Looking for a 10 day South Africa itinerary that’s easy to follow and entirely bookable without going through a travel agency? Having done this exact trip myself, I put together an easy to replicate itinerary for 10 days in South Africa to help you plan the perfect trip.
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Planning a trip to South Africa can be equal parts exciting and confusing. Should you go to Johannesburg or Cape Town? How do you even plan a safari? What do I need to do to stay safe on my trip?
This 10 Day South Africa itinerary will answer all those questions and more so you can plan the best possbile trip!
This blog post has a lot of info, so please use the table of contents below to jump around!
10 Day South Africa Itinerary Map
Below you’ll find a map where any and all points of interest mentioned in this itinerary are saved. This is designed to help you easily navigate the itinerary. On the map you’ll find hotels, activities, beaches, hiking trails, restaurants and more.
And watch my full South Africa Tiktok series for even more insights into how to spend 10 days in South Africa!
@nikkionherway Our first day in Cape Town! Here’s what we got up to: – woke up to amazing views & breakfast at The Dorp hotel 🏨 – went to the Oranjezicht market to shop and walk around. We made the mistake of not coming hungry!! 🤤 – from there we walked to the V&A Waterfront area, the mall is good here! – spent the sunny afternoon at Clifton 1st & 2nd 🏝️ – watched sunset at The Rock (located above Clifton 1st) – had dinner back at The Dorp and it was so good!! 🥘 #capetown #visitsouthafrica #cliftonbeachcapetown #visitcapetown ♬ som original – Z3.
When Is The Best Time To Visit South Africa?
South Africa is one of those places that has something to offer year round. So, what type of experience you’re looking to have in South Africa will determine the best time to visit.
Check out my ‘Travel Resources’ page for all the tools and resources I use for travel like eSIMs, my favorite carry-on, must have travel items, and more!
For those that are from the Northern Hemisphere, South Africa is an amazing winter destination. November through March, warmer temperatures mean long beach days and time outside.
These months are especially good in Cape Town, and bring sunny warm days to explore the Western Cape. You’ll get more reliable good weather days and be able to spend more time outside enjoying Cape Town’s natural beauty.
Best Time To Visit South Africa For Safari
When it comes to safari, there are lots of considerations for choosing the best time for you.
In Kruger, the summer months bring rain and lots of greenery. And this isn’t actually the most ideal time for safari in most of Kruger NP. The reason is that the green vegetation brought on by the summer rains makes spotting animals a bit more difficult. These months also bring more mosquitos and muggier days.
Most people will recommend South Africa’s winter for safari, the months of June to August. The Greater Kruger will experience lower temperatures, less rain, less bugs, and sparse vegetation ideal for spotting game. This is considered the safari high season in Kruger NP, meaning higher prices and more people.
The sweet spot for a 10 day South Africa itinerary: October! Specifically, earlier in October rather than later, to beat the rains.
We visited South Africa at the very end of September and beginning of October. In Cape Town we had chilly mornings and warm afternoons, with even a few beach days!
In early October, the rains hadn’t yet come to the Kruger. It wasn’t muggy and there were lots of opportunities to spot animals on game drives. Plus, the largest crowds have moved on by October. Lodges aren’t full to the brim and are sometimes offering deals. Game drives often aren’t crowded, leading to a more intimate experience.
And, we saw the Big 5, plus many more animals, when we visited in October. There was no shortage of animals and we saw everything we were hoping to!
If I had to recommend one month to be able to get it all in South Africa, October is it! You get the best of both worlds in the north and south.
How To Get Around On Your 10 Day South Africa Itinerary
South Africa is quite a large country, which means getting around will require a few different modes of transport. You’ll want to consider things like safety, efficiency, and cost when figuring out how to move around the country.
Renting a Car in South Africa
While in Cape Town, we rented a car. Renting a car in Cape Town is a really convenient way to get around. The the city isn’t really walking friendly as a whole simply due to it’s size.
You will, however, need to be safety conscious if you opt for driving yourself around. Never leave belongings in the car for any reason. Always park in well lit and safe areas. Lock the car when it’s parked AND while you’re driving.
Helpful Tip: If you choose to rent a car in Cape Town, expect to come into contact with lots of unofficial ‘parking attendants.’ Just about anywhere you park will have someone waiting to ‘help’ you into the spot. While you don’t technically have to pay these people, it can be quite difficult to say no. I personally didn’t see much of an issue handing them a few Rand.
However, lots of people choose to simply Uber everywhere in Cape Town. And this is another great option! Uber in South Africa is safe and affordable. If driving in a foreign country on the left hand side is a bit intimidating, I recommend this option.
Flying Within SOuth Africa
To get from the north to the south of the country, flying is the best and most efficient option. There are tons of flights every day between Johannesburg and Cape Town. Plus, there are even flights from both big cities to small bush airports near Kruger, like Hoedspruit (HDS).
We flew from Cape Town to Johannesburg (then stopped to visit Colton’s brother who lives there for a few days!) before flying to Hoedspruit to start safari. We flew FlySafair and Airlink on domestic flights in South Africa and had good experiences with both.
For the safari portion of your 10 day South Africa itinerary, there is no need to rent a car. You will want to organize transfers to and from the airport to your safari lodge to keep things simple. And once at your lodge, you won’t need to go anywhere else!
Is South Africa Safe For Tourists?
There is a lot of online discourse around tourist safety in South Africa. And some people will really try to scare you about visiting Cape Town or Johannesburg.
To be fair, it’s likely that South Africa is not as safe as your home country. But, that doesn’t mean a blanket statement saying the country and the people are unsafe is a good faith assessment.
Here is what we noticed: if you go looking for trouble, you’ll find it. So, here are a few do’s and don’t’s for your time in South Africa that will keep you safe. For the most part, if you’re an aware and respectful tourist, you’ll be fine!
Tips For Staying Safe in South Africa
DO:
- Wear inexpensive and minimal jewelry.
- Wear a crossbody bag to carry your phone, wallet, and other personal items.
- Be aware of your surroundings, and stick to the well known tourist areas of town.
- Stay in an area that is well known and with lots of other hotels.
DON’T:
- Flaunt any fancy jewelry, cars, clothes, bags, shoes, etc. When you do this, you’re just increasing your chances of having an unsavory encounter.
- Carry your phone out in public, as it has a higher chance of being snatched.
- Leave your belongings out in your car.
- Walk around at night unless it’s in a well known tourist area like the V&A Waterfront.
After spending almost 3 weeks in South Africa, we never had an experience that made us feel uncomfortable or unsafe. We made sure to be very conscious of our safety while also remembering to have fun and be respectful of the local people and culture.
What I don’t want to encourage you to do is go to South Africa and be skeptical of all South Africans. We met so many incredibly welcoming and kind South Africans of all backgrounds. It’s a beautiful country, and I hope you see that beauty while you are on your trip.
Where To Go On Safari In South Africa
While many people think of Kruger National Park for safari in South Africa, there are actually more places to choose from.
The largest safari area in South Africa is Greater Kruger. This includes Kruger National Park as well as the surrounding private reserves. Popular private reserves include Timbavati, Sabi Sands, and Makuleke, to name a few.
In Greater Kruger you’ll find amazing Big 5 sightings, stunning landscapes, and a wide variety of accommodation options. So, if you’re visiting South Africa for safari, Kruger National Park should be at the top of your list.
South Africa is also one of the only countries in Africa that offers malaria free safari experiences. These are especially great for families. The most popular malaria free areas are Madikwe Game Reserve and Pilanesburg National Park.
There are also some areas to go on safari that are within a day’s drive of Cape Town. Aquila Private Game Reserve or Addo Elephant National Park are two of the most popular.
These are great options for a shorter trip to South Africa, where you can add a day or two onto your trip for safari. And the easy thing about it is you can book a tour with transfer included straight from Cape Town.
If I were to book a tour like that from Cape Town, I’d choose one of these ⬇️.
1 or 2 Day Safari Tours From Cape Town
– South African Wildlife and Safari 2 Day Tour (4.7 ⭐️)
– 2 Day Wildlife Tour with Safari and Luxury Stay (4.8 ⭐️)
– Big 5 Game Reserve With Lunch (4.6 ⭐️) *single day tour
However, if you have more than a day or two for safari, I highly recommend you fly up to Kruger National Park for the full safari experience!
Which Should You Visit: Kruger NP Or A Private Game Reserve?
The biggest difference between Kruger National Park and the reserves are the accommodations and exclusivity. Where you decide to safari during your 10 day South Africa itinerary will depend on your preferences and budget.
Kruger National Park
Because Kruger is a national park, the accommodation inside the reserves are government owned or regulated. And, Kruger offers a self-drive option for visitors, which means lots more cars. You’ll often see anywhere from 5-15 cars at an animal sighting.
The majority of accommodations are located just outside of Kruger NP, unless they are inside a private reserve. If they’re on a private reserve, you’ll find amazing stays that feel completely remote and intimate.
Greater Kruger Private Reserves
The private reserves that are part of Greater Kruger are privately owned and operated for conservation purposes. Some are owned by South African farmers and co-ops, while others have been purchased by luxury hotel organizations for conservation. Many are also known for their luxury accommodations.
Each reserve is known for something, but offers the ability to potentially see the Big 5. Sabi Sands is known for it’s luxury accommodations and leopard population. Timbavati is know for it’s white lions. The Klaserie is a lesser visited hidden gem. And there are more, so a good way to narrow down which is right for you will be cost and availability.
Plus, the reserves are only open to those staying at one of the lodges on the reserve. So the total possible number of tourists you’ll run into is quite low.
Many of the private reserves have rules for how many trucks can be at a game sighting. The max is usually only 2. Only trained professionals are allowed to lead game drives on the reserves. This helps ensure an ethical and conservation minded approach to safari.
Because of these differences, the private game reserves are often more expensive. But, they offer an exclusivity you just can’t find in Kruger NP.
An important note: the animals can roam freely between the national park and the private reserves, so you can see the same wildlife. But, some reserves or areas of Kruger are known for certain animal sightings as the landscape can vary widely across the over 2 million hectares of Greater Kruger.
Given all of this information, we decided to opt for a luxury lodge on one of the private game reserves. And we loved it! Our animal sightings were quiet, relaxed, and ethical. Of course, if cost is a limiting factor, Kruger National Park is still an AMAZING place to go on safari!
I’ve shared the exact places we stayed in more detail in the sections below.
How Much Does A 10 Day South Africa Itinerary Cost?
It’s very hard to nail down the cost for a trip to South Africa. Because you can visit on a budget or have a completely luxury experience in South Africa, the costs can vary a lot.
But here’s the deal: the fact of the matter is that a safari will probably not be the least expensive trip you ever take. By nature, safari is just more expensive than other bucket list trips.
It doesn’t have to be, and there are some budget options out there. But, I’ve found that those ‘budget’ safari trips are budget for a reason.
We decided to ‘go for it’ on safari as it really is a once in a lifetime kind of experience! While we spent a few thousand US dollars each, we didn’t spend more than $8,000 total for two people for a week on safari.
If we had self-booked our safari we likely could have spent a little less. But, I explain in the next section why I decided to book with an agency and in which scenarios it makes sense or doesn’t.
We stayed in luxury tented camps with comfortable king size beds, outdoor showers, all inclusive meals, transportation between camps, game drives included, and ‘private’ views.
But, you can very easily find a mid-range safari option. I’ve been sure to include a few options below in the safari portion of this itinerary that I’d book myself!
For a mid-range trip to South Africa for 10 days, Cape Town and safari included, I’d budget around $300 – $500USD per day. The safari part of your trip will likely be more expensive, and you can save some money with free activities in Cape Town.
Of course, this is just an estimate and you could spend more or less. I recommend making a budget you feel comfortable with and doing some preliminary research to see if it’s reasonable. Check out hotels, activities, and available safari lodges to get a general idea.
I always use Booking.com to search for hotels to get a feel for the average nightly hotel rate when making my budget.
Can I Self Book My Safari, Or Do I Need To Book With A Safari Company?
If you’ve ever tried to plan a safari in Africa, you know how complex the logistics can become when you get into the nitty gritty of it. As someone who plans all of my own trips, I was very resistant to paying anyone to help me plan our safari.
Booking A Safari With An Agency or Operator
But, I found that the expertise and knowledge a safari company has about the lodges, transportation, and other logistics of safari was invaluable for a longer trip.
I definitely could have planned it all myself if we just went to one lodge. But, once we added in multiple lodges and destinations, it became much more convenient to hand the planning off to a safari company.
However, that is because we were on safari for 7 days with 2 locations and booking very last minute…
If you’re booking a safari with an agency, there will of course be overhead costs built in that otherwise wouldn’t be. But, if you simply do not want to handle the logistics of your trip or are not worried about the budget, it’s a great way to plan.
I went with BHS for our trip and I enjoyed working with them. Honestly, I approached them very last minute, and they were still able to put together a great itinerary for us. I think you’d be quite happy working with them for your trip! *This is not sponsored in any way, and I paid full price for our trip!*
Booking Safari Directly With Lodges
But, knowing what I know now, I definitely could have planned a 3 to 4 day safari on my own. Since this itinerary has time for just a few days on safari, I would recommend choosing just one lodge. And that makes it quite easy to book the safari portion of this trip all on your own! Which will save you time, money, and give you more control.
So, I’ve included my recommendation for the lodge we stayed at close to the Hoedspruit airport. You can book and coordinate with them all on your own. Just like any other hotel booking, you can book and communicate with the lodge directly.
Most safari lodges are all inclusive, so you really only need to worry about getting there. And even still, just about any lodge will offer airport pickup, making it super easy to plan on your own for 3 or 4 days.
We stayed at Imagine Africa Luxury Tented Camp and highly recommend it. The staff was incredibly welcoming, helpful, and knowledgeable about the bush. It’s located only about 30 minutes from the Hoedspruit airport and they offer a pickup service when you book.
Imagine Africa is located on a private game reserve, which I went into more detail about in the ‘Which Should You Visit’ section of this blog post above. We thoroughly enjoyed our time there and recommend it to anyone going on safari in South Africa.
I’ve included more information on Imagine Africa (and other lodge options) plus the logistics of planning your safari in the safari portion of this itinerary below.
*This is not a full, in depth guide to booking a safari. However, it is meant to be a helpful way to simplify booking your safari for your South Africa trip. There are many places to go on safari in South Africa, but if you’re looking to keep your itinerary easy and be able to self-book, this is my recommendation*
The Perfect 10 Day South Africa Itinerary
Let’s get into this easy to replicate 10 day South Africa itinerary! This itinerary is entirely customizable, so remember you can always add to or subtract from it as you like.
Especially while you’re in Cape Town, you may need to shift some of your days around depending on the weather or availability for activities. This is particularly true for whichever day you want to do the Table Mountain cable car or hike. I’ll provide more details about why below!
Where To Stay In Cape Town
I recommend staying in Sea Point, Camps Bay, the V&A Waterfront, Bo-Kaap, City Bowl, or Gardens. Any of these neighborhoods will offer lots of accommodation options as well as safety.
Where We Stayed: The Dorp Hotel (gallery room with a view)
Luxury: One Kensington Boutique Hotel, Mount Nelson a Belmond Hotel
Mid-Range: Cape Heritage Hotel
Budget: The Trade Boutique Hotel
Day 1: Arrival in Cape Town
It’s likely you’ll arrive in Cape Town in the afternoon/evening, so head straight to your hotel and check in.
If you had quite a long flight and flop straight into bed after you check in, no one will judge you!
But, if you’re looking for ways to make yourself stay awake until a proper bedtime to fight jetlag, head to the V&A Waterfront for dinner. There are lots of great restaurants, but a quick option for your first night is to hit up Time Out Market. If there is still some sun when you arrive, head to the beach!
You may have been to another Time Out Market at one of their many other locations in big cities around the world. But what I love about them is they feature local chefs, restaurants, and cuisines to give you a large selection of options to choose from.
Cape Town is an under the radar foodie destination. While the Western Cape certainly has its own traditional foods you should try, Cape Town embraces lots of different cuisines in its food scene. You’ll find Italian, various Southern African dishes, Asian fusion, and more. Time Out Market does a great job of highlighting this wonderful blend of culinary cultures.
Day 2: Cape Town – Waterfront & Beach Day, Sunset at The Rock
On the first full day of your 10 day South Africa itinerary, get acquainted with Cape Town!
Start your day with breakfast either at your hotel or at one of Cape Town’s many amazing cafes. Cape Town has an incredible coffee and cafe scene, with coffee shops on just about every corner. And it’s easy to find really good coffee and brunch all over the place.
Best Coffee Shops In Cape Town ☕️
– Truth Coffee Roasting
– Platō Coffee
– Hey Stranger Coffee Collective
Oranjezicht Farm Market (Sat & Sun)
One of the best things to do in Cape Town on a weekend is visit one of the many markets in the city. A very popular one full of local restaurant stalls, crafts, fresh flowers, and other goodies, is the Oranjezicht Farm Market.
Located just a short walk from the V&A Waterfront, it’s a perfect addition to your time in Cape Town. Make sure you come hungry because there are so many great local restaurant stalls selling all sorts of amazing bites. It’s the perfect place for a casual brunch on a Saturday or Sunday in Cape Town.
The market is open on Saturday and Sunday 8:00 – 14:00, and on Wednesday for a night market from 16:00 – 21:00, so plan accordingly!
You’ll find lots of great local vendors selling coffee, smoothies, seafood, sandwiches, biltong, burgers, and so much more. There are also stalls selling clothes, antiques, shoes, art, and other locally made items.
The market is free to enter, and there is lots of parking right outside. You can pay to park in a garage located between the market and the V&A Waterfront. Or you can park alongside the road outside the market. However, if you choose to park on the road, expect to pay a small amount to an unofficial ‘attendant’.
V&A Waterfront & Tour
Probably the most popular tourist area in Cape Town is the V&A Waterfront. It’s a beautiful waterfront area with lots of shopping and restaurants. It also serves as the jumping off point for lots of water based activities and tours, like Robben Island.
We did a bit of walking around the Waterfront and enjoyed the sites, but didn’t stay too long (other than to hit the mall and shop, of course!) If we did it again, I would have booked a whale watching tour or headed out to Robben Island.
This is a popular area to stay in simply for accessibility and safety, and it certainly offers both of those things. If you’re wanting to stay at the waterfront for these reasons, I highly recommend checking out the Victoria & Alfred Hotel, or for a very luxury option, One&Only Cape Town.
While you’re walking around at the V&A Waterfront, definitely stop into the Time Out Market to get a taste of the local cuisine. And if you’re in the mood for fresh sushi, Willoughby’s & Co. is a fantastic locally recommended restaurant that we loved.
Best Tours From V&A Waterfront
– Sunset Catamaran Cruise On Table Bay (4.6 ⭐️)
– Cape Town Marina Wildlife Tour (4.6 ⭐️)
– Cape Town Marine Life Kayak Tour (4.7 ⭐️)
– Official Robben Island Guided Tour
Clifton Beach
I think everyone has their opinion about what the most beautiful beach in Cape Town is, and for me, it’s Clifton Beach. The beach is split into 4 ‘sections’ by natural rock formations, and give you different views and perspectives at each.
My personal favorites are Clifton 1st & Clifton 2nd because they give you the best views of the Twelve Apostles. I personally love that this beach sits below the road and doesn’t have loads of bars and restaurants on it.
You’ll often find a game of beach volleyball or football being played at Clifton, dogs playing in the waves, and lots of room to sunbathe.
If you walk all the way down to the end of Clifton 1st, you’ll find the beginning of a path along the water. Here is where you’ll find this incredible view of Clifton looking back on the Twelve Apostles.
Sunset at The Rock or Kloof’s Corner
A short drive above Clifton is a sunset spot called ‘The Rock’ at the end of a residential area. While it isn’t a very official viewpoint, it offers one of the best views in Cape Town for sunset.
I’ve noted the location of this spot on the map at the top of this page so you can find it. We were able to park on the side of the road right next to the map pin, but it can get busy so arrive early.
I’m not sure if access gets limited during high season or anything like that since it’s right next to some really nice residential properties. But, when we were there we had no issues accessing the spot!
Kloof’s Corner is another amazing sunset spot that feels like being on top of the world. With an amazing view of Lion’s Head and Camps Bay, it’s one of my favorite spots in the city. You can park along the road that winds up to the Table Mountain Cable Car to access this spot.
This is another popular sunset spot, so arrive early! You’ll have a 10-20 minute walk up to the viewpoint from the parking lot depending on how fast you’re hiking. Note that it can get quite windy up here, but man it’s worth it!
Day 3: Cape Town – Chapman’s Peak Drive, Cape Point, Boulder’s Beach
It would be a shame to visit Cape Town and not take a drive down the coast. Definitely head out to Cape Point to see more of the beautiful coastline of South Africa. We did a day road trip that included Boulder’s Beach as well to see African Penguins and had the best day!
This day can totally be self-guided if you have a rental car. However, if you don’t have a rental car or prefer to go with a tour guide, I recommend this tour: Cape Point & Boulder’s Beach Full-Day Tour (4.7 ⭐️).
Chapman’s Peak Drive
Many people have the ever popular Garden Route on their Cape Town itinerary. But, an alternative if you’re short on time is Chapman’s Peak Drive. If you’re driving out of Cape Town towards Cape Point, you’ll likely be routed onto Chapman’s Peak Drive.
It’s a beautiful winding section of road just south of Hout Bay. This section of road does require a small toll to access, but it’s totally worth it. There are a few turnoffs along the way as well to enjoy the views.
As of January 2026, the toll to drive Chapman’s Peak is 66R, around $4USD.
Note that weather conditions can sometimes close Chapman’s Peak Drive due to falling rocks and other precautions. This area of the coast also often gets high winds, which can cause closures, so plan accordingly!
You can check the toll prices and closures for Chapman’s Peak Drive ahead of time here.
Boulder’s Beach & African Penguins
The only place you can see African Penguins up close is at Boulder’s Beach. It’s located out on the Cape Peninsula just 45 minutes from Cape Town. A huge colony of African Penguins live here on Boulder’s Beach and love to swim up and down this stretch of coastline!
There are two ways to see the penguins, so this is a choose your adventure type of activity! When you arrive, you’ll first walk up to an entry point for Foxy Beach. Further down the boardwalk to the left, you’ll find the entrance to Boulder’s Beach.
Both options require payment for entry to help support and maintain environmental efforts that benefit the colony. However, there is a ‘free’ way to see some penguins, and I’ll explain that last!
At Foxy Beach, you can hang out on the beach and potentially swim with penguins! I say potentially because there is no guarantee that they’ll be out swimming when you’re there. When we went, they weren’t swimming, but we peeked a few in the rocks.
But, the beach itself is quite nice and there is a good chance you’ll see some penguins!
The official entrance to Boulder’s Beach is where you can continue along the boardwalk where the penguin colony lives. The boardwalk is build above the beach so you can observe the penguin colony. But you cannot swim with the penguins here or get down onto the beach.
The ‘free’ way to see the penguins is by just glimpsing them in the bushes on the platform walk to the official boardwalk. You don’t have to pay to enter the beach boardwalk area until the end of the ‘free’ section of the boardwalk. We saw lots of penguins this way! Though they aren’t on the beach here, if all you want is to see them, this will achieve that.
Cape Point Lighthouse & Cape Peninsula
We almost skipped visiting the Cape Point Lighthouse and Table Mountain National Park, but I’m so glad we didn’t. Some of the most impressive views we saw during our time in the Western Cape were right here.
You have to enter into Table Mountain National Park in order to get to the Cape Point Lighthouse or the Cape of Good Hope, which are right next to one another. There is a national park fee, to be expected, which currently stands at R515 per person (around $31USD).
While it was a little steep for the entrance fee, we really felt it was worth it for these views and the wildlife inside the park. In the park, you can find Eland, Ostrich, Red Hartebeest, and Zebra to name a few. And be sure to keep an eye out for the baboons, who are always watching…
I’m also glad we went because it’s how I figured out I was lied to my whole life when I was told that the Cape of Good Hope was the southernmost point of the African continent. It is, in fact, not the southernmost point of the continent. The actual southernmost point is a 3.5 hour drive away in L’Agulhas. The Cape of Good Hope is still quite beautiful though!
Day 4: Cape Town – Walking Tour & Table Mountain + Kirstenbosch Gardens (if time allows)
See Cape Town from above and below on day four of this 10 Day South Africa itinerary. A visit to Table Mountain will give you views of the entire city from above, and a walking tour will bring you down to the details of Cape Town’s history.
Depending on how you choose to visit Table Mountain or weather related factors, you may not be able to do all activities in this day’s itinerary.
Table Mountain Cable Car or Hike
The most classic thing to do in Cape Town is head up to the top of Table Mountain. You can reach the top either by cable car or hike. It will totally depend on what sort of activity level you’re looking for!
Taking the cable car up to Table Mountain is surprisingly not necessarily much faster than the hike. That’s mostly due to the potentially long wait times. But of course the cable car requires much less energy. The lines for the Table Mountain Cable Car can be quite long, and if you opt for a Fast Track ticket you’ll pay a premium.
Buy your official Table Mountain Cableway tickets here.
Hiking to the top of Table Mountain can take around 2.5 hours to reach the top, and you can choose to hike back down or purchase a one way ticket for the cable car. It also isn’t exactly an easy hike, so be sure it’s something you’re feeling up to before attempting!
Either way, weather is going to be the largest determining factor in how and if you visit Table Mountain. The cableway is often closed due to rain, high winds, or thick clouds.
We were in Cape Town for 5 days and never got the chance to visit Table Mountain. The clouds that often sit on top of the mountain, referred to by the locals as the ‘tablecloth’, made an appearance almost every day we were there.
On our last day in town, we had good weather but ran out of time because the long line at the cable car was going to make us miss our hotel check out. All because of our poor planning that we missed out on it that day!
But, we did get amazing views from Kloof’s Corner when we watched sunset there. So, we didn’t feel too sad about missing out.
If Table Mountain won’t work for your Cape Town schedule but you really want to get the amazing views, the Lion’s Head hike is a great alternative. A shorter, less strenuous hike with fantastic views, I recommend adding this one to your list if you’re short on time.
Recommended Table Mountain Tours
– Table Mountain Hike With An Expert Guide (5.0 ⭐️)
– Table Mountain, Cape Point, & Penguins Group Tour (4.9⭐️)
Cape Town Free Walking Tour
I love a free walking tour, especially a historical tour, as a way to learn a lot about a city in a little time. Free Walking Tours Cape Town is a fantastic organization providing a variety of free walking tours in the city.
We went for the Apartheid to Freedom free walking tour since we didn’t get the chance to get over to Robben Island. We still wanted to get the chance to hear about the apartheid era of South Africa and it’s lasting impacts on the city of Cape Town.
The tour was fantastic and we learned so much about South Africa’s history, Cape Town’s experience during the apartheid system, and the persistent difficulties the community still faces today.
But, if you already did a Robben Island tour and are looking for something a little different, the Bo-Kaap tour or the general history tour would be great options.
Helpful Tip: though these are ‘free’ walking tours, it’s highly recommended you tip your tour guide for their time and expertise!
Day 5: Day Trip To The Winelands & The Franschhoek Wine Tram
If you’re into wine, some of South Africa’s most famous wineries, or winefarms as they call them, are located just outside of Cape Town. A popular area that is a really easy day trip from Cape Town includes Franschhoek and Stellenbosch.
There are tons of amazing wineries in the area where you can spend a few hours tasting and enjoying the views of the mountains. Whether you just want a wine flight, are looking for a nice meal, or even a cellar tour, there are lots of options.
A very fun way to experience the winefarms is doing the Franschhoek Wine Tram and winery hopping! We decided to use the tram as a fun way to visit a few wineries. It also helped us narrow down which places to go to.
The Franschhoek Wine Tram is an adorable old tram on a short track that drops you off at multiple wineries throughout the day. You can choose which ‘line’ you want to do (though they’re all on the same tram, it just determines which wineries you can visit) and spend the day hopping from one to another. It’s a really fun and safe way to get around if you’re planning to have a few drinks.
I think it’s totally worth taking a day to see the winelands outside of Cape Town. It’s a really easy day trip whether you have a rental car or not! We had a rental car and drove ourselves out to Franschhoek to the Franschhoek Wine Tram.
If you don’t plan on renting a car while in Cape Town, I recommend booking this tour from Cape Town that includes a transfer to the Franschhoek Wine Tram! It’s a great way to visit the winelands and not worry about driving yourself back after a few drinks 🙂
From Cape Town: Franschhoek Wine Tram Hop-On Hop-Off (4.7 ⭐️)
You could also add a trip to the winelands to the end of your time in Cape Town by staying in Stellenbosch or Franschhoek for the night. There are lots of beautiful hotels in the area, and even some great winery accommodations.
Where To Stay In Stellenbosch & Franschhoek
– Luxury: Mont Rochelle Hotel & Vineyard
– Mid-Range: Stellenbosch Hotel
– Budget: Huguenot House
Days 6 – 9: Safari in Kruger National Park
It’s time to head out on safari for the second part of your 10 day South Africa itinerary! No trip to South Africa is complete without a visit to Greater Kruger National Park. Get ready to see some of the most incredible animals and landscapes South Africa has to offer.
There are a million and one ways to do safari in South Africa. In my opinion, the best way to narrow down your options is by budget. Greater Kruger National Park has both luxury and budget options, making it a perfect safari destination for everyone.
Question about how to book a safari, budget, and more? I’ve gone into more detail at the beginning of this blog post.
My personal recommendation for 3-4 days on safari is to just visit one lodge, and make it all inclusive. Trying to fit two lodge destinations into such a short time will unnecessarily overcomplicate your trip.
For this itinerary, I highly recommend you fly from Cape Town straight into Hoedspruit Airport (HDS) for the safari portion of your trip. There are other smaller bush airports you could consider, but any larger commercial flights will fly into Hoedspruit.
Doing so will eliminate the need for you to coordinate any sort of ground transportation other than with your safari lodge.
And once your lodge picks you up from the airport, you won’t have to worry about anything. Since you’re doing just a few days of safari on a larger 10 day South Africa itinerary, this is definitely the simplest way to get the best experience.
Where To Stay On Safari In Greater Kruger National Park
All of the lodges recommended below are all inclusive, close to the Hoedspruit Airport, and offer an airport shuttle service to simplify all of your logistics.
Ultra-Luxury Safari Lodge Recommendation: &beyond Phinda
Luxury Safari Lodge Recommendation: Imagine Africa Luxury Tented Camp
Mid-Range Safari Lodge Recommendation: Rukiya Safari Camp
‘Budget’ Safari Lodge Recommendation: Thornhill Safari Lodge
To save even more money on accommodation during safari, stay at a hotel or lodge located outside of the park or a reserve. Hoedspruit is the largest town with the most options.
Day 10: End Of Your 10 Day South Africa Itinerary + Home from Hoedspruit (via Johannesburg or Cape Town)
Book a flight home from Hoedspruit (HDS) via either Johannesburg or Cape Town, depending on your itinerary options.
I booked our flight from Hoedspruit to Cape Town on a separate itinerary from our Cape Town to Atlanta flight in order to save some money and create my ideal itinerary. But, it’s worth looking to see if you can book your entire trip on one itinerary.
10 Day South Africa Itinerary Wrap Up + Options To Extend
That does it for this 10 Day South Africa itinerary to Cape Town and Kruger NP! However, if you’re planning a longer trip, here are a few options to extend.
The Garden Route
If you have more time to spend in the South, add this 300km coastal driving route to your plans. Along the way you can stop to spot whales, visit picturesque little towns, bungee jump, hike, visit caves, wine taste, and so much more.
The Garden Route is recommended for a 5-10 day drive, depending on how many stops you want to make along the way. Starting at L’Agulhas and ending in Mossel Bay, the drive itself would only take a day or two. However, the point of the Garden Route is the stops along the way.
Some of the highlights along the way can include Addo Elephant National Park for safari, the town of George, whale watching at Hermanus, and the Cango Caves. But, there are endless options for things to do on the Garden Route. I personally love this guide by Finding Our Adventure!
