Itinerary
- Day 1
Johannesburg
After picking up your rental car, head into Johannesburg's lively scene for the evening. You'll have dinner options at Nelson Mandela Square's top restaurants, and if it's the weekend, the Neighbourgoods Market has food and live music worth checking out. Later, walk through the street art and jazz clubs of Maboneng, then wrap up with drinks at a rooftop bar overlooking the city.
Optional Activities
- Dinner at Nelson Mandela Square restaurants
- Visit Neighbourgoods Market in Braamfontein (weekends only) - food, live music, local atmosphere
- Explore Maboneng district - street art, concept stores, jazz clubs
- Sundowner drinks at rooftop bar
Landmarks/POIs Nelson Mandela Square Neighbourgoods Market Maboneng - Day 2
Johannesburg to Kruger National Park
Drive out from the city into the wilderness with your rental car. You'll stop at scenic viewpoints for photos along the way, then visit Blyde River Canyon before arriving at your lodge next to Kruger National Park. Spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool and getting ready for safari tomorrow.
Included Activities
- Drive through South Africa's landscape with viewpoint stops
- Visit Blyde River Canyon
Landmarks/POIs Blyde River Canyon - Day 3
Kruger National Park
You'll drive yourself through Kruger National Park on your first safari. Watch for elephants, giraffes, zebras, and antelopes around waterholes and throughout the park. Bring your camera because you'll spot incredible wildlife in their natural habitat all day long.
Included Activities
- Self-drive safari tour through Kruger National Park
Landmarks/POIs Kruger National Park - Day 4
Kruger National Park
Continue searching for the Big Five during your safari. You're hoping to spot leopards and lions in the wild this morning. After the game drive, head back to the lodge and relax by the pool with views of the African wilderness, then enjoy a sundowner drink as the sun sets and you hear the sounds of the bush.
Included Activities
- Self-drive safari tour - Big Five search
Landmarks/POIs Kruger National Park - Day 5
Kruger National Park to Johannesburg
Drive back toward Johannesburg from Kruger National Park on long highways through savannah landscapes. You'll pass occasional sightings of impala and zebra along the way. Check into your airport hotel in the afternoon and take it easy this evening before your early flight.
- Day 6
Johannesburg to Plettenberg Bay
Fly to Gqeberha and collect your new rental car, then head straight to the Garden Route. You'll explore Tsitsikamma National Park with its dense forests and wild coastline, walk across suspension bridges, and optionally zipline through the canopy. Later, drive to Plettenberg Bay and walk barefoot on Lookout Beach with the Indian Ocean right there.
Included Activities
- Drive through Tsitsikamma National Park
- Visit suspension bridges in Tsitsikamma
- Drive to Plettenberg Bay
- Explore Lookout Beach
Optional Activities
- Zipline through canopy in Tsitsikamma National Park (30 meters above ground, payable on site)
Landmarks/POIs Tsitsikamma National Park Lookout Beach Plettenberg Bay - Day 7
Plettenberg Bay
Spend the day in Plettenberg Bay however you like. You can relax on white sand beaches or hike one of three trails at Robberg Nature Reserve. The trails (The Gap, Witsand, or The Point) all offer cliff views and chances to spot seals, dolphins, and whales if you're lucky.
Optional Activities
- Relax on Plettenberg Bay beaches
- Hike The Gap trail at Robberg Nature Reserve
- Hike Witsand trail at Robberg Nature Reserve
- Hike The Point trail at Robberg Nature Reserve - longest trail with unpaved paths (check tides before attempting)
- Observe seal colony at Robberg Nature Reserve
- Dolphin and whale watching
Landmarks/POIs Robberg Nature Reserve - Day 8
Plettenberg Bay to Mossel Bay
Drive the scenic Garden Route with the windows down. Stop at Wilderness National Park to see rock formations, reflective lakes, waterfalls, and natural pools, then hike or paddle by canoe if you want. Continue to Mossel Bay for some beach time, visit Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse for panoramic views and possible whale or dolphin sightings (May-October).
Included Activities
- Visit Wilderness National Park - rock formations, lakes, waterfalls, natural pools
- Drive to Mossel Bay
- Visit Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse
Optional Activities
- Hike Giant Kingfisher Trail in Wilderness National Park (payable locally)
- Canoe or kayak in Wilderness National Park (payable locally)
- Surf at Inner and Outer Pool, Mossel Bay (surf lessons available, payable on site)
Landmarks/POIs Wilderness National Park Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse - Day 9
Mossel Bay to Swellendam
Head through the countryside to Swellendam at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains. You'll explore Marloth Nature Reserve on foot through dense forests, past hidden waterfalls and natural pools. Keep an eye out for rare birds and wildlife up in the trees.
Included Activities
- Hike through Marloth Nature Reserve - forests, waterfalls, natural pools
Landmarks/POIs Marloth Nature Reserve Langeberg Mountains - Day 10
Swellendam to Stellenbosch
Drive from Swellendam to Stellenbosch with rolling mountain ranges all around you. Consider taking the scenic route over Franschhoek Pass if you have time. Once you arrive, walk through town checking out the Cape Dutch architecture, cozy cafes, and wineries. Try a wine tasting at a place like Warwick Wine Estate.
Included Activities
- Drive through mountain scenery to Stellenbosch
Optional Activities
- Detour over Franschhoek Pass
- Wine tasting at Stellenbosch wineries (payable on site)
- Wine tasting at Warwick Wine Estate (payable on site)
Landmarks/POIs Warwick Wine Estate - Day 11
Stellenbosch to Cape Town
Drive to Cape Town and spend your day at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront with street performers, shops, and cafes, with Table Mountain visible throughout. You can optionally ride the Cape Wheel for 360 degree views or visit the Castle of Good Hope to learn about the area's history.
Included Activities
- Visit Victoria and Alfred Waterfront
- View Table Mountain
Optional Activities
- Ride on Cape Wheel - 360° view over the city (payable locally)
- Visit Castle of Good Hope - historic fortress (payable locally)
Landmarks/POIs Victoria and Alfred Waterfront Table Mountain Castle of Good Hope - Day 12
Cape Town
Your trip comes to an end as you return your rental car and reflect on what you've experienced throughout the journey. Hand over the keys and get ready for your next adventure, taking all these South African memories with you.
