Your tailor-made holiday will be as unique as you are. These itineraries are just a starting point, a bit of inspiration to show what’s possible. Your own trip all starts with a conversation with one of our South Africa experts, who’ll take the time to understand what matters most to you and design the perfect holiday to match.
For the first-time visitor to South Africa, a 'Classic' itinerary is always the best way to experience the main highlights of the country. With our classic holiday, though, we get you beyond the 'cut and paste' highlights to show you that there's more to South Africa than what you see on TV, read in a book or what other travel sites might tell you.
In Cape Town, as well as Table Mountain and the Cape Peninsula, why not experience the local delicacies with a food walking tour or experience the community history of 'District Six'? The Winelands can be so much more than simply tasting the wine, with activities and entertainment for the whole family, young and old, including bird of prey encounters and chocolate tastings. Don't just shoot past the Overberg to the Garden Route; stop off in the De Hoop Nature Reserve to appreciate a reserve often skipped by tourists. It offers stunning scenery, trails to explore, and plenty of lesser-spotted wildlife to be appreciated. The Garden Route offers animal sanctuaries in The Craggs, the natural beauty of the nature reserves and eco boat trips across the Knysna Lagoon.
Of course, a classic South Africa holiday wouldn’t be a classic trip without a safari, and you'll head to the East Coast for your taste of South Africa's iconic Big-5 wildlife. But, unlike many itineraries, we feel you should extend your trip that bit further with a couple of nights after your safari in a secluded beachfront location for a final bit of downtime, lazy mornings and recuperation before your journey home.
Here's a summary of what you might get up to day-to-day on this South Africa holiday. As always, this is just an idea. Every single day of your trip will be tailored to suit you.
Your 'Classic South Africa' adventure begins with an overnight flight from the UK to Cape Town today. So, kick back, relax, sip on something delicious and get ready for your South Africa holiday to begin.
Welcome to South Africa! You’ll be met at the airport by one of our friendly team and driven to your hotel in the city for the next three nights. Cape Town has a vast range of wonderful hotels, from grand, luxurious affairs to smaller, more characterful guesthouses and B&Bs. We'll be sure to pick a Cape Town base that's right for you, perfectly placed to explore the highlights of the capital.
There are the classic sights and sounds of Cape Town that are well worth visiting, such as Table Mountain and the historic Robben Island. But, to really get under the skin of the city, why not experience some 'behind the scenes' moments such as a local food walking tour, stepping into the waters to snorkel with the resident seals, or visiting the District Six museum, which represents the heritage of the people that once lived here.
Today you'll pick up your hire car and head off along the coast for a full day exploring the beautiful Cape Peninsula. There are so many highlights to take in along the way, from hidden beaches and nature-filled paths to the headline sights of Cape Point, the penguins of Boulders Beach and the unforgettable road trip along Chapman's Peak Drive. Of course, if you'd like a day of recommendations or a more structured route, just chat to us and we'd be happy to recommend a journey that fits in all the best bits.
Today, you'll leave Cape Town behind and head to the tranquility of the Winelands, with a stop at Betty's Bay along the way. This quiet spot boasts a huge colony of penguins and is a little further off the beaten track than Boulder's Beach, so it makes for a great alternative if you like to do things a little differently. You'll spend two nights in the Winelands, choosing from intimate guesthouses in pretty towns, luxurious boutique hotels or more remote wine farms.
You'll have a full day to explore the Winelands today, in whatever way appeals most to you. You might choose to hop on the Franschhoek Wine Tram to travel in style between vineyards (with no need to worry about who's driving), or take a walking food tour through Stellenbosch for an inspiring take on the local food and wine. For real wine aficionados, there are some brilliant wine experts in the region who offer tours packed with insights. There are so many different ways to experience the Winelands, even if you're travelling with family, just chat to us and we'll curate the perfect experience to appease all ages.
After a day of indulgence in the Winelands, you'll travel east to a place all too often overlooked by visitors. The De Hoop Nature Reserve, in South Africa's Western Cape, is a sprawling reserve of around 34,000 hectares made up of beaches, wetlands and dunes. It's a brilliant spot for hiking and birding, and also boasts some of the world's best land-based whale watching opportunities. A haven for wildlife such as bontebok, Cape mountain zebra, and more than 260 species of birds, it makes a wonderful lesser-visited stop on any South Africa holiday. You'll spend the next two nights here, appreciating why you included the reserve in your journey.
You'll have a full day to explore the De Hoop Nature Reserve today. If you're visiting between June and November, be sure to keep an eye out for the southern right whales who can often be seen from the shoreline. There are also some brilliant eco boat trips for the keen bird and smaller game enthusiast, eco marine walks, and running, walking and mountain biking explorations. Chat to us about what you'd love most, and we'll arrange an adventure to match.
This morning, you'll continue onwards to the Garden Route, often considered to be one of the best road trip destinations on Earth. You'll spend the next three nights exploring the treasures of the coast, and there are a lot of them! Choose from hotels on the beach, in the heart of the pretty towns, or secluded away in the forests that carpet the hills of the region. As always, we're here to help plan the best route to suit you.
Today, you'll head off to enjoy one of the most special eco-experiences on the Garden Route. Featherbed Nature Reserve is a privately owned heritage site, found on Knysna's Western Head, and is only accessible by ferry. There are so many ways to enjoy the reserve, including 4x4 trips and scenic walks through the coastal forest, taking in the spectacular views of the Knysna Lagoon and ocean along the way. There's a huge amount of biodiversity here; keep an eye out for rare species such as the Knysna loerie, blue duiker, and endangered Knysna seahorse. This really is a highlight of the Garden Route.
We’d always recommend you take a day to head to the Crags near Plettenberg Bay during your time on the Garden Route. Highlights will include visits to the Elephant Sanctuary, Monkeyland, the Birds of Eden and the Tenikwa Big Cat Experience. If you're travelling with a family, it's an absolute must. But there's plenty for adults and kids alike to experience here. After a morning of exploring, head to Bramon, the Garden Route’s only wine estate, for a glass of something delicious and an amazing tapas lunch.
Today, you'll journey towards the undeniable highlight of many South Africa holidays, your safari adventure. Heading to the Eastern Cape for your safari is a wonderfully convenient way to experience the best of Africa's Big-5 wildlife. Along the way, make a stop to take in the breathtaking views from the dizzying Bloukrans Bridge. At the end of your journey today, three nights on safari await. There are a wide range of safari lodges to choose from, to suit all budgets and tastes, so just chat to us and we'll help choose the best lodge for you. Wherever you stay, excitement is guaranteed!
A safari in the Eastern Cape is hugely rewarding, with game drives led by expert guides who are brilliant at getting you incredibly close to the Big Five game. What's more, the malaria-free reserves make it a great option for families who don't want to worry about malaria tablets before heading off on holiday. There are plenty of adventures to enjoy, from bush walks that introduce you to the smaller residents of the bush, to night drives and river safaris. The lodges on offer are standout, with delicious local cuisine, incredible service and plenty of extra experiences on offer. Indulge in a sunset sundowner in the bush, dine under the stars and maybe even tuck into a South African boma dinner and a night of traditional dance.
After one final morning game drive, you'll head to the coast or a secluded location of your choice for a final two nights of rest and relaxation. Many South African holiday itineraries finish with a safari, an undeniable crescendo. However, we love the idea of taking a couple of nights to unwind, relax and commit all of the magic of the last two weeks to memory and heart before beginning the journey home. There's a wonderful array of hotels by the beach, or small boutique accommodations tucked away in secluded spots surrounded by nature. As always, we'll do the work to find the location that's best suited for you, the perfect spot to toast your adventure.
Today, it's time to head home. You'll drop your car off at Port Elizabeth airport before flying home overnight, via Johannesburg.
We offer tailor-made holidays to suit a wide range of tastes. Our experts Catherine, Kirsty and Lisa are dedicated to all things South Africa and are here to help you plan your perfect trip.
Catherine fell for Africa in 2000 and has been back countless times ever since. With South Africa being one of her favourite spots, she’s your go-to for everything from self-drives to safaris, hikes and vineyards.
With family living just outside Kruger National Park, Kirsty’s been travelling to South Africa for more than 20 years. From solo trips to family adventures, she knows the country inside out – and always finds new reasons to return.
Our resident South African, our Lisa really has spent a lifetime exploring the country. Especially fond of Kruger, coastal drives and any excuse for a well-earned sundowner with a view, she brings real passion and knowledge to every holiday she plans.
Speak to one of our travel specialists today.
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