Travelers to South Africa typically plan a trip for eight to 11 days when combining Cape Town with Johannesburg and Kruger National Park. For travelers wanting to visit Cape Town exclusively, plan five to seven days for a well-paced trip. With less time, it's still possible to see the highlights in as few as four days. For the best itineraries focusing on Cape Town, keep reading below.
Kruger National Park is a year-round destination, but understanding how the dry and wet seasons affect game-viewing is key. Depending on how you weigh your priorities, the following information will help you decide which season is right for you.
Cape Town and the Garden Route is a classic pairing for travelers headed to South Africa. It's best to spend 12 to 15 days in-country—this allows for plenty of time to enjoy the top sights and activities at each stop. Travelers can also opt for a faster paced trip, covering the top highlights of each region in just 10 or 11 days. Check out our favorite itinerary ideas below, and start planning your perfect trip.
Driving South Africa's famed Garden Route is suitable in any season; though there is always a chance of rain, it's never enough to discourage a road trip or adventure outdoors. Let your interests determine when you hit the road. If you want to see whales, come in the winter, spring for the wildflowers, summer for the beaches, and fall for hiking. Awaiting exploration at any time, the Garden Route offers something for everyone.
Most travelers will find that eight to 11 days is perfect for a well-paced South Africa trip with stops in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Kruger National Park. If you don't mind a fast-paced journey, you can see the highlights of this route in less time—as little as one week. Or, extend your trip and explore more of the country—some of the best-loved trip extensions include Franschhoek or Simon's Town. See more ideas for Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Kruger National Park itineraries below.
February is considered one of the best months to visit South Africa, especially for northern hemisphere travelers escaping the cold winter snow. Although summer is in full swing, the crowds of peak season begin to thin at this time, and the strong winds that batter Cape Town and coastal zones in January give way to pleasingly cool sea breezes.
July might be right in the heart of the chiller South African winter, but those who venture here during this month are in for some pleasant surprises. July is as good a time as any for a safari; pregnant female whales are giving birth close to shore off the Western Cape, the wildflower season is beginning, and snow in the mountains means skiing! Plus, South Africa hosts some cool shindigs, from film festivals to the nation's top horse-racing event.
Safari lodges in Kruger National Park offer everything from extravagant luxury to wilderness adventures, family holidays, and romantic seclusion. You may want to get back to nature, but there is no need to "rough it." Enjoy world-class game viewing along with beautiful and relaxing accommodation, delicious cuisine, and much more.
When you think South Africa, you think African safari and of the ‘Big 5’ animals most people come to see. Or, perhaps, of its famous coastline, patrolled by Great White Sharks. But South Africa has much more to offer than this, especially when it comes to outdoor adventure travel.
While 10 days is the most popular duration for kimkim travelers, two weeks is recommended for a satisfying trip to South Africa. You can venture farther outside Cape Town, discover the Winelands, drive the Garden Route, and go on a safari (or two) in Kruger National Park. This gives you enough time to explore outside of the main cities at a more relaxed pace and cover some beautiful parts of the country.