2 Best South Africa Itineraries for First Time Visitors (Safari vs Cape Town)
We’ve now visited South Africa twice and explored two different itineraries that led to dramatically different experiences. On our first trip, we focused heavily on safaris, wildlife, and South Africa’s deep culture. On the other, we prioritized world-famous coastal drives along the Garden Route, wine regions, outdoor adventures, and incredible cuisine. Both were exceptional, but they each gave us entirely different perspectives of the country.
If this is your first time visiting South Africa, choosing the right itinerary is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. This guide will help you understand your options and plan a trip that gives you what you most want to experience most.
Yes, South Africa has its challenges, and safety concerns are a big part of the hesitation. But after travelling to so many countries around the world, there are few destinations that can offer this level of diversity in a single trip: raw, untamed wildlife, world class safaris, dramatic coastlines, vibrant African culture, deeply moving history, and dining experiences that rival some of the best in the world. For us, South Africa remains one of the very few (maybe only!) countries we are actively planning to return to for a third time! That alone speaks to the depth and richness of what South Africa has to offer.
In this guide, we’ll break down the two distinct South African itineraries we would recommend for first time visitors, so you can confidently plan the one that fits you best.
Is South Africa Safe to Visit
First and foremost, one of the most important questions travelers ask before visiting South Africa is whether it is safe.
We have now visited South Africa twice, traveling through both the Eastern and Western Cape, and we would consider it one of the more dangerous countries we’ve visited. This is particularly noticeable in the larger cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town, where muggings and violent crimes can occur.
With that said, as long as you stay in the main tourist areas and follow some safety precautions, you will most likely be fine. For example, locals consistently told us that once the sun sets, it’s best to take an Uber wherever you need to go rather than walking. During the day, it’s also recommended to stick to busy streets and main avenues.
Our Experience in South Africa
We followed these recommendations carefully and did not encounter any safety issues during our trips. Even when our restaurant was just 2 blocks from our AirBnB, we took an Uber and never risked it.
Traveling in South Africa does require a bit more planning and awareness when it comes to activities and logistics. For instance, hiking up Table Mountain is often listed as one of the top things to do in Cape Town. However, while researching, we discovered that multiple muggings have occurred on the trails, and many locals advised to avoid the hike entirely unless we were travelling in a larger group or joining a guided tour.
Despite these concerns, we absolutely love South Africa and fully plan to return for a third visit. In our experience, safety considerations are sometimes underrepresented by Instagram influencers, so we wanted to share our honest perspective to help you prepare. We’ve also written a complete guide with essential tips based on our experiences and local recommendations on how to stay safe while traveling in South Africa.
Millions of travelers visit South Africa every year without incident, but being aware of safety precautions will help ensure you have the same positive experience we did.
Wondering if Cape Town is Safe to Visit? Check out our guide on Cape Town’s safety including 8 Essential tips to stay safe in South Africa. And if you’ve decided to visit this wonderful city, check out our Full Cape Town Itinerary Guide and Unique Things to do in Cape Town!
Two Best South Africa Itineraries for First-Timers
First things first, there is no single “right” way to visit South Africa. The best itinerary ultimately depends on the type of experience you’re looking for.
If wildlife is your top priority, the northeastern region of the country is home to the world renowned Kruger National Park, widely considered one of the best safari destinations in the world. Pair that with the dramatic landscapes of the Panorama Route and time in Johannesburg to explore South Africa’s complex and fascinating history, and you have an itinerary centred on raw nature and cultural depth. This was the first trip we did to South Africa and what got us addicted to this country!
Alternatively, if this is your first time visiting the African continent and you’re drawn to a more polished, upscale introduction, the Western Cape offers a very different experience. Here you’ll find Cape Town, acclaimed wine regions, scenic coastal drive along the Garden Route, boutique hotels, outdoor adventure, all while still enjoying some wildlife encounters.
Below, we’ll break down each itinerary in detail, including what you can expect to experience, the highlights of each region, and who each route is best suited for.
South Africa Itinerary #1:
Culture & Best Safari (Johannesburg + Kruger)
- Where You’ll Land: Johannesburg
- Regions Covered: Johannesburg + Panorama Route + Kruger National Park
- How many days: 7-10 days
Best Experiences On South Africa Itinerary #1
On this itinerary, you will experience the raw and untamed side of South Africa, coming face to face with some of the most extraordinary wildlife on the planet. There is something about being out in the bush that feels deeply humbling, almost primal, like stepping into a landscape that has existed long before mankind.
The Real/Raw africa
What we particularly loved about this itinerary was that we got to see the “real Africa”, from the vast nature and wildlife, the heavy history of Apartheid, and throughout it all, meet incredibly warm and welcoming South Africans. We spent one week exploring this route and it immediately got us addicted to go back to South Africa.
The best Safaris
In Kruger National Park, you will spend several days spotting the Big Five from open air game vehicles, scanning the bush for lions and leopards, and witnessing moments that are hard to describe in words. Sitting in the game vehicle just a few meters away from these apex predators, animals powerful enough to end us in seconds, is a humbling reminder of how small we really are in the animal kingdom.
Incredible south African Hospitality
At the same time, you will experience the level of hospitality and comfort that makes South African safaris stand out globally. We have now experienced Safaris through South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Namibia, and there is just something special about how the safaris are done in South Africa. The balance between rugged wilderness and refined lodges is something this country does exceptionally well.
Untamed Landscapes
Pair this with an incredible road trip on the Panorama Route, where you can hike dramatic canyons, waterfalls, and sweeping landscapes that felt ancestral.
Deep African History
Then with the remaining days of your trip, do not skip Johannesburg. Although the city requires safety awareness and smart planning, it also offered us some of our most meaningful experiences. Learning about the history of Apartheid gave deeper a understanding to everything we saw, and we still talk about one of our favourite meals at Ethos (which we have returned to over 5 times!).
This is one itinerary that we would repeat in a heartbeat.
For Who is Itinerary #1 Best For
- Travelers who want to experience the “Real Africa”
- Those who want to experience the best wildlife safaris. Itinerary #2 also has some private game lodges where you can experience safaris but it is not comparable to the scale of Kruger
- Those wanting to learn more about the dark chapter of Apartheid history, and explore rich Zulu and Xhosa African Culture
- Independent travelers comfortable with raw, immersive experiences
- Both itineraries have some of the best cuisine we’ve experienced in the world, but this itinerary focuses more on local South African cuisine
Overview of Itinerary 1: Culture & Safaris (8 days)
This itinerary starts and ends in Johannesburg’s OR Tambo Airport, one of the most convenient international hubs of South Africa. From there, you will rent a car directly from the airport and head out towards the Panorama Route.
Since the drive is quite long, taking about 5-6 hours in total, we recommend splitting the journey with a stay at Acra Retreat, located roughly 2.5 hours from Johannesburg. Then spend the next 2-3 days exploring the Panorama Route, hiking Blyde River Canyon, visiting a Cheetah sanctuary, before reaching the highlight of the trip, Kruger National Park.
There are several ways to experience Kruger, from self-drive safaris to luxury private game lodges. You’ll also need to decide between staying inside the main park or in the Greater Kruger area. Each have their own style of travel and pros and cons, so it’s a choice that can significantly shape your safari experience.
In our Kruger + Panorama Route guide, we break down the Panorama Route in detail and compare the different ways to experience Kruger (including the way we did it) so you can choose what suits you best.
We recommend spending 3–4 days in Kruger to fully enjoy game drives and maximize your wildlife sightings before returning to Johannesburg. If your schedule allows, consider adding 2–3 days in the city as well. Here we got to explore a range of rich cultural and historical experiences that really rounded out our journey beautifully.
South Africa Itinerary #2:
Upscale Africa & Coastal Road Trip
(Cape Town + Garden Route)
- Where You’ll Land: Cape Town
- Regions Covered: Garden Route, Cape Town, Cape Winelands
- How many days: 7-14 days
Best Experiences on South Africa Itinerary #2
On this itinerary, you’ll experience a more refined and upscale side of South Africa: from the world-famous Garden Route road trip to the luxurious Cape Winelands, dramatic coastal scenery, boutique hotel stays, and, of course, the travelers-favorite Cape Town.
Upscale, European-Influenced Comforts and luxuries
Unlike Itinerary #1, which immerses you right into the “Real/Raw Africa” through deep cultural encounters, powerful history, and incredible safari wildlife, itinerary #2 focuses more on South Africa’s more modern and European-influenced side. If it’s your first time visiting Africa and you’d prefer a gentler introduction, this is the perfect itinerary to start with.
Incredible Diversity of Outdoor Adventures
What we particularly loved about this itinerary is sheer diversity of experiences packed into one trip.
Along the Garden Route, you’ll road trip one of the most scenic coastal drives in the world, kayak into the dramatic Storms River gorge in Tsitsikamma, bungee jump from a bridge, head out on a whale-watching boat adventure, mingle with penguins, relax on white sand beaches, sample local gin at craft distilleries, and indulge in world-class cuisine along the way.
It felt like the perfect mix of wildlife and outdoor adventures, all while enjoying lovely hotel stays and refined cuisine comparable to the best of Italy and Greece.
Travelers’ Favourite: Cape Town
Then you’ll finish off your trip in Cape Town and the Cape Winelands where you can experiencing vineyard hopping on a wine tram, hike to sweeping sunset viewpoints above the city, and savour some of the country’s finest food and wine.
For Who is Itinerary #2 Best For
- First-time Africa visitors feeling nervous. This itinerary focuses on South Africa’s more European-influenced and cosmopolitan side, with luxurious hotels, renowned vineyards, polished infrastructure, and destinations well accustomed to tourism.
- Travelers concerned with safety: Overall, an itinerary through the Garden Route, Cape Town, and the Cape Winelands tends to feel safer than one passing through Johannesburg. That said, once you arrive at Kruger National Park, the safari experience itself is very safe.
- Those wanting the beach: if you visit the Garden Route and Cape town during the South African Summer (December to February), the coast is lined with incredible white sand beaches perfect for swimming and relaxing.
- Those who want to experience the outdoor adventures of South Africa including hiking, whale watching, kayaking, bungee jumping, paragliding, beaches and more!
- Food & wine lovers: Although Itinerary 1 also offers incredible cuisine, this region’s food scene leans more European in influence and feels overall more refined and upscale, especially if you’ll be spending time in the Cape Winelands and Cape Town.
- Luxury travellers: If you love boutique hotels, stylish stays, and exceptional dining, but still want nature and activity woven in, this itinerary strikes that balance perfectly.
Overview of South Africa Itinerary 2 (7-14 days)
This itinerary can begin in Cape Town, or in Port Elizabeth if you’re starting with the Garden Route road trip. We did a Safari volunteering program around Port Elizabeth so started our journey from there.
From Port Elizabeth Airport, you’ll rent a car and then embark on the world-famous Garden Route Road Trip. We completed it in 7 days, which is what we would recommend, although it can be done in as little as 5 days.
Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to Kayak at Storms River Gorge, Bungee jump off a bridge, go paragliding, relax on white sand beaches, go on a whale watching boat adventure, spot penguins, make your own bottle of gin, and so much more!
And the best part is that throughout the journey, you’ll enjoy stylish boutique hotels, excellent restaurants, and plenty of comfort along the way.
Your Garden Route road trip ends in Cape Town, where we recommend spending 3–4 days, which can easily be combined with a visit to the nearby Cape Winelands to enjoy South Africa’s famous vineyards and restaurants!
✅ Related
– Best Experiences on the Garden Route
– How to plan the perfect Garden Route Itinerary
– How to Spend 3-7 Days in Cape Town
Which South African Itinerary Should You Choose?
Above, we’ve covered the types of travelers each itinerary suits best and the highlights of each journey.
Personally, we preferred Itinerary 1 since nowhere else in the world can you find the incredible experiences of Safari Lodges and Game Drives like the ones in Kruger National Park. As travelers who tend to seek out adventure and cultural depth, we also appreciated the more raw and immersive side of Africa that this itinerary offers.
Nonetheless, we also loved our time following Itinerary 2!
Here’s a quick summary to help you decide which one might be right for you.
Choose Itinerary #1 (Johannesburg + Kruger) if you:
- Want Wildlife and Safaris to be the Highlight
- Want Rich African Cultural Depth
- Experience some of Africa’s Best Safari Lodges
- Want something that feels Raw and Adventurous
- Want to Learn the deep history of Apartheid
- Witness the “real” culture and local life in Johannesburg
- Dramatic landscapes along the Panorama Route
Choose Itinerary #2 (Cape Town + Garden Route) if you:
- Want Africa without the Culture Shock
- Want spectacular scenery combined with great food and comfort
- Prefer stylish boutique hotels and wine estates
- Love coastal road trips and dramatic ocean landscapes
- Want beautiful beaches and charming seaside towns
- Are interested in outdoor adventures like hiking, kayaking, paragliding, and whale watching
- Are more concerned about safety while traveling
Budget Comparison Between the Two Itineraries
Although Itinerary 2 is labelled as more upscale, this doesn’t necessarily mean that it will cost a lot more than Itinerary 1. In fact, Itinerary 1 can often end up being more expensive due to the high cost of safari lodges and game drives around Kruger National Park.
To give you an idea, we spent about 3,500 CAD in total for two people during our 9-day trip through Johannesburg, the Panorama Route, and Kruger (Itinerary #1). Of that amount, four nights alone at Umkumbe Safari Lodge costed around 2,200 CAD for the two of us. Yes, it’s pricey, but the lodge was absolutely stunning, was a full-board stay, and included the two to three game drives per day.
Out of all the safaris we’ve done, other than in Serengeti Tanzania, this was where we saw the most impressive animals and had the most intimate sightings. In the end, we absolutely loved our experience there and felt like it was worth every penny!
In comparison we spent around 3,200 CAD for the two of us during our 14 days stay along the Garden Route, Cape Town, and Cape Winelands (Itinerary #2). Throughout the trip, we mostly stayed in budget to mid-range accommodations and didn’t splurge on the Michelin-level dining experiences available in the Cape Winelands, which could significantly increase your overall costs.
This post is part of our series about South Africa. If you want to learn more about South Africa, planning your trip, and some of the best experiences there, check out the guides below:
Other Bucketlist South African Experiences
Although these two itineraries cover many of the most spectacular experiences you can have in South Africa, there is of course so much more to see. That’s why we’re already planning a third visit!
Below, we’ve summarized some of the other unique and bucket-list-worthy experiences in South Africa that we hope to do one day!
Durban
A lively coastal city known for its warm beaches along the Indian Ocean,. Here you’ll find excellent surfing and one of the best Indian food scenes outside of India thanks to its large Indian community.
Sardine Run
This is one of the most spectacular marine migrations in the world, where billions of sardines move along South Africa’s coastline, attracting dolphins, sharks, whales, and seabirds in an incredible feeding frenzy. This is super high on our bucket-list!
Drakensburg Hiking
South Africa’s most dramatic mountain range, offering some of the country’s best hiking with towering cliffs, scenic valleys, waterfalls, and sweeping panoramic views. We initially included this in our first itinerary but it was during Winter and it is best to go during Spring or Summer.
Lesotho
Often called the “Kingdom in the Sky,” this small mountainous country surrounded by South Africa is known for its rugged high-altitude landscapes, traditional villages, and unique Basotho culture. Essentially it is a small mountain country completely surrounded by South Africa! How cool is that?
Mapungubwe National Park
A fascinating UNESCO World Heritage site where one of southern Africa’s earliest kingdoms once thrived, combining ancient archaeological sites with beautiful baobab-dotted landscapes and wildlife.
Limpopo
One of South Africa’s most underrated safari regions, known for its rugged landscapes, iconic baobab trees, and remote reserves where you can experience incredible wildlife viewing with far fewer crowds. Many of the locals we met during our first two trips highly recommended Limpopo, so it has definitely made its way onto our must-visit list for our next trip.
How Much Time do you Need in South Africa
For a first trip to South Africa, we would recommend a minimum of 7-10 days. With that trip length, you can fit in either of our recommended itineraries.
If you have between 2-3 weeks, you will have enough time to fit in both itineraries, going from Johannesburg, through the panorama route, to Kruger National Park, then flying down to Port Elizabeth where you can begin the Garden Route Road trip to finish in Cape Town.
If you have more than 3 weeks, then you can add in some of our the other South African bucketlist-worthy experiences such as going doing the Sardine Run or Drakensburg for hiking.
South Africa + Namibia Itinerary
Alternatively, on our first trip to South Africa we spent 9 days exploring Johannesburg, driving the Panorama Route, and going on safari in Kruger. From there we headed to Namibia for a two week self drive SUV camping road trip that took us to the incredible sand dunes of Sossusvlei, game drives in Etosha National Park, and the coastal town of Swakopmund where we kayaked with seals.
To this day, Namibia is one of our favourite destinations!
Best Time to Visit South Africa
The best time to visit South Africa largely depends on what you want to experience. If your main goal is going on safari and spotting wildlife, the ideal time to visit is during the dry winter months from May to September, when animals gather around water sources and the thinner vegetation makes them easier to spot on game drives.
If you’re hoping for warm, sunny weather and plenty of time at the beach, the best time to visit South Africa is during the summer months from November to March. This is when destinations like Cape Town and the Garden Route are at their best for enjoying the coastline, relaxing on the beaches, and spending long days outdoors.
If you want to coincide with the primary whale season along the Garden Route, then you should visit from June to November. Whereas for the Sardine run, the best chance of spotting it is from May to July.
On both of our trips to South Africa, we visited during the winter months around July because our main goal was to experience the best possible safari and wildlife viewing. Despite it being winter, we still enjoyed plenty of pleasant, warm days in Cape Town. It wasn’t quite warm enough for swimming at the beach, but the weather was perfect for exploring the city and spending time outdoors.
Driving in South Africa
You might have noticed that both of our itineraries include road trips, so you may be wondering what it is actually like to drive in South Africa.
Overall, we found driving the routes like the Panorama Route and the Garden Route to be quite easy. The roads are well maintained and you are sticking to highways for most of the journey.
One important thing to keep in mind is that in South Africa you drive on the left side of the road, which can take a bit of getting used to if you are coming from North America or Europe.
In terms of precautions, it is best to stick to the main highways, avoid driving through townships, and keep a close eye on speed limits as speed traps are very common. It’s also important to be aware that there are corrupt police officers and traffic officers, so be ready for that.
For example, we were stopped near the entrance of Kruger National Park for slightly speeding, and the officers were clearly looking for a bribe. Fortunately, we managed to resolve the situation without major consequences.
Using WISE card in South Africa
When taking cash out of an ATM while abroad, you will most likely be charged both a foreign exchange fee and a foreign transaction fee by that country’s ATM. With my Canadian card, this can easily be 3-4$ + 2.75% + a markup on the exchange rate charged by my bank, and then another 3-5$ charged by the foreign ATM.
This can be really costly. For this reason, we recommend using WISE card which has only minimal fees and just about no foreign currency exchange markup. This helps me save at least 5-7$ every time I take out money from an ATM. If you want to see our full review of the card showing exactly how WISE can help you save, check out our WISE Travel card Review post.
Conclusion: 2 South Africa Itineraries for First-Timers
Despite its challenges, South Africa remains one of our favourite places we have ever traveled. These two itineraries highlight the country’s incredible diversity, from the raw and untamed wildlife of Kruger National Park to the upscale vineyards, boutique stays, and scenic drives around Cape Town and the Garden Route.
No matter which route you choose, there’s a good chance you’ll fall in love with South Africa just like we did. Follow the safety precautions, plan your trip carefully, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure. Don’t be surprised if you leave already dreaming about your next visit!
Road Trip on South Africa’s Garden Route
