5 Days in South Africa - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Active South Africa - Cape Town & Winelands

See the best of this coastal ‘Mother City’ and the gorgeous countryside that surrounds it on this five-day active adventure. You'll get a taste for the top sights as you paddle a sea kayak, plus ride a motorcycle sidecar, bicycle, and cable car through Cape Town and its scenic surroundings.

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 hop aboard a motorcycle sidecar and 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.

A sunrise kayak along the Cape Town coast from Moullie Point on day three offers a chance for close-up encounters with whales and dolphins, while your afternoon is given to a tour by open-top bus plus a cable-car ride up Table Mountain for scenic hiking. End your day with dinner at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.

Finally, a full-day biking tour through the vineyards of the Franschhoek Valley includes a picnic lunch at a romantic wine estate. You’ll spend the night in the wine and food capital of Franschhoek before a transfer to Cape Town airport next day for your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Safari in Kruger National Park

Spanning 7,500 square miles (18,500 sq km), Kruger National Park can easily hold your attention for weeks. This safari combines guided game drives and bush walks with an animal rehabilitation center, and more.

Begin with your arrival to Kruger National Park, considered the crown jewel of South Africa’s game parks, with huge numbers of animals plus a wide choice of lodging, from tent camps to luxury all-inclusive resorts. 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 bush walks. Your first night’s dinner is a bush braai—a South African barbecue—while on an evening game drive.

Begin day two with a sunrise bush walk along the Olifants River, followed by a late afternoon game drive. Keep your camera on hand on day three for more wildlife viewing and while exploring Stone Age archaeological sites featuring San cave art. Plus you can choose an optional bush plane flight, horseback riding, kloofing (hiking and canyoneering), a boat cruise in the Blyde River Canyon, or other active adventure.

On day four you’ll visit the Moholoholo Rehabilitation Center, where injured and orphaned animals and birds are cared for, then enjoy another afternoon game drive. Next day drive to Johannesburg via the magnificent Blyde River Canyon for your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Nature in South Africa - Cape Town, Winelands & Cederberg

This itinerary showcases Cape Province’s natural beauty. After the highlights of Cape Town, you’ll explore the Cape Peninsula by motorcycle sidecar, go wine-tasting in Constantia, hike in the Cederberg Mountains, and marvel at ancient cave art, and more.

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 hop aboard a motorcycle sidecar and 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.

Day three you’ll explore an ecological reserve that sits at the foothills of the Cederberg Mountains, with its dramatic landscapes and caves adorned with ancient bush art. Dinner will be a gourmet delight while overlooking the Oliphants River Valley. Next day is at leisure to enjoy the Cederberg area, with optional activities from birdwatching to wine tasting.

On day six, transfer to Cape Town airport for your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Food & Wine Tour - Cape Town, Winelands & Atlantic Seaboard

Take a foodie tour and indulge in the fine wines and cuisines that define the region. After sampling a smorgasbord of Cape Town’s finest, you’ll explore the wine country and the Cape Peninsula, wining and dining as you go.

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. Next day, a full-day adventure of the Cape Peninsula leads to the Cape of Good Hope, with a five-course lunch using fresh ingredients from Good Hope Gardens. You’ll also visit the penguin colony at Simon's Town and swim at Maidens Cove before sampling the seaside restaurants at Camps Bay.

Day three, enjoy a full-day wine tour through the Cape Winelands with winery visits around Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl, and /or Elgin. On day four, visit Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. One of the world's most exceptional botanical gardens, it’s rich with exotic bird and floral species. A highlight will be a walk along the curved steel and timber Centenary Tree Canopy Walkway. Then head to Constantia to savor a fusion lunch at La Colombe, a fine dining restaurant with an award-winning wine list. The evening is free to enjoy Cape Town's as you wish.

Your last day, explore and sample South Africa's multi-cultural culinary influences, including at the Earth Fair Market,  a family-owned spice shop, plus a traditional Cape Malay lunch in the colorful district of Bo Kaap. Then  head to the airport to fly home. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Family Adventure in Cape Town & Beyond

There’s fun aplenty for the kids and kids-at-heart on this family adventure, from a pirate cruise and a giggly spin on a Ferris Wheel to a meet-and-greet with the famous Boulders Beach penguins.

Arrive Cape Town on day one, with time to enjoy a harbor cruise, or visit the Two Oceans Aquarium or the Diamond Museum. Next morning, ride the cable car up Table Mountain to hike at the summit, with a packed picnic lunch. Then view the mountain from the ocean with a trip aboard the Jolly Roger pirate ship, followed by a sunset ride on the Cape Wheel Ferris Wheel. If it’s raining, head to the Planetarium and Science Center. 

Day three, journey along the Cape Peninsula, keeping an eye out for baboons, Cape mountain zebra, and ostriches. Then visit the penguin sanctuary at Boulders Beach; maybe even rent a sea kayak! You’ll also visit the Kommetjie Imhoff Village farm animals, and maybe play paintball, enjoy a horseback ride along the beach, or a coastal train ride to Muizenberg. End the day with a gourmet picnic dinner. 

Next day explore the Winelands. Start with a sensory experience at Babylonstroen Winelands and Gardens, then head to Boschendal, South Africa's second-oldest wine farm. Its educational play center offers farm learning experiences for kids. A ride on the Wine Tram adds to the fun, as does learning to make chocolate at the Huguenots Chocolate Shop or maybe a visit to the Franschhoek Motor Museum before you return to Cape Town. Depart South Africa on day five. Learn more

More Great 5-Day South Africa Itineraries

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