Our sensational South Africa 2 week itinerary captures the best experiences from our many trips to visit our sister Katie who lives here. Our route starts in Cape Town, continues to the KwaZulu Region where we always go on safari, rent a car and explore the region on our own. If you are ready for an adventure but at a pace that is yours, we think you'll find our itinerary just the ticket!
Quick Itinerary Overview
If you're in a hurry, here's a quick read of our tried and tested itinerary.
Quick Booking Links
- Flights & Accommodation: Expedia & Booking.com
- Local Tours: Get Your Guide & Viator
- Travel Insurance: Visitors Coverage
- Airport Transfers: Welcome Transfers
Cape Town
A beautiful city on the southern coast — a great starting point for any visit to South Africa.
Organize your own trip using our favourite experiences below to suit your interests and preferred pace of sightseeing.
Here's our highlights and yes they are popular but honestly not to be missed — and if you go early in the day, crowds will be less. What? Of course it's okay to wine taste before noon 😊 we're on holiday!
- ➡️ Take a Cable Car to Table Mountain National Park
- ➡️ Enjoy A Boat Tour To Robben Island
- ➡️ Don't Miss Stellenbosch Wine Tasting
Cable Car Ride Up Table Mountain (Half Day)
- Buy tickets online. They cost between R60–R1,050.
- Park at the free Lower Tafelberg Road & take the free shuttle.
- Stop on the Hop On/Hop Off route — click to get tickets.
- Afternoons are quieter. Typically runs 8am to 9pm.
Who doesn't recognise Table Mountain? It's featured on South Africa's flag, supports an incredible biodiversity and is part of a massive Table Mountain National Park hiking system. If you're driving, park near the cable car entrance. Or take a bus, or combine a City and Table Mountain Tour from Cape Town. The aerial cableway only takes 5 minutes to transport you to the top of one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.
Be aware your ticket is valid for 7 days after purchase. The cableway can close in bad weather, and clouds often cover the mountain, so be flexible.
This table top is home to more than 1,200 species of fynbos (small plants, often shrub-like with small, hard leaves). That's huge — to compare, it's more than all types found in the UK! When we got to the top, the views took our breath away. Rugged coastline with waves splashing onshore and blue and green water. It's impossible to capture how this place feels in a photograph.
Plan to spend a couple of hours up top. There's quite a bit to explore. We were impressed that the footpaths on top are well maintained, and there are interesting information boards to pause and read en route.
Wheelchair cable car access is available and you can rent mobility scooters on the mountain top. Book in advance. Don't forget to bring your binoculars!
UNESCO Bo-Kaap (2–3 Hours)
- District Six Museum Hours: 9am – 4pm Mon–Sat.
- Buy tickets at the entrance vs via online sites.
Spend a morning or afternoon in this part of town to experience both Cape Malay culture and the Islamic heart of Cape Town. Its origins sadly came out of slavery when people from East Africa to Malaysia, Madagascar, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, and The Philippines were brought here. It's a miracle that this area of town is still with us as it was nearly torn down during apartheid by the City Council. The historic buildings date back to pre-1850s: the country's oldest residential area.
With so many people away from their homeland, food was an important way to keep their original culture alive. Taste the 'local' foods when you visit and learn a little about their history.
Markets here are interesting to meander around although quite touristy. I enjoyed them especially the woven items.
Visit District Six Museum (1–2 Hours)
Our visit to District Six Museum was a sobering reminder of the difficult past here. It's really well designed for visitors, helping us understand why this specific place became a symbol of apartheid. People were forcibly removed from their homes in District Six during those times and many of these dwellings were bulldozed.
The museum tells the story of some of these former residents. The Zonnebloem area is what remains from the original District Six. It is slowly re-emerging with a new generation of residents. If you see a small area of bare land, still empty, it's that way for a reason: to ensure no-one forgets what happened here.
There have been reports of fraud ticket sales, so we highly recommend buying tickets directly at the museum!
Robben Island Guided Tour (By Boat) — Half Day
- Tours last 4 hours (including return boat trips).
- Prices: Adults 600 ZAR; Under 18 years 310 ZAR.
Robben Island — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most powerful visits you can make in South Africa.
This excellent Half Day Robben Island Tour leaves from The Waterfront several times daily. You sail for around 30 minutes to get to the island, then disembark and travel on a bus transfer to the visitor areas. There are different boats used, some are faster than others, so if you want to use a quicker vessel, check when you book for that option.
Our crossings have been quite calm. That said, we know it can be choppy at times, so if you need to, take a Dramamine beforehand.
Once you're at the island's main museum areas, an official guide (we had a former inmate) leads you around this UNESCO heritage site. With over 500 years of history, there's a lot to appreciate. Our tour ended with seeing the tiny, concrete cell where Nelson Mandela spent 17 of his 25 imprisoned years. It is hard to imagine how his life must have been.
Our guide was excellent explaining the realities of life here during this time and afterwards we had time to reflect on our own. After you disembark back in Cape Town Waterfront, it's an easy walk to a host of restaurants and bars. Our recommendations:
- Harbour House — a local fresh menu with local wines at a reasonable price.
- Tasha's — upmarket chain, popular for brunch; can get busy at weekends. We enjoyed their Durban restaurant too.
- Mugg & Bean — range of coffees & pastries, think South Africa's Starbucks; you will find them throughout across the country.
Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope (Full Day)
- Park Entrance: R515 (Adults) and R250 (2–11 years).
- Open 6am–6pm (Oct–Mar) & 7am–7pm (Apr–Sept).
Cape Point is in the Cape of Good Hope nature reserve, part of Table Mountain National Park. This whole area is part of the Cape Floral Region, and not surprisingly, another World Heritage Site. The drive from Cape Town to Camps Bay is stunning itself. There are beautiful beach stops on the way — consider enjoying a couple of hours on your return to Cape Town if you're driving.
If you are visiting independently, make a first stop at Buffelsfontein Visitors Centre. Then continue south and park up to take the funicular (Flying Dutchman) to the lighthouse. Alternatively you can walk the Cape Point trail which is what we did.
Expect it to be a bit windy at Cape Point, so bring a windbreaker. The funicular to the lighthouse doesn't always run due to load shedding but you can walk the route.
South African Penguins at Boulder Beach, Simon's Town
The African penguins at Boulder Beach are utterly charming — you can wander right amongst them!
You might be a little tired after the thrills of Cape Point, but make a stop at Boulder Beach between Simon's Town and Cape Point to meet African Penguins, known as Jackasses. You can wander amongst them as they go about their rituals. They are so entertaining to watch and interact with each other. Do not touch though — they can give you a good peck apparently!
Book Cape Point & Boulders Beach Day TourWine Tasting in Stellenbosch & Franschhoek (Full Day)
The vineyards of Stellenbosch — a full day here is one of our top 3 things to do in Cape Town.
A day spent wine tasting is in our top 3 things to do when in Cape Town. To avoid driving, the easiest option is to book a wine tour with lunch. South Africa's wines may not be as visible to many of us living in the USA or Europe, but many are of outstanding quality. During visits, we're amazed at the choice of great wines, even in local supermarkets.
Book A Wine Tasting Tour & LunchSome of the vineyards we enjoyed were Fairview, Goats Do Roam and for a wonderful lunch try La Grapperia with views over the mountains. It is very relaxing to sit in the gardens and sample the wine whilst watching some of the process in front of us. Quite informal and very enjoyable.
Relax in Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens (2–3 Hours)
If you enjoy a walk in the park vs a hiking trail, plan to spend a few hours in Cape Town's Botanical Gardens. Visit during the summer, and you can check the Summer Concert series which we have attended. Very relaxing — sit on the grassy areas and listen to great music. It's a lovely way to end a full day of sightseeing. The Cape Point Vineyard is also a local perfect spot for indulging in fantastic South African wines. You can pre-order a picnic which we did and it was delicious.
Where to Stay in Cape Town
Our picks are based on location, safe links to transport, and overall value for money. If your budget allows it, stay at Cape Grace Hotel — a fantastic location only 900 feet from the city's clock tower landmark on the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront.
It may have an odd name, but guests love the location and facilities like balconies and kitchenette. Easy to get to main sights, but no parking or A/C.
A good city option in mid range, with a pool terrace and modern comfortable rooms. Their shuttle to the waterfront is a bonus!
Perfect if you love the idea of tea on an outdoor terrace and outdoor swimming between sightseeing. Traditional atmosphere with modern facilities.
Durban & Hluhluwe Safari
Fly from Cape Town to Durban (~2 hours), then pick up a rental car to explore KwaZulu-Natal.
Durban is growing in popularity as a destination for overseas visitors as it offers a lot of variety including golf, surf-friendly beaches, great restaurants and history. It's close to amazing wildlife and the country's highest peaks so if you choose not to drive, it's a great base for day trips.
Check & Book Flights Cape Town to DurbanOur Durban / KwaZulu-Natal Highlights
- ➡️ Hluhluwe Game Reserve / Safari
- ➡️ Durban Markets Guided Walking Tour
- ➡️ The Midlands and Drakensberg
St Lucia Hippo and Croc Boat Cruise at Sunset
St Lucia is a marvellous wetlands region, and home to so many hippos and crocodiles. You won't see these on the Hluhluwe safari, so maybe take a late afternoon tour from Durban to St Lucia. If you time this tour for sunset, you'll get a beautiful cruise as well as hopefully seeing some locals in or out of the water. I'm always amazed how big hippos are, and as for crocodiles, well, keep your distance!
Market Guided Walking Tour
The long trading history of Durban means local markets are fascinating to explore. The best way to do this is with a guided food tour, where you visit a market, followed by a local lunch on the beach. Alternatively, book a 6-hour Durban City Tour with a local guide to delve into the culture of Durban, past and present. This is a top rated tour and although we haven't taken it, it comes highly recommended.
Book 6-Hour Durban City Tour — Top Rated!Where to Stay in Durban
With a rooftop pool and attached to the Gateway Shopping Mall, this is a relaxing modern hotel with great amenities.
Not on the beach, this central hotel has all the expected mid-price facilities, and is close to shops and restaurants of Umhlanga district.
Only 250m from Umhlanga Main Beach, this is a luxury option and perfect to unwind after busy days of exploring.
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve (1–2 Days)
- 3-hour drive north of Durban.
- Park Day Safari Fees: from R1,495 p/p. Book safari online.
- Daily safaris leave Nyalazi Park Gate at 6:00am.
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi — Africa's oldest game reserve and the only state-operated park in KwaZulu-Natal protecting the Big 5.
At over 950 square km, Hluhluwe first opened as a park in 1895. It is the only state-operated park in KwaZulu Natal that protects and supports Africa's Big 5. Elephants, Giraffes, Rhinos and Lions are in residence here. Hippos & Crocodiles can be viewed in the St Lucia Estuary, an easy day trip from Durban.
Our suggestion is to stay overnight so you can experience two game drives. The park states that it has the largest population of White Rhino in the world and we saw a baby and mother on our second visit. Of course, these are in the wild, so no guarantees. If you have the energy, we say enjoy lunch, relax or have a nap and be ready for a dusk safari. This is often when there is more action!
Book Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Big 5 Full or Half-Day SafariIf you don't have your own transport, book a tour with to/from transport provided. The vehicles are roomy with plenty of space for everyone to enjoy sightings.
Where to Stay in Hluhluwe
Run as part of the reserve, with options from 2-bedroom chalets to lodges that accommodate 8 people. Catering or non-catering options available. Pretty basic but authentic.
A modern, relaxing hotel which we enjoyed staying at. Their pool is great at the end of the day and the bar area & service fun!! A/C and plenty of parking. Safari pick-up/drop-off from reception.
With transport to the reserve, relax in your own luxury chalet with amazing views over False Bay and the Hluhluwe River. A/C and mosquito nets.
Midlands & Drakensberg Mountains
A 4x4 vehicle is recommended for mountain roads.
The Drakensberg — South Africa's highest peaks and some of the most dramatic scenery we've ever seen.
The Drakensberg Mountain range lies within KwaZulu Natal and are the highest peaks in South Africa. We suggest a minimum of 2, preferably 3 nights here. Driving west from Durban we travelled through beautiful rolling countryside stopping at the towns of Pietermaritzburg and Nottingham Road en route.
Rent a 4x4 (SUV)! There are some unique spots to check out along the route especially with kids. Piggly Wiggly and Chocolate Heaven at Nottingham Road are always two of their favourites.
On our first night, we stayed at Fourdoun Hotel and Spa. The facilities were excellent and it was quiet so we pretty much had the pool to ourselves. We ate at the hotel restaurant and everything was delicious, fresh and local. The spa was also great value with high standards which us girls enjoyed for an hour or two.
The next day, we drove on into the mountains into more remote areas, with rougher roads (SUV needed here) until we reached our next lodge. The Drakensberg Mountain Retreat is 25 miles from Harrisburg and an old-fashioned, family style lodge, set in glorious countryside. It was not full of mod cons, but for a night or two, it was great and the views alone were worth the trek. You can hike, horse ride or just lounge by the pool. The sunsets were beautiful over the mountain.
Nelson Mandela Capture Site
On our return we stopped at the impressive Nelson Mandela Capture Site nearby. This was an absorbing visit and 2 hours flew by as we walked through the exhibits down to the point of capture. It was humbling and a powerful addition to our Robben Island trip, helping us understand more about this time in South Africa's history. A couple of hours here to fully appreciate the journey of Nelson Mandela is a must.
The metal monument was so clever with the reveal of his face visible when you stand back at a specific angle. Truly moving.
This is where to head over the border to Lesotho from for a couple of nights vs continuing to Johannesburg. Tour operators run day to multi-night trips from Durban.
Return to Durban and fly or drive to Johannesburg the following morning.
Johannesburg
A short flight of an hour or so from Durban — or a 6-hour drive through the mountains.
To be honest we had originally planned to fly, but because of airline issues, we kept our rental car and drove. The roads are mainly highways and decent, but there are not many places to stop except the reliable Mugg and Bean's at petrol stations 😊 So, for a first visit, we suggest it's best to fly. You may be tired after such a busy 12 days and so we suggest a slower pace for your last couple of days.
Getting Around Johannesburg
Even staying in the centre of town, it's not easy to get around. We dropped our car off before going to our hotel. The best bet is to either use tours to see 1–2 of the top places in and around town or use a Tour Bus.
Hop On Hop Off Bus
If you buy a full day ticket on the Johannesburg Hop On Hop Off bus, you have flexibility to see sights like Constitution Hill, Apartheid Museum, Mandela Square and the Sandton district.
Lunch in Nelson Mandela Square
This square named after Mandela is actually a shopping centre with over 400 stores. But it is worth visiting to see the 6m, 2.5-tonne monument that towers over the open area. It was an easy walk from our hotel (Holiday Inn Sandton), although at night, always get a hotel taxi to get around the city. As we walked, artists lined the streets with a range of work and goods for sale. This area is known as the golden mile, the wealthiest square mile on the African continent. It's full of office blocks, hotels and high-end shopping, but worth having lunch in one of the many restaurants.
Visit Soweto Township
A popular reason to spend time in Johannesburg is to visit Soweto, the city neighbourhood created during apartheid. It's easiest to take a tour here and be guided by a local.
Book A Soweto Walking TourMaropeng Cradle of Humankind
Around 1.5 hours from Johannesburg, you can visit the Maropeng Cradle of Humankind & Sterkfont Cave. Best to take a tour with a guide to help you explore this site where fossils over 3 million years old have been found.
Check Maropeng Cradle Tour PricesWe hope that for your final night in South Africa, you enjoy a relaxed dinner with a glass of Western Cape wine.
Stay at the airport if you have an early flight as traffic can be extremely heavy in rush hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
In our experience South Africa is safe for families and loved by our kids. Family experiences like safaris are simply not available elsewhere on our planet.
At the bottom of the African continent, with around 50 million people, South Africa borders six other nations. Two of these, Lesotho and Eswatini, are embedded within its landmass.
If you want to indulge, take the Blue Train from Cape Town up to Pretoria, or from there to Kruger! It's on our remaining bucket list of things to do in South Africa. Otherwise, drive or fly!
Most of our trips to South Africa have been in their summer — January to March. It can be wetter and cooler in the July/August winter months.
Getting Around South Africa
Renting a Car
We always hire a car when visiting South Africa. Do read the small print in terms of insurance as they differ from company to company — insurance is essential. There may be a requirement to pay insurance when you pick the car up so double check if this is the case when you book. Typical rentals will be smaller cars with a small engine. If you can, upgrade to a large vehicle for a family and longer drives.
It's easy to drive in South Africa but the distances between places are further than you might imagine. You may not need a car if part of your trip is in Cape Town as there is the option to take organised tours from the city.
There are a lot of toll roads, so make sure you have small change if you are collecting your car from an airport and heading straight onto a main 'N' road.
Where to Fly Into South Africa?
In our experience, international flights into Johannesburg or Cape Town offer the best schedules and prices. We usually fly via London to Cape Town and then up to Durban. You will also find flights to Cape Town from most European hubs including Paris, Amsterdam, and Istanbul, as well as southern hemisphere cities like Singapore.
Check Flight Deals to Cape TownIf coming from the USA (East Coast), Delta or United fly directly into Johannesburg Airport — so you could adjust this itinerary to start there. While these are very long flights the good news is that there are no layovers or transfers to deal with! Emirates offers flights via Dubai into Durban which might work better if you're only planning to visit the KwaZulu-Natal region.
More Africa Wildlife Experiences
If you are looking for other ideas for Africa, read our 3 Day Masai Mara Safari from Nairobi article to see the best of Kenya's nature. It's also possible to combine time in South Africa and then fly to Kigali, Rwanda or Uganda to go trekking with mountain gorillas.
Read Our Uganda Gorilla Trekking Guide
