Hi there, From Windhoek to Namaqualand, is it possible to take a route further east than the B1 national road, and are there any points of interest along that way? Thanks in advance.

Hi there,

We’re back from our 3-week trip to South Africa in July. It was a family trip with our four grown-up kids (ages 18 to 25).

First off, I’d like to thank everyone on this forum for their great tips—they really helped us plan this trip!

The trip: We spent 15 days between Port Elizabeth and Cape Town, then a week around Kruger (including Blyde River Canyon). We found South Africans to be welcoming and always ready to help. We never felt unsafe (just followed basic safety rules). The police are very visible, especially on the roads.

Logistics: We’d booked our accommodations in advance but made a few changes on the spot based on how we felt at the time. We rented two vehicles from Firefly (Hertz). No complaints—recent cars, quick returns, and the deposit wasn’t charged. We’d gotten our international driver’s permits... which stayed in France! Luckily, no one asked for them. Driving on the left wasn’t an issue (it wasn’t our first time). The roads we took were in good, even great, condition. Only a few tracks to lodges or parks were rough and required extra caution. Lots of pedestrians on the sides of roads, even highways. And plenty of very slow trucks. But they pull over to let you pass. It’s also common for cars to cross into the opposite lane to overtake, even with white lines. We took two domestic flights: one early in the morning (Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth) and one in the late afternoon (Cape Town to Johannesburg) to save time.

We had some highlights and a few disappointments—all part of the journey! More details coming soon.

Hi everyone, We’ve just returned from a 3-week trip to South Africa: 2 weeks in Kruger Park, Manyeleti, and White River 5 days in Vilankulo 1 day in Johannesburg If you have any questions or are planning your trip, don’t hesitate! 🙂

Hi, I’m starting to plan a great trip for the last three weeks of January 2027 (my first time in South Africa). After spending a few hours (!) browsing this forum, here’s a rough first draft of my itinerary:

D0 Arrival at JNB D1, D2 Blyde River Canyon D3, D4, D5, D6, D7: Kruger D8, D9, D10: St Lucia and surrounding area D11, D12, D13, D14: Drakensberg + Lesotho

D15 A very long driving day to the south (hope the AC doesn’t break down!)

D16, D17, D18, D19 southwest coast (so far I’ve noted Oudtshoorn, Robberg Nature Reserve, Wilderness NP, De Hoop Reserve, and a bit of the wine route) D20, D21 Cape Town (peninsula and a bit of the city) + domestic flight and return flight (departure from JNB at 11 PM)

A few questions before refining this: - Do you see any major issues with this itinerary?

- We don’t have a choice on dates, and personally, I prefer green landscapes to desert ones anyway, but do you really see far fewer animals in January than in the dry season? Five days in Kruger should give us enough time to spot plenty of different animals despite the tall grass, right? As for the heat, we’re from Réunion, so we’re relatively used to it, even though I know it’s not the same type of heat.

- Can I trust the distances and driving times given by Google Maps?

- Picking up the vehicle in Johannesburg and dropping it off in Cape Town: how much might that cost us? I’m thinking it probably won’t be worse (in terms of time or money, since there are five of us—2 adults + 3 kids) than going back to Joburg after Lesotho, taking a flight to Cape Town, and renting another vehicle... but maybe I’m wrong.

- Finally, wouldn’t it be better to focus on just one of the two regions (either the northeast or Cape Town and the south coast)? If it were up to me, I’d stick to the first part and extend a few stops... but not everyone agrees! And we’re thinking that since it’ll be really hot, a second part of the trip that’s a bit """cooler""" would be welcome.

Thanks for your help

Alright, this time it's definite—I'm heading to South Africa next October! 😎

Two weeks for a Kruger-Cape Town combo is short... but better than nothing 😉 Before booking the flight tickets, two quick preliminary questions (more will definitely follow): Is there a preferred direction (Kruger first or Cape Town first)? Is it better to go during the first half of October, the second half (or the middle 😏), or does the current unpredictable weather make it all pretty much the same in the end?

Hi there,

I know this question has been discussed many times before, but I’d love to hear recent opinions (post-COVID crisis) about tourist safety in South Africa. My husband is offering me the chance to take a self-drive trip in South Africa in July 2025. It’s a dream of mine—we’ve never been to Africa before, but we’ve regularly driven on the left side of the road before ;-) I’ve already booked the hotels and a rental car for a 3-week family trip (my husband and our 19-year-old son). But after talking to some acquaintances, I’ve been warned about the risks of carjacking, theft, scams by fake police, and even kidnapping… basically, a pretty apocalyptic picture of the region!!! I’ve already carefully read the recommendations from embassies and foreign affairs offices. Our itinerary would start at Johannesburg Airport with a rental car, sticking to main roads and avoiding night driving. First stop: Blyde River Canyon (exploring the area), then heading to Kruger National Park (one week), entering through the Numbi or Phabeni Gate and exiting via Crocodile Bridge to reach Eswatini (stopping at Mlilwane Sanctuary) before continuing to St. Lucia (a few days there). From St. Lucia, we’ll go to Durban to catch a flight to Cape Town. There, we’ll spend a few days with a rental car in the Camps Bay area. What do you think? I know there’s no such thing as zero risk (you could even fall out of bed!), but I don’t want to spend the whole trip on edge, constantly worried about being attacked or putting my family in danger. During vacations, we take a lot of photos—I know we shouldn’t flaunt valuables, but photography is a big part of our trips… Should we postpone this trip to a "quieter" time? If you can shed some light, I’d really appreciate it—I’m feeling a bit lost…

Hello everyone! We’re heading to South Africa this summer (August 11 to September 1) and I’m finalizing our itinerary. I’d love to get your thoughts on our route and specifically on two points: - The time spent at each stop: does any seem too short or too long? - The domestic flights: do you think they’re a good choice? (Flight from Kruger to Durban + Durban to Port Elizabeth) We’ll rent a car each time we land. Or is it better to do the whole trip by car? Thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to take a look! Have a great day! !

Hi there, We're considering the following route: - Cape Town - West Coast National Park - Lambert's Bay - Springbok - Upington - KTP That’s about 1,250 km in total. We’ve already visited the West Coast National Park. Is covering such a distance to reach KTP (the main goal of our trip) really worth it—does it offer enough to justify the detour? Thanks for your input!

Hi everyone, I’d be driving down the Panorama Route starting from Balule via Hoedshpruit to catch a flight to Cape Town. Is it wiser to head back up to Hoedspruit the next morning, stopping by the viewpoints again, or to go to Nelspruit Airport instead? There’s not a huge time or distance difference—just about a 15-minute shorter drive to Nelspruit—but is it more interesting to take the route down to Nelspruit via Hazyview (which we wouldn’t have seen yet) or to revisit the viewpoints if we didn’t spend enough time there the day before? Just to note, we’ll have rented the car from Hoedshpruit initially, and we’ll need to return it for our flight to Cape Town. I think we can switch the drop-off airport for an extra fee. Taking all that into account, what would you recommend? Thanks in advance! Dan

Hi there, we're planning a trip to Southern Africa with a tour operator next January, and during this journey, we'll have two free half-days in Cape Town. Would anyone have the contact details for a French-speaking guide who could show us around during these free times? Thanks so much for your suggestions. Have a great day. Christine

Hello everyone! It's been a year since I've been longing for South Africa. Our first trip in August 2025 amazed us, and—rarely—it was a unanimous hit with our little family! We were touched to the core, and from the moment we got home, we couldn’t stop talking about going back. 😄 I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who gave me advice on the itinerary for that first trip (Johannesburg loop: Blyde, Kruger, Eswatini, St. Lucia, Durban, Drakensberg)! Thanks to you, our trip went like a dream! Since then, I haven’t stopped reading articles and discussions on VoyageForum to keep my head in South Africa a little longer! So, we finally caved and just booked our tickets for January 2027 (from the 3rd to the 26th), with a plan to do a road trip from Cape Town to Johannesburg in about 3 weeks. I’ve got a rough itinerary that seems great based on what I’ve read on various forums, but there are still some uncertain points, and that’s where I could use your advice.

3/01: Arrival in Johannesburg at 11:45 PM 4/01: Flight to Cape Town, pick up rental car. Afternoon sightseeing 5,6,7/01: Cape Town to visit the big classics in the area (any tips for finding accommodation: which neighborhood, a specific place?) 8/01: Overnight stop before Oudtshoorn—but where??? (Is it essential, or is the CT-Oudtshoorn drive manageable? If so, I’d gain a day in Oudtshoorn. Google Maps shows over 5 hours of driving...) 9,10/01: Oudtshoorn (or would 3 nights be better to really enjoy the area?) 11,12/01: Knysna, Plettenberg Bay (to have time for hiking—if you’ve got hiking tips, I’m all ears!) 13,14/01: Tsitsikamma (still to have time for hiking—who knows the must-do hikes in the area? But maybe 4 nights in the Knysna-Tsitsikamma area is too much—I’m not sure) 16,17/01: Addo Elephant (I’m torn between 3 nights at Addo or 3 nights at Mountain Zebra. Based on travel journals, especially Michel’s on MZ, I’ve scheduled 3 nights at MZ 😄...) 18,19,20/01: Mountain Zebra NP 21/01: Camdeboo NP (because it looks so beautiful!) 22/01: Overnight stop (where?) before wrapping up the trip with either 2 or 3 nights at Golden Gate NP or the Lesotho option, which appeals to me, but I don’t know if it’s doable in 3 days to be back in Johannesburg by the afternoon of the 26th.

That’s my trip idea for now... I’m eagerly waiting for your advice, ideas, and comments... Can’t wait to be back there again!

Hello,

We’re planning our second trip to South Africa in July 2026. In 2023, we did a loop from Joburg, Golden Gate, Drakensberg, Hluhluwe, St Lucia, Eswatini, Kruger, Blyde River Canyon, and back to Joburg. This time, we’d like to go to Cape Town and do a road trip to Port Elizabeth, then fly back to Joburg to return to Kruger. At this stage of my planning, here’s what it could look like:

D1 to D4: Cape Town and Cape of Good Hope (Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, Waterfront, Bo-Kaap, Boulders, Cape Point, Chapman’s Peak Drive). I’ve spotted a few places to stay between Camps Bay and Hout Bay (3 nights). D5 and D6: Either Karoo NP or Hermanus and De Hoop. Any opinions to tip the scales? I’ll admit I’m already leaning toward Karoo (the "wild" vibe of the landscapes and wildlife encounters appeal to me much more than the seaside, which feels less exotic). If we go for Karoo, where should we stay? Inside the park or in Beaufort West? I’ve seen good reviews for Ko-ka Tsara Bush Camp, but maybe it’s better to stay in the Sanparks cottages to make the most of the park? (2 nights) Option B is to do Stellenbosch (though vineyards aren’t great in winter) and/or the Whale Route—Betty’s Bay, Hermanus, De Hoop (2 nights near Gansbaai). D7 and D8: Klein Karoo, Oudtshoorn. Staying at De Cango Guest Farm (2 nights). D9 and D10: Knysna, Robberg Nature Reserve, Tsitsikamma (2 nights in Plettenberg Bay and 1 night in PE). D11: Flight from Port Elizabeth to Joburg at 7 AM and drive to Marloth Park.

For Kruger, I’ve booked 2 nights in Marloth Park, 1 night in Skukuza, 2 nights in Satara, and 1 night in Talamati, which we loved. I’ll book the last night in Graskop later since we want to revisit the Blyde Canyon area.

I’d love all the feedback you can give on my itinerary, especially for days 5 and 6. If you have recommendations for accommodations for 4 people, I’d appreciate those too. Thanks! 🙂

Hi everyone, I’m new to the forum— I’m looking for reviews on the rental company Aroundaboutcars. I know they don’t have their own fleet at Johannesburg Airport and work with other rental companies. Can anyone tell me if they’re reliable and professional? (I’ve seen great feedback for Cape Town, where they have their own fleet, but no info on their services in Johannesburg.) Thanks in advance! Mlaure

Hi there, We did a trip to South Africa in August 2023 and at the time, we regretted not being able to make the most of the Cape Town area because of the weather. So we’re thinking of going back during the right season in early 2026 for 2 weeks, but I’m struggling a bit to plan the itinerary. We’d like to spend a few days on safari, but options are somewhat limited in this (large) geographic area since it’s not the right season for KTP, and Addo Elephant Park doesn’t seem like the best choice. Are there any interesting private reserves in this area? Otherwise, we’re considering starting with a few days in Madikwe from Johannesburg, then about ten days from Cape Town. For those 10 days, do you have any suggestions that go beyond the classic Garden Route? We’ve heard good things about the Cederberg, but after that, I’m struggling to put together something coherent. Thanks for your suggestions! Jacques

Hello and happy New Year to everyone, A friend and I are interested in going to South Africa (or Kenya) for about two weeks (last quarter of 2026) but without renting a car. Generally, I don’t like organized trips for the entire duration of a trip, and what’s more, this destination is very expensive. So, I was wondering if it would be a good idea to spend, for example, a week in Cape Town independently and take day trips with a local agency, then do a week-long circuit for a safari in a park, which would leave a bit of freedom to book flights and maybe get advice from local agencies. Is this a good idea? Is it doable or not? What do you think? Have any travelers done this kind of trip? Thanks in advance for your feedback. Dominique

Hello, I’ve got a little doubt about our arrival in Johannesburg and would love your advice. We’re landing at 2:20 PM with Rwandair from Kigali on Sunday, July 27th. We need to pick up our rental car and head toward the Drakensberg. I’ve booked accommodation about an hour from Johannesburg Airport in Heidelberg. It seemed doable to drive for an hour, but considering customs, baggage claim, picking up the car, potential traffic jams (?), and the early sunset at that time of year, I’m worried about driving at night. What do you think? Should we stick with the plan or book a place closer to the airport and hit the road the next morning? Thanks so much in advance for your help.

Hi everyone, I’m reaching out today to gather some great tips for the second part of our trip to South Africa, which will take place from 03/21 to 04/11. We don’t want to rush too much either. We’ll start in Cape Town (tickets already booked) since it seems like a good time to visit this region—except for the whales in Hermanus, which we won’t be seeing. Oh, and I almost forgot, we’re renting a car for both legs of the trip for more freedom.

The first part is planned like this:

- 03/21: Arrival in Cape Town, staying until 03/24 - 03/25: Visit to the Cape, including a stop in Simon’s Town - 2 nights in Stellenbosch from 03/26 to 03/28 - 3 nights in Knysna to explore the area from 03/28 to 03/31 - 03/31: Flight from Port Elizabeth to Durban, where we’ll spend one night in Umhlanga

After that, I’m a bit lost 🙂. Next, I was thinking of doing:

2 nights in St. Lucia 2 nights in Eswatini 4 nights in Kruger Park (2 nights in Skukuza and 2 nights in Balule to visit a private reserve) 1 night at Blyde Canyon 1 night somewhere to get closer to Johannesburg (Graskop?) since we’ll need to return the car by around 11:00 AM on 04/11.

So, does the second part make sense or not? I’ve done quite a bit of research, but I’m still a little lost . We can’t wait to be there, and your valuable advice would be very welcome. Thanks so much in advance, and have a great day! Luis

Hello, I’m taking advantage of the forum reopening to ask this question:

For her 70th birthday, my mom will receive—as a gift—a trip to South Africa at the end of May 2025. We’ll arrive and depart (13 nights later) from JNB on Air France AF990/AF995. We’ll obviously rent a car for certain parts of the trip. I’ve been to the Cape Town area and as far as Agulhas twice, but she’s never been to South Africa before. She might enjoy a day or two of safari, but it’s not a priority for her. I’m well aware that trying to pack in too much is risky, which is why I’m looking for your advice on itineraries, safety, and health (status of the Marburg virus). So far, which combinations of these visits (in no particular order) would be doable and most enjoyable for her at a reasonable pace:

1-day excursion to Pilanesberg Park (+ Hartbeespoort on the way back if possible), self-drive or with a tour guide? 2 nights around the Panorama Route self-driving Garden Route from/to George/PLZ for 5 nights (what are the must-sees for a first-timer with so little time?) Wine region for 2 nights (is it worth doing both the Stellenbosch bus tour and the Franschhoek Wine Tram the next day, or vice versa)—she loves good wine! Cape Town for 2 nights (is it worth stopping at the Cape of Good Hope if—only if—you’ve maybe already been to Agulhas?).

This would give a final itinerary like this:

Day 1: Morning arrival in JNB—rest day/to be defined Day 2: Guided game drive excursion to Pilanesberg Park Day 3: Flight JNB–Port Elizabeth, pick up rental car, drive to Tsitsikamma Day 4–6: Garden Route: activities to be defined Day 7: Transfer to Franschhoek: Wine Tram in the afternoon Day 8: Taxi to Stellenbosch for the Vine Hopper bus tour Day 9–11: Transfer to Cape Town: activities to be defined Day 12: Flight from Cape Town to Hoedspruit or Nelspruit Day 13: Visit the Panorama Route Day 14: Flight from Hoedspruit or Nelspruit to JNB, then evening flight back to France

Given the time spent on the Garden Route, what are the must-sees? Same question for the Panorama Route? In general, she prefers beautiful walks with incredible landscapes/views and cultural visits over big cats, but it would be a shame not to see some local wildlife like meerkats, whales (I doubt it in May), or penguins during her stay! There you go—feel free to critique (not too harshly, though😛)/advise/improve. Thanks in advance! 🙂

Hi everyone, For those who’ve been following me... progress is being made! Anyway, just to recap for the others: I’m leaving Manyeleti (a private reserve) to do a self-drive safari in the main Kruger Park for 2 nights before heading to Blyde River Canyon (sharing all this so you can picture the route). So Satara seemed like a good base for the safari, except that you can only book accommodation in this non-private park through Sandparks to find a camp. Since Satara is fully booked, the only ones with availability for my dates are: Tamboti, Olifants, and Satara—wait, no, Satara’s full—so Letaba, sorry! Any thoughts on these camps? Because I can enter via Orpen and drive north (safari-style), which would let us explore, but: 1/ Too many km if we pick the farthest one, Letaba? If I leave Manyeleti (Honeyguide Mantobeni) after the morning safari, what time do I need to be at the camp by?

It’s all coming together—I just need to pick the camp based on distance, so thanks to all of you for your invaluable help! Dan

Hi there, Hope the pros are on the lookout!

March or May 2027. Around 15 days in the Western Cape, then 15 days in the southern KNP.

Arrival either in PE or George. The pros know I’m somewhat familiar with the area... that I don’t camp... that my accommodations can be simple and remote, self-catering but with basic comforts... that I’m looking for spots that are a bit off the beaten path... in a relaxed mode... From George: Late arrival... need some rest... Herolds Bay from George to the N1. Tsitsikamma is catching my eye (Storms River)... with or without a stop in Knysna. Question: What’s the current condition of the pass from Knysna to Uniondale? R339. And while I’m at it, the condition of the R340. Tsitsikamma, Knysna, and my questions still apply if arriving in PE.

Is the Swartberg still closed? Any recommendations for accommodation in Prince Albert? If I cross the escarpment, I’ll continue via Anysberg NR, Touwsrivier... any thoughts? From there... Tankwa Karoo or Mount Cedar (or both). Then heading back down to the coast... the highlands of Hermanus or Kogelberg NR (any opinions on the latter?).

Or,

A more classic route along the coast...

If I arrive (fairly late) in PE... any ideas for accommodation in that little area? Given that Nyathi Camp is winking at me... (For context... a while back, I stayed at Riverbend (same Addo sector, private concession)... and I visited the ruins of that abandoned lodge at the time, which has clearly been renovated since... located in a very quiet part of Addo...). Any feedback from the pros? Well, that’s about it... I’m open to any other tips or advice!

Hello, We’re a group of four seventy-something retirees and we’re planning a 4-week trip to South Africa. We’re seasoned "adventurers" used to multi-week stays (we’ve been to India seven times, Mexico, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Australia, etc.).

For South Africa, we’re thinking of covering most of the trip in a private vehicle and taking flights for inter-state transfers. We’re interested in meeting people, learning about the country’s evolution, exploring major cities, visiting traditional villages, and seeing wildlife.

Here’s the itinerary we’re considering: Johannesburg – 2 days (we’ll pass through again later) Pretoria – 2 days Blyde River Canyon and Graskop – 1 day Acornhoek – 1 day Letaba – 2 days Lobamba – 2 days Johannesburg – 1 day

Flight to Cape Town

Cape Town – 3 days Cape of Good Hope – 1 day Stellenbosch – 1 day Hermanus – 1 day Mossel Bay – 2 days Oudtshoorn Wilderness – 2 days Knysna Port Elizabeth – 2 days Addo Elephant Park

Flight back to Johannesburg

Johannesburg – 1 day

Return to Paris

Could you share your thoughts on this itinerary? We’ll be renting a vehicle to explore both regions. We can easily add 4–5 more days to the trip if needed.

We’re looking at traveling either between April and May 2026 or in October/November 2026.

I’ll follow up later to discuss the best safari options and get a rough budget estimate.

Thanks to everyone who takes the time to read this and share their thoughts!

Hi there,

We’re heading to South Africa in August, with a basic itinerary: Johannesburg, Kruger Park, and finishing up in Cape Town. My question—I know it’s winter there—what are the temperatures like? How should we dress? Thanks for your tips!

Hi there, I’m finalizing the itinerary for my trip to Namibia in October and would love to get it validated by you, the experts. I’ll be traveling by 4x4 with a rooftop tent.

Here’s the itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Windhoek Night in REHOBOTH or nearby

Day 2: Rehoboth to Stampriet

Day 3: Road to Sesriem

Day 4: Head to Sossusvlei/Sesriem Canyon

Day 5: Road to Walvis Bay

Day 6: Day in Walvis Bay

Day 7: Head to Spitzkoppe

Day 8: Direction Cape Cross then Brandberg

Day 9: Brandberg, Twyfelfontein, Palmwag

Day 10: Palmwag

Day 11: Head to Etosha Day 12: Etosha

Day 13: Head to Waterberg after morning safari

Day 14: Full day at Waterberg

Day 15: Return to Windhoek for flight at 8:30 PM

What do you think? I’m open to all suggestions!

Thanks

Good evening, I’m drawn to the siren call of Voy.. priv... offering a lovely Namibia itinerary, but I won’t hide that our last trip with this same "organization" left a bitter taste... though to be fair, the destination had lost all its charm—or maybe it was just too much so: Bali! I loved it in 2001, but when I went back in 2023, I hated it. Still, we let ourselves be convinced by an enticing price...

But that’s not the point. Now, we want to take this dream trip to Namibia. There are so many options, from the simplest to the most sophisticated: tourist buses, self-drive 4x4s, or private guides. Each has its pros and cons.

The bus: I hated Bali *because* of this—too many people, too touristy... On the other hand, you just let yourself be guided. No stress about driving.

4x4: Waking up in the middle of nature must be incredible—being self-sufficient with a travel journal, knowing every day is full of surprises. The downside? Only my partner drives. A former sales rep, he’s logged so many kilometers it’s wrecked his back...

With a guide: That’d be the dream... but we don’t have the budget.

So, I’m looking for a solution—contacts, advice—to make this trip match our tastes *and* our budget. For early April, of course!

Thanks for your input.

Hi there. We’ll be in South Africa at the end of February ’26 with a rental car—not a 4x4. What’s the best route between Kosy Bay and the southern part of Kruger Park? Is the Mozambique route via Maputo a good option? What are the formalities for crossing into Mozambique? Is the Kosy Bay area worth a detour? We’ll be entering Kruger from the south for 4 days. Any recommendations for routes/campsites? Lower Sabie, Satara? Do we really need to book accommodations in Kruger in February? And what about safaris? Thanks for your input! Franz

Hi there, We arrived in St Lucia today and started with a classic boat excursion to see the hippos. It was amazing! Tomorrow, we're heading to Isimangaliso up to Cape Vidal. Quick question: what time do you recommend going? Thanks so much! Have a great evening! !

Hi there, I’m planning a trip with my three teens in a 4x4 with rooftop tents in July 2025 and would love your thoughts on my itinerary (still a draft). Day 1: Windhoek Day 2: Keetmanshoop Day 3-5: Fish River Canyon Day 6: FRC stop in Mariental Day 7: Mariental to Sesriem Day 8-10: Sesriem, then depart for Swakopmund Day 11-12: Swakopmund Day 13-14: Spitzkoppe Day 15-16: Twyfelfontein Day 17: Stop in Outjo Day 18-20: Etosha Day 21: Waterberg Day 22: Waterberg to Windhoek Day 23: Afternoon flight

Thanks so much for your help! Anne Claire

Hi everyone!

My trip to South Africa is getting closer (still 2 months to go 😏), and I’m diving back into my itinerary: from Saturday to the following Sunday around Cape Town, then from Sunday to the following Saturday in Kruger.

For Cape Town, the plan was to avoid changing accommodation every day (we’ll do enough of that in the second part) but still see different landscapes. I know, I’m missing out on a lot, but you’ve got to make choices, and after all this time, I know what I like—and especially what I don’t (or like less) 😉

Here’s the breakdown:

Arrival Saturday at 11 AM: heading to Hermanus (2 nights). The idea is to stroll along the cliff path in the afternoon, and possibly drive to the Klein River Lagoon. Sunday: Stony Point, then depending on time and weather, a hike in Kogelberg Nature Reserve or Fernkloof Nature Reserve (which seems less scenic but has shorter walks). Monday: drive to Franschhoek (1 night). If everything lines up, a hike in Jonkershoek NR and a visit to a wine estate. Tuesday: drive to Mountceder Lodge in the Cederberg (2 nights). I’m thinking of visiting the Stadsaal Caves and the elephant paintings, and maybe one of the hikes listed on the lodge’s site or Maltese Cross. Thursday: heading to Hout Bay for 3 nights. In no particular order: a classic day trip around the peninsula, half a day at Kirstenbosch Gardens, and half a day at Lion’s Head. Sunday: flight to Johannesburg.

My questions are mostly about (short) hikes: Has anyone here done hikes in Kogelberg, Fernkloof, or Jonkershoek? At Mountceder Lodge (Michel, if you’re reading this… 😉), has anyone tried the hikes (guided or not) offered by the lodge? There’s still half a day to fill when we’re in Hout Bay—any ideas (not necessarily hikes)?

Lastly, regarding safety: the French foreign ministry (always alarmist, but still) recommends hiking in groups. Is it really risky in broad daylight? (I’m not sure a group of two women counts as a "group"…)

Thanks in advance for your answers, ideas, and comments!

Hi there

We’re planning to do this route as a self-drive trip. There’ll be six of us, so with a large car—is the drive between Durban and Johannesburg manageable? Thanks for your feedback! Day 2: Cape Town Day 3: Cape of Good Hope Day 4: Hermanus, Cape Agulhas Day 5: Wine Route Day 6: Cape Town → Durban (flight) → St. Lucia Day 7: St. Lucia Day 8: Hluhluwe Day 9: Mlilwane Day 10: Sabi Sand Day 11: Sabi Sand Day 12: Kruger Day 13: Panoramic Route Day 14: Balule → Johannesburg

Hello,

Happy 2025, filled with wonderful travels! 🙂

We’re traveling as a family to South Africa for the first time in July (two parents and our four young adult children). We’ve planned a loop starting from Port Elizabeth for 13 days, followed by another loop from Johannesburg with 2 days at Blyde River Canyon and 5 days in Kruger NP.

We’re wondering about the Port Elizabeth loop. Here’s our initial idea: Day 1: Early arrival in Port Elizabeth, morning walk in Tsitsikamma NP, night at Storm River Rest Camp. Day 2: Continue visiting Tsitsikamma NP early in the morning, then Robberg Nature Reserve, night at Ebb and Flow Rest Camp. Day 3: Visit the Wilderness area, night at Ebb and Flow Rest Camp. Day 4: Drive to Hermanus. Several options: Bontebok NP or The Hoop and Cape Agulhas; night in Hermanus. Day 5: Coastal trail, boat trip (?), night in Cape Town. Day 6: Table Mountain, Bo-Kaap, Waterfront; night in Cape Town. Day 7: Cape Peninsula, night in Cape Town. Day 8: Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden, Matjiesfontein; night in the area. Day 9: AM: Karoo NP; night in Beaufort West. Day 10: Karoo NP; night in Beaufort West. Day 11: AM: Camdeboo NP; night in Graaff-Reinet. Day 12: Morning: Camdeboo NP; drive to Addo Elephant NP; visit depending on arrival time; night at Addo Elephant Rest Camp. Day 13: Addo Elephant NP; night in Port Elizabeth. Day 14: Early flight.

Does this seem balanced and suitable for July? It’s quite packed, but we’ve already had to skip quite a bit. Initially, would it be better to spend 2 nights in Tsitsikamma and just one in Wilderness? Or just one night at each to free up a day for something else?

For the car, is a minivan enough, or should we plan at least an SUV for the parks given the season?

Thanks in advance for your feedback. Have a great evening