Johannesburg to Cape Town
Itinerary
Days 1-2 – Arrival into Johannesburg and onto Pretoria
After an overnight flight from the UK, you will arrive into Johannesburg Airport where we have arranged for you to pick up a rental car for the next few days. Once all the paperwork is complete, it’s time to hit the road! Your first drive will be to Pretoria, where you will spend the night. You will usually arrive in the morning, so you have the day to explore the highlights of one of the country’s three capital cities, or if you’d prefer you can take some time to acclimatise in your hotel. If you’re lucky enough to be visiting during October, you’ll be treated to beautiful scenes of purple Jacarandas in full bloom, which blankets the whole city at this time of year. Don’t miss a visit to the Pretoria National Botanical Gardens where a variety of indigenous plant species and walking trails are waiting to be discovered.
Tip: If you don’t want to drive yourself straight after your flight, we will be happy to organise a transfer from Johannesburg Airport to Pretoria. You can then pick up your rental car at the guesthouse the next morning.
Day 3 – Take the Panorama route to Hazyview
After a good night’s sleep, you’ll make your way to Hazyview, where we have arranged for you to stay the night. While this region is best known for its wildlife, there’s plenty to see and do outside of the game parks. Travelling along the Panorama Route, you’ll be treated to some of the most incredible views in South Africa and the stunning town of Hazyview is no exception. As the gateway to Kruger National Park, this is the perfect stop on your journey to spot the big five! Your accommodation is a cosy lodge with African-inspired décor and a refreshing swimming pool. Relax at the pool, take in the breathtaking views, or sip wine on the terrace as evening falls and reflect on your first day in magical South Africa.
Day 4 – Explore Blyde River Canyon
The following day, you will start your self-drive along the Panorama Route and stop at viewpoints to see the mighty Blyde River Canyon, where the water has carved the bizarre Bourke’s Luck Potholes. It is a unique sight and quite beautiful. You might also see the Three Rondavels or the Pinnacle Rock rising out of the green vegetation. As you take in the view, it’s easy to see why this viewpoint is often called ‘God’s Window’. There are plenty of hiking options here, so we encourage you to explore and immerse yourself in the unique natural wonders of the Panorama Route. After a memorable day, you’ll return to the same cosy lodge for one more night.
Days 5-6 – Safari in private reserve
The next morning, we suggest an early start for the best chance at spotting wildlife. You will soon arrive at a quaint Bush Lodge, located in a private reserve near the town of Hoedspruit, literally on the doorstep of Kruger National Park. Once you have arrived, your adventure begins with your very first South African safari. Your lodge is set amidst the African bush at the borders of the Big 5 Thornybush and Manyeleti Game Reserves; it is about a two-hour drive from Kruger’s Orpen Gate. You’ll head out each day with a keen-sighted ranger and a limited number of fellow travellers on daily quests to locate the iconic Big 5, retiring each night to one of our preferred small bush camps that offer you an authentic experience in this private game area.
Day 7 – Explore Kruger National Park
Day 8 – Journey to Port Elizabeth
Today you will set off on a 4.5 hour drive to the airport where you will catch you domestic flight to Port Elizabeth. On arrival in Port Elizabeth, you will collect your rental car and head to your relaxing guesthouse for the night. Located in the tranquil garden suburb of Walmer, your accommodation is the perfect stopover for a restful sleep and a refreshing morning dip in the swimming pool.
Day 9 – Drive to Plettenberg Bay
Next, you will set off on a 2.5 hour scenic drive along the famous Garden Route, passing rolling hills and vast farmlands, followed by dramatic coastal cliffs and stunning views of the Indian Ocean as you get closer to Plettenberg Bay. This small holiday village is well-developed for tourists and is perfect for long walks along the wide sandy beaches. We’ve arranged a cosy guesthouse for you, conveniently located, that will be your home for the next two nights. The rooms are bright and modern, and the hosts are super friendly. Plus, from the terrace, you might even get the chance to spot dolphins or whales!
Day 10 – Snorkelling with seals in the Robberg Nature Reserve
Today, you’re going to snorkel with seals! After breakfast, you’ll hop on a small boat with a group and head to Robberg Nature Reserve, home to about 6,000 fur seals. From the boat, you’ll spot the first seals lounging on the rocks along the coast. You’ll put on your wetsuit, grab your mask, and dive into the cool water. As you start swimming, the curious seals will come right up to you to play. Before you know it, you’re snorkelling and swimming among the seals! It’s a truly unforgettable experience that you can’t miss during your trip to South Africa. The whole excursion lasts about 1.5 hours, including the boat ride.
This afternoon is free for you to spend as you wish, and with so much to do in this charming seaside town, you won’t be short of options. We recommend trying one of the many great seafood restaurants along the coast, heading to the Robberg Nature Reserve for a hike, or even joining a whale-watching tour (between July and early December) which we can arrange for you.
Day 11 – Along the Garden Route to Knysna Lagoon
The following morning, you will drive 45 minutes along the coast to ‘the heart of the Garden Route’ – Knysna. Your guesthouse is located on a hill, so you will wake up every morning with stunning views over the lagoon. But the absolute highlight of your stay? That is without a doubt the walk through the Featherbed Nature Reserve, across the water, where you will visit tomorrow.
Day 12 – Featherbed Nature Reserve
Today, you’ll hop on a boat that gently takes you across the Knysna lagoon. As you drift further from the shore, you’ll get a beautiful view of the town, peacefully spread out along the hills. But that’s just the beginning—the real highlights await during your hike through the Featherbed Nature Reserve. Here, at the stunning Knysna Heads where the cliffs separate the lagoon from the Indian Ocean, you’ll walk along the dramatic coastline for about an hour and a half. Along the way, you’ll catch glimpses of the bright blue water through the lush green vegetation, and once you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with a breath-taking view over the entire lagoon. It’s the perfect way to lose yourself in nature and leave everything else behind.
The Waterfront is the lively heart of Knysna. You’ll find charming boutiques where you can browse around, and you can also rent bikes or kayaks to explore the surroundings. But it’s in the evening that the real atmosphere comes alive. This is the perfect spot to settle into one of the many cosy restaurants and enjoy local dishes and fresh seafood, all while live music plays in the background. The local specialty? Oysters, freshly harvested from the lagoon – a must-try.
Day 13 – De Hoop Nature Reserve
The journey to De Hoop Nature Reserve is an adventure in itself. This remote area in the Western Cape can only be accessed via a bumpy gravel road, so prepare for quite a shuffle. But once you arrive, you will soon forget the efforts, as the views are breath-taking. You are surrounded by vast landscapes with high sand dunes, unusual rock formations and rich flora and fauna along the coast. You will sleep in a cosily furnished cottage in the middle of the park. Here you will find everything you need: a swimming pool, spa, tennis court and restaurant, perfect for a relaxing stay away from the hustle and bustle.
Day 14 – Free time in De Hoop
Today you can explore the park on your own with beautiful walks or challenging cycling tours. But for a really good understanding of this unique nature and green fynbos landscape, it is highly recommended to join one of the local rangers’ guided walks. These usually start early in the morning, perfect for spotting the many birds that flutter around here along the way.
Prefer walking along the coast? Then the Interpretive Marine Walk is perfect; it runs along the beach and, with any luck, you’ll even see whales in the bay between June and December! In the afternoon, you can also join a guided mountain bike or quad tour, so you’ll have plenty to do! After a day filled with adventure, you will return to your cottage for another night’s stay.
Day 15 – South Africa’s wine region by bike
Welcome to the wine region of the Western Cape! Around the charming towns of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, you will find some 200 wineries, including well-known names such as Spier and Blaauwklippen. The landscape here is filled with gentle rolling hills, making it perfect for a nice mountain bike ride. You will spend the next few nights in a guesthouse near Stellenbosch, with a delicious breakfast included to start your day off right.
Day 16 – Bikes’n’Wines Adventure Tour
In the morning, you will be picked up and taken to the starting point of your tour. The nice thing about this is that you don’t have to worry about driving back yourself – quite handy after a few wine tastings! During the cycling tour, you will stop at three wineries to enjoy the delicious South African wines. The route leads you along quiet paths, away from busy roads, with occasional climbs. Along the way, you will be rewarded with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and False Bay, so be sure to bring your camera.
After the bike tour, spend the rest of your time strolling through the charming streets of Franschhoek or Stellenbosch, among the whitewashed Cape Dutch and French buildings. In Stellenbosch, don’t miss a visit to Uncle Samie Se Winkel – a shop where it seems as if time stood still a hundred years ago. Want to go even further back in time? Then the city museum, spread across several historic buildings, is highly recommended. There are numerous cosy cafés and restaurants where you can enjoy a bite to eat with, of course, a local wine or two.
Day 17 – Arrival in Cape Town
Today you arrive in colourful Cape Town. After checking in at your guesthouse, you can immediately cool off in the pool or explore the city’s highlights. Of course, a visit to Table Mountain is not to be missed. You can climb it in two hours on foot – or you can take the cable car in about four minutes. Whichever route you choose: If the weather is clear in the morning, don’t hesitate to tackle it. The clouds can quickly gather on the mountain again, denying you the beautiful view of the city. Or venture out for a dance with one of the city’s street performers. Either way, you won’t be bored here.
Day 18 – Cape Malay Cooking Experience
For many travellers, the colourful cottages in Bo-Kaap are nothing more than a photo opportunity. But there is a story behind them that lives on to this day: South Asian slaves used to live here, and now their descendants, the Cape Malays, who still honour their culture and traditions. This is also reflected in their cuisine, which include delicious dishes such as biryanis and samosas. On a cooking class with a local, you will learn about their culture and heritage as you learn all about the different spices and how to prepare the different dishes.
Day 19 – Colourful Cape Town
Today, you’ve got all the time to explore the city at your own pace. The W&A Waterfront is a great spot in the evening, with its many restaurants and bars. You can grab a bite at one of the many places or go on a sunset cruise with views of the water and Table Mountain. Besides the shops, you’ll also find the impressive Two Oceans Aquarium and the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, offering a fresh perspective on African art.
You can also take a tour to Robben Island from the waterfront, where Nelson Mandela and his fellow freedom fighters were imprisoned. The tours are led by former prisoners, giving you a unique and personal insight into Cape Town’s and South Africa’s history.
Don’t forget to explore the Cape Peninsula during your stay in Cape Town. The best route goes past Hout Bay, where you can see the fishing boats, and then drive along the impressive Chapman’s Peak Drive, with its 114 curves and fantastic ocean views. After this comes Cape of Good Hope, where you can take a breather. On the way back, via Simon’s Town and Muizenberg, it is definitely worth stopping at the penguin colony at Boulders Beach.
Day 20 – Departure from Cape Town
It’s time to say goodbye to Cape Town and head to the airport where you will drop off your trusty rental car and catch your international flight back to the UK.
Accommodation
