South Africa · Route map
Vibrant Cities, Garden Route & Wild Safari
This quintessential first-time route seamlessly blends Cape Town's dramatic coast, a boutique Garden Route escape, and the premier wilderness of Greater Kruger via convenient domestic flights. To keep your travel pace humane, we have focused on the scenic wilderness of Wilderness rather than driving the entire length of the highway.
- 1
Cape Town
arriving Cape Town Airport
4 nights
Iconic peaks, historic harbor, and coastal charm
- 2
Franschhoek
2 nights
World-class vineyards in a dramatic mountain valley
- 3
Wilderness
3 nights
Untamed beaches and lakes loved by locals
- 4
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
4 nights
Unrivaled luxury big five viewing adjacent to Kruger
- 5
Johannesburg
departing Johannesburg Airport
Fly home from O.R. Tambo International
- ✦5 stops · 13 nights
A sample from our journal — written by Waypora, kept as inspiration
Use this as a starting pointThe day-by-day
Welcome to Cape Town
Arrive into Cape Town
Flight · Morning · Cape Town
Land at Cape Town International Airport.
Private transfer to your hotel
Transfer · Afternoon · V&A Waterfront
Keep your eyes open for your first glimpse of Table Mountain as you approach the city.
Explore the vibrant V&A Waterfront
At leisure · Afternoon · V&A Waterfront
Walk over to the Watershed shed for incredible local South African design and crafts.
Overnight in Cape Town
Accommodation · Evening · V&A Waterfront
Table Mountain and City Secrets
Table Mountain Aerial Cableway
Excursion · Morning · Table Mountain
Ride to the top of Cape Town's iconic flat-topped mountain.
Book the first slot of the morning online to beat the wind and the crowds.
Wander through colorful Bo-Kaap
Excursion · Afternoon · Bo-Kaap
Grab a warm, spicy cardamon-infused koesister from Rose Corner Cafe.
Overnight in Cape Town
Accommodation · Evening · V&A Waterfront
Dramatic Cape Peninsula Loop
Drive the breathtaking Chapman's Peak
Excursion · Morning · Hout Bay
Pull over at the designated lookouts; the drop-offs into the Atlantic are hypnotic.
Visit penguins at Windmill Beach
Excursion · Afternoon · Simon's Town
A quieter alternative to nearby Boulders Beach.
Walk just past the main ticket barrier to the free, locals-frequented sandy cove.
Overnight in Cape Town
Accommodation · Evening · V&A Waterfront
Historic Gardens & Secret Beaches
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Walk
Excursion · Morning · Newlands
Walk along the Centenary Tree Canopy Walkway, locally known as the Boomslang.
Sundowners at Clifton Second Beach
At leisure · Afternoon · Clifton
Bring a blanket and joining the locals watching the sunset over the Atlantic.
Overnight in Cape Town
Accommodation · Evening · V&A Waterfront
Journey to the Winelands
Collect rental car in Cape Town
Car hire · Morning · Cape Town
Self-drive Cape Town to Franschhoek
Self-drive · Morning · Franschhoek
Drive takes roughly one hour.
Tasting at Babylonstoren garden estate
Excursion · Afternoon · Simondium
Book a garden tour beforehand, then try their fresh-pressed olive oils.
Overnight in Franschhoek
Accommodation · Evening · Franschhoek
The Franschhoek Wine Tram
Franschhoek Wine Tram hop-on tour
Excursion · Morning · Franschhoek
An open-air tram touring historic valley estates.
Choose the boutique line that stops at lesser-known, family-owned properties.
Stroll down Franschhoek Main Road
At leisure · Afternoon · Franschhoek
Pop into the local galleries and chocolate shops lining the oak-shaded street.
Overnight in Franschhoek
Accommodation · Evening · Franschhoek
Over the Mountains to Wilderness
Self-drive Franschhoek to Wilderness via Route 62
Self-drive · Morning · Wilderness
Drive takes roughly five hours.
Stop for fresh warm biltong at the farm stalls along the scenic highway.
Relax on Wilderness Beach
At leisure · Afternoon · Wilderness
This massive stretch of sand is wild, beautiful, and perfect for sunset strolls.
Overnight in Wilderness
Accommodation · Evening · Wilderness
Canoes and Forest Canopy
Canoe and hike Wilderness National Park
Excursion · Morning · Wilderness
Paddle up the Touw River to reach the secret waterfall trail.
Sunset view from Map of Africa
Excursion · Afternoon · Wilderness
Watch paragliders launch over the spectacular river curve shaped like the continent.
Overnight in Wilderness
Accommodation · Evening · Wilderness
Day Trip to Knysna
Self-drive Wilderness to Knysna
Self-drive · Morning · Knysna
Drive takes roughly forty minutes.
Hike the Eastern Head lookout
Excursion · Morning · Knysna
The viewing decks look straight down into the churning, narrow channel.
Self-drive Knysna to Wilderness
Self-drive · Afternoon · Wilderness
Drive takes roughly forty minutes.
Overnight in Wilderness
Accommodation · Evening · Wilderness
Fly to the Safari Heartlands
Self-drive Wilderness to George Airport
Self-drive · Morning · George
Drive takes roughly twenty-five minutes.
Drop rental car at George Airport
Car hire · Morning · George
Fly George to Skukuza Airport
Flight · Morning · Kruger
Flight via Johannesburg.
Lodge transfer to Sabi Sand
Transfer · Afternoon · Sabi Sand
Keep your camera ready during the transfer; your safari effectively begins now.
Overnight in Sabi Sand
Accommodation · Evening · Sabi Sand
Big Five Territory
Dawn game drive in Sabi Sand
Excursion · Morning · Sabi Sand
Wear layers; the open 4x4 vehicles are freezing before the sun comes up.
Late afternoon game drive & sundowners
Excursion · Afternoon · Sabi Sand
A classic G&T in the bush at sunset is an unmissable safari tradition.
Overnight in Sabi Sand
Accommodation · Evening · Sabi Sand
Leopard Spotting in Sabi Sand
Early morning search for big cats
Excursion · Morning · Sabi Sand
This reserve is world-famous for its incredibly habituated leopards.
Guided bush walk with expert tracker
Excursion · Afternoon · Sabi Sand
Focus on the small things like tracks, medicinal plants, and dung beetles.
Overnight in Sabi Sand
Accommodation · Evening · Sabi Sand
A Final Day in the Wild
Sunrise tracking and photography drive
Excursion · Morning · Sabi Sand
Let your guide know what species you are still hoping to spot today.
Relax at the lodge pool deck
At leisure · Afternoon · Sabi Sand
Animals often walk down to the riverbed right in front of the deck.
Overnight in Sabi Sand
Accommodation · Evening · Sabi Sand
Depart South Africa
Transfer to Skukuza Airport
Transfer · Morning · Kruger
Fly Skukuza to Johannesburg
Flight · Afternoon · Johannesburg
Fly out of Johannesburg
Flight · Evening · Johannesburg
Depart from O.R. Tambo International Airport.
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