When is the last time you carved out at least two weeks to go somewhere far away, to a place you’ve never been before? I’m thinking a few years back when my wife and I were planning our wedding and brainstorming where we should go on our honeymoon. Central America…? Costa Rica…? Belize…? Should we combine one of these adventurous destinations with a city in the US that we had on our “list”, like Austin? They are all amazing destinations, but none of them felt quite right for our honeymoon. We needed to take advantage of this!
The second “South African safari” came out of Kendra’s mouth, something clicked. Something felt right about it. I mean, when else do you and your travel buddy for life have an excuse to take a few weeks and just go somewhere really far away that you’ve never been before? Somewhere so foreign yet so welcoming, so diverse, and so amazing that you’ll want to return over and over for the rest of your life?
That weekend, we spent some time with family and friends in western New York. By happenstance, we met a couple our age who had just returned from their third trip to South Africa. They couldn’t stop talking about it! Recommendations…what to do…where to stay…how to structure the trip…
The excitement gleaming from their faces sealed the deal for us. We were going to South Africa!
Why South Africa?
Well, the trip was amazing and we remember it like it was yesterday. It was the absolute perfect combination of wildlife, adventure, outdoors, food, drink, culture, relaxation, beach, and luxury. And what an introduction to Africa!
Is Africa on your bucket list? If so, why haven’t you been yet?! Maybe it feels a bit off the beaten path for you. Or you are overwhelmed by the planning effort and have no idea where to start. This article is for you! South Africa is a great introduction to this wonderful continent and will give you a taste of all it has to offer.
And if Africa is not on your bucket list, it should be!
Here’s why you need to consider South Africa for your first trip there…
Wildlife…land, sea, and plants!
Of course everyone wants to go on a South African safari to see the Big 5. African elephants, rhinoceros, African leopards, Cape buffalo, and the mighty African lion. Yes, these animals are pretty damn massive when you see them up close and in person.
But there is soooo much beyond the Big 5! Giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, hyenas, wild dogs, warthogs, mongoose, many bird species including eagles and vultures, baboons, and antelope, which is actually an umbrella term under which you have over 70 different antelope species in the world. In South Africa, we saw impala, kudu, springbok, and wildebeest to name a few.
And no, going on a South African safari doesn’t have to mean you have to rough it in a shabby tent and use the outdoors as your bathroom. There is an amazing network of absolutely stunning luxury lodges to use as your home base while on safari.
You’ll typically go out on two game drives per day, one in the early morning and one in the evening. In between drives, you can nap, relax by the pool, go on a bush walk, or enjoy a spa treatment. After your evening game drive, you’ll indulge in a delicious meal prepared with local ingredients by the in-lodge chef. And yes, he or she will be preparing all of your meals during your stay. South Africans are so hospitable and so eager to share their story or teach you something about their country, and the service is truly impeccable.
Beyond the traditional South African safari, there is a lesser known but just as amazing world of animals to explore under the sea. Off the southernmost tip of Africa, close to Cape Town, the term “Marine Big 5” has been dubbed. This represents the abundance of whales, great white sharks, dolphins, penguins, and seals in this area.
Keeping with the theme of the unique life forms of South Africa, let’s switch quickly from fauna to flora. You have Table Mountain, the extraordinary backdrop of Cape Town and a super fun mountain to hike, which was dubbed in 2011 as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. One of the things that makes Table Mountain so special is the 1,500 unique species of beautiful plants found on the mountain.
A bit further down the coast, near the southernmost tip of Africa but still close to Cape Town, you have Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, which is home to over 800 unique species of plants, 6 of which are brand new and never before discovered by science. Here, you can take your South African safari to the next level by observing the Marine Big 5 in their natural habitat and going on botanical safaris to round out your trip. Flower safaris are way cooler than they might sound!
Natural beauty and adventure
Speaking of the southern tip of Africa, the coast of South Africa is a thing of beauty. You have the beaches and coves of Cape Town and the Garden Route, which speak for themselves. You have Cape Point with its towering cliffs and jagged coastline. There’s one caveat…being so close to Antarctica, the water is super cold, especially along the southern coast. So, plan to wear a wetsuit if you’re going to spend a ton of time in the water (e.g. surfing).
I touched briefly on hiking Table Mountain, but beyond that, there is so much adventure and outdoors to sink your teeth into in this country. One example is kloofing, which in other parts of the world is referred to as canyoning, and it is pretty big in South Africa. If you are not familiar, this often involves repelling into a deep ravine and making your way down the river in an exhilarating combination of swimming, walking, crawling, scrambling, sliding, and rock/cliff jumping.
And what about Chapman’s Peak Drive, a stretch of 2-lane, coast-hugging highway which leads from Cape Point to Cape Town and is often compared to the Big Sur portion of the Pacific Coast Highway in California. It’s seriously no joke!
Food and wine
I’ve mentioned Cape Town a few times in passing, but we didn’t even talk about the incredibly diverse, but booming culinary scene and tasty wine that can be found in and around the big city. Stellenbosch and Franschhoek help to form the backbone of the Cape Winelands, where delicious wines and magnificent landscapes help to create an unforgettable experience.
History and culture
It’s silly that I’ve gone this far without touching on the deep history of the country. Don’t visit South Africa without learning about Nelson Mandela and his role in peacefully dismantling the country’s apartheid system. In Cape Town, you can visit Robben Island, which is where the former president served most of his time behind bars before the fall of apartheid. In Soweto, a township in the city of Johannesburg, you can literally visit the house in which Mandela lived for almost 20 years of his life. This all provides a very important context in understanding the history of the country and Nelson Mandela’s impact.
Finally, although there is a long list of languages spoken in South Africa including Afrikaans and Zulu, English as a second or third language is common in urban areas. If it is not spoken fluently, it is at least understood in most urban areas. It is also the dominant language used in the government and media. So, for someone visiting Africa for the first time, this should bring some peace and comfort as an introduction to this wonderful continent.
First time to South Africa itinerary suggestions
If any or all of this sounds like an incredible way to spend your vacation, I’d like to share a few itinerary suggestions. This should help give you an idea of how you might structure a trip including a South African safari and beyond.
Let’s start with how much time you’ll want. Obviously, there is SO much to do depending on your priorities and how you want to spend your time. And if you look at a map, it’s easy enough to tell that it’s far from the smallest country in the world, meaning it can take some time to get from point A to point B. For example, getting from your safari to a city like Cape Town, which would most likely require a short flight.
Then you have to consider where you are coming from. If you’re coming from North America, it will likely take you about a day’s worth of time getting to and returning from South Africa. Once you are there, you’ll want at least 10 or 11 days, and ideally more.
If you’re going all that way, why not stay longer…?
For the purposes of the itineraries below, I assumed most people have jobs or responsibilities where they cannot just bail on “the real world” for three or four weeks at a time. So, all of the itineraries are between 12 and 14 days of time spent in the country. This means you would likely need to carve out between 14 and 16 days of total time including getting to and from South Africa.
A quick disclaimer: consider each of the three itineraries below to be slight variations of a really solid introductory itinerary that will touch on many of the major reasons people go to South Africa. These also happen to represent many of the major reasons people return to Africa over and over to explore more of what they loved from their first trip.
The Safari Lover (14 days)
This itinerary is for someone who wants a taste of it all, but you’re looking to spend about half of your time on luxury safari in search of the Big 5 and beyond. Your time on safari will be split between two different safari lodges that reside in two completely different game reserves. This will provide some variety in scenery, the animals you will encounter, your accommodations, and the people you interact with.
Day 1 – Johannesburg
- Start with a day in Johannesburg, where you’ll have the chance to visit the township of Soweto. Here, you’ll learn about the history of apartheid, pay your respects to the victims of the Soweto Uprising, and see the house where Nelson Mandela lived for almost 20 years of his life.
Days 2, 3 & 4 – Safari Take 1
- You’ll start your South African safari journey about 3 hours north of Joburg towards the border of Botswana at Mhondoro Safari Lodge, a luxurious 5-star private safari lodge in the Welgevonden Game Reserve.
Days 5, 6, 7, & 8 – Cape Town
- Taking a break between safaris, you’ll head south to explore the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of Cape Town and surrounding.
Days 9, 10, & 11 – Marine Big 5 & Fascinating Flowers
- Continuing east along the southern coast from Cape Town, you’ll spend a few days experiencing the unique marine and botanical safaris at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve.
Days 12, 13, & 14 – Safari Take 2
- Your safari journey will continue, and conclude, in the famous Kruger National Park. You will be welcomed to the 5-star Savanna Private Game Lodge, which sits in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve.
The Big 5 Finale (12 days)
This itinerary is for someone who wants a taste of all that South Africa has to offer, building up to a luxury safari at the tail end of the trip.
Day 1 – Johannesburg
- Start with a day in Johannesburg, where you’ll have the chance to visit the township of Soweto. Here, you’ll learn about the history of apartheid, pay your respects to the victims of the Soweto Uprising, and see the house where Nelson Mandela lived for almost 20 years of his life.
Days 2, 3, 4, & 5 – Cape Town
- Head south to Cape Town to explore the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of the big city and surrounding.
Days 6, 7, & 8 – Marine Big 5 & Fascinating Flowers
- Continue east along the southern coast from Cape Town and spend a few days experiencing the unique marine and botanical safaris at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve.
Days 9, 10, 11 & 12 – The Safari Finale
- Your trip will conclude on a high note on a luxury safari, where you’ll be welcomed by the Big 5 on their home turf. Choose from a number of amazing 5-star safari lodges, including Mhondoro Safari Lodge in the Welgevonden Game Reserve and Savanna Private Game Lodge, residing in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve of Kruger National Park.
The Safari Start (12 days)
This itinerary is for someone who wants a taste of all that South Africa has to offer, getting right into it with a luxury safari at the front end of the trip.
Day 1 – Johannesburg
- Start with a day in Johannesburg, where you’ll have the chance to visit the township of Soweto. Here, you’ll learn about the history of apartheid, pay your respects to the victims of the Soweto Uprising, and see the house where Nelson Mandela lived for almost 20 years of his life.
Days 2, 3, 4, & 5 – A Big 5 Beginning
- You’ll jump feet first into a 4-day luxury South African safari, where you’ll be welcomed by the Big 5 on their home turf. Choose from a number of amazing 5-star safari lodges, including Mhondoro Safari Lodge in the Welgevonden Game Reserve and Savanna Private Game Lodge, residing in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve of Kruger National Park.
Days 6, 7, 8 & 9 – Cape Town
- Continue your South African journey by heading south to Cape Town to explore the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of the big city and surrounding.
Days 10, 11, & 12 – Marine Big 5 & Fascinating Flowers
- Things will wrap up in a very unique and serene way as you travel further down the southern coast. Spend your last few days experiencing non-traditional marine and botanical safaris at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve.
Whether you’re a couple, it’s your honeymoon, you’re bringing the family, or it’s multigenerational and you’re bringing the WHOLE family, each of these itineraries can be tailored in any which way. The properties referenced are simply examples. There are SO many beautiful properties and experiences to fit your style and preferences, way too many to go over in this article.
Nonetheless, I hope this article has opened your eyes to the wonderful continent of Africa, the South African safari and beyond, and helped you imagine what your first trip to South Africa might look like.
Feeling overwhelmed by the thought of planning a big trip to Africa? The rough itinerary is just the beginning.
The key to a successful trip to South Africa is in the details. Ok, so now you have some ideas for a rough itinerary. But how do you put it all together in a way that makes sense for you? What should you prioritize? What is the best way to get from one place to the other without getting lost or wasting a ton of time? What are the best safari experiences for honeymooners? For families with 2 teenage kids? For couples in their 40s? We would love to talk you through all of this to make sure this trip is one you’ll never forget. Contact us today and let’s get the conversation started.
