10-Day South Africa Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 10-day South Africa itineraries

Compiled by

NadineSouth Africa travel expert at TourRadar

• 10 Days in South Africa, incl. Cape Town and Garden Route

  The route spans 1,912km across 11 key South African destinations. Highlights include 2 days in Cape Town, overnight stays in Struisbaai near Cape Agulhas, Sedgefield along the Garden Route, and Jeffreys Bay. Visit Addo Elephant Park, Tsitsikamma National Park, and Oudtshoorn's Cango Caves.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Cape Town & Cape Agulhas

    Get picked up from Cape Town airport and settle into your city center accommodation. "The accommodations were well-located, making it easy to explore the city." Your second day takes you east along the R44 whale route to Hermanus where you can spot whales (seasonal) and stop at Birkenhead Brewery. End your day at Cape Agulhas, the southernmost point of Africa.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Garden Route & Tsitsikamma

    Go kayaking at Wilderness National Park on the Kaaimans River before spending the night in Sedgefield with its peaceful beaches and lakes. Visit Tsitsikamma National Park the next day for the suspension bridges trek. "The Storms River bridges walk was incredible - bring good shoes as it can get slippery after rain." You can also try the Bloukrans Bungy jump (world's highest at 216m) or visit an elephant sanctuary.

    
  • Days 4-5

    Jeffreys Bay & Addo

    Dive into J-Bay's surf culture with a lesson or some shopping at the factory outlets. Take an early morning safari at Addo Elephant National Park. "Our guide spent 4.5 hours taking us through Addo and knew exactly where to find the best wildlife viewing spots." Head back to Sedgefield through the scenic Knysna Heads.

    
  • Days 6-7

    Route 62 & Cape Town

    Explore the Cango Caves in Oudtshoorn. Pick between the standard tour or the more adventurous option if you're comfortable with tight spaces. Take the scenic Route 62 back to Cape Town. Spend day 7 doing activities like paragliding from Signal Hill or shark cage diving in Gansbaai.

    
  • Days 8-10

    Cape Peninsula & City Exploration

    Take in the Peninsula highlights including Bo-Kaap, Chapman's Peak Drive and Cape Point Nature Reserve. "The 40-minute hike from Cape of Good Hope to the lighthouse offers stunning views." Visit the penguins at Boulders Beach and try some wines in Constantia Valley. Use your final days to visit Table Mountain (go early to avoid lines) or fit in any last activities before heading home.

    

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• 10 Days in South Africa, incl. Cape Town and Kruger National Park

  A remarkable tour through 5 major destinations including Cape Town's Bo-Kaap, Soweto township, Kruger National Park, Blyde River Canyon, and Karongwe Reserve. Features 9 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 6 dinners, and multiple ranger-led safaris.

  

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  • Days 1-3

    Cape Town

    Begin your South African adventure in one of Africa's most stunning cities. Your second day takes you through the vibrant Bo-Kaap neighborhood with its colorful houses and rich Cape Malay culture. Start at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden before the crowds get there. Next stop is Boulders Beach to watch the African penguins. Head to Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope around 3 PM when the winds are calmer. Day 3 gives you flexibility in Cape Town. Get to the Table Mountain cable car when it opens at 8:30 AM since afternoon clouds often block the views. Want to visit Robben Island? Book tickets through their website at least a month ahead because tours sell out fast. You can also visit Stellenbosch wine region just 45 minutes away if morning weather makes Table Mountain inaccessible.

    
  • Day 4

    Cape Town to Johannesburg

    Take the 2-hour morning flight to Johannesburg. Spend your afternoon touring Soweto township and the meaningful Mandela House Museum. One visitor noted: "The Soweto tour was exceptional - having a guide who was part of the historical events made it incredibly moving and personal."

    
  • Day 5

    Panorama Route to Greater Kruger

    Set out early for a 7-8 hour drive on the beautiful Panorama Route. Visit Blyde River Canyon and God's Window before 11 AM to avoid the midday haze. Then continue to your lodge near Kruger. Bring motion sickness medication if you need it for winding roads.

    
  • Day 6

    Kruger National Park Safari

    Start your full-day safari around 5:30 AM when wildlife is most active. Dress in layers since mornings are cold but temperatures climb quickly. Bring binoculars to spot distant animals. Your guide will look for the Big Five but also point out the smaller animals that make Kruger unique.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Karongwe Private Reserve

    Move to Karongwe Private Reserve for closer wildlife encounters. You'll meet researchers studying big cat conservation and enjoy morning and afternoon game drives with great photo opportunities. End your evenings with a traditional South African braai under the stars.

    
  • Day 9

    Return to Johannesburg

    Take one last morning safari before the 7-hour drive back to Johannesburg. Pack plenty of snacks and water. Use this travel day to rest and think about your wildlife experiences.

    
  • Day 10

    Departure

    Book afternoon flights to avoid Johannesburg's morning traffic. Most city hotels are 30-45 minutes from the airport in normal traffic.

    

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• 10 Day South Africa Itinerary, incl. Johannesburg and Cape Town

  A spectacular route through 7 cities, including 4 game drives at Mabula Lodge, wine tasting in Franschhoek, and Cape Point. Features Table Mountain cable car rides, Boulders Beach penguins, and Cango Caves tours with 4-star accommodation throughout.

  

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  • Day 1

    Johannesburg

    Arrive at O.R. Tambo International Airport and get settled in the Sandton area, which offers better safety and convenient access to restaurants. "Even with jet lag, take time to visit the Apartheid Museum – it's crucial for understanding South Africa's history and puts everything else into perspective."

    
  • Days 2-3

    Mabula Game Reserve

    Travel 2.5 hours to Mabula Game Lodge. Get ready for early morning game drives starting around 5:30 AM when wildlife is most active. Bring layers since mornings are cold but afternoons warm up quickly. You'll enjoy four game drives over two days with good chances to spot the Big Five. No need for antimalarial medication in this Waterberg region.

    
  • Day 4

    Knysna via George

    Catch a morning flight to George and drive an hour to Knysna. The coastal drive offers beautiful Indian Ocean views. Book accommodation near the Waterfront for easy access to restaurants and lagoon cruises. Book your lagoon cruise for late afternoon when the lighting is perfect for photos of Knysna Heads.

    
  • Day 5

    Oudtshoorn Day Trip

    Start early for the 2-hour drive to Oudtshoorn. Visit Cango Caves first thing before crowds arrive. Bring shoes with good grip for the slippery cave floors. Visit ostrich farms in the morning when the birds are most active. Bring a light jacket for the caves regardless of outside temperature.

    
  • Day 6

    Franschhoek

    Take the scenic Garden Route to Franschhoek (5-6 hours). Stop for photos at Wilderness and Mossel Bay. Consider motion sickness pills for the winding mountain roads. Stay in central Franschhoek to walk everywhere easily.

    
  • Day 7

    Wine Tram and Cape Town

    Take the 10 AM Wine Tram tour to avoid crowds. "The hop-on-hop-off wine tram is brilliant. We visited four wineries but pace yourself – the pours are generous!" Head to Cape Town in the afternoon (1-hour drive).

    
  • Day 8

    Cape Town City and Table Mountain

    Start at Table Mountain when the cable car opens at 8:30 AM to avoid crowds and afternoon winds that might close operations. Buy tickets online to skip lines. Spend the afternoon exploring the city and Bo-Kaap. Wear good walking shoes for the cobblestone streets.

  • Day 9

    Cape Peninsula

    Begin your Peninsula tour at 8 AM to arrive at Boulders Beach penguin colony before tour buses. At Cape Point, take the Flying Dutchman funicular up and walk down for the best views. Pack a windbreaker for the Cape's strong winds.

  • Day 10

    Departure

    Book afternoon flights to enjoy morning shopping at V&A Waterfront. The airport is 20-30 minutes away but plan extra time during rush hour (7-9 AM).

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