South Africa

safari · pinotage · malva pudding

Where to Stay

Cape Town: Derwent House

Cape Winelands: Cape Vue

Sabi Sands: Lion Sands

Best Time

September (best month to combine all bucket list items)

May – October (Sabi Sands)

December – February (Cape Town)

Get Around

Rent a Car with Cabs Car Hire (Cape Winelands)

Uber (Cape Town)

Fly to Skukuza (Sabi Sands)

We Spent

2 weeks

Who Will Love South Africa 

→     Safari lovers who won’t give up great food. Leopards at dawn in Sabi Sands, tasting menus in Cape Town.

→     Wine lovers. Pinotage in Stellenbosch and Pinot Noir in Hemel-en-Aarde, all an easy drive from Cape Town.

→     Thrill-seekers. Cage diving with sharks off Gansbaai and climbing the ladders up Lion’s Head.

start
HERE

Perfect 2-Week Route for First-Timers:

South Africa (+ Vic Falls) Itinerary 

Planning

Things to Do

Safari

Wine

Eat & Drink

Planning

The safari is the hardest part to plan and the first thing to book.

Leopard licking his lips while on safari at Lions Sands River Lodge in Sabi Sand

Planning Guide

South Africa Safari Planning Made Easy: My 12 Insider Tips

Two lionesses eating a giraffe while on a safari drive at Lion Sands River Lodge

Park Comparison

Sabi Sands vs. Kruger: Here’s How to Decide

Zebra at Sabi Sand Game Reserve

Lodge Guide

How to Choose an Africa Safari Lodge: 11 Things to Consider

Giraffes doing the splits at Chobe National Par

Budget Guide

African Safari Cost: 10 Factors + How We Saved $6800+!

Lion snuggling on his brother in Sabi Sand

Destination Comparison

7 Top Safari Destinations: Insider’s Pros and Cons Guide

Things to Do

Hikes, wine, penguins, and sharks in and around Cape Town.

Bo-Kaap colorful houses copy

Start Here

17 Best Things to Do in Cape Town: The Ultimate Checklist!

Summit of Lion's Head Hike

Hike Guide

Lion’s Head Hike in Cape Town: 8 Things to Know Before You Go

Boulders Beach Penguin Colony

Penguins

Boulders Beach Penguins in Cap Town: 6 Things to Know Before You Go

shark cage diving in Cape Town South Africa

Cage Diving

South Africa Shark Cage Diving: 10 Things to Know

Muizenberg Beach colorful beach huts in South Africa

Beach Huts

Muizenberg Beach Huts: Fascinating History + Where to Find Them

Safari

Three nights on safari at Lion Sands in Sabi Sands.

Lion yawning on a lazy afternoon while on afternoon safari in Sabi Sands South Africa

Safari Experience

A Typical Day on Safari: Behind the Scenes Look

Lion Sands River Lodge Fire Pit

Safari Lodge Review

Lion Sands River Lodge Review: What to Really Expect

Chalkley Treehouse at sunrise

Bucket List Night 


Chalkley Treehouse in South Africa + Video

Wine

Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Hemel-en-Aarde, guided and on our own.

The Table at De Meye in South Africa

Start Here

South Africa Wine Country Getaway: Where to Stay, Sip Wine, and Dine

Cape Winelands

Wine Regions Roundup

Best South Africa Wine Regions (+Wineries): Our Personal Picks!

Cape Winelands in South Africa

Wine Tour Options

Best Cape Town Wine Tours: Here’s How to Pick

Vineyard

Best Private Wine Tour

We Found the Best Private South Africa Wine Tour (Review)

Kanonkop 1989 Award Winning Pinotage

Self-Guided Wine Tour

How to Do a Self-Guided Wine Tour in the Cape Winelands Using Uber

Eat & Drink

From bobotie at the market to a World’s 50 Best tasting menu.

Cape Malay cuisine at Old Biscuit Mill Saturday Market in Cape Town

Food Roundup

Top 10 South African Foods: Here’s What’s Delicious

Ghee roast chicken and lamb and tomato bredie at Thali in Cape Town

Cape Town

3 Best Restaurants in Cape Town: A Foodie Traveler’s Picks

Beef sirloin pastrami with homemade soft pretzel at Chefs Warehouse at Maison in Franschhoek South Africa

Cape Winelands

5 Best Restaurants in the Cape Winelands