South Africa is considered one of my prime 3 favourite nations on the planet. I actually consider that this nation will be anybody’s favourite regardless of completely different preferences, as it will probably entice journey seekers, luxurious lovers in addition to backpackers.
I used to dwell in Cape City and traveled round South Africa extensively.
I counsel visiting South Africa for no less than a month, since you don’t need to be rushed or compelled to skip some wonderful actions on the way in which. Nonetheless, should you don’t have that a lot time without work I ready completely different itineraries
Right here’s what I suggest for a 1 to a 2-week itinerary for South Africa, beginning in Johannesburg and ending in Cape City.
This 2-week South Africa itinerary begins in Johannesburg and ends in Cape City. It consists of probably the most photogenic locations in South Africa safari and wine route.
I like to recommend that you simply catch a home flight to Port Elizabeth choose up your rental automobile there. Alternatively, you possibly can take an in a single day bus from Johannesburg (I’ve executed it and it’s completely protected).
Finest least expensive home airways in South Africa are Mango and Kulula. You can too use their nationwide airways South African Airways, however you’ll spend extra.
IMPORTANT: Automobile rental reservation is a MUST in South Africa.
I’ve made a mistake of not pre-booking my automobile twoevents and needed to reschedule my plans as no vehicles had been obtainable, even throughout South African winter.
DiscoverCars.com is an effective web site to seek out one of the best offers on several types of vehicles and suppliers.
Fly into Johannesburg, as flights will most likely be the most affordable to Tambo Worldwide Airport. As you may need heard ‘Joburg’ isn’t the most secure place. I’d advocate renting a automobile on the airport should you’re planning on driving to Kruger.
Alternatively, you possibly can take a home flight to Nelspruit and choose up your rental automobile there.
Finest Issues to Do in Johannesburg
Go to Pretoria – Pretoria won’t be probably the most glamorous capital metropolis on the planet. However you possibly can study so much concerning the historical past of South Africa earlier than heading east for a safari.
The Apartheid Museum – To study concerning the historical past of the town and nation.
Market on Fundamental – If you wish to stuff your face with scrumptious meals.
A visit to South Africa wouldn’t have been accomplished with no correct safari and what’s a greater place to do it than Kruger Nationwide Park, considered one of Africa’s largest recreation reserves.
Kruger is bigger than the entire nation of the Netherlands, so it’s good to actually plan your journey over there prematurely.
As I discussed in one other article it’s best to check out what animals curiosity you, calculate how a lot time do you need to spend within the park and keep in mind to not make my mistake: guide your lodging prematurely. Camps do refill prematurely, whether or not you’re reserving a room or tenting.
I counsel coming into the park by Nelspruit or Crocodile Bridge and persevering with your approach up north contained in the park, however the route is completely as much as you.
Distance from Johannesburg Airport to Kruger Nationwide Park (Croc Bridge Entrance): 438 km
Length: 4.5 – 5 hours
2 Weeks South Africa Itinerary: Half 1
Day 1: Port Elizabeth
Again in Pretoria, I’d advocate dropping the automobile off and hopping on a bus. South African buses are completely protected and comfortable, so that you don’t have to fret about something. I’d truly say that the bus was far more snug than an American Greyhound.
You may prolong your journey by going to Durban first, or head straight to Port Elizabeth to begin your Backyard Route exploration immediately.
From Johannesburg, you possibly can both take an in a single day bus to Port Elizabeth, or a brief home flight. You can drive all the way in which from Johannesburg, however it might take you about 11 hours.
I don’t advocate it until you’re planning on taking a brief detour to Lesotho and spending an evening there.
Issues to Do in Port Elizabeth:
Addo Elephant Park – Because the title signifies it’s a wildlife park with elephants, positively price a go to should you didn’t see sufficient of them at Kruger Nationwide Park.
Day 2: Jeffreys Bay
Jeffreys Bay is commonly a forgotten vacation spot on the Backyard Route. The small city of Jeffreys Bay is a pleasant base for 1 or 2 days to take pleasure in some sandboarding close by or experience a horse on the seaside.
Issues to Do in Jeffreys Bay:
Sandboarding
Horseriding
Browsing
Distance from Port Elizabeth to Jeffreys Bay: 78 km
Lots of people skip Nature’s Valley when visiting the Backyard Route. I’d say it’s a must-do cease and I truly spent no less than one evening in one of many tiny bungalows within the forest.
Nature Valley can also be the spot to face adrenalin and hop off Bloukrans Bridge, the tallest bungy on the planet (from the bridge). It’s terrifying and I most likely wouldn’t bungee bounce ever once more, however to me, it was considered one of these as soon as in a lifetime moments.
You additionally shouldn’t overlook to pay the Monkey Sanctuary a go to. I liked strolling across the forest stuffed with monkeys, lemurs, and different birds and watch them being fed.
You may’t pet the monkeys because it’s a nature reserve they usually need the monkeys to not be disturbed, which makes me respect this place much more.
Distance from Jeffreys Bay to Nature’s Valley: 138 km
Knysna and Plettenberg Bay are most likely my favourite place on the Backyard Route. Knysna has an excellent animal sanctuary with extraordinarily jaw-dropping coastal vistas and affords many nice eating places and little cafes. I deliberate on staying there for simply 1 evening and didn’t need to go away even after 3 days.
I spoke about Oudtshoorn earlier than, because it’s my favourite little city in South Africa. The world’s capital of ostrich has so much to supply. Ranging from ostrich farms, caves and you may even swim with crocodiles there. I had a good time there, so don’t skip Oudtshoorn!
Ladismith is a hidden gem, as I haven’t heard about it wherever and stumbled upon it by chance. Now I can share my secret with you. Along with my pal we wished to drive down the Route 62 all through the mountains all the way in which to Stellenbosch.
The street was virtually utterly empty as the vast majority of folks select to drive alongside the coast, so it makes the expertise much more pleasant. There have been non-public recreation reserves on the way in which, a lot of wineries and beautiful mountains and as a lot as we loved the view we additionally needed to discover a place to sleep.
Since we actually wished to remain at one of many wineries we randomly drove to Oaksrest Winery which turned out to be one of the best determination we took that day. For simply 30 euros (I do know, loopy!) we received to remain at a 5-bedroom home that had actually all the things you possibly can consider. Pool desk, desk tennis, board video games, barbecue, actually all the things you would possibly have to have enjoyable.
The guesthouse is run by an unbelievable household who gave us some wine, ready a bbq for us and made our keep unbelievable. Do keep there should you’re within the space, as this place simply couldn’t have been higher!
Proper earlier than you head to Cape City cease at Stellenbosch for some wine tasting. This pleasant scholar city is surrounded by many wineries.
I personally advocate my favourite wine obtainable in just some spots – Blanc de Noir. It’s a white wine that appears like a rose because it’s coloured with purple grapes’ skins. Yummy!
I like to recommend taking a day journey to Simon’s City to see a seaside stuffed with penguins! If you happen to love wildlife as a lot as I do you’ll be the happiest individual on earth with these little cuties operating round you.
If you happen to’re already in Simon’s City you may also set an tour to Gansbaai to face the adrenaline and dive with nice white sharks.
Distance from Stellenbosch to Gaansbai: 140 km
Length: 2 hours
Day 13: Hermanus
Hermanus will be simply reached on the way in which to Cape City. The city received well-known by whales because it’s an excellent spot for watching them. Funnily sufficient, after I was there I believed I noticed no whales and took some photographs of the shore simply to find that there was a whale behind me this complete time!
When somebody asks me what my favourite metropolis is, I don’t hesitate a lot earlier than saying it’s Cape City. I’m glad I had the pleasure of dwelling there for some time. Cape City is just wonderful and affords so many issues ranging from events, by farmers’ markets and ending on nature. Don’t skip it in your South Africa itinerary.
To not point out the meals scene in Cape City is unbelievable. You may spend each weekend scrolling round a unique pop-up cafe or get a tremendous champagne brunch at Previous Biscuit Mill or another market. Yum!
Distance from Hermanus to Cape City: 120 km
Length: 1.5 hours
Lodging in Cape City:
Resorts:
Recommended Extra Information for South Africa:
Any questions on my South Africa itinerary? Let me know within the feedback under. I’ll be joyful to clear all of your doubts.
