15 Days in South Africa - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kruger Safari, & Mauritius

Experience the very best of South Africa and neighboring Mauritius on this 15-day trip. From the cultural hot spots of gorgeous Cape Town and vivacious Johannesburg to the safari “capital” of Kruger National Park and the stunning beaches of Mauritius, this itinerary has it all.

Arrive Cape Town with time to explore this vibrant city's highlight sights, such as Parliament and the District Six Museum. You’ll also thrill to a cable car up Table Mountain, and enjoy dinner on the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. The next two days, enjoy a full-day wine tour through the Cape Winelands with winery visits around Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl; and a Cape Peninsula driving tour to the Cape of Good Hope, with stops at the penguin colony at Simons Town and for a swim at Maidens Cove. Next day visit one of Cape Town's iconic townships before taking the ferry to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for many years.

On day five 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 guided tours of Soweto township and of the Maboneng Precinct, a former industrial zone that has been transformed into a buzzing bohemian center. Day seven, travel to Kruger National Park for three days of sensational wildlife viewing during open-vehicle game drives, and a sunrise safari bush walk along the Olifants River. End with a bush braai (a classic South African barbecue) before returning to Johannesburg via the magnificent Blyde River Canyon.

Day 11 fly to Mauritius for four full days in this Indian Ocean paradise of beautiful beaches, jade-colored lagoons, and emerald mountains. Highlights will include a guided hike to the lava caves of Bras d'Eau National Park; a former sugar factory; plus a speed boat journey to Ile aux Cerfs for a day sunning and snorkeling, exploring Eau Bleu lagoon, and hiking to Grand River Waterfall. You’ll also explore charming Grand Baie, enjoy a rum tasting tour, and spend day 14 exploring the Ebony Forest and marveling at the Chamarel Waterfall and vibrant 7-Colored Earth lava-sand dunes. Day 15, depart Mauritius for home. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Road Trip: Cape Town, Winelands, Garden Route, & Eastern Cape Safari 

This fabulous road trip will drive you wild with delight. Combing the Cape Province's top destinations, from the chic coastal city of Cape Town and the Winelands to the rugged landscapes of the Karoo and a Big Five safari.

The adventure begins with your arrival in Cape Town, with the balance of day one to explore this vibrant city. 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. 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. Day five visit one of Cape Town's iconic townships before taking the ferry to Robben Island., where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for many years.

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 seven continue along Route 62, stopping at Ronnie's Sex Shop, a legendary bar festooned with quirky miscellany, before arriving in Oudtshoorn. Here, next day, you’ll visit Cango Ostrich Show Farm, plus explore underground in Cango Caves to admire dripstone formations and prehistoric pictographs.

Then head along the coast for Knysna, a popular Garden Route destination. Days nine through 11, 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 12, 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 15, drive to Port Elizabeth and fly to Cape Town for your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park, & More

This itinerary combines sophisticated 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. 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 where a walking tour 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 the 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 cheese, wine and chocolate indulgence in the Cape Winelands, with visits to three notable wineries in and around Stellenbosch.

On day four you’ll fly to Johannesburg, 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. Next day, 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 eight, 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 the Okavango Delta for three 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 15 you’ll fly to Maun airport for your onward flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Food & Wine Tour: Cape Town, Garden Route, & Johannesburg 

Satisfy your culinary cravings on 15 fantastic days of interactive experiences as you indulge in the wines and cuisine that have earned a reputation as some of the best in the world. You’ll stroll the colorful streets of Cape Town, enjoy the wineries of Winelands, explore the flavors of the Garden Route, and head to Johannesburg for a cultural and historical immersion in Soweto and the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site.

On day one you arrive in Cape Town. The rest of your day is spent relaxing or exploring downtown highlight sights. Next day sample South Africa's multi-cultural culinary influences, including a traditional Cape Malay lunch in the colorful Cape Malay district of Bo Kaap, plus the trendy suburb of Woodstock to sample craft beer. Day three, enjoy a full-day wine tour through the Cape Winelands with winery visits in white-gabled farmsteads around Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl.

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens awaits on day four. One of the world's most exceptional botanical gardens, it’s rich with exotic bird and floral species.  Next, head inland to Elgin for two days of gourmand indulgence. Highlights here include the Elgin Railway Market, a former train station filled with local vendors and live music; a visit to an organic farm-to-table establishment; and a salt-curing cooking course.

Next, head along the Garden Route for three days in Knysna. Memorable moments include sparkling wine and snacks on the beach, a horse-drawn carriage ride through vineyards, and a sublime wine and chocolate pairing. You’ll also hike the coastal forest at Featherbed Nature Reserve followed by an oyster cruise on Knysna Lagoon.

Fly to Johannesburg on day ten, highlighted by storytelling and a traditional African dinner under the stars with residents of Soweto Township. On day 11, you’ll visit the Nelson Mandela Museum, then shop for fresh produce in a local market and learn to cook like locals: in potjies (cast iron pots) over a fire. Day 12 is given to exploring the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, the world's richest early hominin site, boasting around 40 percent of all known human-ancestor fossils.

Next day offers a full-on culinary experience in Yeoville, a pan-African neighborhood where you’ll experience dishes from a spectrum of countries and cultures… topped by dinner literally suspended 200 ft (60 m) aloft! Last but not least, you’ll sample umqombothi, South Africa’s traditional maize beer drunk in a large calabash or ukhamba (shared communal pot). Your memorable farewell dinner is at Turbine Hall, a massive 1920s power station turned lavish event space. On day 15, depart Johannesburg for home. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Road Trip: Cape Town, Garden Route, Wild Coast, Kruger National Park, & More

This driving adventure the length of the country stitches together a colorful tapestry of magnificent regions. Together they offer virtually every experience you could wish for in a South African journey, from sublime coastal vistas to mountains and the country’s top game park for a safari.

The adventure begins with your arrival in Cape Town, with the balance of day one to explore this vibrant city. Day two head east along Route 62, stopping at Ronnie's Sex Shop, a legendary bar festooned with quirky miscellany, before arriving in Oudtshoorn. You’ll visit Cango Ostrich Show Farm and, next day, explore the underground chambers of Cango Caves before arriving the tranquil coastal town of Sedgefield.

Day four drive the Garden Route via lovely Knysna and postcard-perfect Plettenberg Bay to Bloukran's Bridge, where daring travelers leap into the gorge on the world's highest commercial bridge bungee jump. Take a leap, or hike the coastal forests of Tsitsikamma National Park, before continuing to the surfing capital of Jeffreys Bay, where next day is free to partake of scuba diving, surfing, paddle-boarding and other activities. An inland excursion to Addo Elephant National Park on day six provides a chance to spot the Big Five before crossing the scenic Cape Fold Mountains to the coast for a leisurely day seven in Chintsa. Day eight you’ll journey through the Xhosa homeland to Qunu, where Nelson Mandela spent his childhood; continue to Coffee Bay, another postcard town on the Wild Coast.

Sweeping landscapes fill your day as you drive to Sani Pass in the stunning Drakensberg Mountains, which you’ll explore on foot or on an exhilarating 4x4 adventure on day ten. Next day, winding country roads lead you through into Zulu territory of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands with stops at Howick Falls and, nearby, the Capture Site where Nelson Mandela was arrested in 1962 by the Apartheid government. Continue north to Dundee.

Start day twelve at the Talana Battlefields (site of the first battle in the Anglo-Boer War), then head into the Lowveld and Nelspruit, bordering Kruger National Park. Next day is filled with exploring South Africa’s most famous venue for Big Game viewing in a 4x4 safari vehicle, with overnight in Kruger. After an early morning safari bush walk on day 14, depart Kruger for Hazyview. From here, it’s a sublimely scenic route next day back to Johannesburg. Learn more

More Great 15-Day South Africa Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your South Africa trip? Check out these other 15-day South Africa itineraries, ranging from active, to cultural, to luxury, or family-friendly trips.

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