cape town and safari itinerary

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There’s more than one reason why they call it the Mother City. Cape Town is the absolute mother of all cities from stunning beaches backed by Table Mountain, a Natural World Wonder, to rowdy nightlife, some of the best hikes, and icy swims that will make you feel alive.

Cape Town travel guide, a 2-week itinerary

I spent four years living and adventuring in Cape Town. Together with my South Afric an husband, we put together this epic guide of all our favorite things to do in this most beautiful city.

Our 2-week Cape Town travel guide includes all sorts of adventures like hiking Lion's Head for the best sunrise views of Camps Bay, following Chapman’s Peak for one of the world’s best ocean drives, cage diving with sharks, kayaking in Green Point, taking a walking tour of colorful Bo-Kaap, and learning Gumboot dancing in Langa. There’s something everyone will want to do in Cape Town.

meganthetravelingwriter.com

Day 1: Hanging out with penguins at Boulders Beach

Spend the day lazing in the sun, watching penguins waddle past, hop from rock to rock, and swim into the blue sea. You can even get into the water and join them! Just remember not to feed them, try to approach them, or disturb them in any way. They can be curious, but they are still wild animals.

R152 per international visitor and R39 per SA local

Try fish and chips, shop local, and watch the sunset in Kalk Bay

After swimming with the penguins, head just 20 minutes north along the coast to Kalk Bay. Your first stop is Kalky's for the best fish and chips in Cape Town. The long queues are well worth the wait for the R75 fish and chips they’ve been serving since the 1950s.

They don't take cards and the ATM doesn't always work, so bring cash.

After lunch, walk around Kalk Bay, shopping and supporting local, before grabbing a coffee and watching the sunset at Dalebrook Tidal Pool. (Lekker, Dalebrook, and Salt are all firm coffee standouts.)

If you're feeling artsy, visit Soul Design Jewelry to make your own beaded jewelry or buy their Africa-inspired designs.

Day 2: Take it in from the Red Bus

There’s no better way to get to know the city than from the  Red Bus . Hop on at the V&A Waterfront or Long Street, and take in the sights from the top deck. I recommend the Red Route City Tour, which stops at Table Mountain. Buy your Red Bus and sightseeing cruise tickets together online to save money and skip the queue.

R245 for one of five routes and R655 for the Table Mountain combo, or

R320 in the afternoon and R390 in the morning for just Table Mountain

Stand atop a natural world wonder

Have you even been to Cape Town if you haven’t been to the top of Table Mountain? Whether you hike up or take the cable car (no judgment here!), visiting the top of this Natural World Wonder is a must-do. Once at the top, there’s a restaurant, a gift shop, and even a wine-tasting room. Try to find the dassies climbing the cliff edges. Their closest relative is the elephant!

Take the cable car back down to rejoin the Red Bus. Enjoy the sunshine and salty air as you breeze through Camps Bay past the Twelve Apostles and around the corner towards Sea Point and the V&A Waterfront.

Want to hike up Table Mountain instead of taking the cable car?

Read >>>

Platteklip Gorge is touted as the "easiest" hike to the top; it’s a winding 2.5-3 hours over a 650m climb. There’s joy in reaching the top, gazing out at the city below as you catch your breath and wonder how this beautiful city is even real.

Another favorite hike up Table Mountain is Kasteelspoort . You get the added bonus of “Surfboard Rock” jutting out into thin air for jaw-dropping photos.

If you're feeling extra adventurous, come back to Table Mountain for an abseiling tour.

Never hike alone and make sure to bring plenty of water.

Day 3: Hike and swim in Cape Point

Cape Point is the most southwesterly point in Africa. Walk or take the tram to the lighthouse and listen to the power of the ocean as waves smack the rugged cliffside. Don't forget to stop at the Cape of Good Hope sign, and if it's low tide, check for octopus and pyjama sharks hidden in the rocks. Just make sure to purely observe them and not disturb them in any way.

Cape Point is a truly wild area. If you have time, make your way to Buffels Bay for a picnic and to brave the tidal pool, and see how many ostriches, baboons, and elands you can spot. Woolworths (or "Woolies" depending on how local you're feeling) is a favorite for stocking up on picnic goodies before your visit. After your trip, make sure to stop at the quirky and iconic Scone Shack on the way out.

R376 per international visitor and 188 per SA local

Day 4: Hike Lion's Head

Start your day early with a sunrise hike of Lion's Head. It's cooler in the morning and less crowded, so the early start is worth it. The trail takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours roundtrip (not including your golden photo session at the top, basking in the glory of Table Mountain). The 360° view from the top is well worth it. Standing on top of Lion’s Head, watching the cars of Sea Point go by, the waves rolling into Camps Bay, and the sun rising over the Twelve Apostles and Table Mountain is a must-do Cape Town experience.

Bring a headlamp or flashlight if you plan to hike before sunup.

Bring your camera; Lion's Head is one of the best places in Cape Town to take photos.

Brunch local and visit Robben Island

After brunch at favorites like  Jarryds, Our Local, and Jason Bakery,  head to the V&A Waterfront for a visit to Robben Island , one of the most historically significant places in South Africa. During apartheid, Robben Island was a prison for political activists, including Nelson Mandela. If you're visiting Cape Town, you have to visit Robben Island, not just to pay tribute to the great activists who were imprisoned there but also to learn about South Africa's important history. Each tour is led by a former political prisoner.

R600 per international visitor and R400 per SA local

Day 5: Visit colorful Bo-Kaap

This colorful neighborhood with steep, cobblestone streets, the rhythmic call of the adhan, and brightly painted homes is my favorite part of Cape Town. Snap a photo with the iconic “blue car” and search for spices at Atlas Trading Co. Tour the nearby Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum, t ake a free walking tour , and learn how to use your new spices at one of Bo-Kaap’s cooking classes , where’ll you learn to roll rotis, craft samoosas, and attempt your own Cape Malay curry.

Socially Responsible Travel:

Don't take photos of people  without their permission.

Remember to be respectful of the people who have made this beautiful, colorful neighborhood their home for generations. Bo-Kaap’s heritage is as colorful as its buildings, and the difficulties facing this tight-knit community are as clearly marked as the contrast between one house and another. Spend time getting to learn their history and the issues they face today, including gentrification.

Stroll along the Sea Point Promenade

One of Cape Town’s best walks is the Sea Point Promenade (or “The Prom” depending on how local you’re feeling). Start at Mouille Point or the Sea Point public pools and continue all the way to Clifton. Once you round the bend, you’ll know you’ve made it as Lion’s Head juts out from among cascades of white, modern homes. Pause to listen to the calls of the seagulls and the lapping of the waves, and bring your “cosi” if you want to take a quick swim at Saunders Rock’s Beach tidal pool.

These are your options for staying in Cape Town.

Day 6: Visit Langa

Langa is a vibrant community, home to incredible history, culture, and some of the most amazing people you will ever meet. Take a walking tour with my friend Siviwe Mbinda,  a South African changemaker and tour guide who shares a birthday with Nelson Mandela. You’ll learn more about Langa and South Africa's history. When you’re done, support local artis ts at Guga S’Thebe Cultural Centre. Don’t forget to stop at Ikhaya Le Langa for coffee or to pick the brain of entrepreneurial visionary Tony Elvin, and to have lunch at the vibey Jordan Ways of Cooking.

Remember to be respectful of people and their communities.

This isn't a poverty tour. While South Africa is a very beautiful country, it has also been impacted by a difficult past, and communities like Langa bear a lot of the brunt of enduring issues like racism, crime, and unequal distribution of resources.

Day 7: Get your adrenaline pumping with shark cage diving

If you’re looking for an adventure in Cape Town, this is it! Book with African Shark Eco-Charters .  They are the only company in Simon's Town to use respirators, so you'll spend more time braving the icy water in search of sharks. It is absolutely mind-blowing to watch the sharks check you out underwater and then disappear into the depths. The presence of Great Whites has significantly decreased in the last few years due to threats by Orca Whales, so you'll mainly spot Bronze Whaler and Cow Sharks along with a massive colony of 60,000 seals on your way back past Seal Island.

Make sure to bring sea sickness pills as the water can be rough.

Chase the sunset at St. James or Muizenberg

On your way back from Simon's Town, cool off on the beautiful coastal drive from Simon's Town and stop at St. James Tidal Pool or Muizenberg Beach. Both beaches have colorful changing houses that are a photographer's dream, so make sure to get there just before golden hour.

Day 8: Drive or hike Chapman's Peak

Chapman's Peak Drive is one of the most beautiful ocean drives in the world. Start at Noordhoek and follow the road to Hout Bay. You'll pay just R50 per car for the toll fee, and you can stop at view points along the way. If you have more time, hike Chapman’s Peak; it’s 2 – 3 hours roundtrip with stunning views over the bay and more time to take them in as you wind your way to the top.

Chapman's Peak is one of the best places to watch the sunset.

Go wine tasting in Constantia

Constantia is a stunning neighborhood of wealthy homes, leafy vineyards rising up steep mountain slopes, and long, meandering walks through green, forested trails . Buitenverwachting, Groot Constantia, and Beau Constantia are some of my favorite wineries in Constantia, but Constantia Glen wins out for their stunning views.

Day 9: Visit the District Six Museum

Th e District Six Museum is a memorial and celebration of District Six, a vibrant, mixed community forcibly evicted in the 1970s during apartheid. Visit the museum and take a tour for R50 that's led by former residents of District Six. It's a perfect entryway into learning more about South Africa's history and celebrating the rich cultures impacted.

Shop for chocolate and visit Clarke's Bookshop

If you're a chocolate fiend, you're spoiled for choice in Cape Town. My all-time favorites are Honest Chocolate and Grumpy & Runt. They're both minutes away from the District Six Museum and your next stop.

Full up on chocolate and donuts, visit Clarke's Bookshop on Long Street in downtown Cape Town. The gold-lettered, wood-floored bookshop once held banned books. Now it holds rare books, out-of-print books, and secondhand books. If you want to soak up more of South Africa’s history, this is the place to go.

Want to learn more about South Africa's history?

Long Walk to Freedom , Asking for Trouble , and Biko

Day 10: Kayak in Green Point

Imagine kayaking from Green Point towards Robben Island and down the coast to the V&A Waterfront, watching Lion's Head and Table Mountain rise above the city in front of you. Sunset kayak trips have the most spectacular views, but book a morning trip if you're more interested in spotting sealife. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins, and don't be surprised if a "raft" of penguins swims by.

Looking for even more adventures in Cape Town? Try snorkeling with seals in Hout Bay, skydiving , a helicopter ride , or paragliding from Lion's Head.

Tours & Tickets 🤿 🦭

Take in the views from the beach.

Cape Town has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. If you want to laze in the sun and take in the views, then head to Camps Bay Beach or Clifton 4th Beach. Camps Bay has a long stretch of trendy restaurants along the main road, but you'll have to pack your own picnic for Clifton 4th Beach.

Visiting Clifton 4th in summer? Take an Uber; parking is scarce.

Have sundowners

What could be better than finishing a day of adventure in the Mother City than sundowners, watching the sunset above the city below? Choose either Clifton 4th Beach, Camps Bay, Signal Hill, or "Sunset Rock" for your sundowners.

To visit Sunset Rock in Bantry Bay, type “Sunset Rock” in your GPS or rideshare. You’ll park in a small parking lot, then follow the path down to an area with several big boulders overlooking Camps Bay. Climb up for the best view of the sunset. Don’t forget to bring your sundown drinks and snacks.

Days 11 - 12

Day 11: Go winetasting in Stellenbosch and Paarl

Just forty minutes outside of central Cape Town is a whole new world to explore. Your first stop on the wine route is Spier Wine Farm ; they have a range of wine tastings and pairings, beautiful, sprawling grounds to get lost in, outdoor art, and picnics. Spend the rest of the day indulging your senses with chocolate, wine, and beer tastings at the Spice Route before spending the night in Stellenbosch or Franschhoek.

These are your options for staying in Stellenbosch or Franschhoek.

Day 12: Go wine tasting in Franschhoek aboard the Wine Tram

For those who want to rosé all day, you can take a ride aboard the hop-on-hop-off   Wine Tram in Franschhoek on one of their ten tram lines. My favorite stops are  Haute Cabrière and Babylonstoren. If you book a cellar tour at Haute Cabrière, you'll have a chance to open a bottle of MCC with a saber; it’s called Sabrage and ties into the French roots of the wine farm. Babylonstoren is a garden lover's dream with seasonal displays, charming, farm-inspired shops, and sprawling grounds to explore. Lunch in Babylonstoren's Greenhouse Restaurant is one of the best, hidden things to do in Cape Town.

* Photos were taken in Etosha

Day 13: Safari at Aquila Private Game Reserve

Just a couple of hours from Cape Town, Aquila is the go-to destination for Big 5 safari experiences near Cape Town, so much so that even celebrities from Margaret Thatcher to Rihanna have visited. Book either a half-day or full-day safari in a game vehicle, on a quad bike, or atop a horse. Spotting wild animals in a natural setting for the first time is exhilarating, but if you've already been on a safari before, you might find Aquila not as wild. 

R995+ for half-day trips and R1,990+ for full-day

Day 14: Flying home

Enjoy your last morning in beautiful Cape Town, and fly home from Cape Town International Airport.   Want to see more of South Africa? Go on a safari at Kruger National Park or road trip through the Garden Route. There are endless beautiful places to explore in South Africa.

Where to Stay in Cape Town

Whether you want a cliffside mansion by the beach or a vibrant hostel in the city center, Cape Town has a range of options to suit any budget

How to Visit Cape Town

Getting to cape town.

Cape Town's airport is Cape Town International Airport, with many international connections, and is only a short 20-minute drive from the city center.

Restaraunts in Cape Town

Make sure you don't leave before experiencing Cape Town's exciting food culture, influenced by every colour of the Rainbow Nation. These my favorite places to eat out in Cape Town.

Jordan Ways of Cooking, Langa (Traditional South African food)

Kalky's, Kalk Bay (Fish and chips)

Neighborgoods Market, Woodstock

Time Out Market, V&A Waterfront

Oranjezicht City Farm Market, V&A Waterfront

Bootleggers (Delicious coffee and breakfasts)

Coco Safar (Award-winning croissants)

Jason Bakery

Find Flights to Cape Town ✈️

Getting around cape town.

Depending on your preferences, there are a few different ways of getting around Cape Town. In Cape Town, getting around by Uber is the most convenient.  Alternatively, you can also hop on a bus or train to get around the city. These are both cheap and convenient options, but the trains in Cape Town are known for safety issues.

An easy way to get around on your route through Cape Town and the rest of South Africa is by renting a car. The roads in Cape Town and most of South Africa are very developed, making it easy to drive between destinations.

Find a Rental Car:

via Rentalcars.com

Best Time to Visit Cape Town

December to February is when the weather is best in South Africa, but it's also when Cape Town is the most busy. If you're looking to save money and avoid the crowds, the shoulder seasons, September to November and March to May, are just as good.

Is Cape Town Safe?

South Africa is a very beautiful place with a very complicated past that affects South Africa’s present. Like anywhere else, there are safe places to go and not-so-safe places. Most likely as a tourist, you won’t be visiting the areas with the highest crime rates.

Crime and Safety in South Cape Town

Don’t leave your phone or valuables unattended, especially while at a restaurant or at the beach. Keep your phone, wallet, and purse at the front of your body or in your front pockets. Don’t walk around alone at night. If you are enjoying Cape Town’s night life, it’s better to take an Uber from stop to stop instead of walking.

Road Safety in Cape Town

When you're driving, keep your windows up and doors locked, especially at stoplights and intersections. Don’t keep your purse or phone near the windows of your car. Keep your valuables (even shoes) in the trunk of your car while parked.

Travel Insurance

Don't forget travel insurance for your trip! Heymondo covers medical emergencies, theft, delays, cancellations, lost luggage, and more with 24/7 worldwide assistance and medical chat. Get 5% off here!

Did you know that . . .

When you purchase something through my links I earn a small commission. However, you still pay the same. Win-win!

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Book a Bus/Train/Transfer

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Blog Comments

Want more help planning your trip? Plan a chat with me now for personalized travel advice .

I am looking for someone to assist with organizing a trip for 20 persons with disabilities to visit cape Town for 7 days the person should assist with quotations for Accommodation activities will like to Visit Robbin Island, Table Mountain, Do Sky Diving, visit a Game Farm and other activities for the 6 days. My contacts are 0662188689/ 0691841525

Email: [email protected]

I will like help from anyone to assist with quotations for all the listed activities and accommodations

This sounds amazing! My friend Siviwe is a tour guide in Cape Town, and I'm sure he'd love to help. His website is https://siviwetours.com/ <3

Cape Town & Safari Express

Save $25 per Traveler When You Book Online.

Tour Itinerary

• Dates & Pricing
• Enhance Your Trip

Home › All Tours › Africa › South Africa › Cape Town & Safari Express

CAPE TOWN AND DINOKENG PRIVATE GAME RESERVE

If South Africa is one of the many destinations on your bucket list, our Cape Town and safari package is a very smart choice. The tour includes three full days in this spectacular harbor city, where you can book extraordinary (and affordably priced!) optional tours that showcase South Africa’s incredible diversity. Discover the enduring legacy of Nelson Mandela, explore the scenic Winelands or even go shark cage diving…if you dare! Then it’s off to Dinokeng Private Game Reserve where we’ll do our best to help you spot lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalos, aka the “Big 5.”  4.5/5 stars on Tripadvisor!

Itinerary at a Glance

Tour Itinerary:

• 4 nights in Cape Town
• 2 nights in Dinokeng Private Game Reserve

Tour Highlights

• Cape Town Orientation Tour
• Table Mountain & Cape Town City Tour
• Leisure time to explore Cape Town
• Cape Peninsula (Optional Tour)
• Dinokeng Private Game Reserve
• 3 open-vehicle game drives
• Opportunity to see “the Big 5”

Your Tour Includes

• Optional round-trip airfare from the New York area (varies by departure) including taxes, fees & fuel surcharges
• Intra-South Africa flight and ground transport
• Accommodations at superior first-class hotels
• 8 meals: 6 breakfasts (B) and 2 dinners (D)
• 3 open-vehicle, half-day game drives in Dinokeng Private Game Reserve
• Experienced, English-speaking tour guides

Is this tour right for you? Find out What to Expect

Passengers who purchase flights will depart 1 day before the tour starts and return 1 day after the tour ends.

You can find more details on the Before You Depart page.

Day 1: Arrive in Cape Town

Welcome to the “Mother City,” where Mother Nature definitely shows off some of her very best handiwork. As you’re escorted from the airport to your hotel, tune into a guided orientation tour of Cape Town. Orientation briefing will outline all of your Cape Town options. Learn more about all this city offers here. Tonight, join the other smarTours travelers for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

*Depending on flight schedules, the welcome dinner may be moved to Day 3.

Day 2: Cape Town

Today’s all about exploring (and savoring!) this unique city. Join a local expert to see the highlights and charms of Cape Town. We’ll ascend via cable car to the top of Cape Town’s iconic landmark, Table Mountain, for the incredible city and bay views. Then you’ll have a chance to view and photograph Table Mountain from a distance from the historic, colorful neighborhood known as Bo-Kaap (the Malay Quarter). The final stop is a guided Diamond Experience where you learn about the journey of a diamond direct from South African mines to a finger. Our tour ends at the vibrant V&A Waterfront, where you can enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Relax at a café, sip a glass of South Africa’s renowned wine or browse local art and craft shops.

Day 3: Cape Town at Leisure

Delight in a day at leisure in Cape Town! Consider joining an Optional Tour to Cape Peninsula to see stunning seascapes, the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, Cape Point, and Boulders Beach for penguin colonies sightings. This evening, consider an optional Gold Dinner where we can experience an African-themed restaurant with a 14-course meal.

Day 4: Cape Town

So many options! Today is at leisure for independent exploration, shopping, or relaxing. Go to the beach, take an optional excursion to the scenic Winelands, or take the plunge with a thrilling great white shark cage diving excursion. You may also use your free time to visit Robben Island and see where Nelson Mandela spent nearly two decades in captivity.

Day 5: Cape Town/Dinokeng Private Game Reserve

After breakfast this morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Johannesburg. You’ll be met at the airport and driven to your lodge. Named for the Boekenhout tree which is indigenous to the area, the Mongena Private Game Lodge offers an outstanding bush safari within the Dinokeng Game Reserve. Guests are often delighted to meet the tame zebras, nyalas and springbucks which roam and reside within the main camp. Enjoy some time to freshen up and relax or consider participating in one of the reserve’s optional activities. This evening, enjoy dinner at the camp’s restaurant.

Day 6: Dinokeng Private Game Reserve

This morning’s early morning game drive begins at sunrise. As a private game reserve, there are no public roads, you’ll have an opportunity to go off-roading, and you’ll have fewer safari vehicles to compete with for game viewing. With both its diverse terrain and vegetation, the Dinokeng Game Reserve offers the chance to see both browsing and grazing species. Search for the Big Five which include lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalo! You may also see some of the reserve’s other residents including cheetah, brown hyena, giraffe, zebra, kudu, impala, waterbuck, wildebeest, hippo, crocodile, the endangered blue crane, and more! After your early morning drive, enjoy a buffet breakfast. You’ll have some time at leisure to participate in the game reserve’s optional activities. This afternoon enjoy a late afternoon game drive and high tea before returning to the lodge. This evening enjoy dinner at your lodge.

Day 7: Depart Dinokeng Private Game Reserve

After your early morning game drive and a buffet breakfast, we'll depart for Johannesburg Airport, stopping along the way at Cambanos Curios, known for its large and varied selection of souvenirs and African goods, for any last-minute souvenirs and gifts. Our tour comes to an end as we arrive at Johannesburg airport.

Guided Tour Pricing

Plan ahead to maximize your savings!

Prices listed as “with flights” below include round-trip airfare from one or more airports in the USA. Travelers may choose to purchase the tour only, and arrange their own arrival in destination. Please note this may change your tour start date.

Rates are per person based on double occupancy. Single supplement applies when not sharing a room. Select a date above to see the rates for that specific departure.

For more information on this tour, please contact us here or call us during business hours (Monday-Friday from 9:00 am - 5:30 pm Eastern) at 1.800.337.7773 .

Reservations and Payments Reservations can be made online or by phone ( 1.800.337.7773 ) and will be confirmed upon receipt of your non-refundable, non-transferable deposit, which must be received at the time of reservation. Deposits are $300 per person. Full payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Space and prices subject to availability. Please see the smarTours Terms and Conditions for complete booking information.

Featured Accommodations

President hotel.

Authentic artwork adds charm to this sophisticated hotel. Set between the city and Atlantic Ocean, it features a spa and outdoor infinity pool.

4 Alexander Road, Bantry Bay, Cape Town, South Africa

Mongena Private Game Lodge

Located approximately 1.5 hours from Johannesburg within the Dinokeng Private Game Reserve, Mongena Private Game Lodge offers incredible game drive experiences with opportunities to see the Big 5 and more.

10 KM ON Rust De Winter Road D48, Dinokeng Game Reserve, Hammanskraal, Gauteng Province, South Africa

Optional Tours

Enhance your trip with these optional tours. Indicated optional tours are available to pre-book when you reserve your trip and can be added to your reservation up to final payment. This is the best option to guarantee your spot on your preferred optional tour! Optional tours require a minimum number of participants. Optional tours are non-refundable unless they do not operate.

Some optional tours can be purchased in-destination and may cost extra. The payment methods and currency information to purchase tours in-destination will be provided on final documentation.

Full Day Cape Peninsula Tour

• $119 per person

Stunning seascapes, spectacular gardens—and penguins? Our day on Cape Peninsula is truly extraordinary, as we pass steep mountains, secluded coves and sweeping beaches before a stop at a Hout Bay fishing village. Then it’s on to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, home to baboons, rheboks and Cape Mountain zebras. At Cape Point, soak up the majestic views at the confluence of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. We will head to the most remarkable of the mainland African penguin colonies, Boulders Beach (admission inside park not included) in Simon’s Town, with over 2,500 birds. But we’re not done yet! We’ll finish the day at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens on the slopes of Table Mountain. Considered one of the world’s great botanic gardens, Kirstenbosch is a UNESCO World Heritage Site boasting over 7,000 indigenous plants.

AVAILABLE TO PRE-BOOK!

Robben Island Tour**

• $40 per person

Catch the ferry to Robben Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the infamous maximum-security prison where Nelson Mandela and others were jailed. Adding to the realism of this tour: guides on the island were once political prisoners! Important tour details:

Ferries depart several times daily, weather permitting, from V&A Waterfront. Transfers from your hotel to the pier and back are not included.

The Robben Island excursions are operated by a non-profit foundation, and tickets are sold on a first-come-first-served basis. smarTours® does not book this tour and cannot guarantee your space.

Learn more and pre-book online.

** Want to visit both Robben Island and the Winelands? We recommend that you reserve the 9:00 a.m. ferry to Robben Island to coincide with your last day in Cape Town. Provided there are no delays in the morning, you’ll be able to join the afternoon Winelands tour. Please note that the ferry schedule is subject to change based on inclement weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances. This Robben Island Tour takes approximately four hours.

Winelands Tour

• $65 per person

Taste for yourself why South African wines are so celebrated with a trip to the enchanting Winelands and the second oldest town in South Africa. See Stellenbosch's oak-lined streets and admire the gables of Cape Dutch architecture. We’ll then head to a wine estate for a wine tasting session and to explore the grounds. Here’s your chance to purchase some local wines!

Gold Dinner

• $72 per person

There is no better way to experience an African-themed restaurant than the Gold restaurant. They promise a "taste safari" that includes flavors from Cape Town and all over the stunning continent. How does the evening go there? The evening kicks off with a djembe drumming session followed by a hand-washing ceremony. Then you delve into a 14-course meal, each one from a different African country.

Full Day Great White Shark Cage Diving

• $259 , including breakfast, packed lunch and transfers

On this full-day adventure, you'll depart from Kleinbaai and enjoy 2-4 hours at sea, depending on how often the sharks visit the boat, diving and viewing from the cage. The cage holds five people at a time and each person can spend about 20 minutes in the cage! All scuba equipment, including 7mm wetsuits, are provided and you don't need a scuba license to cage dive. If you prefer not to go in the cage, you won't be missing out! You'll enjoy a picnic lunch onboard and a hot homemade soup at the lodge upon return. Hot showers and dry towels are available. This excursion is all about education and developing a new perception of the great white shark so come with all your questions! This tour is weather permitting.

Note: This tour operates on the last day in Cape Town, and it is not possible to do Robben Island or Winelands if you participate in this optional activity. Please also note that this tour must be cancelled at least 24 hours prior to departure, otherwise 100% cancellation fees will apply. In addition, if bad weather prevents you from going to sea, you will be informed and given a full refund. If strong winds pick up while at sea and a return to shore is required for your safety, you will not be entitled to a refund. In addition, due to variable weather conditions and variable shark activity, diving may not always be possible and is therefore not guaranteed.

What to Expect

Max group size: 30 travelers, activity level: level 1.

Expect most included touring to require walking and standing periods up to 3 hours at a time (up to 2 times per day) on easy terrain with some light stairs. Learn More

Pacing Level: Leisurely

Expect half-day tours most days with a free day in most cities to explore independently. There are few to no early mornings and/or long travel days by bus (don’t worry—there are always comfort stops!), and you may expect to stay in most accommodations for 4+ nights. Learn More

No Additional Entry Requirements for U.S. Passport Holders

A valid passport is required for international tours. Currently, there are no additional entry requirements for U.S. passport holders, but this can change at any time. Before travel, both U.S. and non-U.S. passport holders should visit our Passports & Visas page to reconfirm entry requirements.

Safari vehicles have high ground clearance and require agility to embark and disembark. A few early wake-ups are required to travel and for game drives.

For more detailed information about this tour and destination, visit our Before You Depart section.

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Cape Town Safari Tour Ideas

Cape Town is consistently voted as one of the top cities in the world. As the gateway to popular safari destinations and other attractions across our continent, it’s no wonder that almost all our guests choose a Cape Town safari tour. And as a year-round destination with something for the whole family, it’s unbeatable. 

Our Mother City is perfectly located and connected so that you can easily incorporate the  Garden Route , iconic  Kruger National Park , majestic  Victoria Falls ,  Tanzania ,  Namibia , and  Botswana  in your  Cape Town safari tour . We tailor-make all our itineraries, but here are some bestsellers to get you dreaming. 

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Cape Town, Kruger, Victoria Falls and Botswana Tour

Cape town, sabi sand game reserve, victoria falls, moremi and okavango region.

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Adventurous Cape Town and Kruger Park Tour

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So, now that you know that Cape Town safari tours are the best, where should you go exactly? Rhino Africa is based in Cape Town, so we might be biased, but we believe no African holiday is complete without a stay here. From swimming with penguins near Boulders Beach, whale watching, going up the iconic flat-topped Table Mountain in a cable car, dining at some of the world's best restaurants, and sipping your way through the many wineries, you'll never get bored in our home city. 

Just look at some of our many Cape Town day tours we can add to your itinerary. Our Travel Experts are all well-travelled with a wealth of knowledge built up over the years since we booked our first guests' dream African holiday back in 2004. Today, this first-hand experience of our continent has given us global recognition, such as being named the World's Leading Safari Company at the World Travel Awards . 

Why would you trust anyone other than the world's best to plan your dream Cape Town safari tour? Our Travel Experts hand-pick the best game reserves and national parks to combine with your stay in Cape Town to give you the best of all Africa's wonders. And we give you our 100% refundable deposit guarantee so that you can book with confidence! 

What destinations should I include in my Cape Town safari tour?

Well, South Africa is your oyster! There are so many excellent game reserves and national parks to discover.

Do you want to go on a self-drive tour to visit malaria-free game reserves? Then the Garden Route is the ultimate next stop for you. Or do you want to go on a classic Big 5 safari in the world-famous Kruger National Park ? We know all the best luxury game lodges you should stay at in the exclusive private game reserves. 

Perhaps you want to combine a safari with adrenaline-fueled activities like white-water rafting? Victoria Falls is the world's largest sheet of falling water and is ideal for those adventure-seekers. But perhaps you want to delve deep into the belly of Africa's most remote, untouched landscapes? Botswana is for the true nature and wildlife lover, sparsely populated but teeming with wildlife. 

If you want to witness Mother Nature's greatest show, the Great Migration , then Kenya and Tanzania in East Africa are for you. And you can even add a stop in Rwanda or Uganda for a gorilla trekking expedition! 

As you can see, you could spend months on end exploring our beautiful continent! So, what are you waiting for? Contact our Travel Experts so that we can get to know you, all your preferences, and then start planning your tailor-made dream Cape Town safari tour today! 

Our Cape Town safari tours FAQs

Can you do a safari from cape town.

Yes, absolutely! In fact, we recommend it. You can even do a fly-in safari if you want to skip the bumpy car ride from the international airport to the lodge. Sit back and sip bubbly until you land on the game reserve If you prefer to take a road transfer or self-drive, the tarred roads are well-maintained, so it will not be a problem but will take longer to reach your safari destination.

Can you go on safari in Cape Town?

Definitely! There are a couple of Big 5 game reserves within easy reach of Cape Town. For example, two of the closest include Sanbona Wildlife Reserve , a three-hour drive away, and Gondwana Private Game Reserve , a four-hour drive away. We can organise a private road transfer to take you to your game lodge when booking with Rhino Africa. 

How much does Cape Town safari tours cost?

Because all of our tours are tailor-made, the cost will differ depending on the duration of your stay, how many stops you have on your itinerary, activities you partake in, transport options you've chosen, and any inclusions or exclusions.

If you want to save on costs, South African safari destinations like the Garden Route's private game reserves are excellent options. We can also help plan a Kruger safari that fits into your budget. 

Can you do a day trip safari from Cape Town?

There are some nearby parks where you can see wildlife, but we always recommend that you get the authentic Big 5 free-roaming safari experience at one of the more established game reserves. 

What is the best time to go on a Cape Town safari tour?

Cape Town is a year-round destination. However, your experience will differ depending on when you visit and which destinations you’ll add to your itinerary.

Winter is usually a great time for safari as the bush is sparse, making it easy to spot wildlife. Cape Town is also generally quieter in winter compared to summer when everyone floods the city to take advantage of the sunny weather. 

But if you want to explore the city's hiking trails, wine farms, and many pristine beaches, then summer is for you. During this time, the bush is also lush and green and you get to see newborn animals. Shoulder seasons offer excellent rates and temperate weather.

Our Travel Experts can recommend the very best times for the very best experiences. 

Why should I book my Cape Town safari tour with Rhino Africa?

By now, you're probably ready to book your flights to Cape Town! Reach out to our Travel Experts to see how they can take your Cape Town safari tour to the next level.

Browse our best selling tours to get your imagination going, and then our Travel Experts will help you plan a dream African holiday that you'll never forget. Just a word of warning: You'll want to return again and again! You can never get enough of Africa.

Let's start planning your tailor-made Cape Town safari tour today!

Contact our Travel Experts

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• Destinations

Wild Junket

The Perfect 2-Week South Africa Itinerary

Last Updated on March 8, 2024

Dreaming of an epic South Africa trip? Check out my detailed 2-week South Africa itinerary that brings you from the coast to the savanna.

If you think  South Africa is all about wildlife safari, think again. The country is one of the most diverse I’ve been — with cosmopolitan cities along dramatic coastlines that fringe wild savannas and rugged mountain range.

You can easily go from game-driving in the African bushveld to surfing on the beach or wine-tasting at lush vineyards in a matter of hours. Plus it’s home to many historical sites that have witnessed some major turning points in world’s history.

I love South Africa so much that I’ve been 4 times! On each trip, I’ve discovered a different side to the multi-faceted country. For first-timer visitors, I have put together this South Africa itinerary to pack in the best of South Africa in 2 weeks.

Table of Contents

How to Get to South Africa

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The main gateway to South Africa are the Cape Town International Airport (CPT) and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB). South African Airways is the national airline and serves many major cities in the world.

This South Africa itinerary starts and ends in Cape Town. You can find  flights from New York to Cape Town via Istanbul for around US$750 return. For those in Europe, you can fly  direct from London to Nairobi  (9hours) for around $550 return.

Regardless of how long you’re traveling, it’s important to have travel insurance. It’ll cover you in case of incidents or mishaps like theft, loss of luggage and flight cancellation. Refer to my travel insurance guide for more details.

Safety Wing is the most popular travel insurance company for COVID19-coverage. I use their Nomad Insurance plan , which covers COVID-19 as any other illness as long as it was not contracted before your coverage start date.

How to Get Around South Africa

The best way to get around South Africa is by car hire. Most roads are in good condition and all road signs are in English. We’ve driven South Africa several times, and never had any issue.

You don’t need a 4WD and car rental is really affordable here (prices as low as $200 for 2 weeks in South Africa).  You can even do  self-drive safari in certain national parks and reserves. I suggest hiring a car in Cape Town at the airport and another one in Johannesburg.

As the country is big, you’ll need to fly to get from the Cape Town to Johannesburg. Domestic flights are rather cheap — you can find the cheapest flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town on Mango Airlines for US$70. Mango flights are some of the cheapest you’ll find.

It’s also possible to fly from Johannesburg to Nelspruit (nearest town to Kruger NP)on Airlink for just $70 each way. Flying cuts down the travel time from 6 hours by road to just 40 minutes.

South Africa is a year-round destination. Depending on where you travel in South Africa, each region has different climate and wildlife opportunities.

In general, the best time to visit South Africa is f rom May to September. These are the cooler winter months in the northern regions (Johannesburg area), which bring superb conditions for viewing big game.

Summer in South Africa runs from November to February. During these months, the southern coast (Cape Town area) has beautiful, hot, dry weather. The average temperature is around 73-79 °F (23-26°C). The best time to visit the Cape for whale watching is between July and November.

With 2 weeks in South Africa, you’ll barely scratch the surface of this mega-diverse country. But you will still be able to experience the best of South Africa in 2 weeks, if you follow this itinerary.

In this South Africa itinerary, we will get to explore mainly the Cape, Johannesburg and Kruger areas. I recommend hiring a car in each area and flying between Cape Town and Jo’burg.

Summary of this South Africa Itinerary:

• Days 1-3: Cape Town
• Day 4: Day Trip to Cape Peninsula
• Day 5: Day Trip to Cape Winelands
• Day 6: Fly to Johannesburg
• Day 7: Day Trip to Cradle of Humankind
• Days 8-10: Welgevonden Private Reserve
• Days 11-13: Kruger National Park
• Day 14: Fly home!

South Africa Itinerary Day 1: Cape Town

Start your South Africa itinerary in the Mother City: Cape Town, one of my favorite cities in the world . Cape Town is a stunning coastal city fringed by dramatic beaches and crowned by the magnificent Table Mountain.

Get your bearings at the V&A Waterfront , home to South Africa’s oldest harbor. If you’re lucky (like me), there are high chances of seeing sea lions swimming around the harbor or suntanning on the deck here.

With epic views of the Table Mountain and a central location, the waterfront is a popular hangout spot for Capetonians. Today it is a collection of restaurants and shops offering fresh produce and local products.

The V&A Waterfront is where you can catch the ferry to Robben Island (which departs every 1-2 hours). Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years of political imprisonment here on the island.

The Robben Island tour is led by a former political prisoner, who’ll bring you to key sites on the island whilst recounting his own personal story of imprisonment here. It gives a sobering but insightful peek into the oppression of the apartheid regime. Book your tour here!

After the eye-opening visit, head to Cape Town’s most colorful neighborhood:  Bo Kaap . This small downtown neighborhood is the Cape Malay Quarter and is famous for the multicolour single-story Cape Dutch houses.

The origins of the area date back to the 1700s when the Dutch colonisers imported slaves from Malaysia, Indonesia and Africa to Cape Town. When slavery was abolished in the 1830s, the slaves painted their homes in bright colors to celebrate their freedom.

Thanks to its location by the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Town is blessed with beautiful beaches and a surfing culture. One of the best beaches to catch sunset is Camps Bay, poised along the foothills of the Twelve Apostles Mountain Range.

Camps Bay is lined with palm trees, white sand and buzzing beach bars. Do a romantic picnic with your partner or sit in one of the cool beach bars and watch the sun fade into the Atlantic Ocean with a cocktail in hand!

There are a few areas most travelers stay in: the V&A Waterfront has mostly luxury hotels, Long Street has mid range boutique hotels, while Camps Bay is great for affordable apartments with excellent seaviews.

Airbnb: Camps Bay Apartment

This beautiful 2-bedroom apartment (for 4) in Camps Bay has stunning views of the mountains and sea. It also has a pool and huge terrace. Surprisingly affordable! Check rates here.

Mid Range: The Grand Daddy

On my second trip, I stayed at this quirky boutique hotel and absolutely loved it. Its rooftop has several Airstream trailers (where you can stay in!) and an outdoor bar with cinema nights. Check rates here.

Luxury: The Table Bay Hotel

I stayed at this iconic landmark hotel (pictured) on my first trip to South Africa and it left an amazing first impression. Located at the V&A Waterfront, the 5-star luxury hotel has beautiful views of the harbor and Table Mountain. Check rates here.

South Africa Itinerary Day 2: Cape Town

What makes  Cape Town such a stunning place is not the city itself, but rather the location. Table Mountain dominates the city, looming over the City Bowl and Camps Bay area. There are two ways to summit Table Mountain – by cable car or on foot. I recommend hiking to the top and descending by cable car for the full experience.

Hiking Table Mountain is a wonderful way to explore the indigenous fynbos (type of forest), spot wildlife like the  dassies  (rock hyrax), and enjoy spectacular views.

The easiest and quickest route to the top is via  Platteklip Gorge , which leads hikers through a ravine on the face of the mountain. This route takes around 1.5-2 hours to complete and is the most popular.

At the summit, there’s an opportunity to explore the mountain top along three easy trails affording 360-degree views of the city, Atlantic Seaboard and the mountain chain stretching across the Cape Peninsula.

To get down, catch the Table Mountain aerial cableway . Tickets are around USD $20-25 per adult. They have been ferrying passengers to the top of Table Mountain for almost 90 years, and with its 360* rotating floor and epic views its definitely worth taking the ride.

If you’re an adventure seeker, there are plenty of exciting ways to explore the Table Mountain National Park. Abseil off the top of Table Mountain or go mountain biking with a group. I went paragliding off Lion’s Head and it was a surreal experience flying so close to the top of Table Mountain! Book Your Experience here.

Itinerary Day 3: Cape Town

To get under the surface of Cape Town, head out to the townships or informal settlements, or townships. These ramshackle towns that spill out for miles along the highways are the most visible scars of the apartheid era, when non-whites were forced out of their homes.

Visiting townships can be controversial, but I believe that traveling with a responsible operator can make a big difference and bring attention to people who need help.

I went on a township cycling tour through Masiphumelele , a township at the edge of Kommetjie. The tour brought us into the township, meeting locals and getting to know them. We had pap (maize porridge) and braai (barbecue) at a local eatery, and visited a sangoma (traditional healer). It was absolutely insightful and definitely worth the experience.

Running through the centre of Cape Town is Long Street, a vibrant road flanked by local eateries and bars. This is the palpitating heart of Cape Town and it truly comes alive at night.

I stayed at Long Street on one of my trips to South Africa, and had such a good time hanging out with locals here. Don’t miss Mama Africa that serves food from all over Africa, as well as Long Street Cafe , a Cape Town institution set in an old Victorian-style building.

Itinerary Day 4: Cape Peninsula

Next day, rent a car and go on a scenic drive to the Cape Peninsula , and southwesternmost point of the African continent! If you don’t drive, check out this Cape Point day tour.

The road hugs the cliff, meandering along the edge of the  Table Mountain  all the way to Cape of Good Hope. On one side, the steep slopes plunge dramatically into the Atlantic Ocean; and on the other, needle-sharp peaks soar into the sky.

Start out from  Muizenberg (known for the colorful houses on the beach) and make your first stop at  Kalk Bay , a bohemian village littered with a flurry of antique shops, flea markets and indie boutiques.

Continue down to  Simon’s Town , the third oldest town in South Africa. The town is best known for the African Penguin colony that inhabit the nearby  Boulders Beach . A wooden boardwalk weaves through the penguin’s habitat, allowing intimate encounters with the cute little animals.

After making a stop at the Cape of Good Hope, continue driving towards the Cape Point lighthouse , set dramatically against the crashing ocean. Cliff trails wind around the vegetation and lead to the lighthouse, we took just twenty minutes to hike along the trail, before we were treated to expansive views of the ocean.

Drive back via the Atlantic Seaboard through the town of Scarborough and the gorgeous surfing beach of  Noordhoek . The day trip culminates at  Chapman’s Peak Drive , where you can drink in a view of the crescent-shaped bay and spot sealions and sharks swimming beneath.

Itinerary Day 5: Cape Winelands

On your last day in Cape Town, drive out to the beautiful Cape Winelands (1 hour away) and visit some of South Africa’s most famous wine estates.   You can also book a Cape Winelands tour or winelands ebike tour that includes a few tastings.

The most popular town of the Cape Winelands is Stellenbosch , and it’s definitely worth visiting for its photogenic setting. If you have some extra time, don’t miss the equally beautiful Franschhoek just a 30-minute drive away.

This is one of Stellenbosch’s oldest working wineries, with a heritage dating back to 1692. The owners are passionate art lovers and the winery is home to one of the largest collections of contemporary South African art in the world.

Enjoy wine tasting at the Groenvlei Estate, and admire the traditional 18th century Cape Dutch buildings. The pretty winery is open for tastings from Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 7pm.

Then, hop on the vintage Franschoek wine tram , to tour wineries without getting behind the wheel of a car. You can hop on and off whenever you want and visit up to 5 wineries in a day. You need to book your tickets in advance.

South Africa Itinerary Day 6: Johannesburg

It’s time to explore more of South Africa! Catch a domestic flight to Johannesburg, South Africa’s biggest city. Flights from Cape Town usually cost around US$70 each way.

Many people skip Jo’burg altogether, but they miss out on many insightful museums and historical sites that are quintessential to any South Africa trip. The city is now dedicated to preserving the memories of heroes who transformed the country into what it is today.

NOTE: Safety is still an issue in Johannesburg. Don’t walk around at night, and don’t leave anything visible in the car.

Rent another car and make a beeline for the Apartheid Museum, a must-see in my opinion. It is a sobering experience, but an essential one if you want to understand South Africa’s history and identity.

The museum shows the rise and fall of the apartheid system through spine-chilling film footage, photography and historical artifacts. It’s an emotional and eye-opening experience — prepare to shed some tears. Book a guided tour in advance here.

Short for “South Western Township”, Soweto is the epicenter for many important turning points throughout South Africa’s history. It’s easy and safe to explore Soweto on your own, but if you prefer to have a guide, check out this guided township tour .

The most famous spot in Soweto is Vilakazi Street – once home to Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. Mandela’s former abode is now a museum, and Archbishop Tutu still resides in his Soweto home.

Another Soweto museum thats recount the struggle to end apartheid include the somber Hector Pieterson Museum that honors the schoolchildren slain in a police massacre.

One of the most famous restaurants in Jo’burg is Carnivore , located in Muldersdrift (you’ll need a car or taxi to get here). It offers authentic African braai (barbecue) and a buffet of grilled venison meat and South African side dishes. Book a table here!

Johannesburg is a lot more spread out than Cape Town — you’ll need a car no matter where you’re staying. Maboneng has some hipster boutique hotels, while Sandton (upscale residential area) offers plenty of well-priced Airbnb and luxury apartments.

Airbnb: One Hyde Park

One Hyde Park has affordable, luxurious 1/2-bedroom apartments in Sandton, perfect for couples or families. This particular Airbnb has a fully equipped kitchen and pool. Check rates here.

Mid Range: Hallmark Hotel

I’ve stayed at this hotel a few times and always enjoyed my stay. It’s a unique boutique hotel right in the heart of Downtown Jo’burg, serving excellent food in their restaurant. Check rates here.

Luxury: Odyssey Luxury Apartments

On our most recent trip, we stayed at Odyssey (pictured) as the apartment is spacious (for families) and not overly expensive. It’s also a 5-minute walk from Morningside Shopping Centre in Sandton. Check rates here.

Next, rise early for a day trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Site: The  Cradle of Humankind . It is internationally recognised as the place where humankind began.

Discovered in 1924, the first-ever hominid fossil is on display here at the Maropeng Visitor Centre. There are13 excavation sites, including the Sterkfontein Caves. You can also catch a glimpse of pre-human skull dubbed “Mrs Ples”, and a near-complete hominid skeleton called “Little Foot”.

Also situated within the World Heritage site reserve is the  Lion and Safari Park , a 1,000ha (2,471-acre) animal sanctuary. You can book a guided game drive or go wildlife-watching in your own rented vehicle. If you’re not driving, check out this day tour.

Finally, it’s time to head into the African bushveld to see the Big Five ! There’s no shortage of national parks and reserves near Johannesburg — I recommend Welgevonden as it’s 3 hours from Jozi and it breaks down the long drive to Kruger National Park.

Welgevonden is a small, private reserve. There’s a limit on vehicles allowed in the park, so it’s not as saturated as many Kruger. I actually prefer small reserves as animals are more concentrated and easier to spot. I recommend at least 2 nights here as you’ll have only 2 game drives/day.

Welgevonden is home to over 50 different mammals, including the  Big Five , hippo, kudu, giraffe, zebra, warthog, and cheetah. The reserve also has one of the largest populations of white rhino of any of Africa’s private reserves. We saw plenty, which is a great sign of the work they’re doing against poaching!

What You Need to Know about Game Drives

Game drives are always around dawn (6-9am) and dusk (5-8pm). Each game drive can run up to three hours long, and can sometimes involve a lot of driving and no signs of animals. 

Some reserves allow self-drive safaris , while others don’t. We have done both, and recommend doing guided game drives as wildlife guides are much better as spotting animals and can share interesting info on wildlife. Read my detailed safari packing list.

In Africa, a lodge isn’t just a place to sleep — it’s where you’ll be doing relaxing and spending all your time at. When choosing your safari lodge, consider these points:

• Are game drives included? Most lodges include 2 drives/day.
• Is it a fenced property? Some lodges are not fenced i.e. you might find a zebra outside your door in the morning!
• Does the lodge have a waterhole where animals come for water everyday? If yes, you’ll get to view animals right from your porch.
• Is there a pool? It can be a great way to cool down in the afternoons.
• What facilities does it have? Don’t have expect to find WiFi at even the most exclusive safari lodge.
• If you’re going on safari with kids , check if they accept children. In South Africa, many safari lodges have a minimum age requirement — typically 6 or 8.

Unfortunately safari lodges are expensive and there are no budget options in private reserves like Welgevonden. But keep in mind that all your meals, lodging and game drives are included.

Budget: La Rive Waterberg Accommodation

At 14 miles (22km) from Welgevonden Game Reserve, this guesthouse has an outdoor pool and comfortable rooms with mountain views. Check rates here.

Mid Range: Ekuthuleni Lodge

We stayed at this lodge on our recent trip and had the best time. Read my detailed review. With only 5 suites, this intimate safari lodge is exclusive and luxurious. The 2-level bungalows are fantastic for families on African safari with kids .   Check rates here.

Luxury: Clifftop Exclusive Safari Hideaway 

Located on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Sterkstroom River, this luxury lodge features suites with private terraces and plunge pools surrounded by the indigenous bushveld. Check rates here.

We’ve saved the best for the last — prepare for the highlight of your South Africa trip! Kruger is undoubtedly the largest and most popular national park in South Africa . Here’s where you will get the best wildlife watching opportunities.

The national park has a high density of wildlife — including all kinds of bird life and the Big Five. I had my closest wildlife experiences here in Kruger: being charged by an elephant, seeing lions mate, and watching the lilac breast roller showing off his rainbow colored feathers.

You’ll want to spend at least 3 nights in Kruger. Every single game drive is unique and you’ll get different experiences. I recommend booking guided game drives as guides are trained to spot animals from a distance.

Kruger is massive, and there are many camps within the national park itself and in the Greater Kruger area, but they are pricey. If you’re on a budget, I suggest staying in Hazyview just outside the park. However, you’ll be missing out on the chance to sleep in the bush and wake up to sounds of wildlife outside your window.

Budget: Tjimaka

Located outside of Hazyview, Tjimaka features self-catering accommodations 20 minutes’ drive from Kruger. Overlooking a small lake, rooms are equipped with cooking facilities and an outdoor pool. Check rates here.

Mid Range: Sabie River Bush Lodge

On the banks of the Sabie River, this bush lodge overlooks the river and national park. The luxury bush tents offer great value for money   with an outdoor deck, pool and playground. Check rates here.

Luxury: Hamiltons Tented Camp

Located within Kruger NP, this 5-star luxury tented lodge is surrounded by ancient trees and wildlife. Decorated in colonial style, its luxury tents feature teak floors and vintage furnishings reminiscent of safaris in the early 20th century. Check rates here.

Sadly your 2 weeks in South Africa have come to an end. It’s a 6-hour drive back to Johannesburg from Kruger National Park. Make sure to give yourself enough time to catch your flight home.

I suggest staying at an airport hotel to rest up before flying home the next day. Protea Hotel by Marriott Transit is located inside the airport terminal and is an excellent place to rest before flying.

More South Africa Itinerary Ideas

If you’ve got more than 2 weeks in South Africa, there are definitely a lot more of the country worth exploring. Here are some parts of South Africa that I’ve been and would recommend visiting.

Adventure seekers alert! Just 1-2 hour’s drive from Cape Town is the town of Gaansbaai, famous for its dense population of great white sharks. Here you can go cage shark diving , an exhilarating experience where you get up close to the great white. Learn how misunderstood these creatures are and get to know them on a deeper level.

One of the most famous road trips in South Africa, the Garden Route is a scenic and ecologically diverse region near Cape Town. It stretches 300-kilometers (190 miles) from Mossel Bay (a 5+ hour drive from Cape Town), ending in Storms River. You can definitely add this to your itinerary if you have 3 weeks in South Africa. Don’t miss the Addo Elephant National Park, one of the best national parks in South Africa .

Home to the iSimangliso Wetland Park, St Lucia is an adventure hub offering lots of outdoor activities and wildlife safari opportunities. Take a cruise in the estuary and spot hundreds of hippos and crocodiles,   or go on a whale watching excursion to see humpbacks in the Indian Ocean.

Durban is a hip, coastal city with the energy and character of an African city intertwined with British heritage and Asian influence. Stay at the iconic Oyster Box Hotel , admire colonial architecture in downtown Durban, try a dish of bunny chow that Durban is oh-so-famous for, or take a long stroll along the beachfront boulevard of Umhlanga Rocks.

Known affectionately as the Berg, the mighty Drakensberg Mountains are absolutely spectacular. The rugged mountains are often described as a ‘barrier of spears’, which runs along the border of South Africa and Lesotho. We spent a few days here when traveling to Lesotho and were absolutely floored by the dramatic landscapes.

South Africa isn’t a cheap destination, but it is definitely more affordable than most of US, UK and Canada. Car rental is cheap, you can find rates as low as $15/day. Accommodation is also affordable — you can find luxury apartments on Airbnb for $70/night.

However, wildlife safaris are generally expensive, with lodges charging a minimum of $250/night. Keep in mind that all your meals, lodging and game drives are included. The cheapest  3-day budget safari in Kruger you can find is $450/ person.

Expect to spend at least $2000 over 2 weeks in South Africa. This is based on midrange accommodation and hiring your own car.

South Africa is relatively easy to explore independently, especially in the area surrounding Cape Town. I recommend hiring a car and doing the South Africa trip on your own.

If you don’t drive, it might be easier to join a guided tour. Having a guide, especially in the national parks, can make a big difference as wildlife guides are trained to spot animals and have a wealth of knowledge on wildlife.

On my first trip to South Africa, I went on this 28-day Southern Africa Overland tour with G Adventures. I’ve traveled with G Adventures many times (to Antarctica, Brazil, Mongolia and Nepal) and had a blast on every single trip. For those with just 2 weeks in South Africa, check out this 10-day Cape Town to Kruger trip.

If you’re only looking for budget camping safaris, check out these budget wildlife safari that include transport from major cities:

• From Johannesburg: 3-Day Affordable Safari in Kruger
• From Johannesburg: 6-Day Classic Kruger Safari
• From Cape Town: 2-Day Safari in Aquila Reserve
• From Cape Town: 3-Day Garden Route & Safari

Certain parts of South Africa have malaria and yellow fever risks. Kruger National Park, for instance, is a malaria zone. There are a few suggested vaccinations and medications for South Africa, but none are mandatory.

For malaria, consult your doctor and bring malaria medication from home (Malarone is the most popular). Note that they might have side effects. You’ll need to start taking them a few days before your trip and continue for a few weeks after your South Africa trip.

Don’t leave this until the last minute. Check the  CDC website to see what vaccinations you need.

Suggested vaccinations for South Africa:

• Yellow fever
• Hepatitis A and B

2 weeks in South Africa will definitely allow you to experience the best of the country.  I hope this South Africa itinerary will help you plan your own adventure. Feel free to bookmark it or print it out and bring this itinerary with you on your South Africa trip.

In our opinion, this is the best South Africa road trip you can do. It’s the perfect balance of wildlife, outdoor, historical and cultural experiences. It’s not too rushed and you’ll get to see South Africa at a comfortable pace.

Be sure to leave a comment below if you have any questions. We’ll be happy to help in any way we can! Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links i.e. I’ll get a small commission when you book anything through my links, at NO extra cost to you. I only recommend companies I have personally used and enjoyed.

Inspired? Pin it!

Over the years (and traveling to 140+ countries), I’ve learned a thing or two about travel planning. I’ve put together this list of travel resources that I personally use to find the best deals and book travel! For more details, check out my travel tips resource page .

• Booking Flights : Kayak is brilliant for finding the best dates to fly as it allows you to search for the lowest airfares within a 3-day period. Then I use Skyscanner as they’ve consistently given me the lowest airfares.
• Accommodations:  I always use  Booking.com   to book hotels, mainly because of the flexible cancellation policy and good customer service. You can also find short-term rental apartments there (I prefer not to use Airbnb due to the extra charges).
• Travel Insurance:  It’s important to have travel insurance, regardless of whether you’re traveling for a few days or months. Safety Wing is the most popular travel insurance company for COVID19-coverage. I use their Nomad Insurance plan , which covers any healthcare expenses I may have worldwide. Refer to my travel insurance guide for more details.
• Health Advice:  I always refer to the travel guides on the   CDC website  for recommended medications and vaccines. You can get them at your travel doctor’s office or a walk-in pharmacy.
• Tours:  If you’re looking for all-encompassing tours, I recommend small-group adventure tour outfitter, G Adventures . I’ve traveled with them to Antarctica, Mongolia, Svalbard, and Nepal, and loved every single trip. For day tours, I always book with  Viator  and  GetYourGuide ; they have easy booking systems and free cancellations.
• Car Rental: I always book car rentals on Discover Cars , as they’ve consistently given us the best rates and customer service (with free cancellations). We’ve used them in Seychelles, South Africa, Spain, Peru, and Mexico.
• Transportation : Whenever possible, I book local transportation online using  Bookaway and Busbud . They’re more reliable than many local transport websites and cover trains, buses, and car hire.
• Restaurants: TripAdvisor is my go-to resource for restaurant reviews and bookings. I also make restaurant reservations on OpenTable .
• Travel WiFi: I always travel with my Travel WiFi Sapphire 2 device; it’s the most convenient way to get internet data on the go. Instead of getting a local SIM card in every country I travel, I get an internet data package online and the device works immediately when I land.

Nellie Huang

Nellie Huang is the founder of WildJunket. Originally from Singapore, Nellie has traveled to over 150 countries across 7 continents. She is a book author and Lonely Planet guidebook writer. As an adventure travel blogger, she has a special interest in unusual destinations and deep experiences. Follow her travels on her Facebook and Instagram .

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The Comments

Hi! My fiancé and I want to travel to South Africa for our honeymoon. I can’t find any flights for lower than approx. $1,800 per person—you mentioned that they are obtainable for approx. $750. Any advice for finding more affordable flights? Thanks in advance!

hi Savannah, prices have skyrocketed this summer. Try to avoid traveling during the holiday season. The low season in South Africa is between March to May and September to November, when airfares are lowest. Also, you can use the ‘+-3 days’ function on Kayak to find the cheapest dates to fly. Another alternative is to fly from another airport near you that might have cheaper fares. Hope this helps!

Hi Nellie A very informative and dedicated site! Everyone visits the Northern Drakensberg and no one really knows about the Southern Drakensberg and the Sani Pass into Lesotho and visiting /interacting with Basotho people! Why is this ?

hi Ray, we wanted to do the Sani Pass into Lesotho actually! But everyone recommends having a 4WD for that, so we took a different route. We drove into Lesotho and had a great time there. I think the Sani Pass is pretty famous and many people know about it!

Excellent write up!!! The way you have described each destination and the details provided will surely help any first timer to be confident about their bookings! Loved it !

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6 Thrilling Cape Town Safari Tours for Families (And Why You’ll Love Them)

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Last Updated on: 14th October 2023, 12:05 pm

Trying to decide between all the different Cape Town safari tours? Wondering which is suitable for your entire family?

No worries – I’ve got you!

As a South African, I’ve been going on safaris since before I can remember. Back then, the whole family would pile into our 4×4 car at the break of dawn with a selection of “padkos” (road trip food) and spend hours at a time driving the dusty dirt roads in search of the elusive Big 5.

As an adult and a travel writer, I traded in the self-drive option from my childhood in exchange for exciting guided game drives in proper open vehicles.

And these exciting experiences are what I’ll be sharing with you in this guide to the best Cape Town safari tours!

These types of guided game drives are also a great family-friendly activity. However, some are only suitable for older children and I’ll make sure to share the age ranges for each of the Cape Town safari tours I share in this blog post. My son has been going on safari with us since he was 2.5 months old so some tour options are definitely more inclusive than others depending on their facilities.

Although the Kruger National Park is usually the go-to destination for safaris, there are still plenty of options to spot wildlife in the region around Cape Town.

Whether you’re seeking a luxury getaway or an affordable yet equally thrilling tour, Cape Town offers something for everyone. In this article, I’ll be exploring six of the best Cape Town safari tours for families that promise to dazzle and delight.

Don’t have time to read the whole article? Book this Big-Five Safari Full Day Guided Return Transfer from Cape Town which has a perfect 5 ⭐️ rating!

Key Takeaways:

• Cape Town boasts an array of safari experiences to suit all budgets and preferences.
• The tours covered in this article offer unforgettable wildlife encounters and breathtaking scenery.
• From game drives and Big Five sightings to luxurious lodges and multi-day tours, Cape Town safari tours have it all.
• These Cape Town safari tours are a wonderful experience for families but there are age restrictions for some tours.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase from one of them I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you, which allows me to keep this blog up and running!

Our Top 3 Picks: Cape Town Safari Tours

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Big-Five Safari Full Day Guided Return Transfer from Cape Town ✔️ Bottled water ✔️ Professional guide ✔️ Hotel pick-up and drop-off

5-Day Garden Route and Addo Safari – Best of South Africa Small Group Tour ✔️ Route 62 Wine Tasting ✔️ Accommodation ✔️ Breakfast

Wildlife Safari, Olive, Beer and Wine Tasting Day Tour from Cape Town ✔️ Toffee tasting ✔️ Game ranged guide ✔️ Live commentary

Top 6 Cape Town Safari Tours

Let’s get into the tours, shall we…

1. Big-Five Safari Full-Day Guided Return Transfer from Cape Town

⭐️ Rating : 5 out of 5 stars | ⏳ Tour Length : 10 hours | Check out Rates & Availability

Experience the thrill of a lifetime with the Big-Five Safari Full-Day Guided Return Transfer from Cape Town .

This express tour caters to those with limited time yet eager to witness the iconic Big Five—lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo. Travel in comfort via an upmarket air-conditioned vehicle, reveling in scenic vistas of the Breede River, Hex River Wine Valley, and the majestic Table Mountain.

It was great and Mike was a outstanding cicerone…. Just perfect!! A dream coming true!!! ~ Patricia ( see more reviews )

Perfect for families, this tour offers child rates when sharing with 2 paying adults, while infant seats are available on request (additional cost excluded). This family-friendly tour is wheelchair and stroller accessible, making it a hassle-free adventure for all. Infant meals are not included, but most travelers can easily participate, ensuring a memorable wildlife experience for everyone.

Key Highlights:

• Express tour from Cape Town : Ideal for those with limited time.
• Guided game drive: Maximize your chances of spotting the Big Five.
• Delectable buffet lunch: Delight in culinary excellence, including a glass of champagne.
• Upmarket air-conditioned vehicle: Enjoy a comfortable and scenic journey.

Cape Town Safari Tours

2. 5-day garden route and addo safari – best of south africa small group tour.

⭐️ Rating : 5 out of 5 stars | ⏳ Tour Length : 5 days | Check out Rates & Availability

Embark on an unforgettable 5-day journey, experiencing the best of South Africa’s scenic wonders with the 5-Day Garden Route and Addo Safari – Best of South Africa Small Group Tour .

This expertly curated adventure takes you through the mesmerizing landscapes of the Garden Route, including visits to the Addo Elephant National Park, Wilderness, Jeffreys Bay, and Oudtshoorn.

Such a great trip to experience Garden Route wildlife up close! Gerhardus was an amazing guide. ~ Nicki ( See more reviews )

A fantastic choice for families, the tour welcomes children aged 8 and above to join in the adventure. For those aged between 8 and 17, an adult’s company is required, with private room bookings available. Please note that dorm room packages are not open to children under 18, ensuring a comfortable and tailored experience for families.

• A 5-day exploration of South Africa’s Garden Route from Cape Town.
• Thrilling hikes in Tsitsikamma National Park and serene canoe rides in Wilderness.
• Capture breathtaking views at Knysna Heads’ lookout points.
• Enjoy the sun-soaked allure of Jeffreys Bay’s famous beaches.
• Wildlife encounters at Addo Elephant National Park, including elephants and big cats.
• Discover a working ostrich farm and experience local authenticity.
• Optional extra activities include bungee jumping, 4×4 game drives, and ziplining.

3. Wildlife Safari, Olive, Beer and Wine Tasting Day Tour from Cape Town

⭐️ Rating : 5 out of 5 stars | ⏳ Tour Length : 9 hours | Check out Rates & Availability

Experience the best of both worlds with the Wildlife Safari, Olive, Beer, and Wine Tasting Day Tour from Cape Town .

This unique excursion combines a thrilling game drive, craft beer tasting, and wine tasting into a single, hassle-free adventure. Allow your driver to navigate the stunning West Coast landscapes as you journey to Buffelsfontein for a guided game drive, immersing yourself in the realm of local wildlife.

Great trip . We saw 97% of the animals during the game drive. Then beautiful stops in Darling for olive,wine and toffee tasting! ~ Georgia ( See more reviews )

Tailored for families, the tour offers stroller accessibility and is suitable for most travelers, ensuring a delightful and inclusive safari experience. Participants should not have serious medical conditions or heart problems.

• Bottled water, coffee, and tea get provided for refreshment.
• Wine and beer tasting at local breweries and wineries.
• Olive and toffee tasting in Darling.
• Round-trip transportation from central Cape Town for stress-free travel.
• Guided game drive to spot local wildlife in Buffelsfontein.

4. 2-Day Safari Experience from Cape Town

⭐️ Rating : 5 out of 5 stars | ⏳ Tour Length : 2 days | Check out Rates & Availability

Embark on a captivating 2-day journey into the heart of Africa’s wilderness with the 2-Day Safari Experience from Cape Town .

Led by a skilled game ranger, this tour offers you the optimal chance to encounter elephants, giraffes, hippos, lions, rhinos, and more during two exhilarating safari drives. Spend the night in a comfortable game lodge and indulge in a buffet dinner under the stars.

Christopher was a great guide. I absolutely loved the safari and would recommend the experience! My only complaint is that I wish I would have done a longer safari tour! ~ Jessica ( see more reviews )

While not wheelchair accessible, the tour welcomes families with infant seats available. It’s suitable for most travelers, provided they don’t have serious medical conditions or heart problems, ensuring an enriching safari adventure.

• Overnight accommodation in a cozy game lodge.
• Engaging evening and morning safari game drives.
• Guided commentary to enrich your knowledge of African wildlife.
• Expert game ranger to enhance your wildlife-spotting experience.

5. 3-Day Garden Route Highlights with 4×4 Safar i – Small Group Tour from Cape Town

⭐️ Rating : 5 out of 5 stars | ⏳ Tour Length : 3 days | Check out Rates & Availability

Immerse yourself in the allure of South Africa’s famed Garden Route with the 3-Day Garden Route Highlights with 4×4 Safari .

Over three days, journey through this captivating region from Cape Town, uncovering its finest highlights. Delve into a world of adventure as you embark on an elephant bush walk, stroll forest footpaths, and glide along a river by canoe, encountering abundant birdlife.

This whole trip has been such an amazing experience! The safari and the bungee jumping were the highlights for me due to the how surreal those experiences felt to me. ~ Max ( see more reviews )

Ideal for families with children aged 8 and above, the tour is an exciting adventure, although it’s important to note that the tour is not wheelchair accessible.

• 3-day Garden Route expedition from Cape Town with a focus on highlights.
• Enthralling 4×4 game drive to witness elephants, buffaloes, lions, and rhinos.
• Explore the raw beauty of Klein Karoo and Route 62’s captivating landscapes.
• Optional bungee jump from the iconic Bloukrans Bridge.
• Encounter Africa’s diverse wildlife during 4×4 safaris in private reserves.

6. Full Day Big 5 Aquila Safari Private Transfers Including Park Fee From Cape Town

⭐️ Rating : 4.5 out of 5 stars | ⏳ Tour Length : 10 hours | Check out Rates & Availability

Escape the city’s buzz and venture into the untamed wilderness with the Full Day Big 5 Aquila Safari Tour with Private Transfers .

On this exclusive 10-hour journey, travel via private vehicle to a renowned game reserve in search of the iconic ‘Big 5’—rhinos, lions, leopards, elephants, and buffalo. The adventure doesn’t end here; a winery visit awaits on your return, treating you to a delightful tasting and cheese pairing.

Wonderful day – very well organized and comfortable. Saw plenty of animals and really enjoyed the wine tasting. ~ Garry ( see more reviews )

Designed with families in mind, the tour offers infant seats for added comfort, although it’s not wheelchair accessible. The tour is best suited for travelers with a moderate level of physical fitness.

• Private 10-hour safari adventure from Cape Town.
• Encounter the ‘Big 5’—rhinos, lions, leopards, elephants, and buffalo.
• Observe giraffes, hippos, cheetahs, and more in their natural habitat.
• Winery visit with tasting and cheese pairing on the return journey.
• Flexibility to select your game reserve and winery.

FAQs about Cape Town Safari Tours

Are these cape town safari tours suitable for all ages.

It depends on the tour. Some are suitable for all ages, including infants. For example, the first trip my son Kai took at about 2.5 months was to a Garden Route game reserve. He even went on a guided safari game drive during that trip. However, it’s important to check the minimum age allowed for each trip.

What is included in the Cape Town safari tour packages?

The Cape Town safari tour packages typically include transportation, accommodation, meals, game drives, and guided tours. Please refer to the specific tour details for a comprehensive list of inclusions.

Can I customize my safari tour itinerary?

In most cases, it is possible to customize your safari tour itinerary to some extent. Contact the tour operator to discuss any specific requests or preferences you may have.

Are there any additional costs or fees?

Some Cape Town safari tours may have optional activities or experiences that may incur additional costs. It is recommended to review the tour details or consult with the tour operator to clarify any additional fees before booking.

Is it necessary to have prior wildlife experience for these tours?

No, prior wildlife experience is not necessary. The Cape Town safari tours are designed to provide a memorable and educational experience for all participants, regardless of their previous wildlife knowledge.

What safety measures are in place during the tours?

All tours prioritize the safety and well-being of participants. Experienced guides and rangers accompany the tours and adhere to strict safety protocols. It is important to follow the instructions provided by the guides and respect the wildlife for a safe and enjoyable experience.

Which is the best safari in Cape Town?

For an exceptional safari experience in Cape Town, we highly recommend the “ Big Five Safari Guided Day Tour “. This safari tour provides a remarkable opportunity to witness Africa’s iconic Big Five animals – lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros – all within a day’s journey.

Is it worth doing a safari in Cape Town?

Absolutely, doing a safari in Cape Town is definitely worth it! While Cape Town is known for its stunning landscapes and vibrant city life, its proximity to diverse wildlife and natural beauty make it a unique destination for safari enthusiasts. The experience of seeing majestic animals in their natural habitat is incomparable and can create memories that last a lifetime.

Can you go on safari from Cape Town, South Africa?

Yes, you can definitely go on a safari from Cape Town, South Africa. While Cape Town itself doesn’t have the typical sprawling savannas like other safari destinations, there are several game reserves and parks located within a reasonable distance from the city. These reserves offer guided safari tours where you can spot a variety of wildlife species.

What months are best for a safari in Cape Town?

The best months to go on a safari in Cape Town are generally during the South African winter months, which fall between May and September. This is the dry season when vegetation is less dense, making it easier to spot animals near water sources. Additionally, the cooler temperatures during this period are more comfortable for both animals and visitors.

How much is a safari trip in South Africa?

The cost of a safari trip in South Africa can vary widely depending on factors such as the location of the safari, the duration of the tour, the level of luxury, and the type of accommodation. On average, a one-day safari tour from Cape Town can range from around $100 to $300 per person. Multi-day safari packages can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, again depending on the level of luxury and included amenities.

Ready for a Cape Town Safari Tour?

I am convinced that these experiences are a must-try for anyone visiting Cape Town. This list provides a wide variety of options which means that there is something for everyone.

Whether you prefer luxury or budget-friendly options, you can witness the spectacular South African wildlife in their natural habitat. The guided Cape Town safari tours and game drives provide unique opportunities to see the Big Five and other animals.

If you’re looking for a more personalized experience, opt for the Private Tour to Aquila Game Reserve. It offers exclusive access to the safari and a chance to witness the majestic creatures in a more intimate setting.

Finally, plenty of multi-day tours offer a unique overnight stay in beautiful accommodations while enjoying game drives to witness the abundant wildlife in the Garden Route area.

Overall, these tours provide unforgettable wildlife experiences that will last a lifetime. Book your Cape Town safari tour today and discover the breathtaking beauty of South Africa’s wildlife.

South Africa Travel Planning Guide Do I need travel insurance for South Africa ? YES — With basic coverage averaging just $5-10 USD per day, enjoy peace of mind with a plan from SafetyWing , one of the biggest names in travel insurance. Is it safe to rent a car in South Africa? Yes — Renting a car in South Africa is one of the best ways to see the country and the safest way to get around! I always rent with Discover Cars , which checks both international companies and local South African companies, so you get the best rates. Will my phone work in South Africa? Maybe — It depends on your company, so check with your provider. If you don’t have a free South African service, buy an Airalo eSim for local coverage. What’s the best way to book my South Africa accommodations? For South African hotels, Booking.com is usually the best site but you can also check TripAdvisor for a larger variety of local options. If you’re considering a South African Airbnb, don’t forget to check VRBO , which is often cheaper than Airbnb. What’s the best site to buy South African flights? For finding cheap South Africa flights, I recommend using the WayAway App to search and find the best deals – plus you’ll get cashback on your purchases! ( Read more )

Luxury Family & Wellness Travel Writer

Hey there! I'm Daniella Schoeman - the founder of Our Soulful Travels. I'm a part time travel writer and full-time freelancer based in the gorgeous Garden Route of South Africa.

I've been traveling with my family since I was an infant and believe that a travel is part of my DNA. Now, I wander all around Africa and Europe with my husband and son. I'm on a mission to help parents discover the joys of traveling with their children without compromising on luxury.

I have a background (and postgraduate degree) in psychology and know the transformative healing power of travel. Therefore, my focus is on creating content around wellness travel that helps you improve your mental well-being.

I'm also a self-proclaimed luxury hotel addict and have partnered with hundreds of hotels/resorts around the world.

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6-Day Cape Town Itinerary: A Complete Guide To Visiting The Motherland

Cape Town features stunning landscapes, a rich history, and a vibrant culture, which captivates travelers from all over the world. If you’re thinking about visiting the South African capital, this post will come in handy.

I assembled the ultimate 6-day Cape Town itinerary that includes must-do activities and attractions, as well as some relaxing time and night-out adventures. Keep on reading to discover all the things you can do during your Cape Town trip.

Here is your ultimate Cape Town itinerary to explore the best of South Africa’s capital!

This article may contain affiliate / compensated links. For full information, please see our  disclosure here.

Best Time To Go To Cape Town?

Before we begin this Cape Town itinerary it’s important to discuss the best time to visit Cape Town, which depends on your expectations for the trip. In general, Cape Town has a Mediterranean climate, with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. 

The summer months (December to February) offer long sunshine days, great for outdoor activities, beach days, and exploring the city both during the day and at night. On the other hand, summer brings loads of tourists which can create big crowds and an increase in hotel and flight prices. 

Autumn (March to May) and spring (September to November) are excellent seasons to enjoy Cape Town without too many tourists and with the perfect weather for outdoor activities. As for winter (June to August), you can expect cooler temperatures and occasional rainfall, but in general, it is a great time to enjoy wine tasting in the Cape Winelands. 

How Many Days Do You Need In Cape Town?

I recommend you book a “long trip” to Cape Town, around 5-6 days, to properly explore the city. This way you’ll have plenty of time to visit iconic attractions, eat as much as you want, and still have some time to relax.

Where To Stay in Cape Town?

Deciding where to stay when traveling can be a stressful process, which is why this section will help you out. Here’s a brief description of the most popular neighborhoods and what they offer:

Camp’s Bay is known for its beautiful beach and stunning views of the Twelve Apostles mountain range. If you’re a luxury traveler or beach enthusiast, then Camp’s Bay is a go-to choice.

Sea Point offers a laid-back atmosphere with stunning views, excellent for all kinds of travelers. Whether you’re looking for beachfront hotels or self-catering apartments, Sea Point has plenty of options to choose from. During my Cape Town trip I stayed in Sea Point and it was in walking distance to shopping, cafes, restaurants, and most importantly the beach!

Green Point

Close to the V&A Waterfront and the city center, Green Point is a vibrant neighborhood known for its trendy bars, cafes, and proximity to attractions like the Green Point Urban Park and Cape Town Stadium.

V&A Waterfront

The V&A Waterfront features a wide range of hotels, restaurants, shops, and entertainment options. What’s great about this area is that you can easily walk to many of Cape Town’s attractions like the Two Oceans Aquarium, and the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa.

When choosing where to stay in Cape Town, make sure to consider key factors such as the time of the year you’re traveling, your preferences, and, most importantly, your budget.

I always use booking.com to find a hotel that matches my budget when I travel. It helps me search for the best location wherever I go.

How To Get Around Cape Town

You might have a long list of places to go in Cape Town, but how do you get to them? Let’s talk about how to get around Cape Town so you can have an idea of what to expect and how much money you should set aside for commuting.

Uber is widely available in Cape Town and offers a convenient and affordable way to get around the city, especially if you’re traveling short distances or late at night. You know the drill with Uber, simply add the details of your starting point and destination and the app will give you a fixed price.

Uber in Cape Town is cheap. I took a 30-minute trip and my cost with tip was around $13 USD. 

Renting a car gives you the freedom to explore Cape Town and its surroundings at your own pace. Many international car rental companies operate in the city, and driving is relatively easy, with well-maintained roads and clear signage. You can rent a car at the airport after you’ve landed or book a car in advance through a rental company.

Is Cape Town Safe?

I went solo as a female traveler and can confirm that Cape Town is safe. But, you should always be aware of your surroundings and avoid walking alone at night, if possible, in uncrowded areas. Avoid looking too lost or like a typical tourist, and always keep your belongings close to you.

I also recommend wearing comfortable and casual clothes and nothing flashy. You will stick out tremendously. 

Overview Cape Town Itinerary

• Day 1: Bokaap, Marine Tour, V&A Waterfront
• Day 2: Aquila Game Reserve, Sea Point Promenade
• Day 3: Cape Peninsula
• Day 4: Table Mountain, Kloof Street
• Day 5 Cape Winelands
• Day 6: Lion’s Head, Camp’s Bay

6-Day Cape Town Itinerary

Cape town itinerary day 1.

Consider waking up early on your first day in Cape Town and begin with a one-of-a-kind breakfast. The perfect place for that is Bo-Kaap Deli, a little corner that features delicious dishes and pastries for affordable prices. 

After this, it is time to explore the nearby architecture and admire the beautiful colorful homes. You can take a walking tour and learn about the history of this neighborhood. 

Marine Tour

In the afternoon, take a marine tour and get close to Cape Town’s marine life, including dolphins, starfish, penguins, and sea lions. This was one of my favorite things to do in Cape Town and I would do it again when I return. 

To conclude your day, stroll through the V&A Waterfront and do shopping for yourself and you can purchase some souvenirs as well. You could easily spend a whole day here. It’s huge! 

Be sure to have dinner at Den Anker, a well-known Belgian restaurant loved by the locals in the V&A Waterfront. I recommend grabbing a table outside on the waterfront. Keep your eyes open because wildlife will be peeping out of the water. Be sure to order the local fish, Kingkilp, a white fish similar to Snapper. 

Cape Town Itinerary Day 2

Aquila game reserve.

You can’t miss an opportunity to go on a proper Cape Town safari and Aquila Game Reserve is the perfect place to enjoy a wonderful day admiring the wildlife closely.

There are different types of safari you can choose, such as half-day, full-day, and overnight safari. Here you can admire the big 5, lions, elephants, buffalos, leopards, and rhinos, in a family-friendly and luxurious space.

After a day filled with incredible wildlife and plenty of pictures taken, I recommend you head over to the stunning park, Sea Point Promenade for a peaceful stroll while admiring the sunset. Don’t forget to stop by Mojo Market and indulge yourself in a feast there! 

Cape Town Itinerary Day 3

On this day of your Cape Town trip, you’ll be thrilled to join a Cape Peninsula guided tour . This will take a whole day in this Cape Town itinerary. You will visit numerous popular spots along the peninsula. What I enjoyed most about this tour was being able to visit numerous spots in one day. There were even a few places I returned to during my visit. 

Muizenberg Beach

First on the list is Muizenberg Beach, where you will see the colorful beach huts and the stunning coastline. It does get crowded during the summer months so be prepared. 

 Kalk Bay is an adorable fishing town and a wonderful gem to visit. Here you will have time to walk around and shop at the many quaint shops. Here is also the local’s favorite for fish and chips at Kaulky’s being the best in all of Cape Town. Do walk along the pier and be greeted by the sea lions. You can catch this swimming in the bay or sunbathing on the pier. If you plan on visiting another day, I highly suggest you dine at Olympia Cafe. Their croissants are some of the flakiest I have had, even better than the ones I had in Paris ! 

Boulder’s Beach

A Cape Town itinerary wouldn’t be complete without visiting Boulder’s Beach. Get cozy with the penguins, but be sure to keep a healthy distance! If you plan to visit arrive early or buy your tickets in advance online as the queue gets long. It’s open every day from 8 AM to 5 PM. 

Next, the tour continued at Cape Point, one of the most pristine places on the planet.  Driving through the park you will encounter ostriches, baboons, and more. Be sure to take the short hike to the New Cape Point Lighthouse. The views of the coastline as you approach the top are simply amazing. It can be windy, so ladies I suggest you wear shorts under your dresses if you plan on wearing one. Admission to Cape Point is $5 USD. Be sure to visit the website for opening hours as they vary depending on the season. 

Chapman’s Peak Drive

One of the most stunning drives you could ever take is the 9-kilometer route, Chapman’s Peak Drive. This 593-meter-high extension has 114 curves along the Atlantic coast and has the best scenery you will see in Cape Town. They do drive on the left side of the road, so plan accordingly when coasting this road. You could end up on the wrong side and have only a side mountain view and not the coast. The tolls to drive through Chapman’s Peak Drive are less than $5 USD, and credit cards are accepted. 

Gin Tasting

To conclude this tour you will end with a local gin tasting. For gin lovers, you will be pleasantly surprised by how delicious the gin is in South Africa. 

Cape Town Itinerary Day 4

Table mountain.

If there’s something you must do while in Cape Town it is take a cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain to enjoy the best views of the city and its surroundings. Table Mountain also has a wide range of activities you can enjoy before or after your cable ride, such as exploring its gift shop, enjoying a nice meal at its stunning open-air venue, and hiking.

There are two queues at Table Top Mountain. The first one is to purchase your ticket and the other is for the cable car. The lines are long if you don’t arrive early, so be sure to purchase your ticket in advance to skip to the cable car line. Admission to Table Mountain varies from $15- 20 USD depending on the time of day you arrive. Also, be sure to check weather conditions before going. If the wind speeds are high the cable cars close. 

Kloof Street

Once you’re done with this, head over to Kloof Street, and walk through the trendy boutiques, cafes, and eateries. Consider grabbing a meal at a local hotspot at the Dark Horse. Indulge in their delicious tapas-style menu and carefully crafted cocktails. 

Cape Town Itinerary Day 5 

Did anyone say wine tasting? Take a wine tour and discover the award-winning wines of the Cape Winelands with visits to Muratie Stellenbosch, Le Pommier, Eikehof, and Fairview, and enjoy a nice glass of wine with stunning views of the vineyards.

Here’s a quick breakdown of each:

• Muratie Stellenbosch : Located in the Knorhoek Valley north of Stellenbosch and dates back to 1685. It is a cozy winery and they make you feel at home. There is a restaurant on the premises and an adorable boutique to do some shopping.
• Le Pommier : Located on Helshoogte Pass, the main route between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, and features excellent wine tastings. It is also a hotel, so if you want to drink a little more you can stay overnight and wake up to the mountains.
• Eikehof : Nestled in the shade of lush green old oak trees alongside the R45, and has a lot of different options to choose from, such as 3-wine tasting and mouth-watering platter degustations. This by far was my favorite winery I visited. As you’re tasting the owners make sure to visit every table, so you do feel like a welcomed guest.
• Fairview : A farm that’s located in the Paarl mountain range, and hosts plenty of South African producers of excellent wine and cheese. They have unusual pairings with sauces, wine, and cheese that will be an explosion of flavors on your tastebuds.

You can also have a hop-on-hop-off experience in the Winelands as well. Due to circumstances, I wasn’t able to experience this excursion, but always an excuse to return to Cape Town. 

With the hop-on-hop-off experience, you can choose between 5 different lines taking you to numerous wine estates. It’s very flexible and you can create your Cape Town itinerary for the wineries you would like to visit and eat for the day. 

Cape Town Itinerary Day 6

Lion’s head.

To finish off this incredible Cape Town itinerary, I recommend you hike up the 669-meter Lion’s Head for breathtaking views of Cape Town and the Atlantic Ocean. It is located between Table Mountain and Signal Hill, so you don’t need to travel a lot to get there. Expect to hike close to 90 minutes to reach the top. Be sure to hike in a group and not alone. For inexperienced hikers be sure to book a tour for this trek. 

After this incredible hike, head over to Camp’s Bay for a well-deserved meal at The Codfather—Al Pacino reference, noted . It is a nice place with a friendly and cozy atmosphere and some of the freshest fish you’ll try in Cape Town. Be sure to make reservations in advance as they do get booked rather quickly. 

Some rooftops worth visiting while there are Baptiste Rooftop Bar & Lounge and Chinchilla.

Cape Town Itinerary Final Words

I hope this one-week in Cape Town itinerary helps you plan your trip properly, as well as give you an idea of how much you can explore each day. Cape Town is truly a wonderful place you should add to your travel bucket list! 

Interested in traveling to Africa? You may enjoy these other posts:

• Africa Captions
• Mauritius Island Travel Guide

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A Perfect Cape Town Itinerary: Three Days, Five Days, 1 Week

• Last Updated On: January 11, 2024

Without question, Cape Town is one of my favorite cities in the world. This perfect Cape Town itinerary is perfect for anyone with 1 day all the way to 1 week or more. Cape Town is an incredible melting pot of African, European, and Indo-Malaysian cultures that have mixed for centuries in this beautiful city. Cape Town is also one of the only cities in the world where you can find towering mountains that transition perfectly into mesmerizing beach.

Cape Town has fast become one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. There is a world class dining scene, trendy cocktail bars, beautiful cafes, and a booming craft beer scene. If that wasn’t enough, Cape Town is just a half hour away from the most beautiful wine region in the world in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek which can easily be done as a day trip.

I lived in South Africa for many years and Cape Town was my favorite place to visit so I’ve been to Cape Town countless times. This guide will help you plan your perfect trip to the Mother City all the small things I learned while visiting. Whether you have one day or one week, you can use this guide as a way to structure your visit to Cape Town.

Cape Town is a must visit sight in South Africa and it can be combined for a much longer stay in the country. If you’re planning to spend a week or two in South Africa, make sure to read my South Africa Itinerary which combines the best of Cape Town with the winelands, the Garden Route, safaris, and more!

Day One In Cape Town

For the purpose of this post, I will assume the that day one is a full day. It’s likely you’ll arrive the previous day jetlagged and tired anyhow so just prepare yourself for a full day on day one.

The first day in Cape Town will be dedicated to exploring the city. Cape Town isn’t a historical city with huge cathedrals or museums like cities in Europe but there’s enough to keep you busy for a day.

Viewpoint at Maiden’s Cove

Located just between Camps Bay and Clifton, Maiden’s Cove is a breathtaking viewpoint away of Camps Bay and the 12 apostles. There is ample parking here if you’re driving, or you could just walk from Camps Bay or Clifton.

There are rocks along the beach that you can walk on as well if you’re feeling a little adventurous. Come here for the sunset or any other time of the day if you want the most amazing photos and views of the apostles mountain range.

A lot of the most quintessential and famous photos of Cape Town are taken from here and if this isn’t a reason to visit Cape town, I don’t know what is.

District Six Museum

The District 6 Museum is a perfect way to start your trip to Cape Town by understanding the history of the city and country. South Africa was part of a brutal Apartheid regime that systematically segregated people based on color.

It was written into the constitution of the Government that people would be of lower class and it could only be as such. One of these segregation tactics was to force people of a certain color to live in a certain area; always far away from the ruling white class.

District 6 was one such district in the center of Cape Town where its citizens who called it home for generations were forcibly removed from their homes in the 1970s. 60,000 people lost their homes and were relocated to the Cape Flats 25km away.

This happened all over South Africa and the District 6 museum touches on the history and plights of the past. It’s not dissimilar to the Apartheid museum in Johannesburg which is a must visit.

Bo-Kaap Neighborhood

Located at the base of Signal Hill, the Bo-Kaap neighborhood is famous for its colorfully painted houses and cobblestone streets. It was formally known as the Cape Malay Quarter, a township during the Apartheid era. The residents of this neighborhood can still trace their roots back to the Malaysians, Indians, Sri Lankans, and African people brought here by the Dutch as slaves back many centuries ago. The inter-mixing of these various groups through the generations resulted in the “Coloured” demographic.

Coloured, while considered racist in most other parts of the world, is actually a totally acceptable term in South Africa. Coloured, aka mixed race people, proudly refer to themselves as coloured. Sample some delicious Cape-Malay style cooking while in this neighborhood and take plenty of pictures!

Optional free walking tour in Cape Town:

You can visit Bo Kaap easily on your own, or you can join the wonderful free walking tour in Cape Town that runs every day. This tour wonders through the city center and passes through neighborhoods like Bo Kaap.

Day two of the Cape Town itinerary includes a visit to the famous (or infamous) Robben island. You’ll learn about the history of Apartheid which is still a relatively recent era in South Africa’s history and there’s no better place to do it than the prison of Nelson Mandela.

Robben Island visit in the morning

Robben Island is a small island located in Table Bay, just off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa. The island has a long and rich history, dating back to the early days of the Dutch settlement at the Cape of Good Hope.

In 1652, the Dutch East India Company established a refreshment station on the island, and it soon became an important way-point for ships travelling to and from the East. In the 18th century, the island was used as a hospital for lepers, and later as a prison for political prisoners.

Today, Robben Island is a World Heritage Site and museum, dedicated to telling the story of its fascinating past. Visitors to the island can tour the prison where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years, as well as see the lime quarry where prisoners were forced to work.

The island is a powerful reminder of South Africa’s complex history, and is well worth a visit for anyone interested in learning more about this important period in time.

You can book a ferry and tour combo to Robben island . This ferry runs multiple times a day and the price of the ticket includes the guided tour through the island. The ferry leaves from the V&A waterfront. All in all, the tour will take 4-5 hours. Advanced booking is highly recommended during peak season months.

V&A Waterfront

Upon your return from Robben island, you can explore the V&A waterfront and have a nice lunch overlooking the harbor.

The V&A Waterfront is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Cape Town. With over 80 stores and restaurants, there is something for everyone at this vibrant destination. Be sure to check out the Two Oceans Aquarium, the Cape Wheel, and the Nelson Mandela Gateway while you’re here!

The V&A Waterfront is a great place to spend a day or two. There are plenty of things to do, including shopping, dining, and exploring the area. The Two Oceans Aquarium is a must-see for animal lovers, while the Cape Wheel offers stunning views of the city.

If you’re looking for something more historical, be sure to visit the Nelson Mandela Gateway. No matter what you’re interested in, you’re sure to find something to do at the V&A Waterfront.

Table Mountain

One the absolute best things to do in Cape Town and undoubtedly one of its top attractions, Table Mountain was recently voted as one of the new wonders of the world. It’s not hard to see why. Its impossibly flat peak is visible from all of the surrounding area and is perhaps the most iconic landmark in Cape Town. Sandwiched between Devils Peak and Lions Head, Table Mountain stands 1km above sea level. It is also one of one of the oldest mountains in the world being hundreds of millions of years older than even the Himalayas.

Then there are the views. Panoramic views of Cape Town, all the way down to Cape Point can be seen from its peak allowing for breathtaking photos.

Cable car up Table Mountain

Unlike Lion’s Head, which can only be hiked, there is the incredibly popular table mountain cable car that will take you straight to the top. Two cars, holding 60 people a piece go up and down this thing and it’s only a short 7 minute ride.

Tickets can also be purchased ahead of time online , but you still need to wait in line. Wait times can be quite long during the peak season months so make sure to plan accordingly.

If you want to hike Table Mountain, this is also an option. You’ll need to budget at least 1.5h to hike which consists mostly of big stairs. You can then take the cable car down to save time. Make sure to read my detailed post about hiking Table Mountain for this!

Day 3 – Cape Town Itinerary

Day 3 will be spent primarily on a day trip to the wonderful Cape Point National Park. This scenic national park at the southern tip of Africa is the infamous meeting point of the Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean. There are many other great sights along the way like the penguins at Boulder’s beach and the stunning views from Chapman’s peak. This is one of my favorite things to do from Cape Town!

If you have a rental car, this will be very easy and you can do it at your own pace. Otherwise, there are many day tours that will pick you up from your hotel in Cape Town and visit the following places.

A Day Trip Itinerary for Cape Point from Cape Town

So now that you’re keen and ready for visiting Cape Point, this is how I would arrange the day. This is of course really only applicable if you’re self-driving or you have a private driver taking you around. If you go on an organized tour, then you’ll follow whatever schedule they’ve laid out for you.

9:00am – Leave Cape Town and drive towards Hout Bay

10:00am – Enjoy fish and chips at Snoeckies, enjoy Hout Bay beach

11:00am – Drive along Chapman’s Peak until you reach Boulder’s Beach

11:30am – Visit the penguins at Boulder’s Beach

1:30pm – Arrive at Cape Point, walk or take funicalar to the top of the lighthouse

3:00pm – Leave Cape Point and drive to Muizenberg Beach to look at the iconic colorful houses

5:00pm – Leave Muizenberg Beach back to Cape Town

6:00pm – Arrive in Cape Town.

Chapman’s Peak

From Hout Bay, continue along the main road climbing up towards Chapman’s Peak. Chapman’s Peak is the name of the mountain that hugs the coastline between Hout Bay and Noordhoek. It’s a 9km drive along the mountain side well above the ocean. It offers some of the most spectacular views in the world of the Atlantic and nearby beaches.

Take it slow, soak up the views, and stop at the various lookouts to really enjoy the views! If you’ve road tripped the Big Sur in California, this really reminds me of that but a more stunning rendition of that.

This is a toll road at you are able to pay with credit cards. The road is quite narrow so you’ll want to really pay attention to the road even though it is quite easy to get distracted by the beauty of the area.

Boulder’s Beach

As you exit Chapman’s peak, the next stop is at the iconic Boulder’s Beach in Simon’s Town. Boulder’s Beach is home to thousands of African Penguins that make a permanent home in these parts. Most people associate penguins with Antarctica which is not untrue. Those are the emperor penguins but there are many other species of penguins that reside in South Africa and South America.

Boulders Beach located in the stunning naval town of Simons Town outside Cape Town is popular for the penguin colony found here. The scenery in this area is beautiful with panoramic views over the bay while a number of gorgeous restaurants and cafes as well as boutique shops line the streets making a trip to Simons Town the ideal day-trip from the Cape Town.

Boulders Beach is home to a unique land based colony of penguins and they rule the rocks, ocean and sea here and humans are simply visitors. There is a beach here open to the public where you can swim next to the penguins if you’re lucky. In the summer months, this beach will get packed as it is very small and is a huge tourist attraction. I’d recommend bringing your bathing suits on the trip as you may feel the urge to swim towards the penguins.

Otherwise, I would go straight to the viewing platforms of the penguin colonies. The entrance fee is R150 or so as of 2019/2020 and this will likely increase as the rand depreciates. The main entrance can have long lines so the trick is to buy tickets at the small booth in the main parking lot and walk towards the main entrance.

From the main entrance, you can continue to walk straight to the main viewing point, or right towards a more secluded viewpoint. Both viewpoints will afford you fantastic views of the penguin colonies and beach.

There’s not much else to do here besides walk a few steps and see the huge flock of penguins. Some of them get very close to people and aren’t scared. Do not touch them (obviously).

From Boulder’s beach, continue along the main road to the southern point in the peninsula. You’ll see signs to turn to as you drive up the mountains. The entrance fee is roughly R300 per person as of 2019/2020 and is subject to increase as the rand depreciates.

As you enter the park, you will immediately notice the breathtaking scenery and flora of the the mountains. There are a few places to take photos right off the side of the road here.

Cape of Good Hope

The first stop is the Cape of Good Hope. It is about 10 minutes after the entrance and the signs to turn right can be hard to read. You’ll find the iconic Cape of Good Hope signage on the rocky beaches. The sign reads the longitude and latitude of the coordinates where the Atlantic meets the Indian oceans. Expect big crowds here in the summer months!

Cape Point Lighthouse

Both the old and new lighthouses are quite a sight to behold. The Old Lighthouse, 238m above sea level, is easily accessible from the trail and funicular. The New Lighthouse, constructed in 1919 and electrified in 1936, is the most powerful light in Africa with a candlepower of 19 million.

It’s an estimated 1.5h walk to the new lighthouse via the Lighthouse Keepers trail. From here you’ll get a great view of the 200m cliff face towering out of the ocean with the Old Lighthouse perched at the top. The views of the ocean from so high above the cliffs is absolutely stunning.

You can also take a funicular to the top of the lighthouse if you do not want to walk. It costs about R100 per person round trip and takes only 5-10 minutes. Alternatively, you could take the funicular to the top and walk down. Keep an eye out for baboons as they’ve been known to grace the area!

Cape of Good hope Hike

From the main grounds of Cape Point, you can also do the Cape of Good Hope hike. This hike is roughly 1.5 hours round trip and ends at the Cape Point sign (see section above). Note that if you don’t have a private driver, you’ll need to walk back to the starting point. If you want to see the rest of the sights on this tour, you’ll need to start much earlier to have enough time to make it in time.

I’ve done this hike before and it is absolutely worth it if you have the time. There is a beach you can access that is devoid of people and the blindingly white beaches are a sight to behold.

Muizenberg Beach

Last on the list is the most iconic Muizenberg Beach. Drive back towards Simon’s Town and past it for another half hour until you reach the town of Muizenberg. Park your car anywhere near the beach and walk towards these brightly colored houses.

These houses are empty wooden structures painted with bright varying bright colors right on the Muizenberg’s sandy beaches. I thought people used to live in these houses but they are all empty and far too small.

The bathing box is a throw-back to the “bathing machine” of the 1800’s—a cart-like structure that was wheeled down to the water’s edge, allowing the ladies to change into their chin-to-ankle bathing wear and frolic modestly in the shallows.

Some huts, in recent years, fell into disrepair and with the threat of removal of the huts as recently as 2017, there was a huge public outcry.  The plight of the beach hut is close to the heart of every “Muizenberger” and together with the mountain, surfing and beach walks makes up the locals’ love and passion for this much loved attraction.

Bright, vibrant and very photogenic, these beach huts make for the ultimate Instagram photo. Whether you choose the ocean or the mountains as your backdrop, you can bet that no picture will turn out poorly. This is a great place to do a little photoshoot!

Sunset drinks at the Silo Rooftop Bar

If you’re visiting in the summer, you’ll have plenty of time when you come back to enjoy a beautiful sunset with top notch drinks. The Silo rooftop bar is the perfect place to do this. You’ll have unobstructed views of Table Mountain in a trendy setting. Just look at these views!

Day 4 – Cape Town Itinerary

Day 4 in Cape Town is dedicated to another day of exploring more of Cape Town.

Kirstenbosch Gardens

With over 300 species of proteas, the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens is home to the largest collection of these unique flowers in the world. The Kirstenbosch Centenary Tree Top Canopy Walkway is also not to be missed when visiting this amazing attraction!

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is an absolute must see attraction. Opening every day of the year, the admission fee is just R41 for adults. A wide variety of African plants mixed into the garden, with a walking path makes it easy to get lost during the afternoon.

When traveling to Cape Town for the Summer Season (from December through March), be sure to see a performance of the Kirstenbosch Summer Concert Series. Even with no musical experience it will certainly be worth it! Bring picnics with you and your guests and get to the stage early to secure your place on the turf to attend the music performance.

Oranjezicht Market

After soaking up the beautiful views of the Kirstenbosch gardens, make your way to my favorite farmers market in Cape Town in Greenpoint!

Oranjezicht City Farm is a non-profit urban farm and farmers market located in the heart of Cape Town, South Africa. The farm grows a variety of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers, and also sells eggs from their free-range chickens.

The market is open every Saturday from 9am to 2pm, and features live music, food trucks, and a kids’ play area. Visitors can also take tours of the farm or participate in workshops on topics such as urban agriculture and beekeeping.

Oranjezicht City Farm is more than just a farmers market – it’s a community space where people can connect with nature, learn about sustainable living, and support local farmers.

I love going to the Oranjezicht farmers market on Saturdays. It’s such a great place to get fresh produce and meet new people. There’s always a great atmosphere, and it’s really fun to wander around and see all the different stalls.

I always find something new and exciting to try, and the prices are really reasonable. I definitely recommend checking it out if you’re ever in the area!

Enjoy the beaches of Clifton and Camp’s Bay

While visiting Cape Town , make sure to see one of the many stunning beaches the city has to offer. From Camps Bay to Clifton Beach, there is a beach for every taste and preference. Be sure to pack your sunscreen, swimsuit, and beach towel so you can enjoy a day in the sun!

There are so many great beaches in Cape Town that it’s hard to choose just one. Camps Bay is a popular choice for its white sand and turquoise water, while Clifton Beach is perfect for those who want to escape the crowds. No matter which beach you choose, you’re sure to have a great time!

Keep in mind even though it might be very hot outside, the water temperatures at places like Camp’s Bay beach and Clifton Beach will be very cold to swim in.

Lion’s Head Hike

One of the must do activities in Cape Town is to hike up Lion’s Head mountain. The view from this mountain is superior to Table Mountain in my view and it’s one of my favorite places to enjoy the sunset.

Climbing Lion’s Head is not difficult but it requires a bit of physical fitness to make the journey up.

To get to Lion’s Head, simply drive on the road towards Signal Hill and the base of Lion’s Head will be located before you reach it. There is parking all on the side of the road and you’ll know where the entrance is just by the row of cars parked.

The hike up Lion’s Head is much easier physically than Table Mountain. Not only is it a shorter hike but it zig zag’s around the mountain whereas Table Mountain is a straight shot up. Lion’s Head is also a more fun hike in my opinion as there are some very minor rock climbing (chains and ladders) aspect to it!

All in all, the hike will take about 45 minutes to 1 hour. When you’re at the top, you’ll see many other hikers soaking up the views. There are no bars and no restaurants here, it’s completely untamed which I absolutely loved. During the summer months, the top can be quite packed but can you blame people for appreciating such stunning views?

To make it even more enjoyable, make sure to take some beers, or a bottle of wine from perhaps a previous day of wine tasting in Stellenbosch with you to enjoy at the top with incredible views of the Atlantic ocean and Cape Town’s city centre. I didn’t do this the first time and got serious FOMO by seeing all my fellow hikers cracking open beers and wine bottles. Fewer places in the world offer nicer views than Lion’s Head!

I’d highly recommend this to anyone that wants to do something active in Cape Town, likes amazing views, or want to get actively romantic with their significant others like my friends did on their honeymoon!

Day 5 – Cape Town Itinerary

For the 5th day, it’s time to get out of Cape Town again and visit the most incredible wine region in the world. The Western Cape is home to numerous wine regions but my favorites are definitely Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. You could spend an entire trip just visiting the wine region of South Africa but for the purpose of this post, it’s just one day.

I’ve written in great detail about the South African wine region and I’ve spent many weeks traveling through the different wineries.

Visiting Stellenbosch

The wine region of the Western Cape is in my opinion, the most underrated wine region of the world. It’s not undiscovered by any means, but it is lost in the shadows of places like France, Italy, Mendoza, and Napa Valley. I can safely say that Cape Town’s wine region is more stunning than all of the aforementioned, not to mention a hell of a lot cheaper with wine tastings that average R50.

For those visiting South Africa , a visit to the wine region is an absolute must to sample delicious South African wine. I’ve visited many more wine farms than what I will list below so make sure to read about all of the wine farms I’ve visited in Cape Town.

While I’d  highly recommend a few nights stay in the fabulous wine country, not everyone has the time so I’ve come up with the ultimate one to two day wine tour for those looking to do day trips from Cape Town . Although I’d like to think I’m a sommelier at heart, I am mostly just an amateur that likes to drink wine.

Almost all the wine I’ve had during my time in South Africa is great, I’m just focused on which wineries (they’re called wine farms in South Africa), are the most stunning and picturesque.

If you’re already planning to spend a few nights in the wine region after Cape Town, then there’s no point to do this as a day trip!

3 Day Cape Town Itinerary

If you don’t have as much time to explore Cape Town as my above itinerary, this 3 days in Cape Town itinerary will be perfect for you. Three full days is plenty of time to see most of the main sights. I would do two days of exploration within Cape Town and then one day to the Cape Point National Park.

This is my Cape Town 3 day itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in Cape Town, explore Maiden’s Cove, Camps Bay, V&A Waterfront, and hike Lion’s Head Day 2: Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch Gardens, Bo Kaap Day 3: Cape Point Day trip

7 Day Cape Town Itinerary

If you don’t even more time, then follow my 1 week cape town itinerary which will help you maximize your time in the Mother city. With the extra days, I would take things at a slower pace and enjoy the natural wonders of Cape Town more.

In addition, I would also book a township tour to visit the numerous townships around Cape Town. These township tours are perfectly safe and they are incredibly informative and eye opening. South Africa has the worst income disparity I’ve ever seen. I sometimes wonder how it’s possible to have such prosperity in a place like Cape Town but complete squalid conditions a few kilometers away. Unfortunately it’s the reality the country still struggles through. However, some of my favorite times have been hanging out with friends in the townships.

Best time to visit Cape Town

Cape Town is a beautiful city and it is beautiful year round. There are no times of year that are “bad” per se to visit Cape Town but there certainly are times that are better than others.

Cape Town enjoys a Mediterranean style climate with defined winters and summers. In the summer months

Visiting Cape Town in the summer

The best time to visit Cape Town in my opinion is between November and March. The weather is warmest during this period ranging from 25 to 35 degrees during the way and cooling off to 15 to 20 degrees at night. The summer months are consistently sunny with few days of rain.

Summer is when Cape Town really comes to life with a constant bombardment of live concerts, festivals, markets and more.

I would absolutely avoid the holiday season however. The time around Christmas and New Year gets slammed with tourists from Gauteng (Johannesburg). The roads are mayhem and the prices for accommodation doubles. Restaurants are always booked out and it’s just not an enjoyable time of year.

Visiting Cape Town in the winter

The winter months in Cape Town are mild but more volatile. The months between June and August are its coldest and you’ll see temperatures hovering between 15 to 20 degrees at the high, and 10 degrees at the lows.

The weather is also much more rainy and cloudy during these months. You won’t experience depressingly cloudy days for weeks on end like in northern Europe but prepare for more rain and wind during this time.

Prices for accommodation generally tend to go way down starting from the end of April into the middle of September.

Getting in and around Cape Town

Compared to Johannesburg, Cape Town is a much smaller and easier city to get around. There is even a reliable bus system that goes throughout the city.

Using Uber in Cape Town

With the introduction of Uber, Cape Town has become significantly easier to travel without a car. The App is readily used by tourists and locals alike. It’s intended effects are on full display as it is much easier to get a taxi nowadays and you’re no longer at the mercy of the sketchy local cab drivers that always surely rip you off.

A ride from the airport to Camps Bay is R250-300 and rides within the city are R50-100. Uber is also a great way to go medium distances like visiting South Africa’s wine country.  It’s easy to grab an Uber to Stellenbosch or Franschhoek for under R600 one way. When you’re ready to go to another wine farm, just use the app again and wine hop this way without having to risk bribing the South Africa cops. 

It’s a cheap way to get around and definitely makes life easier for the visitor that is not used to driving on the other side of the road.

Rent a car in Cape Town

Renting a car is a very popular option as well and my most preferred option. While you don’t really need a car in the city anymore, there are many day trips outside of Cape Town where a car is just better than an Uber. Cape Point and shark diving in Gansbaai are two that quickly come to mind. Also, having a car in the city makes getting from place to place quicker and more convenient.

They are readily available for rent at the Airport and the roads in Cape Town are in great shape. There are also many places in Cape Town proper to rent a car for the day (although this will cost more).

Drive a scooter around Cape Town

I’ve been to Cape Town many times and on one of my most recent trips, I started driving a scooter around town. One of my friends had been living in Cape Town for many years and she swore by her scooter. I rode scooters all day every day while living in Bali and absolutely loved the freedom so I thought I would give this a shot.

Turns out, it is an amazing decision to rent scooters in Cape Town . I did this over New Years when the traffic is unbearable and this was the best decision I ever made. I could easily skip traffic by going around cars and would reach anywhere I needed to go in Cape Town within 20 minutes. This probably saved me like 1h every day and maybe 2h on others which really is invaluable.

On top of no not having to deal with traffic, the views from a scooter is just insane. Cape Town is already so beautiful but to see it from a scooter is even more so. Every morning, I would get up early and drive over Kloof Nek to Camps Bay and enjoy the breathtaking views of the ocean and mountains. It really didn’t get any better. In addition, it’s also a great way to make the day trip from Cape Town to Cape Point .

Driving around Cape Town in a scooter was also not scary at all. The traffic really isn’t fast moving and cars are more obedient than I thought. I would just avoid driving on the freeways, especially on windy days.

Unfortunately, scooter culture has never picked up in South Africa and there are very few shops that rent scooters. Cape Town Vespas is one of the best shops in Cape Town but you’ll have to pay premium prices as they are vespas (still much cheaper than renting a Vespa in the Amalfi Coast for example). Scooter Dr is another shop that rents scooters but you’ll need to provide a license that allows you to drive scooters that are 125cc and above (A1 in Europe).

Where to stay in Cape Town?

There are no shortage of amazing accommodation options in Cape Town. The city has options for travelers in all budget ranges from the $20 hostels, to the $2000 luxury villa in Clifton Beach. The cheaper options will likely be in the city center whereas the options with beach views in Camps Bay, Clifton, Seapoint, and Greenpoint will command a premium.

Personally, I would elect to stay in the beach facing areas just because I think the views of Cape Town as just stunning and are worth the premium. I would stay away from staying in the V&A Waterfront just because of how touristy and congested it can get. It’s a great place to visit but there’s no point to stay there in my opinion.

Budget Options (Under $100)

• Ashanti Lodge Gardens :  This is my favorite budget but not super budget accommodation in Cape Town. Located near the base of Table Mountain, this guesthouse has comfortable dorm rooms and private rooms, as well as a pool and cool common space to hang out with other travelers. It’s also close to lots of good restaurants and walking distance to Table Mountain
• The B.I.G Backpackers Greenpoint :  A great hostel option in Greenpoint offering modern and industrial accommodation options.

Middle End ($100-300)

• 52 De Wet Luxury and Boutique Hotel: Stunning hotel in Bantry Bay with fantastic views of the ocean as it is perched up on the hill
• Place on the Bay: The location can’t be beat. It’s on the main strip of Camps Bay literally a stones throw from the beach. The rooms could be redone but it’s all about the location here.
• Glen Boutique Hotel and Spa : Really this place is a high end hotel but priced in the mid-range
• Houghton Views Guest House – Read my review of this amazing hotel!

Higher End Options ($300+)

• 12 Apostles Hotel :  One of the most famous hotels in South Africa. The 12 Apostles is known for its luxury and high end finishes. Located in a hilltop area 2 km south of Camps Bay, this hotel offers stunning views of Cape Town, and peaceful serenity unlike any other.
• South Beach Camps Bay :  An amazing luxury hotel just outside the main strip of Camps Bay. This hotel has an amazing infinity pool offering views of the ocean and the surrounding mountains. Some rooms even have a private pool.
• Pod Hotel Camps Bay : One of the best hotels in Camps Bay with prime ocean views
• MannaBay Boutique Hotel: Amazing boutique hotel in Oranjezicht at the base of Table Mountain offering stunning views

Ultra High End Options ($500+)

• Silo Hotel: Super industrial and high end hotel in the waterfront area
• One and Only Hotel: Very high end hotel in the waterfront with spectacular views of the city and Table Mountain

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Home » Africa » South Africa » Cape Town

EPIC CAPE TOWN Itinerary! (2024)

Cape Town is an incredible city – there’s nothing you can’t find here! The hub of Southern Africa, the city combines high-tech urban experiences with an impressive amount of nature.

Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie, a nature-lover, a shopaholic or a history buff, Cape Town will leave you in awe. Most importantly, it has Table Mountain! One of the seven natural wonders of the world, the mountain can be seen from almost anywhere in the city.

So, if you’re looking for the best experiences of the countryside and the city, with everything in-between, check out our Cape Town Itinerary! We’ve chatted to locals and tourists in the city to put together all the very best of South Africa’s favorite city.

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Best Time To Visit Cape Town

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Wondering when to visit Cape Town? It’s a great city to visit all year round. The rainy season is in winter (May-August), while it’s summers are warm and dry. Thanks to its coastal location, it seldom gets too hot or too cold, and most Cape Town attractions and activities can be done comfortably all year round.

Summer is our favorite season in Cape Town. It’s long (October – March), the sky is blue, and sun-bathing on white-sand beaches is divine. You can swim in the ocean even though the waters are always chilly. In Llandudno and Clifton, you’ll find some of the most expensive property in the world (it’s all for those views). 

So, if you’re planning a trip to Cape Town, you can book it for any time of the year! Summer is the city’s busy time, but it never gets as full as many other popular destinations, and prices don’t change much over the seasons.

With a Cape Town City Pass , you can experience the best of Cape Town at the CHEAPEST prices. Discounts, attractions, tickets, and even public transport are all standards in any good city pass – be sure invest now and save them $$$ when you arrive!

Cape Town is a sprawling city with interesting things to do in many of the different neighborhoods. What interests you most about the city will influence where you choose to stay. We’ve chosen itinerary stops that work well together and are easy to find!

One of the best neighborhoods in the city for the culture and price is Observatory . About 20-minutes from the city center, this suburb is a great place to set off on a Cape Town walking tour to see the sights and the gorgeous street art. The neighborhood has a community culture all of its own.

The main street is dotted with quaint restaurants, cafés, second-hand stores, and hostels and it’s an awesome place to base yourself if you’re planning a backpacking trip to Cape Town . You can find jazz bars open every night, and there’s even an old record store. It’s a great place to be, day or night, and you’ll struggle not to spend the whole weekend in Cape Town right here.

An affluent Cape Town neighborhood, and certainly the most centrally located, is the City Bowl. This is close to everything and can be a really interesting place to set out. It can get pricey, but if you have the money to spend, it’s the perfect option. Many consider it the best place to stay in Cape Town!

From hostels, to luxury hotels or charming guesthouses in Cape Town – there’s something for everyone! 

Best Hostel in Cape Town – Ashanti Lodge Gardens

Located at the foot of Table Mountain, Ashanti Lodge and Travel Centre is a fantastic budget hostel. They have excellent security and a fun, friendly atmosphere perfect for backpackers. The dorm rooms are really well-priced, clean and comfortable. There’s a pool,  bar,  pool table, and fully-equipped communal kitchen! Everything you’ll need for your stay in Cape Town is provided. If you prefer to stay in hostels, this is our insiders guide to twenty incredible hostels in Cape Town .

Best Airbnb in Cape Town – Designer Apartment With Cape Town City Views

This gorgeous apartment in the heart of Cape Town is ideal for four guests. There are two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a large open-plan living room, dining area, and a kitchen. The modern kitchen has everything you need to cook up a feast and there’s a handy washing machine too. Guests can relax in the small shared garden.

Best Budget Hotel in Cape Town – Ashby Manor Guest House

Situated near the Sea Point beach, Ashby is a wonderful place to stay. It has beautiful architecture and comfortable, stylish rooms. A lovely breakfast is provided, and the rooms have coffee makers. The staff are very friendly, helpful, and can show you how to get to your Cape Town itinerary destinations! 

Best Luxury Hotel in Cape Town – The Table Bay Hotel

This gorgeous luxury hotel has incredible views of Table Mountain and the waterfront! It is- in every way- a perfect experience. It has a spa, pool, gym, and a complimentary shuttle service. The in-house restaurant offers locally-inspired and sourced gourmet meals, and the service is impeccable. It’s no wonder this hotel has five-stars.

If you want even more options and inspirations, check out our guide for where to stay in Cape Town .

Cape Town is relatively easy to get around. It doesn’t have the public transport system of other popular countries yet, but there are still good options for getting around.

You cannot wak everywhere in the city, because of the way it sprawls across the coast. You can, however, walk between some of the stops, and catch public transport between the others.

You can take the train during the day, but it gets a bit dodgy before 8 am and after 5 pm, particularly when it’s empty. It goes across most of the city, and we’ve found it to be a safe and easy way to get around.

You can take the Myciti bus to most areas of the city. This is completely safe and quite efficient. It is not set up and running in the Southern Suburbs and some other parts of Cape Town, so you can’t get everywhere.

If you’re up for something a little different, try out minibusses! This is Cape Town’s version of a taxi, and it’s one of the best ways to authentically experience Cape Town These minibusses are scanty, very cheap, quite an experience, and they go everywhere. The caller will lean out the open door while in motion, shouting the destination, and fill it up until every tiny bit of space is taken- definitely above carrying capacity.

Finally, you may want to rent a car when you’re touring Cape Town. They’re reasonably priced, you won’t have to worry about public transport issues (like the occasional strike or delay), and you’ll be able to reach the further parts of the city easily.

Table Mountain | Bo Kaap | Chapmans Peak Drive | Kalk Bay | Long and Kloof Street

On day one of your three day Cape Town itinerary, you’ll explore the most incredible natural and cultural attractions in the city! It will be a full day, so pack walking shoes, sunscreen, and get pumped. This day will create some of the most aesthetic photos and fantastic memories of your life.

Day 1/Stop 1 – Table Mountain

• Why it’s awesome: It’s an iconic Cape Town landmark, with incredible views over the city
• Cost: Return tickets cost $7 – $33 depending on age. Hiking is free
• Food Recommendation: Find something yummy at the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Cafe

Even with only one day in Cape Town, we would have to put Table Mountain at the top of the list! There are two ways to experience the iconic mountain – hike up, or catch a cable car.

The two are very different experiences, both great in a different way! Either way, it’s a great way to start the day, and early in the morning there won’t be too many people.

You have to be relatively fit to hike up the mountain. It’s steep, and takes a few hours to reach the top! There are multiple hiking paths, including the intimidating Skeleton Gorge, and the more popular Platteklip Gorge.

Insider Tip: If you’re hiking, pack some snacks and enough water. If you need a trusty water bottle, these are nine of the best water bottles out there. You’ll appreciate it when you get to the top and it’s time to chill by the lake! Also, definitely bring a camera.

Take it easy and stop often to appreciate the lush, unique plant-life while you catch a breath. Table Mountain’s Cape Fynbos biome is one of the most bio-diverse spaces on the planet, and includes plants that grow only on this mountain!

You can take a cable car up to the top of the mountain and stroll around the top along paths that extend across its expanse. Most only walk around the first part, but if you go further, you’ll find multiple lakes on top of the mountain, as well as curious beach sand and some of those unique plants!

The cable car is a great option for families, physically challenged individuals, and those who are only spending a weekend in Cape Town and don’t have enough time to hike the mountain.

Day 1/Stop 2 – Visit Bo Kaap

• Why it’s awesome: Bright, colorful houses line the cobblestone streets
• Food Recommendation: Try local favorites at Bo-Kaap Kombuis

One of the best things to do in Cape Town is visit Bo Kaap. It’s one of the most culturally distinct places in the city! Once known as the Malay Quarter, it remains a historical center of the influential Cape Malay culture in Cape Town.

It’s a highly popular tourist stop because of the brightly colored houses and quaint cobblestone streets. You won’t find anywhere else in the city. You can take a guided walking tour of Bo Kaap, or you can visit it yourself!

It’s located very close to Table Mountain, so it’s the ideal next stop! Pop into Atlas Trading – a spice store so great it’s included in most of Bo Kaap walking tours. Despite its popularity, prices are low, and you can find Malay spices and other spices that are difficult to locate.

You’ll also find street vendors selling local specialties like samosas and koeksisters. Try them! You’re supporting the locals, and they’re so good.

Insider Tip: Cape Malay cuisine is totally unique to the Western Cape of South Africa. So, if you want to try something unique delicious, definitely check out the suggested restaurant, Bo Kaap Kombuis. (Kombuis is the Afrikaans word for kitchen).

Day 1/Stop 3 – Chapmans Peak Drive

• Why it’s awesome: Incredible views and a thrilling, winding road
• Food Recommendation: Get lunch with a view at Chappies

Rent a car for a few hours and drive along Chapmans Peak, one of the best places to visit in Cape Town . The views all along the coastal route are so spectacular that you definitely shouldn’t miss it!

On your way, you’ll see the Twelve Apostles – a mountain range that guards the coast. You’ll also pass through Camps Bay, Clifton, and Hout Bay. These neighborhoods all have gorgeous beaches. If you have time, stop and run into the water! It’s brisk, beautiful, and will re-power you for the rest of your Cape Town itinerary stops.

As you drive along the winding road, appreciate the flora all around you, and the view of the Atlantic Sea. No matter where you go, you’ll find this is one of the most beautiful drives you will ever experience.

The twisting roads, high above the ocean, are quite a thrill and may frighten those with a fear of heights, but if you stick it through, you’ll love it! Stop at one of the picnic spaces along the route to take photos and breathe in the ocean air. 

Day 1/Stop 4 – Explore Kalk Bay

• Why it’s awesome: A charming area with a beach, shops, and delicious food
• Food Recommendation: Your choice of ice cream at Ice Café

On the map, Kalk Bay looks like just another Cape Town suburb, but it’s one of our favorite stops on the itinerary for Cape Town! There’s so much to see and do. Best of all, it’s where you’ll come out after your Chapmans Peak Drive!

When you get here, stroll over to the beach, where you can swim in the ocean or in the tidal pool. Chill with locals who come from all over the city to enjoy the summer sun by the ocean.

When your hair is wet and salty and you’ve cooled down nicely, visit the charming stores that line the coastal road. Stop at the ice-cream shop to pick your favorite flavor, and shop at the second-hand stores filled with old South African brick-a-brack.

You’ll find so many lovely authentic souvenirs here! You’ll also find one of the city’s best bakeries, Olympia Café, and some fish ‘n chip places that get their fish right from the ocean the same day.

In fact, there are so many amazing food options in Kalk Bay, you won’t know quite what to do with yourself! Definitely make it a ‘cheat day’, and enjoy everything you can.

Finally, walk around the harbor and watch the seals swimming among the old ships and sun-bathing on the rocks. It smells a little fishy, but it’s so lovely and well worth it.

Day 1/Stop 5 – Long Street and Kloof

• Why it’s awesome: All the best of the city’s night-life, all on two streets
• Cost: Free (plus club entrances)
• Food Recommendation: Pick something from the daily-changed menu at Black Sheep

After making your way back to the city center, go out for night-time adventures on Long Street and Kloof! These two popular streets are a great place to spend the evening or party all night.

Bars and restaurants line Kloof and Long, and some of the best clubs in the city can be found on the ever-popular Long Street. Go in the evening and watch how the atmosphere changes as it gets dark, with families giving way to college students and young people looking for a great time!

Various locations offer live music for an entrance fee as little as $3 entrance. Sgt. Peppers, for example, often has rock gigs. There you can explore the vibrant and very much alive South African rock scene with the locals.

You’ll also find bars offering shots for as little as $0.50! If you’re lucky enough to be in Cape Town on the first Thursday of the month, you’ll get to experience the aptly named First Thursdays. Locals come out in droves on this night, as Long Street becomes a cultural cornucopia.

Every gallery open during the day stays open and offers free wine and tours. You get to cruise around the street getting a feel for South African art (and meeting enthusiastic locals) before getting sloshed and partying the night away. Really, it’s ideal.

Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear….

These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the  real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.

Or, y’know… you can stick to just chucking it all in your backpack…

Zeitz MOCAA | V & A Waterfront | Two Oceans Aquarium | The Beach | Wine Tasting in Constantia |  Labia Theatre

On the second day of your Cape Town itinerary, you’ll explore more of the city’s incredible cultural offerings!

Day 2/Stop 1 – Zeitz MOCAA

• Why it’s awesome: Contemporary African art in an old grain silo – it’s beautiful
• Food Recommendation: Try something at their rooftop restaurant

The Zeitz MOCAA, or Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, is the world’s largest museum of contemporary African art. With seven floors with exhibitions exploring a range of ideas and issues, it’s not to be missed!

The permanent exhibitions approach topics like the modern black experience and all that it entails, the pitfalls and strengths of African and international feminism, and the strangeness of being human.

It’s a great opportunity for contemporary artists to display their work and get their voice heard. Often, only historic art is appreciated at this scale, and with Africa’s history, this presents certain difficulties. A museum dedicated to the current moment is special, important, and necessary!

The structure the displays are in is almost as interesting as the art!  In one exhibit, a giant dragon-like art piece stretches uping up within what was once a grain siloit. The center is hollow, and you can see all the way to the top. The giant structure has been beautifully repurposed.

You’ll get a unique feel for different African lives and cultures on the continent, its diaspora, and the influence of the globalized, modern world. Like so many Cape Town attractions, it’s an experience you won’t find anywhere else in the world!

Day 2/Stop 2 – V & A Waterfront

• Why it’s awesome: Lots to see and do, all with a great view over the ocean
• Food Recommendation: Get seafood at Balducci

There are many ways to experience the Waterfront! The working harbor is really beautiful, and you’ll cross a bridge or two that lifts to allow boats to pass.

There is a very popular, attractive mall here, where you can find gourmet restaurants and shops under the high glass ceilings. There’s also a little indoor market with local crafts and more incredible food. Cape Town really is a perfect city for foodies!

The streets are always busy and bustling, but everyone is having a great time, so it doesn’t matter. Locals put on performances for the crowd, and you can find unique artifacts that are both modern and old.

It’s also the center of Cape Town’s art scene, and you’ll find some galleries with local art that will make you wish you had enough money to buy it all. Spend a few hours strolling around, eating things, and enjoying the eclectic mix of cultures and interests gathered here.

Day 2/Stop 3 – Two Oceans Aquarium

• Why it’s awesome: Marine education and a massive variety of animals to admire!
• Food Recommendation: Grab something at the in-house Café V, with a view of the turtles and stingrays gliding by

Located in the V&A Waterfront, this is a stop-within-a-stop! The aquarium is a great way to experience the diversity of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, which meet in Cape Town, and it’s one of Cape Town’s top tourist destinations.

Our favorite part about this aquarium is the work they’re doing to preserve and help the animals and their habitat! You can watch Great White Sharks being fed in the predator exhibit – a scary and thrilling experience. The sharks are in the aquarium recovering after being found damaged or injured in the wild.

In recovery, you’ll also see turtles, penguins, crazy jellyfish, and our personal favorite – giant crabs which look eerily prehistoric. If you lean down and look at them long enough, they’ll open up what you thought was their stomachs and freak you out.

The exhibitions also include some really cool communities of fish, giant eels, and sea-horses. (Interestingly, the male seahorses are the ones who carry their young and give birth ! If you’re lucky, you’ll see some big-bellied dudes).

The environmental education is really informative, and- surrounded by fascinating sea creatures- it’s also really interesting! Try to catch a few of the feeding shows and explore the exhibits.

Day 2/Stop 4 – The Beach

• Why it’s awesome: There are so many to choose from, and they’re all phenomenal
• Food Recommendation: Bring a picnic of bread and biltong, a local favorite

Of course, any itinerary for Cape Town has to include a trip to the beach! The only thing is, there are so many to choose from, and each is great in a different way.

If you’re interested in exploring the underwater world of the Southern Peninsula, rent a wetsuit (it’s cold), snorkel gear, and jump in at Simon’s Town. Just off this beach, you’ll find forests of kelp and colorful sea urchins.

You’ll also spot tiny harmless sharks and brightly colored fish, among other things. The great thing about Simon’s Town is that the Great Whites are all far away!

If you’re into surfing, Llandudno has some of the best waves in the world, and it’s incredibly beautiful. If you need lessons, go to the lengthy Muizenberg beach! You’ll find lessons and all the necessary gear right on the beach.

Finally, if you just want to sunbathe and swim, go to Clifton or the lovely Boulders Beach! On the latter, you’ll be sharing the beach with members of South Africa’s penguin colony. While it’s occupants can be a little noisy, this is another one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences!  

Day 2/Stop 5 – Wine Tasting in Constantia

• Why it’s awesome: Cape Town is famous for its wine – you should certainly try a few
• Cost: $4 – $8
• Food Recommendation: Pair it with cheese or chocolate

There are a few lovely wine farms to choose from in Constantia – a gorgeous, lush suburb of Cape Town, nestled against the base of Devils Peak. One of the best options is Groot Constantia. There you can enjoy a selection of wines while looking out at the vineyards.

You can choose five wines that look great to you, and sip them while the staff tells you the history of the vineyard and the wine making process. The wines are award-winning and the 300-year history of the place is long and interesting. You’re guaranteed to have a great time.

The vineyard has three wine-tasting venues, so you can enjoy your wines in the location you love best. They offer wine and chocolate pairings, or you can get a cheese and charcuterie board to enjoy with your wine.

When you’re done, stroll around the gardens and buy some wine for the rest of your vacation in Cape Town and South Africa! You’ll certainly want to. You can also do a tour of the vineyard and the cellar to see where all the magic happens.

Insider Tip: The hop-on-hop-off bus stops a short walk from here, as do taxis! Just be sure to have Google Maps open so you know how to find it.

Day 2/Stop 6 – Watch a film at The Labia Theatre

• Why it’s awesome: Old-school and unique, with great films always playing
• F ood Recommendation: Traditional movie-fare, like popcorn and snacks

This theatre is a gem! Centrally located and in a historical building, there’s something really special about it. They play African and independent films, catering to those looking to take part in the culture of African cinema . 

Our favorite thing about it is its alcohol license! The unusual cinema slushy has vodka in it (although you can also choose virgin) and in winter you can warm up with some Gluhwein!

There’s also plenty of snacks. For an extra $1-2 you can get a movie and dinner deal! They have arrangements with some lovely local restaurants. Purchase a ticket in the restaurant you’re dining in for dinner, and then stroll over to the cinema.

With its old-school setting and great vibes, this is a super popular Cape Town attraction among locals! You’ll love it too. It’s a great place to relax after a full, busy day.

Cat & Moose Backpackers Lodge

Housed in a historic building, this hostel boasts a courtyard with a plunge pool, a balcony, and a TV lounge. Basic self-catering facilities are available as well.

• Free Breakfast

Iziko Slave Lodge | Eastern Food Bazaar | Marine Life Kayak Tour | Paragliding off Lions Head | The Neighbourgoods Market

For those with a little more time, these are the best places to visit if you’re spending at least three days in Cape Town. There’s still so much to see!

Iziko Slave Lodge

• Explore one of Cape Town’s oldest buildings
• Learn about South Africa’s history of slavery and segregation
• See artifacts and exhibitions on an audio-guided or self-guided tour

During its long history, the Iziko Slave Lodge has been many things – including the Supreme Court. Since 1998 the museum’s theme has been ‘from human wrongs to human rights.’ The Slave Lodge addresses issues and raises awareness with temporary and permanent exhibitions.

Any trip to Cape Town should include an opportunity to learn about the country’s difficult past. This is the perfect place to do it. The audio guide is a fantastic addition and takes you through the history of the slave lodge and the dismal living conditions during  slavery.

Temporary exhibitions include ancient Egyptology and ceramics! Once you’ve toured the museum, explore the Company Gardens. The museum is located on the edge of these lovely gardens at the center of Cape Town.

You’ll find locals and tourists alike in the gardens, strolling along the paths and feeding peanuts (which you can buy) to the squirrels and birds. There is some beautiful exotic plant-life here, and sculptures dotted around the park. It’s a lovely space to enjoy a picnic while you soak in the sun on a bench or the lawn!  

Eastern Food Bazaar

• Get some absolutely delicious food for very low prices
• Enjoy the busy, vibrant atmosphere, surrounded by locals
• Appreciate the ornate Indian-style decoration and Eastern music

The Eastern Food Bazaar is a hidden gem beloved by locals! Difficult to spot in the middle of the City Bowl, you’ll need to plug it into Google Maps or ask locals for directions. Here you’ll find Cape Town’s best Cape Malay and Eastern food.

Meals include Butter Chicken and the distinctly South African Bunny Chow (an Indian-style curry with a hollowed-out half-loaf of bread as its bowl). There is so much to choose from! You’ll walk its length, looking at the Bazaar’s various food stalls and drool as people walk past you with their heaps of food.

Once you’ve picked what you want, order at the bazaar’s center. You’ll be given a ticket to give to your stall of choice, and you can watch while they prepare it in front of you! It’s one of the most unusual stops on the Cape Town itinerary.

The bazaar is lined with an incredible amount of ornate eastern doors, decades and possibly millennia old. Every seat in the house has a great view. It’s also a terrific place to people-watch, while you bite into garlic naan and aromatic stews.

Much more interesting than a restaurant, this is one of the best foodie experiences in Cape Town! In a city renowned for its cuisine, that’s saying a lot.  You’ll want to take home a doggie bag and bring your camera. If you don’t have a designated camera travel bag, you can check out our review of the Mountainsmith Camera Bag .

Marine Life Kayak Tour From The V&A Waterfront

• Admire Cape Town’s unusual beauty from the water
• Possible sightings of South Africa’s abundant marine life
• Get some shots with one of the world’s most photogenic coastlines

This is a fantastic opportunity to explore beyond Cape Town without leaving the city! Paddle out of the V&A Waterfront on calm waters, where you’ll see some of Cape Town’s active marine life. This includes possible sightings of playful dolphins, seals, penguins, sunfish, and even whales!

You’ll also have the unique experience of viewing Table Mountain, Signal Hill, and the gorgeous Twelve Apostles from the water! You can alternatively choose to catch a luxury catamaran and cruise along the bay. 

Admire how the sun shines on the flowing water, and maybe you’ll be able to touch a passing dolphin, be sprayed with water by a joyful seal, and feel the bump of kelp under your kayak.

A photo opportunity on the ocean with a backdrop of Table Mountain is unprecedented Instagram goals, and one for the books. The two-hour tour includes all safety equipment, and don’t worry – the boats are very stable!

This excursion is ideal for couples, families, or friends looking to make incredible memories together. If you’re spending three days in Cape Town, it’s a must.

Paragliding off Lions Head

• Get your adrenaline pumping and run off the mountain to take flight
• See all the Cape Town points of interest with a birds-eye view
• Get fantastic shots with Table Mountain in the background

Soar over Cape Town and the Atlantic coast! This is a great option for those looking to do something a little different in the Mother City and get that blood pumping. You’ll have spectacular views over Table Mountain, Lions Head, the Twelve Apostles, and the Waterfront!

Try to spot some of the stops on your Cape Town itinerary, and appreciate the splendor of a city wedged comfortably between mountains and sea. You can see so much of it from here. It’s one of the most exciting activities on our itinerary for Cape Town!

After being clipped up and getting a brief lesson in how it works, you’ll run off the mountainside with your instructor and take flight. How long you spend in the air depends on the air currents, but your instructor will ensure that the weather is safe for flight before you take off!

Land on the Sea Point Coast after some acrobatic maneuvers in-flight. You’ll be transferred back up to the top of the mountain if your car is there – otherwise public transport can be easily found!

You can choose to buy GoPro videos and photographs of your flight. Despite the extra cost, we suggest you do! It’s such an awesome experience to remember, and the pictures come out great. Besides, you’ve just achieved man’s oldest dream: taking flight! 

The Neighbourgoods Market

• Explore Cape Town’s most popular and varied foodie heavens
• Listen to live local music as you stroll through the stalls
• Enjoy arts and crafts, and explore the surrounding area for street art

Situated in the Old Biscuit Mill, this foodie market is uber-trendy and popular among locals and tourists. The food is phenomenal, and you’ll find everything from raw chocolate and mushroom kebabs, to local delicacies.

Unfortunately, only those spending a weekend in Cape Town will be able to go, as the market takes place on Saturday. If you are in the city on a Saturday, don’t miss it! Live music is played in the courtyard, and the place gets packed with enthusiastic people enjoying their weekend.

Try tasters of the decadent food before you commit to one! Don’t get too full too fast, because you might discover something too good to be true when you’re already full. Cuisines from all over the world can be found here, as well as some adventurous new inventions and vegan delights.

The atmosphere is informal, fun, and has a great buzz. Once you’re full, you can move on to the artisan area to find some lovely things to take home. If you’re still on the lookout for South African fashion or art, you’ll find it here!

Woodstock is one of Cape Town’s most amazing cultural hubs! Go beyond the market to spot street art by local and international artists, and take your picture by some of your favorites. Every year there is new art to discover, and the further you go, the more you’ll see.

There are safety concerns in South Africa .

Cape Town is a tricky one, because the different suburbs vary so extensively in terms of safety, but everything on our three day Cape Town itinerary is in a safe neighborhood, so you needn’t stress!  It’s possible to stay safe in Cape Town .

A good practice when you travel to Cape Town is to keep your bags close to your person, and zipped or buttoned closed. If you walk through a very busy area, like a taxi rank, keep your hand on the bag. Violent crime is rare outside of townships.

Still, you should never walk around alone at night (with the careful exception of Long and Kloof Street), and even in groups, avoid unlit areas. During the day you’re perfectly safe, as long as you avoid completely empty, dodgy looking avenues.

A good thing to keep in mind about the city is that there’s quite an economic divide, part of the legacy left from Apartheid. So many people are looking for an easy opportunity to improve their situation. This means that petty theft is common, but they only go for easy targets. Don’t be an easy target, and you’ll be left alone.  To ensure your safety, check out these crucial travel safety tips.

 There’s a lot of begging. We support giving food to those who look clearly desperate, but it’s best not to give money.

You’ll find beggars in most parts of the city, including children and the elderly. This is because South African infrastructure is being slowly improved and does not yet cater to the poor as well as it could!

Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance for Cape Town

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

South African Wildlife and Safari Two-Day Tour from Cape Town

This safari is one of the best day trips from Cape Town and spans two days! This is the best way for you to explore more of South Africa with little time. The tour includes 4×4 game drives through game reserves to see The Big Five and an overnight stay in Oudtshoorn.

This charming town in the heart of the semi-desert Klein Karoo is the ostrich capital of the world! Here you’ll have a ‘braai’ – South African barbeque and necessary South African experience.

You’ll also have the opportunity to track animals by foot on a walking tour with a local guide. Be sure to bring your camera! This is the best of nature, and totally different from what’s in Cape Town. Your overnight stay, breakfast, and transport are included.

Cape Winelands Full-Day Shared Tour

Does anything sound better than a full day of wine, cheese, and biltong tasting in the Winelands? Not to us! On this tour, you’ll stop in Stellenbosch, a world-famous wine region and one of the oldest towns in South Africa.

You’ll also explore wine farms in Paarl and Franschhoek. Taste the best wines from all three areas, enjoy lunch surrounded by gorgeous Winelands, and walk around the vineyards and cellars.

You’ll also stop at various monuments and learn a bit about South Africa’s difficult and fascinating history. For this one, you have to be 18-years or older to participate, but children of any age can accompany you to enjoy the food and the sights!

Full-Day Inverdoorn Reserve Safari from Cape Town

See some of the world’s most noble creatures in their own habitat! The tour includes a 4×4 game drive where you’ll spot lions, cheetahs, and elephants. Your local park ranger will tell you all about them!

Then take a walk with giraffes. It’s a spectacular opportunity to get close to these giant beasts, and you’ll be surrounded by the unique Klein Karoo biome!

The tour starts early, and you’ll travel through some of the most beautiful areas in South Africa’s Western Cape. You’ll have welcome drinks, lunch, and stop at The Lion Project, which works to sustain a healthy environment for these majestic creatures.

Cape Peninsula Full-Day Tour from Cape Town

This tour takes place partly within Cape Town and partly outside the city! Visit the incredible Cape Point Nature Reserve, where you’ll be surrounded by indigenous flora and fauna, including tortoises, eland, and baboons.

Here you’ll see the meeting of the great Atlantic and Indian Oceans! Passing secluded coves, immense mountains, and perfect beaches, this reserve has some of the most beautiful views in the world.

Within Cape Town, you’ll walk through the botanical gardens and the photo-worthy canopy walk of Kirstenbosch. You’ll also see Cape fur seals and penguin colonies on this all-inclusive trip!

Robben Island Ferry Ticket and Township Combo Tour

Learn about life under apartheid and the slow recovery of South Africa’s poor in a walking tour of Cape Town townships, including the infamous District 6. You’ll get the chance to support local business and buy authentic hand-crafted souvenirs!

Visit a traditional Shebeen and try homemade beer. See a traditional healer or Sangoma. From there you’ll go on to a township once reserved for ‘coloureds’ and learn about the racial divisions that classified and separated them.

Afterward, you’ll take a ferry to Robben Island, the notorious prison island where Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in prison.

Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.

It looks exactly like a normal belt  except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)

Find out what people want to know when planning their Cape Town itinerary.

How long do you need in Cape Town?

We recommend having at least 5 full days to explore Cape Town. Any extra days are ideal for safaris and day trips.

What should you include on a 3 day Cape Town itinerary?

Don’t miss out on these top Cape Town highlights! – Table Mountain – Bo Kaap – Kalk Bay – Zeitz MOCAA

Where should you stay if you have a full Cape Town itinerary?

Observatory is one of the best places to stay in Cape Town. It sits just outside the city centre and is full of culture and things to do.

What are the best day trips and tours from Cape Town?

Head out on a South African Safari Tour or a day of wine tasting in the Winelands. Other popular day trips include a Cape Peninsula Tour and a trip to the famous Robben Island.

 You’ll get to experience so much of what the country has to offer by exploring all the stops on our Cape Town itinerary. See marine and mountain wildlife, experience adrenaline-pumping adventures, foodie delights, and historical education.

Whether you’re spending two days in Cape Town, or two weeks, there’s truly something for everyone in South Africa’s mother city. Get a taste for the diverse range of cultures, interests, and most importantly, outdoor activities! They’ll leave you wishing you too could live here, where the water meets the mountains.

If you want to explore more of South Africa’s wild side and diverse cultures, leave behind the Western Cape for the more rural, rugged parts of the country. You can check out our tips for backpacking in South Africa to get inspired and informed!

If there something else you’ve loved doing or seeing in Cape Town? Let us know. We’re always keen to explore and add to our Cape Town trip itinerary. We’ll definitely be back!

Lerato Bambo

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Cape Town Itinerary: 2 Days, 5 Days or 7 Days

We first visited Cape Town together back in 2015, as the starting point for our main two-week holiday. Given that we planned to visit as much of South Africa as possible in that two-week period, we were only able to spend three nights in this amazing city. We quickly realised that this wasn’t enough time – there are so many things to do in Cape Town!

This time around we are maxing out our three-month South African tourist visas, and we based ourselves in Cape Town for the majority of our time. We absolutely loved living here, and we loved experiencing all the amazing things this city has to offer.

Here are our top choices of things to do in Cape Town from our three months here. We hope that you find it useful when building your own Cape Town itinerary.

Cape Town Itinerary: 2, 5 or 7 days

We have put together a number of different Cape Town itineraries in the table below depending on how much time you have available.

You can find full descriptions of every activity and many more suggestions to add into your own Cape Town itinerary in the rest of this post! Mix and match as you like.

We have also included where to eat and where to stay in Cape Town as well as our top safety tips.

2 Day Cape Town Itinerary

5 day cape town itinerary, 7 day cape town itinerary, things to do in cape town – build your cape town itinerary, climb table mountain.

Table Mountain is easily one of the top things to do in Cape Town and an absolute must on any Cape Town itinerary. We have been up multiple times!

Table Mountain is the top tourist attraction in Cape Town and for good reason! It is simply iconic and one of the oldest mountains in the world at 600 million years old. The name comes from the fact Table Mountain has a flat ‘table like’ peak.

The mountain is spectacular when viewed from a distance, exciting on the way up and the views once you reach the peak are simply jaw dropping! You can take a cable car there and back if you really want to, but we highly recommend  hiking Platteklip Gorge  on the way up and getting the cable car down – it is completely worth the experience!

You can get a taxi from the city centre to the cable car station for around R110-120.

Activity cost:  the cable car fares are R190 one way or R330/290 return depending on the time of day.

Address:  Table Mountain Cable Car Station,  Tafelberg Rd, Gardens, Cape Town, 8001

Hike Signal Hill and/or Lions Head

If you feel like hiking Table Mountain might be a little too tough, opt to climb Signal Hill or Lions Head instead. Well, we say climb, Signal Hill is more of a drive to the car park at the viewpoint!

Signal Hill is a flat-topped hill situated next to Lions Head. When viewed together with Lions Head (some squinting may be needed to see it!), some people see a sleeping lion, or a sphinx, with Signal Hill forming the back, or the rump of the lion.

From the car park, you can then choose to go further and climb Lions Head, a hike which is particularly popular at sunset. Although there are certain parts of the climb that do involve using steps, ladders and holding onto a few chains, overall this is a relatively easy hike, and should take no more than an hour to reach the top.

For the less adventurous, just take a few drinks, some snacks, drive to the car park and sit and watch the sunset from Signal Hill instead. The views from here will be equally as impressive!

Activity cost: free!

Boulders Beach – See the penguins!

This is an absolute must-do during your time in Cape Town! Walking past any tour agency in Cape Town you are likely to see images of the adorable African penguins, and you will immediately want to go and see them for yourselves.

The penguins are found at Boulders Beach in Simons Town, a 30-40 minute drive from Cape Town. Boulders Beach is also one of the few places in the world that is home to a land-based colony of penguins.

African penguins are a unique species, and unfortunately are also becoming endangered. However these cute little creatures are under the protection of SANParks, and your entrance fee to see them goes back into the conservation of both themselves and their habitat on the beach.

The conservation fee to access is R152, which gives you access to the main colony visible by raised wooden walkways, ending in a large platform overlooking the main stretch of beach, named Foxy Beach. Here is where you will find most of the penguins, either nesting if it is season or going in and out of the water.

However, your entrance fee also gives you access to a second entrance, which gives access onto Boulders Beach itself. To get here you need to carry on walking down Kleintuin Road rather than turning into the ‘main entrance’. After about a 10-minute walk you will arrive at another ticket office where you can purchase if you haven’t already done so, or you can show your original ticket. Once through you can walk onto the beach with the penguins – making sure to always stay at least a metre away!

For obvious reasons, please do not feed or touch the penguins. They can and will bite!

If you feel like braving the cold, you are also permitted to swim at this beach. If you’re lucky there will be penguins in the water with you!

Most day tours that visit Cape Point will also include a visit to Boulders Beach (usually with entrance at your own expense) which is great if you are only in Cape Town for a few days. However, these day tours are usually operated on limited time, so will only grant access to the main colony for ease and guaranteed viewing before moving onto the next stop. If you want to have more time, and want to visit the penguins on the beach and swim with them, we recommend visiting in your own time. The drive from Cape Town is very coastal, scenic and easy, and there are plenty of other smaller towns to visit on the way for lunch etc.

Activity cost:  R152 for entrance

Address:  Boulders Beach, Kleintuin Road

Explore the V&A Waterfront

The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, named V&A Waterfront for ease is one of Cape Towns most visited attractions, and it’s easy to see why!

Spanning over 123 hectares, the Waterfront serves a number of different purposes. It offers residential property, tourist accommodation such as hotels and guesthouses, and different entertainment facilities. The Waterfront is also home to Cape Towns working harbour, one of the oldest in the Southern Hemisphere, where many different boat trips such as sunset cruises depart from.

There are also extensive dining options found here, all lining the waters edge. There are restaurants to suit everyone from the usual fast-food outlets, fish restaurants (naturally given the location), international cuisine, and quite a few fine-dining options. Some of our favourite restaurants are located at the Waterfront!

The V&A Waterfront is also home to a large shopping mall, the Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre. Here you will find most of your large chain clothing stores, 2 large supermarkets and a number of different arts, crafts and souvenir stores.

One of our favourite parts of the Waterfront has to be the V&A Foodmarket. This is along the lines of a street-food market, housed in a warehouse, with a number of different foodstalls, offering locally produced products. You will find hand-made ice-creams, pastries, baked goods, Cape Malay dishes, sandwiches and wraps, artisanal pizzas – something to satisfy everyone! We quite often just find ourselves wandering through for the tasters alone!

All of this is found in an absolutely stunning setting, as the V&A Waterfront offers panoramic ocean views, views of the CBD, but most spectacular of all, Table Mountain as a backdrop. So if you don’t fancy coming here for shopping or eating, you can at least come and enjoy a cocktail, coffee, bottle of wine and just admire the beautiful scenery.

Depending on where you are staying in Cape Town, you can either choose to walk to the Waterfront, or opt to take an Uber.

Go wild on Safari

Having a safari experience should be on everybody bucket list when they visit South Africa! However, we know that not everybody will have the time for a full multi-day safari option, such as is found at Kruger National Park.

We have a couple of options in mind:

1. Aquila Safari

Aquila Safari is a great choice, because if you do have time constraints and are unable to overnight, they also offer both full and half-day Big 5 safari experiences, all easily accessible within a two-hour drive from Cape Town!

Depending on the package booked, you will also get to experience a safari either on horse-back, or quad bike which is absolutely incredible! Don’t worry – this doesn’t take you anywhere near the lions! Some of the full-day packages will also allow you pool access too between game drives!

If you are unable to self-drive from Cape Town, Aquila can also arrange either a shared or a private transfer for you, from any central Cape Town hotel.

Ideally though you will be able to overnight, and enjoy the beautiful accommodation onsite, and sample the delicious buffet served for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

We loved our experience at Aquila, and highly recommend. Take a look at everything on offer and book your safari  here .

Address:  Situated on the R46, Touwsrivier, South Africa

2. Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

Sanbona is a little bit further than Aquila being a 3 hour drive, however if you do have the time we can’t recommend it enough! This is a 5 star luxury, authentic safari at its best. It has to be one of our highlights of our entire 3 months.

We wrote an entire post on our experience at Sanbona, take a  look here  to see why we think you should make time to visit!

Cape Town Side Car Tours

This has to be one of the best and most unique ways to tour Cape Town. Forget about coaches and minivans if you are feeling adventurous and jump on a side car!

We spent the day with Cape Town Side Car Tours and they took us all the way to Cape Point with many stops along the way including an ostrich farm, the very hipster Kalk Bay, and Scarborough Beach to name a few.

Cape Town Side Car tours have been running for just over 15 years. All the tours are private which means that everything can be pretty much tailor made on the day depending on the weather and what you would like to do. You will also be provided with a trendy leather jacket, a bandana to keep and a helmet of course!

We were initially going to explore Bettys Bay, however on the day it was very foggy in that direction and our driver Bradley made the excellent suggestion to change our plans altogether and head towards Cape Point. We are glad we took his advice. Bradley was knowledgeable, friendly and we really enjoyed his company.

We had a lot of fun, learnt a bit about each stop and saw much more than we expected. If you want a tour of Cape Town and a unique experience, we highly recommend taking a look at Cape Town Side Car tours!

Go and get yourself booked  here.

Activity cost:  Shorter 2 hour tours start at R1,150 per person with driver. Full day (8 hours) tours are R2,325  per person with driver. For any tour there is a minimum of two passengers per booking or a surcharge for single passenger bookings. Tailor made trips are also available.

Address : 1 Dickens Road, Salt River, 7925, Cape Town, South Africa.

Visit Cape Point

You can expect incredible views wherever you go in Cape Town and Cape Point is a prime example!

Cape Point is the most south-westerly tip of Africa (the most southern being Cape Agulhas) and attracts 1000s of tourists each year. Pretty much any sightseeing tour you go on will take you here, but you can of course drive yourself if you wish.

The area of Cape Point offers dramatic views of the cliffs, ocean, bays, hills and mountains. It is a haven for over 250 species of wildlife including zebra, eland and the notorious baboons (keep your distance)!

Here you can go on a hike, take picnics along the coast line, visit the most powerful lighthouse in South Africa and take a photo at the iconic Cape of Good Hope (this being the tip).

Activity cost: There is a fee to access the area of R303 (€19 or $21) for international adults or R76 for SA residents.

Kirstenbosch Gardens

We had heard great things about Kirstenbosch Gardens before arriving in Cape Town and we were not disappointed!

Considered to be one of the most beautiful gardens in Africa, you can easily spend hours getting lost here.

The gardens themselves back onto Table Mountain adding to the already beautiful scenery.

We explored the gardens ourselves and would have loved to stay longer for a picnic. They also offer guided tours throughout the day.

Perhaps the most iconic part of the gardens is the stunning elevated walkway bringing you above the trees for the best views of all!

You can get here via taxi, car or if you purchased a hop on hop off bus pass then this is one of the stops.

Activity cost:  R70

Address:  Rhodes Dr, Newlands, Cape Town, 7735

Check out their  website  for the most up to information.

Board a boat to Seal Island

If you want to see over 64,000 Cape fur seals then head to Seal Island.

The island is just 15 minutes by boat from Hout Bay harbour and there is a dedicated boat that runs trips there throughout the day.

This is just a small excursion and usually part of most day tours of Cape Town but you can also drive to Hout Bay harbour and do it yourself, it is quite a spectacle!

Activity cost:  The ticket to board costs R90 for adults and R50 for children.

Hop on Hop off Bus

If you have limited time in Cape Town, or just want to keep things simple, consider the hop on hop off bus.

This heads to the most popular tourist spots including Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront, Camps Bay and Kirstenbosch Gardens.

Tickets start from R200 for one day but there are options to extend the length and the number of activities included.

Take a look  here  for more.

Activity cost: From R200.

Explore Bo-Kaaps beautiful rainbow houses

This is one for the instagrammers. Bo-Kaap is known for its brightly coloured houses, its history and for being home to Cape Towns Malay community.

The main draw for tourists is the houses, all of which are painted in unique colours creating a rainbow effect as you walk around the neighbourhood. However, there is much more to Bo-Kaap and we recommend taking an organised or a free walking tour to learn more about this historical neighbourhood.

One of the main things to do here is to try out the local restaurants for a Cape Malay meal. Expect to find lots of curries, roti’s and samosas on the menus around here!

To get to Bo-Kaap is very easy. Bo-Kaap sits at the bottom of Signal Hill in the city centre, just walk up Wale Street and it will be very obvious. Depending on where you are staying you can walk or you can just get an Uber.

Activity cost: Free!

Cape Towns Beaches

Cape Towns beaches are world famous. In fact they often rank very highly on TripAdvisors best beaches in the world!

The thing we love most about Cape Towns beaches, is the surrounding scenery. There are many places in the world where you can experience soft white sand but here, the surrounding views of the mountains and different landscapes make everything that bit more special.

Because there are so many beaches on offer, you can sometimes avoid other tourists altogether. Make sure you check out these beaches:

• Camps Bay: this is the most popular and touristy beach in Cape Town. See more about Camps Bay below.
• Clifton 1,2,3,4: Clifton has 4 different beaches with each separated by boulders. The boulders act as a natural wind barrier which is why many people enjoy coming here.
• Sandy Bay: Sandy Bay is actually a nudist beach and takes a little more effort to get to. Once you arrive at the car park it’s a 15 minute walk to get to the beach, but for us this was one of the best. It was quiet, with no one selling anything and perfectly pristine!
• Gay beaches? – Check out our full guide to  Cape Towns gay beaches .

Don’t forget, the sea here is the Atlantic Ocean and it is notoriously cold! Take a quick dip but you probably will not be swimming. If you head further up the coast towards the Indian Ocean side, the temperature changes quite dramatically (and attracts the sharks!).

Don’t worry too much about sharks. For the beaches at any level of risk there are shark spotters or shark nets which have always been very effective.

Activity cost: Free.

Camps Bay feels a bit like Miami Beach.

Camps Bay has one of the most popular white sand beaches in Cape Town and is surrounded by spectacular mountains including the Twelve Apostles Mountain Range.

The street running alongside the beach is lined with palm trees, many trendy restaurants and bars and is the perfect place to spend the day. This is one of the fancier neighbourhoods and yet everything is still very reasonably priced.

We recommend spending the afternoon at the beach and then watching sunset with a cocktail in hand.

The sunset here is particularly amazing and well worth coming for even if you don’t fancy a beach day. There are many restaurants with open fronts offering beautiful views of the sunset as you enjoy a leisurely dinner and drinks. Check out ‘The 41’ while you are there.

Activity cost:  The beach is free!

Address:  Camps Bay, Cape Town

Fly high with NAC Helicopters Cape Town

At some point in your life you have to ride in a helicopter. This is definitely a bucket list experience!

Here in Cape Town, NAC Helicopters Cape Town offer spectacular helicopter tours of Cape Town and the surrounding area. You can see everything from Cape Point, to Robbens Island, the surrounding bays and if you are lucky, whales from a birdseye view!

The views around Cape Town are some of the most impressive we have seen and you will be blow away – we certainly were!

For those who have never been in a helicopter before, the thing that strikes us both is how smooth the ride is. Sion can be a bit unsure with heights, but for some reason, because everything is so effortless and smooth, it does not feel scary at all!

What you might not know is that Cape Town is one of the cheapest places to experience a helicopter ride. Compare the price to places like New York and for the same flight time, here in Cape Town the cost is half or less!

Go and get yourself booked at their  website .

Activity cost:  This depends on the time you want to fly and the size of the helicopter. A 12-minute flight is R3,800 between up to 3 people and a 40-60-minute flight costs R15,300 between up to 3 people. You can also request a tailor made trip and quote.

Address:  East Pier Road, Waterfront, Cape Town

Full Day Tour of Cape Town – Springbok Atlas Tours

If you are short on time and doing a 2 day Cape Town itinerary we highly recommend you book a full day tour.

We used Springbok Atlas Tours and had an excellent day. We managed to see Seal Island, Boulders Beach for penguins, drive Chapmans Peak, go to the Cape of Good Hope and visit Kirstenbosch Gardens all in one day.

This was an excellent introduction to the city and if you have more time you can then revisit some of these locations.

Shark Cage Diving – White Shark Diving Company

Most shark diving tours operate from Gansbaai which is a few hours from Cape Town – you won’t find shark cage diving in Cape Town itself but these companies can arrange shuttles or you can drive.

This is one of the few places in the world that you can do this activity and we really hope you do it! It’s exhilarating, exciting and no where near as scary as you might expect. We were more concerned about how cold the water was!

We used White Shark Diving Company  for our shark cage dive and had an incredible experience. The trip we did was very early so both breakfast and lunch were provided.

Activity cost: R2,050 for the dive plus R450 for a return shuttle if required.

Address:  9 Kusfront, Van Dyks Bay, 7220

Outdoor Pools

With temperatures in Cape Town easily reaching close to 30 °C during the summer months, taking a dip in one of Cape Towns numerous outdoor pools seems to be the perfect way to keep cool. And with 35 public swimming pools (some of these are indoor) in and around Cape Town, you’re going to be spoilt for choice!

Our top choice would definitely be Sea Point Pavilion. Located between the sea and the promenade, here you will be swimming surrounded by some incredible views.

This pool complex has an Olympic-sized pool, a diving pool and 2 pools for children. There are also numerous kiosks and snack vendors, so you can easily spend a whole day out cooling off!

Activity cost: Prices can vary, but expect to pay between R20 – R30 for adults / R10 – R20 for children

Address: Sea Point Pavilion, Lower Beach Road, Sea Point

For information and locations of all Cape Town’s swimming pools, visit  this website .

Wine Tasting – Beau Constantia

South Africa as a whole is known for its wineries and no visit to Cape Town would be complete without a wine tour or wine tasting day.

If you are limited for time, we suggest a wine tasting for an hour or two as one of the wineries. Our favourite in Cape Town has been Beau Constantia. This winery has beautiful rolling hills and a stylish tasting room overlooking the valley.

Here you can try 4 different wines (one white, one rose and two red) for just R100! You can also order by the glass, by the bottle or to take away. We loved the rose here so decided to buy two bottles to take home!

You can get an Uber from the city centre to Beau Constantia for around R170.

Activity cost: R100 for wine tasting and then around R40+ for a single glass depending on your taste and how much wine you want to drink!

Address : 1043 Constantia Main Rd, Constantia, Cape Town, 7806

Drink wine all day on a wine tour

If you have the full day available, you can opt to go on a wine tasting tour rather than just wine tasting at one winery.

Most tours visit 4 or 5 different wineries where you can learn about the process of making wine as well as tasting many varieties. Expect to try 4 or 5 at each place so you might want to pace yourself!

Most travel companies in Cape Town will offer wine tours. We had a day out with Jakes from  Amatulunga Tours  and visited 3 different wineries combined with some other activities.

Activity cost:   Wine tours range from about R600 per person upwards. We suggest shopping around as there are many good deals available.

Hope on Hopkins – Gin Tasting

If you love gin, this is a no brainer – you have to come here during your time in Cape Town.

At Hope on Hopkins you can take part in a gin tasting experience for just 150 ZAR (c$10). You get to try 4 different gins in total.

Each time you are served a gin, the server gives you a full explanation of how it is made, what is unique about it and what garnish they are serving.

The gin tasting takes place in a small bar which is set inside the factory so you can actually see the gin being produced.

Hope on Hopkins was started by Lucy and Lee who came here, fell in love with gin and hoped things would work out – hence the name. The business has been going for 5 years and you can find Hope gin across South Africa and in some parts of Europe.

Tastings are only once a week on Saturdays between 12-5 so make sure to book.

Activity cost: R150 for 4 gins.

Address: 7 Hopkins Street, Salt River, Cape Town, South Africa

Indulge in a Spa Day

One of the things that we will keep coming back to is the cost of activities in Cape Town compared to the likes of the UK or US for example. Spa days here are much cheaper, especially if you look at a website similar to dealzone or Wikideals.

We recently paid R999 for a couples spa day at Avara Wellness Spa (found on Wikideals). This included 1 hour and 15 minutes of treatments, a mini cheese board, chocolates, a bottle of wine and use of the facilities.

However, top of our list for spa experiences has to be the Jiva Grande Spa found in the Taj Cape Town. From the welcome reception, to relaxation lounge and treatments, everything was top class and luxurious. If you deserve a treat, take a look.

This was a really nice way to spend the day and very reasonable to!

Activity cost: look on Wiki Deals.

Sail at Sunset with Mirage Chartered Sailing

There are many options when it comes to sailing in Cape Town. However, if you want the VIP luxury experience on the largest catamaran in the harbour, there is only one option- the Mirage.

This owners of the Mirage designed and built it themselves. It is modern, stylish and comes complete with a bar, BBQ and the option to float a pool out into the ocean.

You can either take a chartered cruise during the day, or head out to see a spectacular sunset with some champagne. We would of course choose the latter!

Activity cost: enquire online at  www.miragecatamaran.com

Address:   Pierhead (opposite the clock tower), V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

Stellenbosch Wine Festival – once a year!

Stellenbosch is a very famous wine region just 40 minutes from Cape Town, and each year all the wineries gather together for the Stellenbosch Wine Festival held at the V&A Waterfront Cape Town.

In 2019 it was held on the 6th and 7th of April, and it was our first time at a wine festival! As you can imagine, we loved it!

The cost was R150 ($10) for entrance which included a souvenir wine glass and 20 tokens. One token gets you a taster of a wine of your choosing, four tokens a glass (for the most part, some expensive wines are more) – although this was by no means a hard a fast rule, some of the wineries were very generous indeed! Do we remember leaving the festival? We’re not going to answer that…

There were over 40 wineries on offer, and also tasting stalls offering cheese, meats and fruits. You could also buy cheese and charcuterie boards which are of course the perfect accompaniment to wine!

All in all this was a great day out, so if you visit Cape Town around April, see if this is on!

Where to eat in Cape Town

The food here is to die for, head over to our guide ‘Where to eat in Cape Town: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner’.

Where to stay in Cape Town?

There are plenty of options for all budgets and depending where you travel from, you might find your money stretches a little further here so you can treat yourself.

Take a look at the following places which we recommend based on our own experience through staying at or visiting these hotels ourselves.

Taj Cape Town

This has to be in our top ten hotels we have ever stayed in. Situated in the heart of Cape Town city centre is the luxurious 5 star Taj hotel.  The breakfast, the food, facilities and service are all first class.

We loved the decor and style of the rooms and during our visit went up to see the presidential suite which was simply out of this world. Make sure you book a room with a view of Table Mountain.

We stayed here for our final two nights in Cape Town and suggest you do the same. Check out availability here .

Cost:  c$250 per night depending on room and season.

Address:  1 Wale St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8000

Lagoon Beach Hotel

We fell in love with this hotel simply because of the view. The hotel is on the beachfront just outside the centre and if you book a Table Mountain view room we guarantee you will be blown away. After 2 months in Cape Town we were blown away indeed!

The breakfast here was excellent, as was the pool area (2 pools) and all other facilities.

The hotel also offers free shuttles to and from the V&A Waterfront.

Cost : c$80-300 per night depending on room type and season.

For up to date prices and availability take a look  here .

Address : Lagoon Beach Road, Milnerton, 7435 Cape Town

The President Hotel

The President Hotel is a 5 star luxury hotel located in Bantry Bay where you can expect some amazing sunsets.

What stood out to us about this hotel was the pool and infinity pool area. It was very stylish and reminded us of an expensive Ibiza beach club.

Cost : c $140 per night depending on season.

Address : 4 Alexander Rd, Bantry Bay, Cape Town, 8001

Park Inn by Radisson Cape Town Foreshore

This is a 4 star hotel with stylish rooms, a rooftop bar and a plunge pool.

It was also the hotel to sponsor gay pride in Cape Town and was previously the location for the monthly LGBT Village drinks.

It also boasts great views of the iconic Table Mountain! Take a look at this hotel here.

Cost:  c$100 per night depending on season.

Address:  Park Inn by Radisson Cape Town Foreshore, 29 Heerengracht St, Foreshore, Cape Town, 8000

The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa

If you feel like treating yourself, head to the beautiful Camps Bay and check out Twelve Apostles.

This is a luxury hotel with exceptional service, friendly staff, outstanding food and incredible views. They also offer a shuttle bus taking you into Camps Bay and the V&A Waterfront.

Cost: c$400 per night depending on season.

Address: Twelve Apostles, Victoria Road, Camps Bay 8000 South Africa

All the above hotels are by default ‘gay friendly’ given that they are in Cape Town – for more gay owned accommodation or exclusively gay accommodation take a look at our full ‘ Gay Guide to Cape Town ’.

Booking.com

Practical Tips

• The water is safe to drink here.
• The currency is the South African rand denoted R or ZAR. Approx R17=£1 or R14=$1.
• Ubers here are the safest and cheapest means of transport. Avoid walking around at night.
• Like any major city you have to take safety serious – make sure you read these  safety tips  before you go.
• Weather – Cape Town can get four season in one day, be prepared for everything.
• They have mosquitos – bring some bug spray for the evening.
• Here we drive on the left side of the road.
• They call traffic lights robots.
• If you want a good supermarket use Pick n Pay at the V&A Waterfront specifically.

We have absolutely no doubt at all that you will have the most incredible time in Cape Town and the rest of South Africa if you venture further afield. It is truly one of our favorite countries.

Let us know if there is anything we should add to our Cape Town itinerary!

Get more South Africa travel inspiration from these posts:

• The Complete Guide to Knysna
• The Complete Gay Guide to Cape Town
• Top 5 Things to do in Oudtshoorn (and why we love it)
• How to hike Table Mountain (the easyish way)
• 12 tips for keeping safe in Cape Town!

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Note:  This post has affiliate links. You won’t get charged any extra for using the link but we will receive a small commission for each referral. Please note, all opinions are still our own. You are not obligated to use the link but we appreciate it if you do. Thanks.

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Iris C. Permuy

Wednesday 12th of June 2019

Oh my gosh! What have you done? Caoe Town wasn't on my bucket list and now you made it appear among the top positions! Seriously, this itinerary looks like perfection to me. Thanks!

The Globetrotter Guys

Friday 14th of June 2019

I'm so glad to hear it! It's one of our favorites and we want everyone to visit and enjoy CT!

Nicole Hunter

Saturday 1st of June 2019

Wow! This is an excellent list of some pretty amazing activities, safaris and hotels. I was in Cape Town 20 years ago. Some of this stuff I did but others, I did not. Cape town is one of my all time favourite places just for its absolute sheer beauty.

Sunday 2nd of June 2019

We couldn't agree more! It's the perfect destination choice - a beautiful city with plenty on offer.

This is an excellent and detailed itinerary for Cape Town. I'm sad I missed visiting when I was in South Africa, there's so much to do here. For me, seeing the penguins would be a must - but no feeding. A safari would also high on the list as I love animals. Though I'll leave the shark cage diving to the more adventurous!

Aw that's such a shame! You will just have to go back! And if you don't feel like shark cage diving, you are still permitted onboard to observe and take pictures!

Wow there is so much to do in Cape Town! The side car tours look like a really fun and unique way to explore the area. I would definitely want to go to seal island too. Thanks for all the great information :)

This was something we had never come across anywhere else before either, so simply had to do it!

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Safaris From Cape Town - Compare 110 Tours

5-Day Radisson Luxury Fly-in Kruger Safari

$1,628 pp (USD)

South Africa: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle) Luxury+ Hotel

You Visit: Cape Town (Start) , Hoedspruit (Town) , Kruger NP, Panorama Route (Highlight) , Cape Town (End)

MoAfrika Tours   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

4.9 /5  –  1206 Reviews

7-Day South Africa Luxury Tour

$3,131 to $3,638 pp (USD)

South Africa: Private tour Luxury Lodge & Guest House

You Visit: Cape Town (Start) , Franschhoek (Winelands) , Timbavati NR (Greater Kruger) , Hoedspruit Airport (Hoedspruit) , Hoedspruit (End)

4.9 /5  –  149 Reviews

11-Day Luxury Garden Route Honeymoon - Whales and Safari

$8,478 pp (USD)

South Africa: Self-drive Luxury Lodge

You Visit: Cape Town (Start) , Hermanus (Whales) , De Hoop NR, Plettenberg Bay (Garden Route) , Kwandwe GR, Port Elizabeth (End)

5.0 /5  –  42 Reviews

3-Day Big Five Safari Garden Route Game Lodge

$267 to $404 pp (USD)

South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle) Luxury Lodge

You Visit: Cape Town (Start) , Garden Route GR (Garden Route) , Cape Town (End)

Gems of Africa Safari and Tours   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

4.9 /5  –  100 Reviews

6-Day Cape Town, Cape Winelands & Aquila Safari

$902 to $924 pp (USD)

South Africa: Private tour Mid-range Hotel

You Visit: Cape Town (Start) , Winelands, Aquila GR, Cape Town Airport (End)

Africa Incoming   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

4.7 /5  –  13 Reviews

8-Day Luxury Cape Town and Kruger Safari

$4,737 to $6,460 pp (USD)

South Africa: Private tour Luxury Lodge & Hotel

You Visit: Cape Town (Start) , Kruger NP, Lion Sands GR (Sabi Sand GR) , Johannesburg (End)

Discover Africa Safaris   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

4.9 /5  –  421 Reviews

2-Day Big Five Safari Lodge & Western Cape/Cape Town

$345 to $378 pp (USD)

You Visit: Cape Town (Start) , Aquila GR, Cape of Good Hope (Cape Peninsula) , Cape Town (End)

Southern African Tours    Tour operator has an office in South Africa

4.7 /5  –  65 Reviews

9-Day Cape Town to Addo Elephant Park

$4,180 to $4,400 pp (USD)

South Africa: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle) Mid-range Guest House & Hotel

You Visit: Cape Town (Start) , Hermanus (Whales) , Knysna (Garden Route) , Addo Elephant NP, Garden Route NP (Tsitsikamma) (Garden Route NP) , Ostrich Farm (Highlight) , Oudtshoorn (Garden Route) , Paarl (Winelands) , Boulder's Beach (Penguins) , Cape Town (End)

Travel your African Dream   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

4.6 /5  –  5 Reviews

½-Day Cape Town-Sharks Cage Diving

$187 pp (USD)

South Africa: ½ Day tour Shared tour (max 4 people per group)

You Visit: Cape Town

Swahili Paradise Tours & Safaris

4.1 /5  –  85 Reviews

10-Day Classic Cape & Kruger National Park Safari

$2,882 to $3,145 pp (USD)

South Africa: Self-drive Luxury Lodge & Guest House

You Visit: Cape Town (Start) , Winelands, Timbavati NR (Greater Kruger) , Sabi Sand GR (Greater Kruger) , Johannesburg (End)

African Welcome Safaris   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

5.0 /5  –  233 Reviews

3-Day Big Five Safari and Cheetah Program Tour

$1,494 to $1,518 pp (USD)

South Africa: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle) Luxury Lodge

You Visit: Cape Town (Start) , Inverdoorn GR, Cape Town (End)

Knap Tours   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

5.0 /5  –  2 Reviews

9-Day Luxury Cape Town, Kruger NP and Victoria Falls

$5,093 to $5,658 pp (USD)

South Africa & Zimbabwe: Private tour Luxury Lodge & Hotel

You Visit: Cape Town (Start) , Kruger NP, Victoria Falls (End)

Off2Africa Travel

5.0 /5  –  96 Reviews

3-Day Aquila Big 5 Safari Game Reserve from Cape Town

$806 to $866 pp (USD)

South Africa: Private tour Luxury Lodge

You Visit: Cape Town (Start) , Aquila GR, Cape Town (End)

Beyond Africa Safaris   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

Not yet rated

10-Day Cape Town + Victoria Falls + Safari Botswana

$5,236 pp (USD)

Botswana, South Africa & Zimbabwe: Private tour Mid-range Camping & Lodge

You Visit: Cape Town (Start) , Victoria Falls, Chobe Riverfront (Chobe NP) , Moremi GR (Okavango Delta) , Maun Airport (Maun) , Johannesburg (End)

Savanna Safaris and Tours

5.0 /5  –  16 Reviews

2-Day The Cellars Hohenort - 1 Night

$363 to $429 pp (USD)

South Africa: Private tour Luxury Hotel

East Cape Tours   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

5.0 /5  –  61 Reviews

11-Day Cape Town, Garden Route, Big 5 Safari (Self-Drive)

$2,231 to $2,481 pp (USD)

South Africa: Self-drive Luxury Lodge & Hotel

You Visit: Cape Town (Start) , Knysna (Garden Route) , Lalibela GR, Port Elizabeth (End)

Pembury Tours   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

5.0 /5  –  428 Reviews

11-Day Cape Town - Vic-Falls - Greater Kruger Safari

$7,134 to $7,849 pp (USD)

Botswana, South Africa & Zambia: Private tour Luxury Lodge & Guest House

You Visit: Cape Town (Start) , Victoria Falls, Chobe NP, Nelspruit (Town) , Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger) , Skukuza (End)

African Safari Guru   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

5.0 /5  –  52 Reviews

13-Day South Africa Self Drive Honeymoon

$4,505 to $6,110 pp (USD)

You Visit: Cape Town (Start) , Winelands, Oudtshoorn (Garden Route) , Garden Route, Kwandwe GR, Chief Dawid Stuurman Airport (Port Elizabeth) , Port Elizabeth (End)

4-Day Kapama River Camp Fly-in Safari from Cape Town

$2,328 pp (USD)

South Africa: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle) Luxury+ Lodge

You Visit: Cape Town (Start) , Kapama GR (Greater Kruger) , Cape Town (End)

14-Day Beach to Bush, Cape Town to Kruger Eco-Adventure

$4,037 pp (USD)

South Africa: Self-drive Mid-range Lodge & Hotel

You Visit: Cape Town (Start) , Hermanus (Whales) , Knysna (Garden Route) , Garden Route NP (Tsitsikamma) (Garden Route NP) , Johannesburg (City) , Kruger NP, Southern Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)

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A 10 day Cape Town holiday itinerary

Author: Antoinette Booyse - 23 July 2021

Last Update: 30 January 2024

Part of the West Coast National Park Safaris & African Safari Collection

The beautiful Mother City has so much more to offer than just  Table Mountain  and Robben Island. It is a colourful city with various cultures, cuisines, and activities that will quickly fill your ten-day Ca pe Town holiday itinerary.

Why Cape Town?

Affordability.   You can easily enjoy a  five-star holiday in Cape Town on a lesser budget  with so many accommodation styles to choose from.

Accessibility.   Cape Town is compact, and you can quickly go from sea to safari within an hour or two, and if you prefer to settle in one accommodation within the City, you can easily take a day trip to any of the areas I’ll mention further below.

When to Visit

Cape Town is a year-round holiday destination with its peak season from late November to January.  As a born and bred Capetonian, let me just tell you that the months before and after the peak season is just as good, if not better.  The places won’t be as packed, and you’re more likely to experience calm and windless days.

What to include in your 10-day trip

Cape town city & peninsula.

You’ll need about three days to visit some of Cape Town City Centre’s highlights, and what the  beautiful False Bay area has to offer . Take a cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain and experience the magnificent view of Cape Town from high above.

Visit the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, and if you’re lucky enough to be here on a Sunday between late December and April, pack a picnic basket and be entertained by world-renowned artists at their outdoor Summer Concerts. Take a hop-on-tour on the famous Red bus around the city or visit the V&A waterfront with its big wheel and selection of bustling restaurants.

If weather permits –  treat yourself and your loved one to a romantic Champagne sunset cruise and watch the sun disappear behind the water’s edge painting everything in rich hues of red, orange, and purple.

Take a two-day trip  along the west coast  to the seaside towns of Langebaan and Paternoster and wake up with the soothing sounds of the ocean welcoming you to the beach.

A must-do is an outing to Die Strandloper for a proudly South African seafood feast consisting of Snoek, Kreef, Fish Curry, Mussels, and more with freshly baked bread, homemade jams, and freshly brewed moerkoffie as accompaniments. You’ll want to lie down after this!

Breede River Area

See the Big Five at the luxury Inverdoorn Game Reserve on either a day safari or opt for an overnight safari package, including meals and a sunrise safari.  I can think of few things as breathtaking as a sunrise safari, seeing the magnificent animals as your surroundings start waking up.

The Winelands

With its abundance of wine farms and award-winning selection, a visit to the Winelands is a must! With plenty of wine farms between Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Franschhoek, you’ll be spoilt for choice and let me tell you the food selection is as striking as the wines themself.

You’ll want to overnight here after all the tastings.  If you have the time do a  hop-on wine tour with the vintage Franschhoek Wine Tram .  The atmosphere is festive, and you’re joined with like-minded people sharing your love for the area and what it has to offer.

If you have some time available in your itinerary,  take a drive to Hermanus during the Whale Season  with the optimal time to spot them generally between July and October.

Visit the well known Bientang’s Cave Restaurant & Winebar, where you can watch these magnificent animals from the rocks above the ocean while enjoying a delectable meal.

Getting around in Cape Town

It is relatively easy getting around in Cape Town, and the best way would be to hire a car for your stay.  Activate your GPS, and you’re on your way to exploring one of the best cities in the world.

You may decide that you’ve experienced a safari before and, like me, may prefer the relaxed atmosphere of the West Coast towns, and you can!  It’s YOUR holiday; spend all ten days in the Winelands visiting over 150 different wine farms if you choose.  We don’t judge – just have fun!

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Cape Town Travel Guide: Where To Stay, Eat Drink And Safari In The South African City

C ape Town is a cultural melting pot, increasingly celebrated for its art, food and fashion, as well as being a natural wonder, home to stunning scenery - mostly associated with the ever-dominating Table Mountain that looks out over the city - incredible land and ocean wildlife, which offer the opportunity to get up close with safari options and beautiful beaches just a stone's throw from the metropolis.

Though it is a 12-hour flight from London, it has just a one-hour time difference meaning that it is far enough away to feel like you're exploring somewhere totally different and yet there is no jet lag to acclimatise to. This makes it an ideal long-haul location , especially if you're wanting to escape when the temperatures drop in the UK and start heating up in Cape Town (the hottest months of the year are January to March). Plus, there's no visa requirements for UK citizens.

All in all, it's very straightforward as far as far-away adventures go. Unlike other long haul trips where you might opt for multi-destination holidays to justify the lengthy travel time, there isn’t the need to do this in Cape Town. It has everything - food, beach, nature, adventure and wine - all within a short radius.

Sold yet? You're not the only one. It’s no surprise that in the aftermath of the pandemic, people have flocked to the African city, with January to June 2023 exceeding pre-pandemic levels by 104%, welcoming 1.4 million international visitors. Most visitors come from the UK, with an estimated 70,000 British tourists opting for Cape Town as their holiday destination in the first four months of 2023 alone.

Here's everything you need to know, from hotels to restaurants to safari in Cape Town:

Hotels in Cape Town

The Silo Hotel

Found in the trendy V&A waterfront area of the city, this former grain factory offers stunning 360° views of Table Mountain to across the water of Robben Island. An ideal city hotel, the rooms have everything you need and its delicious breakfast is first-class, setting you up perfectly for a day of sightseeing and exploring. The rooftop sky terrace is a must-visit for guests. In the winter, enjoy the view while cosying up with a blanket and glass of wine from the bar. In the summer, make use of the pool, which can also be found up there.

As well as boasting its own art collection - you can also have a private guided art tour by their in-house resident expert - the hotel is found on top of the Zeitz Museum Of Contemporary Art Africa, which is home to a stunning collection of art from across South Africa and the continent.

The One & Only

The Cape Town edition of the luxury chain has more of a resort feel (some rooms are accessible via a bridge over the canal where a resident otter lives), which is a great choice for travellers who like to add an element of R&R to their city escape. The rooms are minimalist, but with clear African influences on its design, such as printed curtains, beaded ornaments and natural wood decor.

Outside of the room, you can unwind in the spa, found on its own man-made island, where a pre or post-flight massage is definitely encouraged or visit the resort's wine studio for a private wine tasting session by their own expert sommelier sampling the best wine in the Cape Town region, accompanied by a delicious charcuterie board. For dining, the all-day food and drink site, Vista Bar, sits directly opposite Table Mountain for unparalleled views. The One & Only also boasts a Nobu restaurant, which until recently was the only posting of the famed Japanese eatery on the continent (Chef Nobu and Robert De Niro opened up their second African restaurant in Marrakech in spring 2023). The concierge can help arrange activities with excursions, including whale watching, hikes and even shark dives offered.

Restaurants in Cape Town

Cape Town has really put itself on the map for its dining options in recent years, with a huge variety of restaurants. From modern takes on South African cuisine to full gastronomic experiences, the city has something for everyone. As a pescatarian, there's a huge amount of non-meat options, too. Plus, Ubers are a super reliable, cheap and easy way to navigate the city and fit in as many eateries as possible.

New for 2023 is Salon , the sister restaurant of the world-renowned Pot Luck Club (and found just one floor below), which offers incredible multi-course tasting menus based on all the places across the world where chef Luke Dale-Roberts has worked. Salon's take on the Singapore Chilli, Malaysian Laksa and twist on the traditional South African Malva pudding to finish off our dinner are highlights.

Another must-visit restaurant for a full multi-course and wine-paired culinary experience is the exclusive Salsify at the Roundhouse (recently named Africa's best landmark restaurant by the World Culinary Awards), whose setting overlooks Camps Bay in one direction (which is worth a visit in itself. Head to the beach just before sunset for stunning views of the ocean in this quaint surfer setting) and Lion's Head in the other. Salsify offers a lengthy ten-course chef's menu (we loved the line fish), where for every course one of the kitchen's chefs will bring it to your table and talk you through the dish.

For a lunch or dinner option in one of the cooler parts of the city, try the new spot Club Kloof . The Italian-inspired menu specialises in small plates with Mediterranean influence. We recommend the Mac and Cheese Arancino and Mozarella-Stuffed Pizza Fritta paired with an Aperol Spritz, of course. The brightly-tiled interiors make for a dreamy dining setting, too.

Speaking of interiors, Upper Union is another eatery where the food is elevated by the stylised decor of the building. In the heart of Cape Town’s Kloof Street district, it is an interiors lover's dream thanks to the emerald, black and gold modern twist on the traditional Victorian heritage building. At Upper Union, you can opt for the chef's menu of a big main meal with sides (headed up by chef Amori Burger) or a sharing-style menu. Whichever you choose, pair it with a cocktail from the mixologist's menu of bespoke drinks.

Day trips from Cape Town

There is so much to see and visit in Cape Town. So much so that you probably won't get to do it all. But here are some of the essentials that you should try to tick off if possible.

You will see Table Mountain wherever you go and should definitely try and get up there to view the Mother City from the best view possible. There are cable cars which go to and from Table Mountain and we recommend downloading the app to double check the cable cars are running as they don't if there is poor visibility or difficult weather conditions. If you'd prefer to hike, there are a variety of routes to take, differing in length and ability.

A hugely important trip from Cape Town is to Robben Island, where a ticket includes the ferry over to the island where former president and anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years, along with countless other citizens who were held as political prisoners for their fight against the apartheid. The tour guides on Robben Island are former inmates, making the visit profoundly impactful as they present the squalid conditions where they were forced to sleep, eat and work, often with very limited outside visitation while being held under strict rules and regulations, including being forbidden from speaking to to other inmates. As well as seeing Mandela's cell, you are also shown the areas where he wrote (and hid around the prison) manuscripts for his memoir, Long Walk To Freedom.

Another day trip about an hour's drive away from the CBD (central business district) centre is the Cape of Good Hope, the most south-western point of the African continent. It's also where the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic Ocean so be prepared for breathtaking scenery of lush green mountains and crashing waves on the pebbled beaches.

Have a pit stop at Kalk Bay en route to the Cape of Good Hope, for kitsch coffee shops and souvenir spots, as well as sampling the fish and chips on the waterfront before taking a stroll to where seals will be found happily sunbathing.

Another must-visit is Boulders Beach , home to the famous colony of African penguins. Adorable.

Vineyards near Cape Town

There's the option to spend day trips visiting some of the many vineyards in the nearby wine region (some are as close as 30 minutes away) or you can extend your stay with a night or two there. In which case, you will likely end up in the beautiful town of Stellenbosch.

We opted to spend a night at the majestic Lanzerac Estate, a five-star country hotel with traditional décor full of beautiful quirky china antiques. Surrounded by mountains with a grand tree-lined driveway, the estate is home to rows of lush vines. We recommend heading to the deli for a wine tasting session. Try a glass of the rosé pinotage, a cross between the Pinot Noir and Hermitage grape, which originated at Stellenbosch University.

For a gorgeous dining experience in Stellenbosch where, of course, the wine is just as good too (there are 130 bottles on offer), we recommend the appropriately named The Wine Glass restaurant.

Safari near Cape Town

Of course, safari is a must when heading to South Africa. While the more widely known Kruger National Park is located further north nearer Johannesburg and Pretoria, it's incorrect to assume there aren't beautiful safari options nearer Cape Town, too.

Gondwana game reserve is a four and a half hour drive away from Cape Town. It's an easy drive, essentially one straight long road once out of Cape Town (stop off at Tredici bakery in Swellendam en route).

Gondwana is home to the big five: lion, elephant, rhino, hippo and buffalo, as well as herds of zebra, impala, cheetah, giraffe, monkeys and more. Guests are usually taken out for a morning and late afternoon safari. Thanks to the incredibly knowledgeable and passionate safari guides, highlights range from seeing a baby rhino crossing the path with his mother, a herd of giraffes having their morning breakfast and a post-hunt pride of lions chomping on their prey.

Though it is centrally about the wildlife and ensuing unforgettable experiences you make, the experience of Gondwana is heightened by the luxury accommodation. There are a range of options for your stay, from Ulubisi House, the staffed three-bedroom private lodge with a private pool, to the Kwena Lodge suites with a shared pool, sky lights for stargazing, and a range of indoor and outdoor restaurants offering incredible food.

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Sending suitcase: Cape Town to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe - South Africa Forum

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Sending suitcase: Cape Town to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

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We have a 8 day safari coming up leaving from Maun and ending in Victoria Falls and have been told we will not be able to bring our suitcase with us. We have this suitcase as it is part of a bigger itinerary where we will be travelling other countries and across the world, so it isnt an option to pack "lighter".

3 replies to this topic

Botswana Charter co’s here https://www.hatab.bw/index.php/members-listings/air-charter-airlines/19-members/a

It may be cheaper to replace your luggage and it's contents.

I assume you have asked your safari operator for advice, they should be able to suggest options.

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