20 days South Africa itinerary

If there’s one trip that will stay with us forever, ranking in our top three of all time, it’s South Africa. We spent 20 days there, and this itinerary is one of the ones I’m most proud of — this journey was so complete and meaningful.

To say we like the country would be an understatement. We absolutely love South Africa. Of the more than 50 countries I’ve visited, whenever someone asks me for a destination that has it all—from museums to bungee jumping, wildlife to nightlife, wineries and beaches—and that won’t drain your budget, my answer is always South Africa.
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If you’re looking for other safari destinations, take a look at our Kenya and Tanzania itinerary!

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First of all, follow me on Instagram @danae_explore – that’s where you can keep up with my trips, find lots of travel tips, and send me a DM anytime! I love chatting about travel

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Main activities on a South Africa trip

Just a quick look at the map is enough to realize that South Africa is a huge country, one of the largest on the African continent, so there's no secret: if your time – and money – is limited, you'll have to make choices, as it's almost impossible to see the entire country in a single visit. vacation trip.

Our itinerary focused on (1) safaris (also called “game-drives”): I believe this is a priority for almost everyone who goes to sub-Saharan Africa, right?; (2) Cape Town: without a doubt one of the most beautiful cities on the continent; (3) wineries; and (4) eco-tourism and beaches.

In this post I summarized everything that you need to know before visiting South Africa, take a look.

And if you're looking for other safari options, check out the our itinerary through Kenya and Tanzania, in which we did Serengeti safari.
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Beach lover? Don’t miss our Complete Guide to Zanzibar: where history meets the turquoise sea.

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Overview of our South Africa itinerary

We spent a total of 20 days in South Africa. Here’s a summary of our itinerary:

(Click on the links to see where we stayed and the tours we took)

Days to (3 nights) strong>in Pretoria. We stayed with friends and made a day trip to Johannesburg to visit the Apartheid Museum.

Days and (two nights) in Graskop. We explored the Panorama Route: Blyde River Canyon, Lowveld View, Three Rondavels, Bourke's Luck Potholes , and the historic village of Pilgrim’s Rest. We stayed at Graskop Hotel, right in the center of the town . The location was great, the family room was spacious, and the kids loved the pool.
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Days and (two nights) in the Kruger National Park. Without a doubt, one of the highlights of the trip! We stayed inside Kruger, and I highly recommend doing the same. It’s simple and surprisingly affordable. There’s a full post here on the blog where I explain everything you need to know about going on safari in Kruger Park — make sure to check it out!

Days to (5 nights) in Cape Town. We stayed in an excellent apartment, in the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront area. During the day we walked everywhere, but at night we preferred to take an Uber or taxi for safety. Here on the blog you’ll also find a dedicated post with with our recommendations on what to do in Cape Town — be sure to check it out!

Days and (two nights) in Franschhoek. In the heart of South Africa’s wine region, we stayed at Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa. The family room was very comfortable, and the pool was perfect for a late-afternoon swim.
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Days and (two nights) in Knysna, on the Garden Route. Knysna has plenty of accommodation options, and many recommend staying on Thesen Island. We chose a house with more space and a beautiful view of the lagoon, which was just what we were looking for.

Day (one night) at Storms River, Tsitsikama National Park. One of the Garden Route’s most important national parks and a must on any trip through the region. We stayed at the Tsisikama Village Inn, a charming spot in the center of the village, with a great balcony to enjoy a glass of wine once the kids were asleep.
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Days and (two nights) at Addo Elephant National Park. This was where we went on our final safaris of the trip. We stayed at the camp inside the park, but since Addo is smaller than Kruger, it’s also possible to stay outside the Park and still visit without feeling rushed. Another option is to stay in Port Elizabeth and take a day tour from there to Addo.
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What to do in South Africa

Pretoria

Our trip to South Africa started with a visit to dear friends who live in Pretoria, where we spent New Year’s Eve and enjoyed some truly memorable days.br>
Pretoria, one of the country’s three official capitals, isn’t exactly known as a tourist destination.. But our hosts welcomed us so warmly, showed us so many interesting places, and introduced us to new friends that I can honestly say it was the perfect beginning to a trip that surpassed all expectations.

If you need a transfer in Johannesburg, just click on this link.

In Pretoria, we took the opportunity to go on a city tour and also visited:
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• Pretoria Zoo – the largest zoo in South Africa and ranked among the best in the world. We had a relaxed picnic in its gardens, a little preview of the wildlife we’d soon encounter on safari.
  
• Moroleta Park – a park and nature reserve very close to where we were staying. The girls loved their first encounter with free-roaming animals like zebras and ostriches.
  
• Apartheid Museum, Johannesburg (about fifty minutes from Pretoria) – South Africa lived under apartheid for more than four decades. Learning about this period and about the struggle to overcome it is essential not only to understand the country’s history but also to reflect on the challenges we face in today’s world. It’s a reminder of how important it is to keep working toward a fairer and more equal society.
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Panorama Route: Graskop & Blyde River Canyon

The Panorama Route is a region in northwestern South Africa., located between Johannesburg and Kruger Park in Mpumalanga province. It runs through the impressive Blyde River Canyon, home to several attractions and spectacular viewpoints.
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Blyde River Canyon

The Blyde River Canyon stretches for about 26 km (some sources say 50 km — the numbers vary) and, according to the official website, it is the third largest canyon in the world. While it doesn’t have the scale of the Grand Canyon, its lush vegetation makes it a far greener and friendlier landscape than its counterpart in the Americas.
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We drove the route with a rental car — as I explain in this post — but if you prefer, you can also explore the Panorama Route on a tour departing from Hazyview or Hoedspruit. Both towns are excellent bases for visiting Kruger Park as well, with day trips available from Hazyview or from Hoedspruit.

I recommend visiting the viewpoint Three Rondavels, the most famous in the region, with truly breathtaking views. Access is very easy: you can drive to the parking lot and from there follow a short, easy trail. Another great viewpoint for photos is Lowveld View, very close to the Three Rondavels. The area also offers several hiking trails, and it’s even possible to go rafting.
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Bourke's Luck Potholes

Another fascinating stop along the Panorama Route is Bourke’s Luck Potholes, a dramatic series of waterfalls and rock formations where the canyon narrows. There’s an entrance fee, and it was quite crowded on the day we went. On-site you’ll also find a snack bar and souvenir shops.

One of the highlights of that day was lunch at Potluck Boskombuis, a rustic restaurant set right on the riverbank (which later flows into Bourke’s Luck Potholes). The place has no electricity; all the dishes are cooked over an open flame, but drinks still come chilled, and the food is delicious. Unfortunately, at the time of writing, Google Maps shows the restaurant as temporarily closed, but it’s worth checking in case it has reopened.
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Pilgrim's Rest

Another stop worth making is the historic village of Pilgrim's Rest, founded during the South African gold rush in 1873. Many of its original buildings, such as the post office and the bank, have been preserved, offering a glimpse of life from that era.

The village has a handful of cafés, restaurants, and small shops, making it a pleasant place to stroll while learning a bit about the country’s history. There aren’t accommodations in the village itself, but nearby you’ll find the Mount Sheba Rainforest Hotel & Resort, a beautiful property that works well as a base for exploring the region.

From Johannesburg to Graskop it’s about 400 km (a little less if you’re coming from Pretoria). We rented a car in Pretoria and used it for this entire leg of the trip, returning it later at Nelspruit Airport (the closest airport to Kruger Park). For more details, check out this post where I explain everything you need to know before visiting South Africa.
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Where to stay on the Panorama Route

The best place to stay to enjoy the Panoramic Route region is the town of Graskop. We stayed at Graskop Hotel, which had a great pool and double rooms perfect for four people.

Another option that seemed interesting to us was the Westlodge B&B, a very pleasant inn in a beautiful historic Victorian house. It's worth checking out. We chose Graskop Hotel because of the pool, but if that's not a determining factor for you, the Westlodge seems to be worth it.

Near Pilgrim's Rest there is the already recommended Mount Sheba Rainforest Hotel & Resort.
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Now if you prefer a location that allows you to do the Panoramic Route and the safaris in Kruger Park without having to jump from hotel to hotel, the best base would be the city of Hazyview, with options for all budgets.

O Perry's Bridge Hollow Boutique Hotel is an excellent option, as is the Dreamfields Guesthouse; for a more economical trip, the Tembo Guest House seems to comfortably meet all the needs of travelers, as well as the Woodlands Guest House. Now if the idea is “you only live once”, my choice would be the sensational Mdluli Safari Lodge, already inside the park, just after Numbi Gate.
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Kruger National Park

If I could choose one part of this trip as the best, the days we spent in Kruger Park would be a strong contender. We stayed three days in the park, but we could have stayed much longer. Seeing the animals in the wild, free, was an unforgettable experience.

The park is crisscrossed by several paved roads; you can enter (after paying the entrance fee) with your own car and drive freely along them. There is a post here on the blog where I explain in detail everything you need to know to go on safari in Kruger Park: how safaris work inside the park, what the minimum age is to participate, where to stay, where to eat, and much more — check it out!

If you prefer to book guided tours, there are several options departing from Johannesburg or from Hazyview.
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Where to stay in Kruger Park

There are several "camps" within the park. Despite the name, they offer guesthouse/hotel-style facilities and are excellent. Check the park’s website SANPARKS, as the facilities vary from one camp to another. We stayed at Skukuza and Lower Sabie, and everything is explained in this post about going on safari in Kruger National Park — be sure to check it out!
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Private accommodations near Kruger Park

In addition to the park’s own camps, there are private lodges within Kruger, which are truly a dream. If your budget allows, I highly recommend them. Check out Umkumbe Safari Lodge Riverside, Lion Sands River Lodge and Rhino Post Safari Lodge, not to mention the iconic Kruger Shalati – Train on The Bridge & Garden Suites — I’m sure your days there will stay with you forever!

Outside the park boundaries, but close enough for safaris, Hazyview town is the main base for lodging, with a wide range of accommodation options for different budgets. I really liked the Kruger Gate Hotel and the beautiful Mdluli Safari Lodge, but we chose to stay inside the park for the best value.

And as I mentioned, if you don’t want to drive yourself, there is also the option of complete packages departing from Johannesburg or from Hazyview.
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Want to explore other safaris in Africa? How about Tanzania — we’ve already been there and approved, check it out here!

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How to get to and from Kruger Park

We were in Graskop and drove to the Kruger Park. We entered the park through Phabeni Gate and, on the third day, left through Crocodile Bridge Gate.

From there we drove to Nelspruit Airport (known as Kruger Mpumalanga), which is 140 km from Crocodile Bridge Gate, with an estimated travel time of 2 hours and 15 minutes. But be careful: leave early, because on our way to the airport, still inside the park boundaries, we came across an elephant standing in the road, calmly eating. We had to stop and wait. It took almost half an hour before he decided to move on… We made it to the airport on time, but just barely!
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Cape Town

Cape Town is one of those places that deserves an entire trip just to explore it properly. It’s the kind of place you can return to as many times as you want, and it will always be worth it. We spent four full days in Cape Town and our itinerary and tips are in this post — be sure to check it out!

Where to stay in Cape Town

We stayed in a nice apartment in the Waterfront area, with a balcony and amazing views of Table Mountain. The sunsets made it even more special. But be careful: the same listing includes different apartments, some with one bedroom and others with two. If you’re unsure, contact the property to confirm which option works best for you.

In this same area, another good option is Dockside 1106, which has two bedrooms. For those who prefer hotels, there’s the Southern Sun Waterfront Cape or the One Thibault Hotel.

Camps Bay can also be a great place to stay, especially if you’re looking for a beach vibe. There are several options, from hotels like the South Beach Camps Bay Boutique Hotel and The Bay Hotel, to more budget-friendly stays like Vetho Villa, Balfour Place Guesthouse and Royal Boutique Hotel.
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Four-day itinerary in Cape Town

We actually spent five days in Cape Town, but the first day was our arrival day, so we didn’t do much. For the remaining four days, we divided our activities by region of the city. I explain everything in detail in this post: What to do in Cape Town – 4-day itinerary.

Here’s a summary of the program — but check the full post because there are many more details there:

Day 1: Table Mountain and Bo-Kaap
Day 2: Cape of Good Hope and Boulders Beach
Day 3: Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden and Camps Bay Beach
Day 4: Two Oceans Aquarium and Robben Island
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Franschhoeck – South Africa's wine region

South Africa's wine region includes Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek. We stayed there for two days, simply to relax and enjoy visiting the wineries.

And yes, it is a tour that can be done easily with children of any age. The wineries are well-prepared for visitors. Some have playgrounds and picnic areas, and most, if not all, have very good restaurants.

On the first day, we visited Babylonstoren, one of the best-known wineries in the region, which has gardens with small mazes, a large vegetable garden, and two restaurants.
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Drakenstein Lion Park

After having lunch at Babylonstoren, we went to Drakenstein Lion Park, which is a sanctuary for lions rescued from situations of abuse, neglect and mistreatment.

We visited with a guide who shared the history of the sanctuary and of the lions and lionesses (and a tigress) that live there.

Here is the link to the official website, which rightly warns that there are several places that call themselves “sanctuaries” but are actually very far from that. Be careful when choosing where to visit: true lion sanctuaries do not breed in captivity, do not allow direct contact with the animals (such as petting or holding them), and provide lifelong care for the resident animals.
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Bike and train tours in Franschhoek

The next day, we went on what was perhaps the tour the girls enjoyed the most: a bike tour of the wineries. We went with traditional bikes through Bikes'n'Wines, but there is also an option to do it with e-bikes.

We did a full-day tour. Initially, it was supposed to be a group tour, but since there were only four of us, we opted for a private one. They provided bikes for adults and children, along with helmets, and we went at the children’s pace (which turned out to be faster than we expected) to three wineries. Each one was better than the last: Mont Rochelle (which has a hotel), Leeu Estates (which includes an art gallery, a sculpture garden, and a hotel), and Rickety Bridge (also with its own hotel).
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At each winery, the adults enjoyed a wine tasting (three types at each). For the kids, the first winery offered a juice tasting, the second had juice and sweets, and the last one had ice cream. Needless to say, they loved it!

Another great option is to visit the wineries by train with the Franschhoek Wine Tram, which operates on a hop-on, hop-off basis. You can stop at the wineries you choose, but keep in mind that admission and tasting fees are paid separately and vary by winery. It wouldn’t have been a bad idea to stay an extra day to do this tour, but choices have to be made — and it doesn’t hurt to have an excuse to return
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Where to stay in Franschhoek

We stayed at Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa, which had a great family room and a delightful pool, which we made a point of enjoying both days in the late afternoon.

A great option is to stay at the wineries' own hotels. All the wineries we visited on the bike tour have their own hotel, each one even more spectacular than the last. Check it out: Mont Rochelle, Leeu Estates e Rickety Bridge.

More economical options are the Chamonix and theLAB Franschhoek.

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Garden Route: Knysna

From Franschhoek we drove to Knysna, the longest stretch of the trip (450 km). We stopped for lunch in the Mossel Bay area, at a beachfront restaurant (I didn’t write down the name).

Knysna is part of the region known as the “Garden Route”, a scenic route of about 300 km along the southern coast of South Africa, between Mossel Bay and Storms River, with several attractions along the way.

We arrived in Knysna mid-afternoon and took the opportunity to explore the town, which sits on the edge of a lagoon (actually a bay with a narrow opening to the ocean). We did a short, easy walk to a viewpoint known as “the Heads”, located at the strait that connects the lagoon to the ocean. It’s worth it — the walk is very quick and the view is beautiful.

Robberg Nature Reserve

The next day, we went to Robberg Nature Reserve, one of the Garden Route’s main attractions. It’s a reserve that covers an entire peninsula, with stretches of vegetation, dunes, and beaches.

There are two main trails in Robberg Nature Reserve, both of which circle the peninsula. The shorter trail goes halfway, cutting through a giant dune before returning to the starting point, with some sections along the beach. The longer trail circles the entire peninsula and includes some rocky sections. We chose the short trail, which took a little over 5 hours in total, with plenty of time to stop and enjoy the beach.

Despite some complaints from the kids (as always!), the hike was very manageable. We followed the route clockwise, so we stopped at the beach in the second half of the walk. I highly recommend it — the beaches are excellent, with great views and a perfect spot for swimming.

After the hike, we went for coffee and ice cream in downtown Knysna, which is located on an island in the lagoon. It’s a small but pleasant area to stroll around, with a few restaurants that looked very good, but we decided to have dinner at the apartment where we were staying.
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Monkeyland

The next day, we went to Monkeyland, a sanctuary for monkeys and lemurs rescued from situations of mistreatment and abuse.

The tour is guided and very interesting, but be prepared — it takes place in a dense forest with mosquitoes. In fact, it was the only place on the trip where we encountered them. Don’t refuse the insect repellent the guide offers at the start of the tour; even though we used it, we still left with a few bites.

Next to Monkeyland is Birds of Eden, a large area with free-flying birds, but we didn’t get the chance to visit.
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Where to stay in Knysna

The closest town to Robberg Nature Reserve and Monkeyland is Plettenberg Bay, but we chose to stay in Knysna, which seemed like a more pleasant option to me.

The most recommended area in Knysna is Thesen Island, the lagoon island, where we went for coffee and ice cream — it really felt like a great choice. Most of the accommodations on Thesen Island are houses and apartments, but there are also a few hotels, such as The Lofts Boutique Hotel and Turbine Hotel & Spa.

We opted for a house with more space, outside the island, but with a beautiful view of the lagoon.
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Garden Route: Storms River

Leaving Monkeyland, we headed to Storms River, a village right at the entrance to Tsitsikamma National Park, one of the most famous parks on the Garden Route and one I highly recommend visiting.

It’s a beautiful natural park on the shores of the Indian Ocean. On a friend’s recommendation, we took a kayak tour with Untouched Adventures that was one of the highlights of the trip.

We started paddling in the sea, entered the Storms River, passed under the park’s famous suspension bridge, and continued into the canyon formed by the river. At a certain point, the kayaks can’t go any further, so we left them and switched to small floating boards, continuing upriver until there was truly no way forward. On the way back, the current helped us along, and the views were even more impressive. Unmissable!

An extra day here, preferably staying inside Tsitsikamma Park, would have been ideal to make the most of the region.
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Where to Stay in Storms River

In Storms River we stayed at a very quiet and friendly hotel, Tsitsikamma Village Inn, which had a lawn the kids loved and a great balcony for enjoying a glass of wine after they went to bed. I highly recommend it.

The village of Storms River is quite small, but there are other options like The Village Lodge and Storms River Guest Lodge. There are also places closer to the park, including glamping options like The Forest Dome Tsitsikamma and The Hive at Misty Mountain Reserve.
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Addo Elephant National Park

The last stop on our twenty-day itinerary through South Africa was Addo Elephant Park, another South African national park excellent for safaris.

Addo Elephant Park is about 200 km from Storms River, and we set off there at the end of our kayaking trip. It was a thrilling ride, as our accommodation was inside Addo Park and the entrance closed at 5 pm. The kayaking trip ended around 1 pm, we made a quick stop for lunch, and arrived at the park just before 5 pm. Phew!

Just like in Kruger Park, we stayed inside Addo Park, in the park accommodations booked through the official website Sanparks.org.

Despite being much smaller than Kruger, we saw many animals in Addo: ostriches, lions, zebras, kudu, buffalo, warthogs, antelopes, turtles, dung beetles, herons, eagles, storks, and of course elephants — lots of elephants. Some animals we only saw in Addo, or saw there much more easily than in Kruger. Others we only saw in Kruger, but most can be found in both.

We went on safari on our own, in our car, during the day, and in the late afternoon, at sunset, we joined the guided tour offered by the park.
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Where to stay in Addo National Park

We stayed at Addo Main Rest Camp, in a cabin for 4 people. Reservations can be made through the official website of the South African Parks Administration, SANPARKS. Take a look at this post about how to visit Kruger Park — the system is the same for visiting Addo.

There’s only one camp in Addo Park, much smaller than the camps we stayed at in Kruger. Even so, I found the facilities excellent. There’s a small but very good museum about the park’s history, a restaurant, and a convenience store.

If you prefer, there are several options for accommodation around the park, or even in Port Elizabeth, the closest city, from where you can easily visit the park on a day trip day tours. There are also other options for visiting Addo Park.
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Last moments of our 20-day itinerary in South Africa

To end the trip on a high note, it was a new moon and the sky was incredibly clear, with a spectacular display of stars. Without a doubt, it is in the top 3 places where I’ve seen the most beautiful night sky in my life; the other two were at the hotel inside Tikal Park in Guatemala (click here to see our itinerary in Guatemala), and a small village deep in Bolivia, halfway between San Pedro de Atacama and Salar de Uyuni. Needless to say, in all three places electricity only lasted until a certain hour — after that, it was just starlight.

On the last day, we set off early (this time without elephants blocking the road) for Port Elizabeth Airport, where we returned the car (which we had rented at Cape Town Airport) and began the long journey home. To learn what it’s like to drive there, check out our post with everything you need to know before visiting South Africa.
See also: Boulders Beach

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Complete itinerary of our trip to South Africa

Our two-week twenty days in South Africa is detailed on the map below — just click and save it to your Google account. When you’re planning your next trip to South Africa, you’ll know where to start

In this post, I explain how I use Google MyMaps to plan my trips. It’s a great tool for saving locations, calculating routes and distances, and organizing your entire journey. I highly recommend giving it a try!
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How to use this map: Click the menu tab in the upper left corner of the map to access different layers, including points of interest and routes. You can toggle layers on and off by checking the corresponding boxes. To see details about specific locations, click on the icons on the map.

To save this map to your Google Maps account, just click the star icon next to the map title. To access it later on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, tap the menu button, go to “Your Places”, select “Maps”, and you’ll find this map saved there.
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So, did I convince you to put South Africa on your wishlist or not?