13 Days in South Africa - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

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

This 13-day highlights tour combines South Africa’s two top cities and its most important national park for safaris. You’ll experience the very best of Cape Town and Johannesburg, and thrill to bush walks, game drives, and a visit to an animal rescue center in Kruger.

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 up Table Mountain, and enjoy dinner on the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Day two is given to exploring wineries and savoring culinary treats in the Cape Winelands, while day three you’ll drive the Cape Peninsula to the Cape of Good Hope, at Africa’s southernmost tip. Of course, you’ll visit the penguin colony at Simons Town, plus swim at Maidens Cove.

Then, visit one of Cape Town's iconic townships before taking the ferry to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent many years imprisoned Foodies will love day five as you explore and sample South Africa's multi-cultural culinary influences, including a traditional Cape Malay lunch in the colorful Bo Kaap district, plus craft beer in the trendy suburb of Woodstock. 

On day four you’ll fly to Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest and most vibrant city. Your two days here includes the Nelson Mandela Museum, plus a guided tour of Soweto township, and a walking tour of the Maboneng Precinct, a former industrial zone that has been transformed a buzzing bohemian center. Or opt to visit the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens. Another highlight will be an interactive culinary experience that spans the African continent.

On day eight you’ll fly to Kruger National Park for four exhilarating 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. Day twelve you’ll return to Johannesburg via the magnificent Blyde River Canyon. Next day, you’ll depart South Africa from Johannesburg. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Cape Town & Garden Route Road Trip

This 13-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 exhilarating activities.

On day one you’ll arrive Cape Town and spend the afternoon relaxing at Bloubergstrand Beach. Next morning explore the historic city highlights, and in the afternoon take a cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain. Foodies will love day three as you sample South Africa's multi-cultural culinary influences, including a traditional Cape Malay lunch in the colorful Bo Kaap district, plus craft beer in the trendy suburb of Woodstock. Begin day four by driving to the Cape of Good Hope. Then 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.

Day six, head for Hermanus, South Africa's top whale watching destination (June-November), where your options include sea-kayaking and/or a whale watching tour. Round out your day with a visit to the penguin colony at Betty's Bay. Next day, drive east along the Garden Route for canoeing in Wilderness National Park. End the day in lovely Knysna. Day eight you’ll continue via Plettenberg Bay to Bloukran's Bridge where travelers can leap into the gorge from the world's highest bridge bungee jump, or hike in nearby Tsitsikamma National Park. End in Jeffrey's Bay.

Up early on day nine for an exciting game drive in Addo Elephant National Park, followed by free time in Jeffrey's Bay for surfing or other activities. Day ten, wind through the Langkloof Mountains and Klein Karoo. 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 at Ronnie's Sex Shop, a legendary roadside bar festooned with quirky miscellany. Start day twelve with a short drive to Kleinbaai for a thrilling diving adventure with great white sharks from the safety of a shark-proof cage. On day thirteen, depart Cape Town for home. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Wildlife & Nature in South Africa, Zimbabwe & Botswana

This 13-day itinerary combines sophisticated Cape Town, 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. You’ll also spend five exhilarating days exploring Namibia’s watery and wildlife-rich Chobe National Park and Botswana’s equally rich Okavango Delta.

You’ll arrive in Cape Town, the chic, sophisticated coastal city with a stunning setting. A walking tour of the city core takes in the highlight sights, plus 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.

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

Fly to Zambia on day seven, then transfer to the Zimbabwe side of Victoria Falls, where your hotel overlooks "The Smoke that Thunders." Enjoy an afternoon dinner cruise along the Upper Zambezi. Next day transfer to Namibia and board the Zambezi Queen houseboat for three days sensational wildlife viewing as you cruise the waterways of Chobe National Park; then fly to Moremi Game Reserve in Botswana's Okavango Delta for two days. Chobe and the Okavango boast the world's largest concentration of African elephants, large pods of hippos, plus massive herds of Cape buffalo, and many lions and other predators. On day 13 you’ll fly to Maun airport for your onward flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Active South Africa: Shark Diving, Safari, Kayaking & More

There’s so much to see and do in South Africa, and you’ll discover it on this 13-day adventure. Sure, you’ll explore Cape Town, the Winelands, and Johannesburg, but you’ll also thrill to 3 days of safari, plus shark-diving, sea-kayaking, turtle-viewing, and more.

Arrive Cape Town with time to explore the highlight sights, ride the cable car 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.

Start day three 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. The next day, foodies will particularly enjoy a full-day indulgence in the Cape Winelands, with visits to three notable wineries in and around Stellenbosch, while day five is a free day in Franschhoek to partake from a smorgasbord of activities, including a ride on the Franschhoek Wine Tram.

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

Transfer to Kruger National Park on day seven. 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. On day ten, fly to iSimangaliso Wetland Park and transfer to Thonga Beach Lodge, beside the Indian Ocean. Days eleven and twelve are full with such fun activities as snorkeling, SCUBA diving, sea-kayaking, and even a nighttime turtle-viewing beach walk in November to January nesting season. On day thirteen, transfer to Johannesburg for your onward flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Eastern Cape Safari, Cape Town, & Garden Route

This fabulous 13-day road trip will drive you wild with delight. Combing the Cape Provinces top destinations, from the chic coastal city of Cape Town and the Winelands to the rugged landscapes of the Karoo and a Big Five while on safari.

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. Day two, pedal leisurely through the vineyards of the Franschhoek Valley, stopping along the way for a picnic and wine tastings. On day three you’ll drive along the 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.

The next day, pick up your rental car, then hit the road for the historic village of Greyton, at the foot of the Riviersonderend Mountains. Shop for antiques, enjoy wine-tasting, hike in Greyton Nature Reserve, or savor handmade Belgian chocolates at the town's chocolatier. Day five continue along Route 62, stopping at Ronnie's Sex Shop, a legendary bar festooned with quirky miscellany, before arriving in Oudtshoorn. Here, you’ll visit Cango Ostrich Show Farm, plus explore underground in Cango Caves to admire dripstone formations and prehistoric pictographs.

Then hit the coast for Knysna, a popular Garden Route destination. Days seven through nine, take your pick of many outdoor activities: golfing, canoeing on Knysna Lagoon, bungee jumping from Bloukran's Bridge, hiking Tsitsikamma National Park’s forests, and more. On day ten, hit the road for a private game reserve on the Eastern Cape. Here you’ll have three days thrilling to morning and evening game drives in search of the Big Five and other animals, including aardvark, brown hyena, and other denizens of the night. Birding enthusiasts will particularly love a boat cruise along the Bushman's River. On day 13, drive to Port Elizabeth and fly to Cape Town for your flight home. Learn more

More Great 13-Day South Africa Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your South Africa trip? Check out these other 13-day South Africa itineraries, ranging from active, to cultural, to luxury, or family-friendly trips.

Or, describe your ideal trip and we will connect you with a local specialist to make it happen.