Places to Visit in South Africa: A 2-Week Bucket List Trip

How to get to South Africa from the US

Fly into Cape Town (United Airlines offers non-stop flights from Newark and Dulles/DC to Johannesburg and Cape Town, and Delta has non-stop flights from Atlanta). The city is the best first place to visit in South Africa. Pro tip: if you have rewards miles, use them to upgrade to a business or first-class seat — the flight is approximately 16 hours. While in South Africa, the best mode of transportation will be private guides and domestic flights to get between Cape Town, Kruger, Sabi Sands and Johannesburg.

Where to stay in Cape Town

I began my journey in Cape Town by checking into the iconic Mount Nelson Hotel, affectionately known as "The Nellie" or "Pink Lady." Nestled in the vibrant heart of the city, this luxurious hotel and spa offers easy access to all that Cape Town has to offer. Yet, as you drive up the beautiful, tree-lined driveway, you feel like you've arrived at an oasis. Mount Nelson provides everything you could possibly need on its stunning property: first-class restaurants, sparkling pools, a rejuvenating spa, a chic hair salon and more. It strikes the perfect balance between elegance and comfort, making it an ideal base to explore the wonders of Cape Town.

Places to visit in Cape Town

• Spend a full day exploring Cape Town and all that it has to offer

  • Visit the Victoria & Albert Waterfront and enjoy fantastic shops, restaurants and galleries

  • Shop for local crafts at The Watershed

  • Take a food tour in Bo-Kaap for some delicious local flavor

  • Visit the Castle of Good Hope, the oldest surviving building in South Africa

• Take a full-day tour to Table Mountain National Park. There are so many attractions within the park: Boulders Penguin Colony, Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point, Table Mountain and more. You can also take boat trips from the Simon’s Town Harbor, including whale-watching tours, pelagic birding tours and boat diving.

• Take a full-day tour of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek wineries. During your winery tours, visit the charming towns of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek.

• Take a private tour or ride the ferry to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned.

Where to eat in Cape Town

• Hemelhuijs is an exclusive inner-city restaurant and homeware store, located on the Fan Walk in central Cape Town.

• Between Us: Opened by twin sisters Jesse and Jamie Friedberg, Between Us is the perfect restaurant for an easygoing but decadent breakfast or lunch date. The restaurant is homey and welcoming with beautiful decor.

The coastal riviera  is one of the best places to go in South Africa. The area is renowned for its charming towns and exceptional whale-watching opportunities. Stretching for about 12 kilometers along the coast, the Cliff Path provides stunning views of the ocean and is a perfect way to enjoy the natural beauty of Hermanus. It's also an excellent vantage point for whale watching. Among the World Wildlife Fund’s 12 best whale-watching destinations globally, Hermanus stands out as a major breeding ground for southern right whales. From June to December, these majestic migratory animals grace the waters, with pods of up to 50 whales frolicking close to shore. Held annually in September, the Hermanus Whale Festival celebrates the return of the southern right whales and features live music, food stalls, and various activities for all ages.

Hermanus offers a wide range of activities and attractions beyond its renowned whale-watching. Here are some highlights:·

• Hiking: The Fernkloof Nature Reserve offers numerous trails with varying levels of difficulty, showcasing a diverse range of flora and fauna. The views from the top are breathtaking.

• Beaches: Hermanus boasts several beautiful beaches such as Voëlklip Beach and Grotto Beach, ideal for swimming, sunbathing and beachcombing.

• Hermanus Wine Route: The Hemel-en-Aarde Valley is home to some of South Africa's finest wineries. Enjoy wine tasting and tours at estates like Creation Wines, Hamilton Russell Vineyards and Bouchard Finlayson.

• Shark cage diving: For the adventurous, nearby Gansbaai offers shark cage diving, providing a thrilling experience with great white sharks.

• Kayaking: Paddle along the coastline and explore marine life up close. Guided kayaking tours are available for those looking to experience the ocean in a more personal way.

• Local art galleries: Hermanus is one of the best places to visit in South Africa to encounter a vibrant art community, with numerous galleries showcasing works by local artists.

Grootbos Garden Lodge was arguably the most unique and special stop on our trip. Grootbos is a world leader in sustainable tourism and has been awarded some of the highest international accolades possible. Situated on the slopes of Grootbos, overlooking the Hermanus seascape, you are captivated by the view from the moment you arrive. I could do an entire trip report just on Grootbos, but here are the highlights and what makes this lodge so special, , truly one of South Africa’s best places to visit:

• Over 900 unique plant species thrive at Grootbos, including three amazing milkweed forests.

• All-inclusive, five-star, eco-friendly property including gourmet meals.

• They have an on-site gallery, the Grootbos Florilegium, a unique collection of botanical illustrations by a collaboration of local and international artists. The collection depicts the rare, endangered and charismatic plants found on the Grootbos reserve and surrounding regions.

• Lots of things to do during your stay: Marine safaris, bird watching, botanical 4 x 4 tours, horseback riding, fat tire bike riding to the beach, whale watching and more.

• Accommodations include the Garden Lodge, which caters to families, the adults-only Forest Lodge and two luxury villas that are perfect for multi-gen families, special celebrations and milestones. Each villa comes with a private chef and guide, butler and a fully stocked pantry. All meals are created specifically to suit their guests' needs and desires.

Now it is time to go on safari! I’ve had the pleasure of going on safari in Kenya and Tanzania (East Africa) and Kruger and Sabi Sands (South Africa). Each safari and game drive is a unique, beautiful experience. My first safari eight years ago led me to my calling: becoming a travel advisor. Safaris are typically all-inclusive, providing lodging, meals and guided game drives.

Take a domestic flight from Cape Town to Eastgate Airport. You will be met by your private transfer and whisked off to Thornybush Game Reserve in Kruger Park, a private game reserve.

There are four lodges within Thornybush. We stayed at Thornybush Game Lodge, which was wonderful. For a more romantic, couples-focused stay, I would choose Saseka Tented Camp. The service was some of the best I’ve ever encountered, from our wait staff to our guide and tracker to the spa staff. Five-star service.

Day 9

You’ll arrive in the early afternoon and have lunch. Unpack and then head out for your 3:30 pm game drive. Each game drive is approximately three to four hours long. End your first day with a sundowner in the bush while seeing the beautiful African sunset with a gin and tonic in hand — pure magic.

Day 10

Awake at 5:30 am for coffee and biscuits, which can either be served to you in your room or you can gather in the main bar/restaurant area. At 6 am, you depart for your sunrise game drive. Morning game drives are my favorite — you can see incredible wildlife, the temperatures are just right and you can see the sunrise from your open-air vehicle. You’ll return around 8:30 or 9 am and have a delicious breakfast. Digest and relax and review your morning’s photos. Have lunch, relax or have a spa treatment. At 3:30 pm, you’ll head out on your second game drive. You will return after your sundowner around 6:30 or 7 pm, just in time for a cocktail at the bar. Refresh and head to dinner.

Day 11

While this day will be a repeat of your previous day, you are guaranteed to see something different on your game drive. No day is ever quite the same! That is the magic of safari. On our last day, we were blessed to find a leopard sleeping in a tree — we stayed for about 20 minutes waiting for him to put his head up!

Transfer by car or air to Sabi Sands, a magical and highly recommended place to go in South Africa. We stayed at the most incredible private lodge, Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge. Sculpted into the Sabi Sabi landscape, the lodge blends seamlessly with its surroundings. A National Geographic Unique Lodge of the World, this lodge is for the luxury client who enjoys unique architecture, beautiful modern decor, art and gourmet food. We spent two full days and nights here and it was not enough. I would recommend extending to three nights minimum. Earth Lodge doesn’t allow children under 12. However, there are three other private lodges and Bush Lodge is a great option for families.

Our days at Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge followed the same basic structure as all safari lodges. You wake early (5:30/6 am) for your sunrise game drive. You come back and have an amazing gourmet breakfast. Spend the day relaxing in your amazing suite (each suite at Earth Lodge has a private plunge pool). Take in a spa treatment, relax in the common areas and then join your afternoon game drive and end with an amazing sundowner —a definite favorite part of the day for most.

Game viewing

We saw the Big 5 at Sabi Sabi on our first day: lions, elephants, leopards, white rhinos and cape buffalo. We were also blessed to see lots of babies: lions, leopards (very rare) and a baby rhino.

Pro tip: National parks are open to people to self-drive, but you sacrifice a bit — you cannot go off road and it is typically very crowded — leading to some frustration for wildlife viewing and photo opportunities. With private reserves, you can go off-road with your guide and tracker — which is key for catching the best wildlife — and the experience is more intimate and less crowded than in the national parks.

Safari key notes

When booking a safari, it is highly recommended you use a travel advisor versus trying to plan on your own. We have numerous on-the-ground partners who are experienced experts and can coordinate every detail from the time you arrive at Cape Town Airport until you leave either from Cape Town or Johannesburg. Safari is a very nuanced trip and, by using a trusted travel advisor, you can be guaranteed to have a seamless trip that exceeds your expectations.

Sadly, it is time to say goodbye and take your flight home from Johannesburg. I can promise you that after visiting South Africa, you will want to return again.