South Africa Itinerary (+Vic Falls): Perfect 2-Week Route for First-Timers
South Africa is one of those places that grabs hold of you and doesn’t let go. Before our trip was even over, I knew we’d be coming back.
Our South Africa adventure was packed with unforgettable “firsts,” the kind of bucket-list experiences you talk about for years. We’re talking reservations at one of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, sipping incredible wines in stunning vineyards, and yes, some heart-pounding moments like swimming at the top of the world’s largest waterfall and locking eyes with a great white shark!
Whether you’re a foodie, an adventure seeker, or just curious about this incredible country, South Africa delivers. Here’s our personal South Africa itinerary filled with must-see spots, top-notch dining, and unforgettable experiences from one of the most incredible trips we’ve ever taken.
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Day 1: Zimbabwe
Arrive in the afternoon at Victoria Falls Airport. Obtain your Kaza Univisa on arrival, which allows multiple entries into Zambia and Zimbabwe and also day trips into Botswana. The Stanley & Livingstone Boutique Hotel will pick you up.
You will be exhausted but try to push through and visit Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwe side that afternoon, which is one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World! Then you can come back to the hotel, eat a quick dinner on-site, and go to sleep early since jet lag will be settling in quickly.
Dinner: At hotel (delicious gourmet a-la-carte meals!)
Day 2: Zambia in AM + Zimbabwe in PM
Arrange through the hotel to cross over into Zambia to do one of the most epic bucket list experiences.
10:30 am: Bucket list Item #1. Swim in Devil’s Pool on top of the world’s largest waterfall, Victoria Falls. Read more about our epic Devil’s Pool experience. Lunch/2nd late breakfast included.
Afternoon: At your leisure. We decided to relax and drink champagne by the pool. Other options: Afternoon safari drive at the hotel property or a sunset Zambezi River Cruise.
Breakfast: Watch the giraffes on the dining terrace while you eat a delicious made-to-order breakfast, which is included in your hotel rate
Dinner: At hotel
Overnight: Stanley & Livingstone Boutique Hotel
Day 3: Botswana Full Day Trip
Arrange through the hotel to transport you to the Wild Horizon’s office in Zimbabwe. This is the tour operator, who will take you to Botswana. Why are we going to Botswana? ELEPHANTS!
Breakfast: Request a to-go breakfast box provided by your hotel
Lunch: Chobe Marina Lodge in Botswana (included in your tour rate)
Dinner: At hotel
Overnight: Stanley & Livingstone Boutique Hotel
Day 4: Cape Winelands (Franschhoek)
Fly 3 hours nonstop from Victoria Falls Airport in Zimbabwe to Cape Town International Airport through South African Airlink.
Dinner: Casual dinner at Tuk Tuk Microbrewery in Franschhoek. 5 min. walk from the hotel. No reservations are required.
Overnight: Cape Vue Country House, an adorable B&B within walking distance of all the shops and restaurants in Franschhoek
Day 5: Cape Winelands (Hemel-en-Aarde Valley)
8 am: Pick-up time
10 am: Storm Wines
11:30 am: Creation Wines (multicourse lunch + wine pairings)
2:15 pm: Hamilton Russell
Breakfast: Wonderful made-to-order breakfast at the hotel
Dinner: 7:30 pm reservation at top restaurant La Petite Colombe
Overnight: Cape Vue Country House
Day 6: Cape Winelands (Franschhoek + Stellenbosch)
We did a self-guided wine tour using Uber.
9 am: Pick-up time via Uber
10:30 am: Kanonkop Wine Estate to try the quintessential Pintotage!
12:30 pm: The Table at De Meye (farm to table lunch + wine). See 5 Must-Try Franschhoek Restaurants & Beyond for details.
4 pm: Moreson Wine Farm
Dinner: 7:30 pm reservation at Chefs Warehouse at Maison
Overnight: Cape Vue Country House
Day 7: Cape Town
Drive 1 hr. to Cape Town. Drop off luggage/rental car at the hotel.
1:30 pm: Uber over to V&A Waterfront to walk around the harbor.
Breakfast: One last breakfast at Cape Vue Country House
Dinner: Check off Bucket List Item #3. Dine at the famous The Test Kitchen, one of the Best Restaurants in Cape Town.
Day 8: Penguins + Huts + Gardens
Drive around the Cape Peninsula. Lots of sites to check out!
4 pm: Walk along the spectacular Tree Canopy Walkway at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens
Breakfast: At the hotel
Dinner: Soup and snacks at hotel. You are waking up early tomorrow!
Overnight: Derwent House Boutique Hotel
Day 9: Great White Shark Cage Diving
4:30 am: Pick up. Why are you getting up this early? To cross off Bucket List Item #4.
Breakfast: Continental breakfast at the Great White Shark Tours headquarters. Don’t eat too much in case it comes up later!
Dinner: 6:30 pm at Thali, a lovely restaurant focusing on modern Indian tapas. No reservations are required.
Overnight: Derwent House Boutique Hotel
Day 10: Lion's Head Hike + Bo-Kaap
Uber to the start of the trailhead of the Lion’s head hike.
10:30 am: Witness the beauty of the city of Cape Town from Lion’s Head, Bucket List Item #5. This gorgeous city is surrounded by both mountains and ocean. Details can be found in Lion’s Head hike guide.
4:30 pm: Stroll around the vibrantly painted Cape Malay neighborhood known as Bo-Kaap.
Dinner: 8:30 pm at another top restaurant, The Pot Luck Club
Overnight: Derwent House Boutique Hotel
Day 11: Sabi Sands Safari
Drop off the rental car and take the 10:35 am 2.5 hr. nonstop flight via SA Airlink to Skukuza Airport.
4:30 pm: 3 hr. afternoon safari drive. They do not waste any time. You arrive at the safari lodge early in the afternoon. A few hours later you are riding around in a jeep scoping out all the wildlife.
Breakfast: At Derwent House Boutique Hotel before your early flight
Dinner: At Lion Sands River Lodge. All gourmet a-la-carte meals are served at the lodge and are mouthwatering. All meals and drinks included.
Day 12: Sabi Sands Safari
8:30 am – 4:30 pm: At your leisure. Swim, work out in the gym, or get a massage or facial at the spa. I opted for the massage.
4:30 – 7:30 pm: Afternoon safari drive
Check off Bucket List Item #6, the safari! If you feel overwhelmed in planning the best safari experience, don’t miss my tips on how to plan your South Africa safari and how to choose a safari lodge.
What animals are you going to see? Everything. Lions, leopards, elephants, zebras, buffalo, rhinos, giraffes, wild dogs, hippos, and more.
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner: At Lion Sands River Lodge
Overnight: Lion Sands River Lodge
Day 13: Sabi Sands Safari + Treehouse
5:30 – 8:30 am: Morning safari drive
8:30 am – 4:30 pm: At your leisure
4:30 – 7:30 pm: Afternoon safari drive
Another spectacular safari day out in the African bush
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner: At Lion Sands River Lodge
Sleeping in a treehouse is Bucket List #7. Please check out my article on the Chalkley Treehouse to read about our experience.
Day 14: Fly Back Home
5:30 am: Last morning safari drive
Take the 2:50 pm 1 hr. nonstop slight via SA Airlink to Johannesburg Airport.
Take the 9:45 pm 8 hr. 25 min. flight from Johannesburg Airport to London Heathrow Airport and then home to the United States via Virgin Atlantic.
Breakfast: At Lion Sands River Lodge
One last martini at the gorgeous Lion Sands River Lodge bar before the long flight home.
Map View of South Africa Itinerary (+ Victoria Falls)
Who Will Love This South Africa Itinerary
- Foodies
- Casual wine drinkers and serious wine connoisseurs
- Outdoor enthusiasts
- Animal/nature lovers
- Thrill-seekers
Best Time to Visit South Africa + Victoria Falls
The best time to do this 2-week Victoria Falls + South Africa itinerary will depend on what activities you want to do.
- Best Time To Swim in Devil’ls Pool in Zimbabwe: mid-August – late September
- Best Time To Do Great White Shark Cage Diving in Gansbaai: June – September
- Best Time To Do a Safari in Sabi Sands: May – early October (dry season)
- Best Time to Be in Cape Town: December – early March (summer months). During the spring months (September – November), the weather gradually starts to warm up, and the chance of rainfall decreases.
We decided the best month to accomplish all of our bucket list items was SEPTEMBER. Now that I have done the trip, I can say it was a good choice.
Number of Night in Each Place
- 3 nights in Zimbabwe
- 3 nights in Cape Winelands (Franschhoek)
- 4 nights in Cape Town
- 3 nights in Sabi Sand
Hotels
- Zimbabwe: Stanley & Livingstone Boutique Hotel
- Cape Winelands: Cape Vue Country House
- Cape Town: Derwent House
- Sabi Sands: Lion Sands River Lodge
Airlines & Lounges
Ethiopian Airlines
- United States to Victoria Falls Airport in Zimbabwe via a short layover at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport in Ethiopia (booked with United points)
South African Airlink
- Nonstop flight at 11:45 am from Victoria Falls Aiport in Zimbabwe and arrived in Cape Town International Airport in South Africa at 2:40 pm
- Nonstop flight at 10:35 am from Cape Town International Airport in South Africa and arrived at Skukuza Airport in Sabi Sand at 1:05 pm
- Nonstop flight at 2:50 pm from Skukuza Airport and arrived at Johannesburg Airport at 3:50 pm
Virgin Atlantic
- Johannesburg Airport back to the United States via a layover in London Heathrow Airport (booked with Virgin Atlantic points)
Dzimbahwe Executive Lounge
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Victoria Falls Airport
Bidvest Premier Lounge
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Cape Town International Airport
Shongololo Lounge
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Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport
Car Rental
We used Cabs Car Hire (Cape Town/Cape Winelands). Our hotel in Cape Town recommended this company, and they did not disappoint. Incredibly efficient and reliable. Drive your rental car to the Cape Winelands and on the full-day trip to the Cape Peninsula.
Otherwise, when you are in Cape Town, use Uber. Super cheap and reliable.
Tours
- Tongabezi (Devil’s Pool at Victoria Falls)
- Wild Horizons (Chobe National Park day trip)
- Since we went, there is another highly-rated company (5.0 on TripAdvisor) offering Chobe day trips called Maano Adventures.
- La Rochelle Tours (Hemel-en-Aarde Valley Wine Tour)
- Great White Shark Tours (Shark cage diving in Gansbaai)
Lunch/Dinner Reservations
- La Petite Colombe (Franschhoek in Cape Winelands)
- The Table at De Meye (Stellenbosch in Cape Winelands)
- Chefs Warehouse at Maison (Franschhoek in Cape Winelands)
- Creation Wine (Hemel-en-Aarde Valley in Cape Winelands)
- The Test Kitchen (Cape Town)
- The Pot Luck Club (Cape Town)
Winery Reservations
- Storm Wines
- Creation Wines
7 Bucket List Items
- Swim in Devil’s Pool on top of the world’s largest waterfall, Victoria Falls
- Drink the best South African wine in the Cape Winelands
- Go shark cage diving
- Dine at The Test Kitchen, one of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants
- Hike Lion’s Head to get the most epic view of Cape Town
- Go on a South Africa safari
- Sleep in a treehouse
Travel Insurance
- Explorer Plan by World Nomads Insurance. It covered 2 people for 2 weeks and all of the higher-risk activities. Cost: $291.82 USD.
What I Would Have Changed
- Staying 1 less night in Franschhoek and adding 1 night in the seaside town of Hermanus
- Staying 1 extra night in Zimbabwe to take advantage of the hotel’s safari drives and having time to do a sunset Zambezi River Cruise
- If I had another 5-7 days, I would have loved to explore the Garden Route. Next time!
I’m Nichole, the author of all the blog posts on Enriching Pursuits. Think of me as your geeky DIY discerning travel friend who dives deep—Google Page 20 deep—to uncover the best ways to enjoy exceptional outdoor adventures and foodie experiences.
My husband and I are experienced snorkelers, day hikers, and casual cyclists who also love delicious street food, an incredible glass of wine, and the occasional Michelin-starred meal.
Balancing full-time careers, we cherish every second of our vacation days and love sharing tips to help you do the same. If this sounds like your kind of travel, subscribe below or drop me a note with any questions—I’d love to hear from you!
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Questions about our South Africa itinerary?
Let me know in the comments below!
This is AMAZING and exactly what i’ve been looking for as we contemplate this exact trip. Now i feel very confident about September as the month we go. My question for you is the order you did the trip in. Why did you start in Zimbawbe and then go down to cape town and then back up to sabi sands? I was thinking Hermanus to decompress and do shark diving…into the winelands…into cape town…into sabi sands and end in Zimbabwe but would love your insight.
thank you!
Thanks for reaching out! We picked to start in Zimbabwe in mid-September because Devil’s Pool only runs through late September (didn’t want to chance not being able to do it).
Also, the later you wait to do Cape Town in the year, the better (warmer, less chance of rain). That’s why we picked Cape Town at the end of the trip. We wanted to end the trip on a relaxing/epic note, so we booked the safari in Sabi Sands as the last part of the itinerary.
We walked around Hermanus. Cute town! If you stay there a few days, that will definitely make it feel more relaxed. Then you can enjoy South Africa wine country a little more.
One more question! Did you plan this all yourself or did you use a travel agent?
We planned this trip ourselves. I’m one of those who actually enjoy the researching/planning process. 🙂