7-Day South Africa Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day South Africa tour itineraries

Compiled by

NadineSouth Africa travel expert at TourRadar

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

  Rolling through 2000km of South African landscape, this tour visits 9 major destinations including Cape Town, Oudtshoorn, Addo Elephant Park, and Jeffrey's Bay, featuring daily drives of 200-500km.

  

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  • Day 1

    Cape Town to Oudtshoorn

    Leave Cape Town early and head east on Route 62, South Africa's version of Route 66. You'll see dramatic mountain passes and probably spot some roadside baboons along the way. A previous visitor shared: "The wine tasting pit stop halfway was perfect - nothing beats sampling local wines while overlooking the Valley of Wine." Once you reach Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital, settle in for some authentic Karoo hospitality. You might want to join the optional traditional "braai" (BBQ) under the stars.

    
  • Day 2

    Oudtshoorn to Addo

    Start with a visit to the impressive Cango Caves. You can pick either the easier Heritage Tour or take on the more challenging route through limestone chimneys. Stop at a local "padstal" (farm stall) to try South African favorites like bobotie and melktert. As you drive toward Addo, watch the landscape change from the dusty Klein Karoo to the green Sundays River Valley. Stay near the national park to be ready for tomorrow's safari.

    
  • Day 3

    Addo to Jeffrey's Bay

    Get up early for the best wildlife viewing in Addo Elephant National Park. Your guide will search for the Big Five as you explore the park's network of dirt roads. One TourRadar reviewer said: "Watching elephants interact at the waterhole was unforgettable." In the afternoon, head to Jeffrey's Bay, where surfing rules. You can take surf lessons, ride horses on the beach, or browse the surf wear shops. Take a swim in the warm Indian Ocean waters at sunset.

    
  • Day 4

    Tsitsikamma to Sedgefield

    Today is all about adventure. You can try the world's highest bungy jump at Bloukrans Bridge (216m) or go waterfall ziplining in Tsitsikamma forest if you want something less intense. Make sure to walk to Tsitsikamma's suspension bridges. Look out for local wildlife and hidden waterfalls. End your day in quiet Sedgefield or Wilderness with a peaceful beach walk.

    
  • Day 5

    Garden Route to Cape Town

    Head back to Cape Town through Mossel Bay. You can stop at Botlierskop if you want one more wildlife experience. The drive takes about 6 hours, so plan to stop and enjoy the views along the way. You'll get to Cape Town by early evening.

    
  • Day 6

    Stellenbosch Wine Route

    Visit three different wine estates in historic Stellenbosch for tastings. One visitor noted: "The cheese and chocolate pairings were divine, and our guide's knowledge of local wines was impressive." You'll have a traditional South African lunch between tastings. The tour includes more than 12 wine samples and gets you back to Cape Town in late afternoon.

    
  • Day 7

    Cape Peninsula

    Finish your week with a drive along Chapman's Peak Drive (114 curves in just 9km!) on your way to the Cape of Good Hope. Keep your eyes open for ostriches and baboons. Visit the African penguins at Boulders Beach. The boardwalks offer great viewing spots. You'll also stop at Hout Bay where you can take a short boat trip to see seals at Duiker Island.

    

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• 7 Days in South Africa, incl. Johannesburg and Kruger National Park

  A week-long safari takes you through 4 major destinations: Johannesburg, Blyde River Canyon, Kruger National Park, and Karongwe Private Reserve. The tour includes 6 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 6 dinners, and multiple ranger-led safari drives.

  

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  • Day 1

    Johannesburg

    Start your South African adventure in Johannesburg's upscale Rosebank district north of the city center. Try to book your arrival flight for mid-morning to avoid heavy traffic from O.R. Tambo International Airport. A guest at Malikana Guesthouse shared: "The hospitality at Malikana Guesthouse set the perfect tone for our adventure, with Soekie and her family making us feel right at home."

    
  • Day 2

    Panorama Route to Greater Kruger

    Take the 7-hour drive along the beautiful Panorama Route to Greater Kruger. Visit Blyde River Canyon (the world's third-largest) and see the incredible rock formations at Bourke's Luck Potholes. Stop at God's Window before noon when the morning mist usually clears for better views. Consider bringing motion sickness medication since the route has lots of curves.

    
  • Day 3

    Kruger National Park Safari

    Spend a full day on a game drive in Kruger National Park. You'll start at sunrise around 5:30 AM when wildlife is most active. Wear layers because mornings are cold but afternoons get hot. Your guide will look for the Big Five across the park. A recent visitor said: "Getting this close to animals of Africa is simply incomparable - watching a herd of elephants cross right in front of our vehicle was breathtaking."

    
  • Days 4-5

    Karongwe Private Game Reserve

    Spend two days at Karongwe for a more personal safari experience. The 9,000-hectare reserve offers pristine African bushveld. Morning drives begin around 5 AM and afternoon drives start at 4 PM to catch the sunset. You can meet researchers from the Cheetah Range Expansion Project to learn about big cat conservation. End your evenings with traditional South African braais under the stars.

    
  • Day 6

    Return to Johannesburg

    Take a final morning game drive in Karongwe before the 7-hour drive back to Johannesburg. Leave after 9 AM to avoid mining traffic. Bring snacks since food stops are limited. You'll arrive with time for a nice dinner in Rosebank's restaurant district.

    
  • Day 7

    Departure

    Book your departure flight after 10 AM to avoid morning rush hour traffic to the airport. The trip from Rosebank to O.R. Tambo takes between 45-90 minutes depending on traffic.

    

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

  Cape Town to Port Elizabeth unfolds across 11 South African destinations. The tour features Cango Caves, three game drives across private reserves, and marine safaris from Knysna.

  

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  • Day 1

    Cape Town to Oudtshoorn

    Leave Cape Town early for the 4-hour drive on Route 62 to Oudtshoorn. Plan to reach the Cango Caves before 2 PM to avoid big crowds. The limestone formations can be slippery, so wear shoes with good grip. The caves stay at 18°C all year, so bring a light jacket.

    
  • Days 2-3

    Addo Elephant National Park & Game Drives

    Addo Elephant Park is home to over 600 elephants. The best wildlife viewing is during early morning drives starting around 6 AM. Pack warm clothes for the open vehicle safaris since mornings get cold even in summer. The park's watering holes are great spots for wildlife photos, especially in the dry season from June to August when animals gather more frequently.

    
  • Day 4

    Garden Route Coastal Journey

    Head to Knysna, stopping at Jeffrey's Bay if you want to surf (best waves from June to August). Visit Storms River in Tsitsikamma National Park early to walk the suspension bridge trail before crowds arrive. The 2-hour coastal walk needs good shoes, especially in wet weather.

    
  • Day 5

    Plettenberg Bay & Knysna

    Start with a marine safari from Plettenberg Bay. If you're visiting between July and November, you might spot whales. Spend your afternoon in Knysna on a lagoon cruise. The sunset tours give you perfect shots of the Knysna Heads. Try the local oysters at the waterfront. They're best during months that have an 'R' in the name.

    
  • Day 6

    Hermanus & Return to Cape Town

    Drive 3 hours to Hermanus, one of the best places worldwide to watch whales from land. Take a walk on the 12km Cliff Path for great viewing spots. Plan your 2-hour return drive to Cape Town around sunset for beautiful views.

    
  • Day 7

    Cape Town & Stellenbosch Wine Region

    Finish your trip in the Cape Winelands. Wine tastings in Stellenbosch usually start at 10 AM. Visit at least two estates since the wines taste quite different between the valley floor and mountain slopes.

    

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