11 Days in South Africa - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Classic South Africa: Cape Town, Johannesburg, & Kruger Safari

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

Cape Town is defined by its gorgeous coastal location with Table Mountain as a backdrop, and this is where you'll begin your journey. On a walking tour, you’ll explore such city landmarks as Parliament, the Castle of Good Hope, and the District Six Museum, which commemorates forced relocation under apartheid. You’ll also take the cable car to the top of Table Mountain.

Days two and three are dedicated to visiting wineries in the Winelands, including savoring regional wines and delicious foods, followed by a Cape Peninsula driving tour to the Cape of Good Hope, at Africa’s southernmost tip. Of course, you’ll stop en route to visit the penguin colony at Simons Town and swim at Maidens Cove.

On day four you’ll fly to Johannesburg for two days in South Africa’s largest and most vibrant city. Here you’ll visit the Nelson Mandela Museum, plus enjoy a guided tour of Soweto township and the Maboneng Precinct, a former industrial zone that has been transformed with art galleries, restaurants, markets, and a buzzing nightlife. Or opt to visit the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens. A highlight will be an interactive culinary experience that spans the African continent.

Day six you’ll travel to Kruger National Park, considered the crown jewel of South Africa’s game parks. Here you’ll spend four days on the lookout for the Big Five—elephants, buffalo, rhino, lion, and leopard—and other creatures during open-vehicle game drives, and a sunrise bush walk along the Olifants River. You’ll also view Stone Age archaeological sites and even visit the Moholoholo Rehabilitation Center, where injured and orphaned animals and birds are cared for.

On day ten return to Johannesburg via the magnificent Blyde River Canyon. On day eleven transfer to the airport for your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Cape Town & Garden Route Adventure

This 11-day tour lets you fully immerse yourself in the wonderful Western Cape, with time to explore the region in-depth. From city tours and wine tastings to a shark dive and wildlife safari, this itinerary packs in a huge amount of fun activities.

On day one, spend the afternoon relaxing at Bloubergstrand Beach, renowned for its superb views of Table Mountain and for great kitesurfing. Your second day is filled exploring the historic city, including such highlights as Parliament, the Castle of Good Hope, and the District Six Museum. An afternoon tour by open-top bus ends with a cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain.

Days three and four are dedicated to exploring the Cape Peninsula and Winelands. Begin by driving to the Cape of Good Hope via Camps Bay, with lunch at an oceanfront brewery in Kalk Bay. Continue to the Winelands district to indulge in delicious cuisines and wines in historic Stellenbosch and, next day, Franschhoek, South Africa's twin wine and food capitals. Then head south to Cape Agulhas for sunset and overnight at the southernmost tip of Africa.

Start day five with a short drive to Kleinbaai for a thrilling full-day diving adventure with great white sharks from the safety of a shark-proof cage. Next day, drive east along the Garden Route through the winding mountain roads of the Overberg region for canoeing in Wilderness National Park. End the day in lovely Knysna. Day seven you’ll continue via Plettenberg Bay to Bloukran's Bridge where daring travelers can leap into the gorge from the world's highest commercial bridge bungee jump. For tamer fare, head to nearby Tsitsikamma National Park for a forest hike. End in Jeffrey's Bay, nicknamed 'Surf City.'

Up early on day eight for an exciting wildlife-viewing game drive in Addo Elephant National Park, followed by free time in Jeffrey's Bay for surfing, or perhaps a horseback ride along the sands. Day nine, wind through the Langkloof Mountains and the Klein Karoo, home turf of the African ostrich. You’ll visit Cango Ostrich Show Farm, plus explore underground in Cango Caves to admire dripstone formations and prehistoric pictographs. Next day follow scenic Route 62 to Cape Town, stopping en route at Ronnie's Sex Shop, a legendary roadside bar festooned with traveler's neckties, bras, and miscellany. On day eleven, depart Cape Town for home. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Southern Africa Safari: Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park

This itinerary combines Cape Town, the Cape of Good Hope, and the Winelands with a safari through Sabi Sands Game Reserve bordering Kruger National Park, plus the majesty of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, and Botswana’s watery and wildlife-rich Chobe National Park by houseboat.

You’ll arrive in Cape Town, with time for a walking tour that takes in such highlight sights as Parliament and the District Six Museum. You’ll also enjoy a cable car up Table Mountain. Day two is given to exploring the dramatic shoreline of Cape Peninsula, including Cape of Good Hope and Simons’ Town penguin colony, plus Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens with its Centenary Tree Canopy Walkway. Next day, foodies will particularly enjoy a full-day indulgence in the Cape Winelands, with visits to three notable wineries in and around Stellenbosch to savor fine wines, cheeses, and dark Belgian chocolates.

On day four you’ll fly to Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve, bordering Kruger National Park. Based at a deluxe game lodge, you’ll spend three days heading out on morning and afternoon game drives and walking safaris in search of the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino) plus more elusive nocturnal wildlife.

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

On day nine, transfer to Botswana and board the Zambezi Queen houseboat for two days sensational wildlife viewing as you cruise the waterways of Chobe National Park. Chobe boasts the world's largest concentration of African elephants, large pods of hippos, massive herds of Cape buffalo, and many lions and other predators. On day 11 you’ll fly to Maun airport for your onward flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #4: South Africa Adventure: Cape Town, Winelands, & Eastern Cape Safari 

Filled with exciting and invigorating activities, enjoy an adventure that combines scenic excursions through some of South Africa’s most popular regions with fun experiences guaranteed to boost your endorphins.

The adventure begins with your arrival in Cape Town. The balance of day one is yours to explore this vibrant city, perhaps shopping for arts and crafts on the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, admiring the undersea life at the Two Oceans Aquarium, or enjoying a harbor cruise or even a helicopter flight. On day two you’ll drive south along the dramatically scenic Cape Peninsula to the Cape of Good Hope. After viewing the penguin colony at Simons Town, head inland via Muizenberg—famous for its surfing—for wine tasting in the Constantia Winelands.

Days three and four you’ll sample a smorgasbord of super activities. You’ll start with a short drive to Kleinbaai for a thrilling full-day diving adventure with great white sharks, from the safety of a shark-proof cage of course. Next day, a sunrise kayak along the Cape Town coast from Moullie Point offers a chance for close-up encounters with whales and dolphins, while your afternoon is given to a cable-car ride up Table Mountain for scenic hiking. 

Then spend two days exploring the Winelands, with options to enjoy a range of fun activities, including a ride on the Franschhoek Wine Tram. On day six, a full-day biking tour through the vineyards of the Franschhoek Valley includes with a picnic at a romantic wine estate. 

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

Itinerary #5: Explore South Africa: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Safari, & Beach

There’s so much to see and do in South Africa, and you’ll discover it on this 11-day adventure. Sure, you’ll explore Cape Town, the Winelands, and Johannesburg, but you’ll also thrill to 3 days of safari, plus sea-kayaking, SCUBA or snorkeling, plus turtle-viewing.

Arrive Cape Town with time to explore this vibrant city, taking in such highlight sights as Parliament and the District Six Museum. You’ll also enjoy a cable car ride up Table Mountain, and enjoy dinner on the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. On day two you’ll drive south along the Cape Peninsula to the Cape of Good Hope.

After viewing the penguin colony at Simons Town, head inland via Muizenberg—famous for its surfing—for wine tasting in the Constantia Winelands. Next day, foodies will particularly enjoy a full-day indulgence in the Cape Winelands, with visits to three notable wineries in and around Stellenbosch to savor fine wines, cheeses, and dark Belgian chocolates.

Day four, fly to Johannesburg for two days in South Africa’s largest and most vibrant city. Here you’ll visit the Nelson Mandela Museum, plus enjoy a guided tour of Soweto township and visit to the Kliptown Youth Program, an after-school tutoring program for disadvantaged youth.

Transfer to Kruger National Park on day five. A night in a safari lodge and two nights at a bush camp guarantee sensational wildlife viewing on game drives and bush walks by day and night—a chance for close-up encounters with the Big Five (elephants, rhinos, buffalo, lions, and leopard) and other magnificent creatures. On day eight, fly to iSimangaliso Wetland Park and transfer to Thonga Beach Lodge, beside the Indian Ocean. Days 9 and 10 are full with such exciting activities as snorkeling, SCUBA diving, sea-kayaking, and even a nighttime turtle-viewing beach walk in November to January nesting season. On day 11, transfer to Johannesburg for your onward flight home. Learn more

More Great 11-Day South Africa Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your South Africa trip? Check out these other 11-day South Africa itineraries, ranging from active, to cultural, to luxury, or family-friendly trips.

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