter Elgin's farms and markets followed by the shores of the Knysna Lagoon and Tsitsikamma National Park.  End your trip around the campfire and dining on a platform above the skyline of Johannesburg.

Elephants on parade in South Africa
Map of Garden Route and "Big 5" Tour - 8 Days
Garden Route and "Big 5" Tour - 8 Days

Get ready for the road trip of a lifetime!  Explore the Western Cape, Little Karoo, Whale Route, Addo Elephant National Park, and more. Ride down Africa's largest dune on a sandboard, explore Wilderness National Park in a canoe, relax and shop in Cape Town, and jump from the world's highest bungee bridge (if you dare!).

South Africa's Garden Route
Map of South Africa's Garden Route & Addo National Park - 6 Days
South Africa's Garden Route & Addo National Park - 6 Days

Embark on a guided six-day road trip through the most scenic areas of South Africa. This holiday may be brisk but it doesn't skimp on the adventure, as you'll enjoy the cultural highlights of Cape Town before hitting the road on the world-famous Garden Route. Capping this unforgettable journey are cave tours and wildlife safaris to spend time with African elephants in Addo National Park.

Penguins at Boulders Beach
Map of South Africa Family Adventure: Cape Town, Winelands, & More - 6 Days
South Africa Family Adventure: Cape Town, Winelands, & More - 6 Days

Take your children to meet the chicks of Boulders Bay's penguin colony and many more on this six-day trip. You'll divide your time between colorful Cape Town and its surrounding areas of Elgin and Franschhoek as you make your way through vineyard mazes, pirate cruises, and more.

Campus Bay in Cape Town, South Africa
Map of Cape Town, Franschhoek & Garden Route - 14 Days
Cape Town, Franschhoek & Garden Route - 14 Days

Go whale watching, shark diving, wine tasting, meerkat spotting, ocean kayaking, and so much more on this fantastic two-week tour of South Africa. Kick things off in Cape Town with the best food, art, and history experiences, get up close with nature on a drive along the famously scenic Garden Route, and end your adventure with a ride through the vineyards on the famous wine tram of Franschhoek.

Completed bobotie
Map of South Africa Food & Wine Tour: Cape Town, Garden Route, & Johannesburg - 14 Days
South Africa Food & Wine Tour: Cape Town, Garden Route, & Johannesburg - 14 Days

For two weeks, you can try out a thorough selection of South Africa's most typical tastes with. this trip plan. Whether you're winding your way through the Winelands, circling the stalls in the Elgin Railway Market, or relaxing on the shores of the Knysna Lagoon, you'll be educating both your mind and palate. Follow that with five days in Johannesburg that will take you from down in the Sterkfontein Caves to a dinner on a floating platform above the city.

Go whale watching and visit reputable wineries while staying on the south coast (photo courtesy of The Marine Hermanus)
Map of Luxury South Africa Highlights: Cape Town, Winelands, Garden Route & Eastern Cape Safari - 14 Days
Luxury South Africa Highlights: Cape Town, Winelands, Garden Route & Eastern Cape Safari - 14 Days

Enjoy a bit of the good life on a luxury two-week getaway to one of the most beautiful corners of South Africa. It's first-class all the way, as you enjoy private tours of scenic Cape Town and dine at its best restaurants. Then head east as you take advantage of wine tours in the charming French village of Franschhoek, champagne catamaran cruises, and, if you're up for it, cage diving with great white sharks. Finish with two days of game drives at a private reserve to complete the adventure.

Bean curry with dried fruits
Map of South Africa Food & Wine Tour: Cape Town, Garden Route, & Johannesburg - 9 Days
South Africa Food & Wine Tour: Cape Town, Garden Route, & Johannesburg - 9 Days

Nibble on nine days of nom with this South Africa culinary outing. You'll start strolling the colorful streets of Cape Town, enjoying the farms of Elgin, and exploring the flavors of the Garden Route before you head to Johannesburg to learn about the history of the Soweto Township and Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site alongside interactive dining experiences.

Cape Asparagus
Map of South Africa Food & Wine Tour: Cape Town, Garden Route, & Johannesburg - 12 Days
South Africa Food & Wine Tour: Cape Town, Garden Route, & Johannesburg - 12 Days

Taste 12 days of South African traditions on this tour that combines education and eateries. Whether you're making your way through the streets of Cape Town to relevant restaurants in the city's history, sipping wine and shucking oysters along the Garden Route, or trading tales around the barbecue in Johannesburg's Soweto township, you'll stimulate both your taste buds and your brain.

Bobotie with rice
Map of South Africa Food & Wine Tour: Cape Town, Garden Route, & Johannesburg - 15 Days
South Africa Food & Wine Tour: Cape Town, Garden Route, & Johannesburg - 15 Days

Sample 15 days worth of South Africa's savoriest spots with this itinerary. You'll start in Cape Town, with four days to explore from the treetops of Kirstenbosch to the colorful streets of Bo Kaap and vines of the Winelands, then head out on the Garden Route to explore Elgin's farms and Knysna's waterfront cooking. Conclude with five nights in Johannesburg, where you'll follow the full timeline of South African history from the Cradle of Humankind, to a barbecue in Soweto, through a modern dinner in a former power station.

Elephants in Chobe
Map of Epic Southern Africa: Victoria Falls, Chobe, Cape Town, Garden Route & Addo National Park - 21 Days
Epic Southern Africa: Victoria Falls, Chobe, Cape Town, Garden Route & Addo National Park - 21 Days

Get ready for a packed three-week adventure to some of the greatest locales in Africa. Your multi-country journey begins in Zimbabwe at Victoria Falls—the largest waterfall in the world—followed by camping in Botswana's Chobe National Park. Then enjoy the highlights of beautiful South Africa, including wine tours, scenic road trips, wildlife safaris, mountain biking, caving, hikes up Table Mountain, sunset boat cruises, and much more.

A road in the Western Cape, South Africa
Map of South Africa Self-Drive Tour - 11 Days
South Africa Self-Drive Tour - 11 Days

This stunning road-trip itinerary encompasses urban sophistication, a wildlife safari, and one of the country's best wine regions—all in the span of 11 days. Kick off in Cape Town, where you'll have four days to explore the city's culture and hiking trails. From here, drive to a beautiful private game reserve that is home to the Big Five. Finish in the Franschhoek Valley to see some of the best wine estates and gardens in South  Africa.

V&A Waterfront art
Map of South Africa Adventure: Cape Town, Winelands & Eastern Cape Safari - 7 Days
South Africa Adventure: Cape Town, Winelands & Eastern Cape Safari - 7 Days

Find some of the most famous attractions in Cape Town and its surroundings on this seven-day saunter. Drive along the coastal cliffs to natural sights like the Cape of Good Hope, paddle through Table Bay at sunrise, and cycle through the vineyards of the Winelands before you make your way to a safari on the Eastern Cape.

View over coastal Knysna and the scenic Garden Route, South Africa
Map of Coastal South Africa: Cape Town, Garden Route & Big Five Tour - 7 Days
Coastal South Africa: Cape Town, Garden Route & Big Five Tour - 7 Days

Discover some of the most beautiful coastal views of South Africa on this weeklong journey that hugs the shores. Start in Cape Town, where you'll explore the city's highlights before venturing on an epic ocean drive. Meander along the famous Route 62 for expansive mountain range vistas. Visit national parks and coastal villages along the Garden Route, which runs from the west to the Eastern Cape. Finish your trip in search of the "Big Five" with a safari game drive in Addo Elephant National Park.

Gather 'round the braai
Map of South Africa Food & Wine Tour: Cape Town, Garden Route, & Johannesburg - 10 Days
South Africa Food & Wine Tour: Cape Town, Garden Route, & Johannesburg - 10 Days

Take ten days to tease your taste buds on this trip through South Africa's treats. You'll start with three days in Cape Town to walk the city streets on a guided food tour and visit the Winelands, then stop in the smaller towns of Elgin and Knsyna to explore their farm-to-table scenes. End your trip around the bonfire in Johannesburg with storytelling and barbecue-style dining.

After three days in Cape Town, it's off to a luxury farm estate in the Cape Winelands (photo courtesy of La Cotte)
Map of Laid-Back Luxury in South Africa: Cape Town & Winelands - 7 Days
Laid-Back Luxury in South Africa: Cape Town & Winelands - 7 Days

If relaxation and a bit of luxury are what you're after, then a food, wine, and golf tour of South Africa's Western Cape is just what the doctor ordered. Enjoy first-class accommodations over seven days of bespoke experiences, which include dining at Cape Town's best restaurants, a helicopter ride over the city, and a Champagne cruise along the coast. Then, visit nearby Cape Winelands to taste the country's best bottles, horseback ride through the vineyards, and play a couple of rounds at Pearl Valley.

End your trip with winery tours (and tastings) in the Cape Winelands
Map of Highlights of Namibia & South Africa - 14 Days
Highlights of Namibia & South Africa - 14 Days

Discover Namibia and South Africa's rich culture, natural landscapes, and abundant wildlife on this 14-day tour across both countries. Start with a city break in Windhoek before driving to the Namib Desert to climb sand dunes and rise above the landscape in a hot-air balloon. Drive along the Skeleton Coast next, where elephants and black rhinos await you. Then, fly to South Africa to explore the Cape Peninsula, the coastal town of Hermanus, and the picturesque vineyards of the Cape Winelands.

Experience the ultimate in bushveld luxury at Sindile Safari Lodge (photo courtesy of Shamwari)
Map of Luxury South Africa Highlights: Cape Town, Winelands, Garden Route & Eastern Cape Safari - 10 Days
Luxury South Africa Highlights: Cape Town, Winelands, Garden Route & Eastern Cape Safari - 10 Days

Experience the best of Africa as you explore the savannas, cities, and coast of the continent's southernmost nation. On this luxury escape, stay at the finest hotels and dine at the best restaurants, starting in Cape Town, a city famous for its beautiful coast and iconic landmarks. Then, after touring the vineyards of the Cape Winelands region, hit the road down the Garden Route (one of the most famous coastal drives in the world) and finish with safaris to spot big cats in the Eastern Cape.

Discover the best of South Africa on this two-week family vacation
Map of Relaxing South Africa Family Adventure: Oceans, Wildlife & Safari Self-Drive - 14 Days
Relaxing South Africa Family Adventure: Oceans, Wildlife & Safari Self-Drive - 14 Days

Two weeks in South Africa gives families plenty of time to relax, explore the country's incredible wildlife, and travel from east to west without feeling hurried. Start in Cape Town to summit iconic Table Mountain, discover authentic African cuisine, and tour the Western Cape vineyards. Then it's on to the Eastern Cape, where you'll unwind on Knysna's beaches, soar along the country's fastest zipline, meet ostrich flocks and elephant herds, and cruise the infamous Shark Alley.

Tsitsikamma National Park
Map of Cape Town & Garden Route Adventure - 11 Days
Cape Town & Garden Route Adventure - 11 Days

Eleven days will allow you to encounter many of the highlights of the Western Cape with this itinerary. You'll start off in Cape Town with scenic city tours, wine tastings, and a shark dive before you set out on the Garden Route. This classic road trip will wind you through wilderness, wildlife, and more wine before loop back to Cape Town to depart.

Indulge in an oyster feast in Knysna
Map of South Africa Food & Wine Tour: Cape Town, Garden Route & Johannesburg - 11 Days
South Africa Food & Wine Tour: Cape Town, Garden Route & Johannesburg - 11 Days

Experience 11 days of edible education with this South Africa itinerary. You'll learn about the history of Cape Town via a food tour, followed by lessons in wine appreciation, salt curing, and oyster tasting along the Garden Route. Continue the curriculum in Johannesburg with dinner and storytelling around a fire, a cast-iron cooking class, and more—all complete with samples.

Chapman's Peak drive
Map of Explore South Africa: Cape Town, Johannesburg, & Kruger Safari - 9 Days
Explore South Africa: Cape Town, Johannesburg, & Kruger Safari - 9 Days

Take nine days to notice a curated list of some of South Africa's nicest spots. Open your outing in Cape Town, where you can check out the city from atop Table Mountain and then get down into its many attractions. Venture out to the vines of Franschhoek to sample from its renowned cellars, jump down to Johannesburg for a cultural lesson and dinner, then conclude your trip on a safari through Kruger National Park.

Stadsaal Caves
Map of Wine & Nature in South Africa: Cape Town, Winelands, & Cederberg - 9 Days
Wine & Nature in South Africa: Cape Town, Winelands, & Cederberg - 9 Days

From prehistoric cave art to the cosmopolitan streets of Cape Town, this nine-day itinerary gives you a window into some of South Africa's calling cards. Start off with a walking tour through Cape Town's history and scenic drive down to the Cape of Good Hope. Continue to the Winelands to relax and sample amid the vines, then finish up searching for cave paintings and mountain trails in the Cederberg Mountains.

Check out the towns on the Garden Route
Map of Cape Town & Garden Route Adventure - 12 Days
Cape Town & Garden Route Adventure - 12 Days

Combine a city break and a classic road trip with this 12-day itinerary. Stroll through Cape Town's many attractions, whether on sandy Bloubergstrand Beach or the shops of the V&A Waterfront, before you duck under the vines of the Winelands' vineyards. Then get in your car for a drive filled with whale-watching, wildlife, and more.

Experience a family safari adventure in South Africa's malaria-free Eastern Cape
Map of Family-Friendly South Africa: Cape Town, Stellenbosch & Eastern Cape Safaris - 14 Days
Family-Friendly South Africa: Cape Town, Stellenbosch & Eastern Cape Safaris - 14 Days

With two weeks in South Africa, you can combine city fun, wine country adventures, and the ultimate family safari experience. Start in colorful Cape Town to tackle Table Mountain and spot penguins and whales off the coast, then venture into the Winelands for kid-friendly vineyard and farm excursions. Switch to safari mode as you explore a private Eastern Cape reserve with family game drives and bush walks, and end on the coast with more wildlife encounters and beach time at a spectacular ocean-front lodge.

Chapman's Peak outside of Cape Town
Map of Scenic South Africa Road Trip: Cape Town & Garden Route - 13 Days
Scenic South Africa Road Trip: Cape Town & Garden Route - 13 Days

Spend 13 days in South Africa enjoying the highlights of Cape Town, plus a jaunt through wine country and down to the Cape of Good Hope. You'll then embark on an epic road trip along the Garden Route, one of the most scenic coastal drives in the world. Stop in national parks, visit charming towns, hit the waves in surf towns—you'll even have time to search for the "Big Five" on multiple safari game drives.

Zebras crossing the Okavango Delta
Map of Southern Africa Panorama: Culture, Cuisine & Wildlife - 15 Days
Southern Africa Panorama: Culture, Cuisine & Wildlife - 15 Days

You can experience southern Africa's greatest natural wonders alongside local culture and cuisine in just over two weeks. Start in South Africa's Western Cape to scale Table Mountain and taste world-class reds in the Winelands, then make your way to Kruger and Chobe National Parks for wildlife safaris by land and water—with visits to Johannesburg and Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls in between. Your adventure ends in Botswana, where you'll track antelope and canoe alongside elephants in the biodiverse Okavango Delta.

Cape White-Eye Bird
Map of Cape Town & Garden Route Adventure - 13 Days
Cape Town & Garden Route Adventure - 13 Days

Thirteen days through the Western Cape will thrill you with all that this region has to offer. Your trip begins in Cape Town, where you can enjoy views from on the shore, atop Table Mountain, and amidst the city streets. Venture into the vineyards of the Winelands and rocky coasts of Hermanus before you embark on a Garden Route drive that will bring you from one of the world's highest bungee jumps down into glittering caves, and so much more.

Cape Town, South Africa
From South Africa to Zimbabwe - Cape Town, Knysna, Victoria Falls - 13 Days

Perfect for those wishing to explore the best of South Africa, this 2-week tour includes some of the country's most popular regions, including a luxury stay with 5-star, private safaris. Start in Cape Town exploring its impeccable coastline, penguin colony, and Table Mountain, before renting a car and heading into the famous wine country. Sip world-renowned wines, go cave spelunking, visit an ostrich farm, and try the country's best oysters before heading north to Zimbabwe to hike Victoria Falls and view elephants.

Protea flowers in bloom
Map of Discover South Africa: Cape Town, Winelands, & Tswalu Kalahari - 11 Days
Discover South Africa: Cape Town, Winelands, & Tswalu Kalahari - 11 Days

Frolic through the fynbos for 11 days of some favorite South African attractions. You'll drive the scenic coastal roads outside Cape Town, dive into a shark cage encounter, and gaze out from Table Mountain over the city. Follow it up with the famous vineyards of Franschhoek and a safari to find the many flora and fauna of the Kalahari.

Cape Town
Map of Coastal South Africa: Cape Town, Garden Route & Eastern Cape Safari - 13 Days
Coastal South Africa: Cape Town, Garden Route & Eastern Cape Safari - 13 Days

This epic 13-day itinerary delivers the best of South Africa's southern coast by combining city tours, wine tastings, road trips, and safari drives. First, enjoy history walks around Cape Town, tours in the Winelands, and trips to the Cape Peninsula to walk with penguins. Then hit the road for nature tours and beach time along the famous Garden Route before finishing strong with a true African safari in a private game reserve.

Quayside, Cape Town
Map of South Africa Adventure: Cape Town, Winelands, & Eastern Cape Safari - 10 Days
South Africa Adventure: Cape Town, Winelands, & Eastern Cape Safari - 10 Days

Travel for 10 days through tantalizing South Africa on this trip plan. You'll bask in the sea air on your face as you take the scenic route up the coast, then feel the fins of great whites swimming past you on a cage dive. Relax in the Winelands as you enjoy their classic vintages, then go wildlife spotting on a safari on the Eastern Cape.

Close-up of male ostrich in Little Karoo
Map of Cape Town & Garden Route Adventure - 14 Days
Cape Town & Garden Route Adventure - 14 Days

Take a two-week adventure from one of the world's highest bungee jumps down into a cage next to a great white shark with this trip plan. Start on Table Mountain in Cape Town, followed by a culinary tour, treetop walkway, and wine tastings. Once you get onto the Garden Route, you'll make your way around canoeing through lagoons, hiking in national parks, and spelunking through caves.

A family hike in South Africa
Map of Adventure, Safari & Family Fun in South Africa: Cape Town & the Garden Route  - 14 Days
Adventure, Safari & Family Fun in South Africa: Cape Town & the Garden Route - 14 Days

This exciting two-week family tour of South Africa starts in Cape Town, where you'll hike the majestic Table Mountain and enjoy a traditional African dinner and dancing. Then, journey along the Garden Route, visiting the seaside town of Hermanus for whale watching and the Cape seals of Geyser Rock. Search out Africa's Big Five game animals at Gondwana Game Reserve, take a treetop walk in Tsitsikamma National Park, and visit monkeys, birds, and big cats at Knysna's wildlife sanctuaries.

A lion at Kruger National Park
Map of South Africa Wildlife Road Trip - 10 Days
South Africa Wildlife Road Trip - 10 Days

This 10-day itinerary is the ultimate introduction to South Africa for animal lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Start your adventure with two nights in Kruger National Park followed by a self-drive tour from the Eastern Cape through the Garden Route and all the way to Cape Town while seeing members of the Big Five, as well as ostriches, penguins, meerkats, and a range of marine life off the South Atlantic Coast.

Cape foxes in the Kalahari
Map of Discover South Africa: Cape Town, Winelands, & Tswalu Kalahari - 12 Days
Discover South Africa: Cape Town, Winelands, & Tswalu Kalahari - 12 Days

Take 12 days to saunter through South Africa with this itinerary. You'll start in Cape Town, driving the scenic route out to the Cape of Good Hope and penguins of Boulders Beach, before you get in the water on a great white cage dive and sunrise sea kayak (separately, of course). From there you'll continue to Franschhoek for some time among the grape vines, followed by a safari through the Kalahari reserve before you return home.

Kite surfers in Table Bay
Map of South Africa Adventure: Cape Town, Winelands, & Eastern Cape Safari - 12 Days
South Africa Adventure: Cape Town, Winelands, & Eastern Cape Safari - 12 Days

Take 12 days to travel through Cape Town and some of its nearby standouts with this itinerary. Whether you're atop Table Mountain, underwater next to great white sharks, or paragliding through the sky, you'll get a good look at the city. Leave Cape Town for its neighboring scenic Winelands, followed by a safari in the Eastern Cape to wrap up your adventure.

Family time on the beaches of Cape Town
Map of Adventure, Safari & Family Fun in South Africa: Cape Town & the Garden Route - 10 Days
Adventure, Safari & Family Fun in South Africa: Cape Town & the Garden Route - 10 Days

This 10-day family trip to South Africa blends the perfect mix of adventure, excursions, and luxury downtime as you explore the country's scenic Garden Route and Western Cape. Start in lively Cape Town, where you'll scale Table Mountain by cable car before touring the surrounding wine country. Introduce the kids to Africa's iconic Big Five as you safari in Gondwana before winding up on the pristine shores of Knysna and catching a sunset cruise along the lagoon.

Mix adventure and luxury on a trip to South Africa (photo courtesy of Dulini)
Map of South Africa Luxury Safari: Cape Town, Winelands, Sabi Sands & White River - 10 Days
South Africa Luxury Safari: Cape Town, Winelands, Sabi Sands & White River - 10 Days

Experience a more luxurious style of safari with this 10-day South African adventure. After an introduction to Cape Town, set off into the Cape Winelands for private vineyard tours and tastings. Then, it's on to the main event—an exclusive safari experience in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve. Seek out Big Five wildlife on game drives and bush walks, then retire to your 5-star lodge each evening. End with a scenic trip along the Panorama Route to glimpse the dramatic vistas of the Blyde River Canyon.

Experience a family-focused safari adventure in the malaria-free Eastern Cape (photo courtesy of Shamwari Game Reserve)
Map of Family-Friendly South Africa: Cape Town, Stellenbosch & Eastern Cape Safari - 10 Days
Family-Friendly South Africa: Cape Town, Stellenbosch & Eastern Cape Safari - 10 Days

This 10-day South Africa family adventure starts with coastal fun in Cape Town, where you'll ride cable cars up Table Mountain and meet the penguins of Boulder Beach. Continue to Stellenbosch for kid-friendly excursions in the Winelands, then end with a bucket-list family safari experience in the malaria-free Eastern Cape—where you'll embark on game drives through the Shamwari Private Game Reserve and learn more about the reserve's wildlife rehabilitation efforts.

Enjoy gourmet meals and Big Five animal sightings during a luxury safari (photo courtesy of Walkers Plains)
Map of Luxury South Africa Food, Wine & Safari Adventure - 10 Days
Luxury South Africa Food, Wine & Safari Adventure - 10 Days

See and taste the best of South Africa over 10 packed days that will not only take you on an epic safari but also to the most captivating corners of its top cities (and therefore best restaurants). It's a luxury tour that kicks off with fine dining and champagne cruises in Cape Town, then continues to the lush vineyards of Cape Winelands to taste the fruits of its terroir. The last leg of the trip will see you on safari at a private nature reserve before walking in the footsteps of history in Johannesburg.

Hout Bay Beach and Cape of Good Hope, Cape Town, South Africa
Map of Cape Town Active Adventure - 15 Days
Cape Town Active Adventure - 15 Days

This 15-day tour focuses on exploring exciting Cape Town by pushing the boundaries of your body and mind. Enjoy fitness classes, surf lessons, and cross-fit challenges as you make your way through South Africa's most popular destination. You'll also get your adrenaline rush through adventure experiences like abseiling, canoeing, obstacle courses, and seal snorkeling. Finally, cycle through some of the most beautiful natural landscapes that surround Cape Town, including the Cape of Good Hope and the Cape Winelands.

Spot elephants on your South African safari
Map of 10 Days in South Africa: Cape Town, Garden Route & Safari
10 Days in South Africa: Cape Town, Garden Route & Safari

This tour takes you from the sights of Cape Town to the lush Overberg, followed by an exceptional safari experience. Enjoy some of South Africa's most sought-after destinations across the diverse Western and Eastern Cape Provinces.

Namibia
Map of Namibia & South Africa Adventure: Deserts, Coastlines & National Parks - 21 Days
Namibia & South Africa Adventure: Deserts, Coastlines & National Parks - 21 Days

Get ready for three weeks of safaris and road trips throughout southern Africa. It begins in Namibia, where you'll hit the road on the famous Skeleton Coast, visit iconic red deserts, and enjoy game drives in Indigenous conservation areas. Next up is South Africa, where you'll tour Cape Town, walk with penguins on the beach, go on wine and food tours, and enjoy multiple safaris in the legendary Kruger National Park.

Vineyard in Franschhoek
Map of Discover South Africa: Cape Town, Winelands, Johannesburg, & Tswalu Kalahari - 13 Days
Discover South Africa: Cape Town, Winelands, Johannesburg, & Tswalu Kalahari - 13 Days

Sip, spin, safari and more on this 13-day itinerary. You'll take in the highlights of what Cape Town has to offer with outings including the Cape of Good Hope, Table Mountain, and a full day to explore on your own. Then travel to the Winelands, where you can sample the food and wine of Franschhoek and see the scenery from a bike tour; sail over the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site with a hot air balloon tour out of Johannesburg; and venture into the Kalahari desert in search of wildlife on safari.

Cape of Good Hope
Map of South Africa Adventure: Cape Town & Winelands - 6 Days
South Africa Adventure: Cape Town & Winelands - 6 Days

Take a peek into the Cape Town scene with this six-day trip. You'll drive out along the coast to the Cape of Good Hope, dive into a great white cage encounter, gaze out from atop Table Mountain, and spin through the famous vineyards of the Cape Winelands before your time is through.

Lioness and her cub near Kruger
Map of South Africa Safari & Cities: Johannesburg, Kruger Private Reserves, Cape Town, & Winelands - 13 Days
South Africa Safari & Cities: Johannesburg, Kruger Private Reserves, Cape Town, & Winelands - 13 Days

Experience the best of South Africa on this two-week itinerary, from the privately owned game reserves of the north to the internationally-acclaimed wines of Franschhoek. Fly into Johannesburg, then spend a week on safari at looking for Africa's Big 5 near Kruger. Continue to Cape Town where you'll rent a car, allowing you to drive along the Atlantic Seaboard and take an overnight trip to the Winelands. This itinerary combines a variety of activities with enough free time to explore at your own pace.

Atop Table Mountain
Map of Discover South Africa: Cape Town, Winelands, Johannesburg & Tswalu Kalahari - 14 Days
Discover South Africa: Cape Town, Winelands, Johannesburg & Tswalu Kalahari - 14 Days

This trip takes a two-week tour of some of South Africa's most popular attractions. Five nights in Cape Town will start you off with an exploration of the city, from its busy streets to the open landscapes of the Cape of Good Hope, and down into the water on a sea kayak tour. Continue to Franschhoek to sample its famous wines, tour the historic streets, fly over the Johannesburg countryside, and cap it off with a safari across the Kalahari.

Farm in Franschhoek
Map of Explore South Africa: Cape Town, Winelands, Johannesburg, Safari, & Beach - 14 Days
Explore South Africa: Cape Town, Winelands, Johannesburg, Safari, & Beach - 14 Days

Frolic through South Africa on this 14-day itinerary. First go to Cape Town, where you'll find your way through the city and up to Table Mountain, then down into the fin-filled depths in a shark cage. From there, you'll stop in Franschhoek for wine flights and Johannesburg for a foray into the area's history. Find your way over to Kruger National Park to feast your eyes on the flight of the many birds and animals inside the park on safari, then finish up on the fine sands of Tonga Beach.

Hyena hello
Map of Explore South Africa: Cape Town, Winelands, Johannesburg, Safari, & Beach - 13 Days
Explore South Africa: Cape Town, Winelands, Johannesburg, Safari, & Beach - 13 Days

Hop through some high points of South Africa on this 13-day itinerary. Head to Cape Town to start, hiking through its happening streets and into its waters in a shark cage, then up to Franschhoek to have a glass of wine (or three) amid the vineyards. Johannesburg is up next for a lesson in history, then over to Kruger National Park to say hi to the hyenas and other animals on safari and down to Thonga Beach Lodge to end your holiday in the sun.

Experience luxury among the bushveld wilderness of Sabi Sands (photo courtesy of Sabi Sands)
Map of South Africa Luxury Safari: City, Wine & Wilderness Adventures - 14 Days
South Africa Luxury Safari: City, Wine & Wilderness Adventures - 14 Days

There's no need to sacrifice comfort or style while on safari in the African bush. This two-week trip perfectly exemplifies that ideal, combining luxury accommodations with safari adventures and cultural tours. Start with scenic hikes in Cape Town, explore the wilderness of Cederberg, then venture into the Winelands for horseback rides and wine tasting. Game drives and bush walks await at your 5-star lodge in Sabi Sands, then it's back to the big city for a night on the town in Johannesburg.

Royal Natal National Park in the Drakensberg Mountains
Map of Country of Contrasts Road Trip: Cape Town, Garden Route, Wild Coast, Kruger National Park & More - 21 Days
Country of Contrasts Road Trip: Cape Town, Garden Route, Wild Coast, Kruger National Park & More - 21 Days

South Africa contains multitudes—of people, landscapes, wildlife, cultures, and more. With three weeks to explore, you'll travel through the highlights of contemporary Cape Town, visit the beach towns of the Wild Coast, experience the animal attractions of Addo Elephant National Park and Kruger National Park, and traverse highs and lows from the Drakensberg Mountains to the Cango Caves. Along the way, you'll gain insight into the country's complex history and ecosystems with the help of local experts and experienced guides.

Table Mountain at sunset
South Africa Photography Adventure: Cape Town, Garden Route & Cango Caves - 7 Days

"Chase the light" as you explore mesmerizing mountains, rivers, coastlines, and plateaus across the Western and Eastern Capes in South Africa. Flexible for all budgets and skill levels, photographers will explore the shadows of Cape Town's colorful neighborhoods, capture stunning sunrises atop Table Mountain, and cruise the Stanford River in search of glistening sunbeams. End your trip by heading east along the coastal Garden Route for even more photographic scenes of nature and wildlife, including rare rhinos and meerkats in their natural habitats.

Family fun on Cape Town's beaches
Map of South Africa Family Adventure: Cape Town, Winelands & Safari - 7 Days
South Africa Family Adventure: Cape Town, Winelands & Safari - 7 Days

With a beautiful coastline, fertile wine country, and seriously impressive wildlife, South Africa is an ideal destination for a chilled-out yet active family vacation. This week-long itinerary starts in vibrant Cape Town, a city with impressive views and beaches around every corner. Spot penguins on the Cape Peninsula, get hands-on at the farms of the Winelands region, then go on safari at the Shamwari Game Reserve for an unforgettable wildlife experience.

Rocky Cape Point
Map of Explore South Africa: Cape Town, Winelands, Johannesburg, Safari, & Beach - 15 Days
Explore South Africa: Cape Town, Winelands, Johannesburg, Safari, & Beach - 15 Days

Relish 15 days in South Africa with this itinerary. Arrive in Cape Town and roam through the city's outlying scenic real estate to discover rocky coastlines and a rich cultural and culinary scene. Ramble over to Franschhoek to revel in the area's renowned wine scene, then to Johannesburg to learn about the area's racial history. A safari through Kruger National Park will reveal the  wildlife of the region before you round back down to Tonga Beach Lodge to bask in the radiant coastal sunshine.

In the Cederberg Mountains
Map of Wine & Nature in South Africa: Cape Town, Winelands, & Cederberg - 8 Days
Wine & Nature in South Africa: Cape Town, Winelands, & Cederberg - 8 Days

Enjoy eight days exploring from the coast to the cliffs on this itinerary. Follow the coastal drives out of Cape Town and down into an aquatic cage experience with great white sharks, then go inland to the famous vineyards of Stellenbosch and the Winelands. Finish up in the mountain caves and trails of Cederberg before you head home.

Hike in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park on your way to Clarens
Map of Road Trip Through South Africa & Lesotho: Iconic Cities & Natural Landscapes  - 14 Days
Road Trip Through South Africa & Lesotho: Iconic Cities & Natural Landscapes - 14 Days

Immerse yourself in South Africa and Lesotho's natural landscapes on this two-week road trip across both countries. Start in Cape Town with community development tours, a cruise to Robben Island, and a day trip down the Cape Peninsula. Then, drive yourself to Stellenbosch to explore the Cape Winelands, followed by Hermanus for a boat cruise to spot whales, sharks, seals, and penguins. From here, explore the Gondwana Private Game Reserve before ending with an epic waterfall in Lesotho.

A view of Johannesburg's skyline
Map of Authentic South Africa: Cape Town, Garden Route, Safari, and Johannesburg - 15 Days
Authentic South Africa: Cape Town, Garden Route, Safari, and Johannesburg - 15 Days

Over two weeks, you'll do everything from touring Cape Town's top tourist destinations to eating lunch in a local tavern in the township of Soweto. The trip will start with five days discovering the best spots in Cape Town and its vibrant city life before flying to the Eastern Cape where you'll spend four days in Knysna and Jeffreys Bay exploring the Garden Route. For two days, you'll get up close with the big five while staying in a tented camp in Manyeleti Game Reserve before heading to South Africa's commercial capital, Johannesburg, where you'll have a full city tour.

Penguins on parade
Map of Explore South Africa: Cape Town, Winelands, Johannesburg, Safari, & Beach - 16 Days
Explore South Africa: Cape Town, Winelands, Johannesburg, Safari, & Beach - 16 Days

Spend 16 days sightseeing through South Africa with this itinerary. Start off in Cape Town and survey the scenic views from Table Mountain and seaside cliffs, descend in a shark cage, and sample the city's culinary scene. Switch to Franschhoek to sip from the local wine cellars, then over to Johannesburg to soar above the plains in a hot air balloon. Continue straight on to safari in Kruger National Park, then escape to the sea at Thonga Beach.

Cape Town
Map of Ultimate South Africa: Cape Town, Simon's Town, Franschhoek, Kruger & Johannesburg - 14 Days
Ultimate South Africa: Cape Town, Simon's Town, Franschhoek, Kruger & Johannesburg - 14 Days

This two-week sojourn in South Africa delivers the highlights, from cultural outings to wine tastings to wildlife adventures. In Cape Town, you'll get to know the region on city tours, guided hikes, and day trips to the Cape Winelands region to enjoy great food and wine. After walking with penguins near the southern Cape, you're off to Kruger National Park for wildlife safaris before ending the trip in Johannesburg, where you'll witness living history from the Apartheid era before heading home.

Penguins aplenty
Map of South Africa Adventure: Cape Town, Winelands, & Eastern Cape Safari - 9 Days
South Africa Adventure: Cape Town, Winelands, & Eastern Cape Safari - 9 Days

Follow the winding road to some of South Africa's most popular spots on this nine-day itinerary. You'll take a sidecar tour up the coast to the Cape of Good Hope, go on a cage dive next to great whites, and cross Table Bay before you keep going up to a bike tour of the Winelands and then out to a safari along the Eastern Cape.

Great White Watching
Map of Explore South Africa: Cape Town, Winelands, Johannesburg, Safari, & Beach - 12 Days
Explore South Africa: Cape Town, Winelands, Johannesburg, Safari, & Beach - 12 Days

Wind your way through South Africa with this 12-day trip plan. Your start in Cape Town will walk you through the city views and varietals with wine tastings and scenic tours. Head up to the Winelands to sample their winning wines, then keep going through Johannesburg and all the way to Kruger National Park for a walk on the wild side. Wind down amid the waves on the west coast at Tonga Beach Lodge.

Turtle tots make there way to the ocean
Map of Explore South Africa: Cape Town, Safari & Beach - 10 Days
Explore South Africa: Cape Town, Safari & Beach - 10 Days

Take 10 days to get a taste of some of the urban and natural attractions of South Africa on this trip. Your tour takes off in Cape Town, taking in the views from Table Mountain and tasting wine and cheese from the Winelands. Transfer to Kruger National Park to traverse the wild landscapes and treetop creatures, then travel down to Thonga Beach Lodge to work on your tan and turtle time.

Roadside Kruger views
Map of Classic South Africa and Mauritius: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kruger Safari, & More - 21 Days
Classic South Africa and Mauritius: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kruger Safari, & More - 21 Days

Take a full three weeks to journey through South Africa and neighboring Mauritius with this travel plan. Week one begins in Cape Town, filled with wine, views, history, and food. Start week two in Johannesburg with history and a traditional-style dinner, then continue to Kruger National Park, searching for wildlife. Fly on to Mauritius to spend your final week exploring the scenery of this tropical island.

The Three Rondavels
Map of Classic South Africa: Cape Town. Johannesburg, & Kruger Safari - 9 Days
Classic South Africa: Cape Town. Johannesburg, & Kruger Safari - 9 Days

Nine days will give you a nice amount of time to nourish your understanding of South Africa on this itinerary. Spend your first three nights in Cape Town on a walking tour through historic city highlights, out sampling in the Winelands, and driving the scenic coast. Stop in Johannesburg for an interactive dinner evening, then keep going to Kruger National Park for a classic safari.

Bo Kaap in Cape Town
Map of Classic South Africa: Cape Town, Johannesburg, & Kruger Safari - 15 Days
Classic South Africa: Cape Town, Johannesburg, & Kruger Safari - 15 Days

Whether you're looking down the colorful buildings of Bo Kaap or out at the traditional house-shaped mountains of the Three Rondavels, you'll find plenty of views to take in on this  15-day itinerary. Look down from Table Mountain or the cliffs of the Cape of Good Hope in Cape Town, up at the skies during an outdoor dinner and storytelling experience in Johannesburg, or across the plains on a safari through Kruger National Park to see some of the highlights of South Africa.

Elephant excursion
Map of Explore South Africa: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Safari, & Beach - 11 Days
Explore South Africa: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Safari, & Beach - 11 Days

Enjoy 11 days amid some of South Africa's most enticing attractions with this trip plan. You'll embark to Cape Town to start, with three nights in the urban environment to experiment with the city's culinary and cultural attractions. A brief intermission in Johannesburg will educate you on some of that city's expansive history, then go on to experience the ecological side of South Africa with three nights on safari in Kruger National Park and two more atop the sandy expanses of the Thonga Beach Lodge.

Female leopard with her cub
Map of Southern Africa Safari: Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park, & More - 15 Days
Southern Africa Safari: Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park, & More - 15 Days

Spend fifteen days surveying southern Africa on this wide-ranging itinerary. Taste wine and cheese and travel to scenic viewpoints in Cape Town, then learn about history where it happened in Johannesburg. Begin your safari time from there, starting in Sabi Sands and neighboring Kruger National Park, continuing down the Zambezi River on a luxury houseboat, and ending amidst the Okavango Delta

Victoria Falls
Map of Southern Africa Safari: Cape Town, Victoria Falls, & Chobe National Park - 8 Days
Southern Africa Safari: Cape Town, Victoria Falls, & Chobe National Park - 8 Days

Eight days of elephants and expansive views are yours to explore on this itinerary. Begin in Cape Town, where you'll enjoy tours both within the city and out into its surrounding areas to see the sights and sample the cheese, wine, and chocolate of the Winelands. Continue to feel the rush of Victoria Falls, followed by a river cruise down the Zambezi to scope out the wildlife of Chobe National Park.

Sunrise in Kruger
Map of Explore South Africa: Cape Town, Johannesburg, & Kruger Safari - 8 Days
Explore South Africa: Cape Town, Johannesburg, & Kruger Safari - 8 Days

Eight days will introduce you to some of the high points of South Africa on this itinerary. Spend three nights in Cape Town complete with scenic drives, wine samples, and sweeping views, followed by a night in Johannesburg for a skim of the history of the Soweto district. End your outing with a safari through Kruger National Park and all its native wildlife.

Victoria Falls
Map of South Africa and Zimbabwe Safari: Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park, Mana Pools National Park, & More - 13 Days
South Africa and Zimbabwe Safari: Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park, Mana Pools National Park, & More - 13 Days

Rumor has it the "big 5"—elephant, leopard, lion, buffalo, and rhino—gained their name by being the hardest animals to hunt on foot. Luckily, you won't be walking through this 13-day itinerary and will only be hunting with your eyes. After strolling through the city streets of Cape Town, you'll set out on safari at three separate destinations to test out your animal-spotting skills.

Penguins on Boulders Beach
Map of Classic South Africa: Cape Town, Johannesburg, & Kruger Safari - 13 Days
Classic South Africa: Cape Town, Johannesburg, & Kruger Safari - 13 Days

The "big five" are just a few of the animals you can see in South Africa, and you'll meet plenty of the country's residents both human and animal on this classic 13-day trip. You'll start off in Cape Town, where the city's human residents will guide through the city's cultural and culinary scene, and out to the Cape of Good Hope and penguin colonies of Boulders Beach. Then head to Johannesburg to hear stories of the city's complicated history before you set off on safari through Kruger National Park.

Heading up Table Mountain
Map of Explore South Africa: Cape Town & Kruger Safari - 6 Days
Explore South Africa: Cape Town & Kruger Safari - 6 Days

Get a glimpse of some of the biggest draws in South Africa on this six-day itinerary. You'll start off in Cape Town, experiencing highlights like Table Mountain, coastal drives, and the Winelands. Then head to Kruger National Park to meet some of the local wildlife on a safari before you depart.

An evening view of Table Mountain in Cape Town
Map of South Africa and Mauritius: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Safari, & More - 15 Days
South Africa and Mauritius: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Safari, & More - 15 Days

This 15-day itinerary combines the highlights of South African travel with the chance to relax on the white sand beaches of Mauritius. You'll arrive in Cape Town, where you'll discover the Cape wine region and explore the city's top scenic and tourist spots including Table Mountain and Robben Island, before traveling to Manyeleti Game Reserve, which shares an open border with Kruger National Park. Over four days, you'll spot the Big Five and other species during game drives or guided walks, and then depart for Johannesburg where you'll catch a flight to Mauritius.

Cederberg Mountains
Map of Nature in South Africa: Cape Town, Winelands, & Cederberg - 5 Days
Nature in South Africa: Cape Town, Winelands, & Cederberg - 5 Days

Frolic through the fynbos on this five-day itinerary. You'll spend two days in Cape Town exploring the city and attractions along the Cape of Good Hope, then travel to the Cederberg Mountains, a natural reserve filled with hiking trails, ancient cave art, dramatic rock formations, and more.

Yeah we saw that text
Map of South Africa and Zimbabwe Safari: Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park, Mana Pools National Park, & More - 14 Days
South Africa and Zimbabwe Safari: Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park, Mana Pools National Park, & More - 14 Days

The African continent has more than 3,000 protected areas of land, and while you won't be able to cover all of them on this trip, you can get a good look. From the treetops of the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens in Cape Town and vineyards of the Winelands, you'll continue to the Sabi Sands game reserve and two different national parks in Zimbabwe to take in all the scenery and safari time the southern region of the continent has to offer.

Baobab in Kruger
Map of Classic South Africa: Cape Town, Johannesburg, & Kruger Safari - 8 Days
Classic South Africa: Cape Town, Johannesburg, & Kruger Safari - 8 Days

Follow a classic South Africa route for eight days on this itinerary. Start off on Cape Town's scenic seaboard and wine country, then go north for a night in Johannesburg accompanied by a tour of the Soweto Township. From there you'll head to Kruger National Park for a safari across its famous territory.

Hippos in Chobe
Map of Southern Africa Safari: Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park, & More - 9 Days
Southern Africa Safari: Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park, & More - 9 Days

Go from the concrete jungle to the actual jungle with this nine-day itinerary. Start on the sophisticated city streets of Cape Town, where you'll take in city tours and scenic drives, then safari through Sabi Sands Game Reserve, a private park that shares its boundaries with larger Kruger National Park. Hop up to the top of Victoria Falls, then cruise your way into the end of your trip on a houseboat down the Zambezi.

Elephant at the Pools
Map of South Africa and Zimbabwe Safari: Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park, Mana Pools National Park, & More - 12 Days
South Africa and Zimbabwe Safari: Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park, Mana Pools National Park, & More - 12 Days

Painted dogs may look pettable, but they're actually one of the most efficient hunters of any large predator. You'll visit a painted dog conservation center along with two national parks and a game reserve on this 12-day trip, with some Cape Town city time in the mix, to see how many potential four-legged fuzzballs southern Africa has to offer. Just keep your hands to yourself.

Chamarel waterfall on Mauritius
Map of Classic South Africa and Mauritius: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kruger Safari, & More - 18 Days
Classic South Africa and Mauritius: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kruger Safari, & More - 18 Days

Eighteen days takes you through some of the highlights of South Africa and Mauritius on this itinerary.  You'll begin in Cape Town, where you'll tour the wine lands, coastal hot spots like the Cape of Good Hope and neighboring penguin colony, botanic gardens, and more. Head to Johannesburg for a brief glimpse into South African history before you continue to the wilds of Kruger National Park. Conclude on the island of Mauritius, home to famous beaches and other natural attractions.

Landscape within Moremi Reserve
Map of Southern Africa Safari: Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park, & More - 16 Days
Southern Africa Safari: Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park, & More - 16 Days

Sweep through southern Africa on this safari-centric tour. Enjoy scenic drives and food and wine tours in Cape Town, followed by a modern history lesson in Johannesburg. Then it's off to Sabi Sands Reserve, which borders Kruger National Park. Leave South Africa and head to Victoria Falls before you board a houseboat to safari through Chobe National Park. End the trip with one last safari in the Okavango Delta and Moremi Reserve.

Bo Kaap neighborhood in Cape Town
Map of Classic South Africa and Mauritius: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kruger Safari, & More - 17 Days
Classic South Africa and Mauritius: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kruger Safari, & More - 17 Days

Travel through the varied landscapes of South Africa and Mauritius on this 17-day itinerary.  Start by taking in the views across Cape Town from up on Table Mountain, out in the valleys of wine country, and through the bustling streets. Continue to Johannesburg for a glimpse back into South African history both recent and long-ago. Then on to Kruger National Park for a look at the wildlife before you wrap it up with a beach break on tropical Mauritius.

Red-billed hornbill
Map of Southern Africa Safari: Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park, & More - 12 Days
Southern Africa Safari: Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park, & More - 12 Days

Spend twelve days touring some of southern Africa's wildlife hotspots with this itinerary. You'll begin with three nights in Cape Town to take in the city's wine and cheese samples along with its surrounding natural landscapes, then move to Sabi Sands Reserve for a safari. Continue to Zimbabwe feel the rush of Victoria Falls before you cruise into the end of your journey on a second safari onboard a houseboat.

Viewing deck in Kruger
Map of Classic South Africa: Cape Town, Johannesburg, & Kruger Safari - 11 Days
Classic South Africa: Cape Town, Johannesburg, & Kruger Safari - 11 Days

Spend eleven days exploring some of South Africa's essential spots on this itinerary. You'll start off in Cape Town with day trips out to the Winelands and up the coast, then head over to Johannesburg for engaging dinner experiences and a tour of the Soweto township. Venture into Kruger National Park for an extensive safari before following the Panorama Route back to Johannesburg.

Spectacled weavers in Kruger
Map of Classic South Africa and Mauritius: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kruger Safari, & More - 20 Days
Classic South Africa and Mauritius: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kruger Safari, & More - 20 Days

Twenty days give you plenty of time to scope out South Africa and neighboring Mauritius on this trip. You'll start off in Cape Town, your base to pay visits to the winelands, Robben Island, Kirstenbosch Gardens, and the city's culinary scene. Continue to Johannesburg for a cultural cuisine experience, then over to Kruger National Park for a classic safari. Finally, end your trip on the island of Mauritius with tropical tours and plenty of time to relax.

Johannesburg streets
Map of Classic South Africa: Cape Town, Johannesburg, & Kruger Safari - 16 Days
Classic South Africa: Cape Town, Johannesburg, & Kruger Safari - 16 Days

Let South Africa tell you some of its stories on this 16-day trip. Start by listening to the waves off the coast of Cape Town, former political prisoners on Robben Island, and treetop rustling in Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Head to Johannesburg to hear more human anecdotes from contemporary history, and end your trip with an ear out for the many animals hiding in Kruger National Park.

Zebras in the Okavango Delta
Map of Southern Africa Safari: Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park, & More - 13 Days
Southern Africa Safari: Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park, & More - 13 Days

Thirteen days gets you a look at some of southern Africa's most dynamic wildlife on this trip. Start off in Cape Town, enjoying the views from atop Table Mountain and out on the Cape of Good Hope, then travel to Sabi Sands Game reserve next to Kruger National Park for a safari. From there you'll continue to the famous Victoria Falls, then stay along the water with a houseboat safari before you end your trip in the lush Okavango Delta.

Leopard in Kruger National Park
Map of Classic South Africa and Mauritius: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kruger Safari, & More - 25 Days
Classic South Africa and Mauritius: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kruger Safari, & More - 25 Days

You've got plenty of time to explore South Africa and neighboring Mauritius on this expansive 25-day itinerary. Start off in Cape Town for an introduction to the country via food and wine tours and natural attractions, then stop to experience the stories of Johannesburg. From there you'll continue up to Kruger National Park for four days on safari. A brief second stop in Johannesburg will lead you to the island of Mauritius, where you'll wrap up your trip amid its luxury resort beaches and lush greenery.

Elephant family in Kruger
Map of Classic South Africa and Mauritius: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kruger Safari, & More - 16 Days
Classic South Africa and Mauritius: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kruger Safari, & More - 16 Days

Sixteen days gives you a glimpse into the rich world of South Africa and Mauritius on this itinerary. Begin in Cape Town with views, wine tastings, and historical insights, then spend a brief few days in Johannesburg to get further into the country's history. Go for a safari in Kruger National Park next before you end your trip surrounded by the turquoise waters of Mauritius.

Baobab at Mana Pools
Map of South Africa and Zimbabwe Safari: Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park, Mana Pools National Park, & More - 11 Days
South Africa and Zimbabwe Safari: Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park, Mana Pools National Park, & More - 11 Days

Crocodiles have been on earth for roughly 200 million years. See if you can find one and ask it some historical questions on this 11-day trip. You'll start out gazing out at Cape Town from atop Table Mountain and sipping the famous vintages of the Winelands, then head out on safari through Sabi Sands reserve and the Hwange and Mana Pools national parks to see what you can learn.

Alleyway in Johannesburg
Map of Classic South Africa and Mauritius: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kruger Safari, & More - 19 Days
Classic South Africa and Mauritius: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kruger Safari, & More - 19 Days

Spend nineteen days making your way through some of South Africa's most distinctive attractions, along with neighbor Mauritius. You'll start off in Cape Town, tasting the wines of neighboring valleys, local specialties on a food tour, fresh air and flora of the Botanic Gardens, and the salt air of the Cape of Good Hope. Head to Johannesburg for an educational experience, then go into the bush in Kruger National Park to watch for the teeming wildlife. Finish your explorations alongside the palm trees on the island of Mauritius.

Grazing hippo in Chobe National Park
Map of Southern Africa Safari: Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park, & More - 11 Days
Southern Africa Safari: Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park, & More - 11 Days

You'll experience eleven days exploring both the wildlife of Southern Africa and city of Cape Town on this itinerary. Your start in Cape Town offers a chance to experience the attractions of both the city itself and its surrounding natural beauty at points like the Chapman's Peak scenic drive, Cape of Good Hope, and more. Go into the wild in Sabi Sands Game Reserve, adjacent to Kruger National Park, then to the rushing cascades of Victoria Falls. End your trip relaxing down the river on a houseboat safari through Chobe National Park.

Penguin beach
Map of Classic South Africa and Mauritius: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kruger Safari, & More - 23 Days
Classic South Africa and Mauritius: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kruger Safari, & More - 23 Days

If you've got 23 days, why not try to meet every animal in South Africa? Start off in Cape Town, where along with the food, wine, and culture, you can also visit a large penguin colony near the Cape of Good Hope. After a brief stop for human history in Johannesburg, head into Kruger National Park to look for the Big 5" and their many companions, along with their injured counterparts at a wildlife rehabilitation center. Conclude your quest on Mauritius, surrounded by sea creatures and the residents of the Giant Tortoises Park.

Vineyards near Stellenbosch
Map of Classic South Africa and Mauritius: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kruger Safari, & More - 24 Days
Classic South Africa and Mauritius: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kruger Safari, & More - 24 Days

Travel around South Africa and Mauritius for two dozen days on this trip plan. Begin in Cape Town, casually consuming both the coastline views and culinary and cultural features of the city. Jaunt off to Johannesburg, then keep going to Kruger National Park for a safari through the stunning scenery and scads of wildlife. Then end your trip on Mauritius, basking in the balmy island breezes and blue waters.

Tea plantation in Mauritius
Map of Classic South Africa and Mauritius: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kruger Safari, & More - 22 Days
Classic South Africa and Mauritius: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kruger Safari, & More - 22 Days

Twenty-two days will take you around many of the highlights of both South Africa and Mauritius. You'll start in Cape Town, experiencing the city from high on Table Mountain or in the trees of Kirstenbosch Gardens, sipping wine in the neighboring vineyards, and strolling through the streets. Stop in Johannesburg to deepen your knowledge of South African history, then go wild on safari in Kruger National Park. Fly off to Mauritius for some sunny island time complete with rum tastings, gardens, and a tea route tour.

Other popular travel destinations in South Africa
Cape Town · Cape Winelands · Franschhoek · Johannesburg · Kruger National Park · Garden Route · Eastern Cape · Sabi Sands Game Reserve · Hermanus · Thornybush Game Reserve · Timbavati Game Reserve