With 10 full days in the country, travelers can explore South Africa from the ocean to the savannah. Rent a car and check out small towns and wineries as you drive along the Atlantic Seaboard, or make the most of your time with domestic flights between the cities and big parks.
First-time travelers to South Africa should plan to fly into Cape Town and spend some time in the Winelands before heading inland. Choose from a variety of safari adventures—from Tswalu Kalahari to Chobe National Park—for excellent wildlife viewing. If you prefer to see more remote parts of southern Africa, flying to Mana Pools National Park in northern Zimbabwe via Hwange is a great way to experience a safari off the beaten path.
See more options below, or check out the best 10-day trips to South Africa.
This tour takes you from the sights of Cape Town to the lush Overberg, followed by an exceptional safari experience. Enjoy some of South Africa's most sought-after destinations across the diverse Western and Eastern Cape Provinces.
Spend 10 days taking in the Western Cape with this trip plan. You'll explore Cape Town and see Table Mountain from both a distant beach and right under your feet, sample the wines of Stellenbosch, and dive into a great white cage encounter before you hit the road on the Garden Route for canoeing, hiking, animal encounters, and more.
Take a 10-day trek through the tales of South Africa with this trip plan. Listen to the wind blowing in across Cape Town from atop Table Mountain or rustling through the vineyards of the Winelands, then get in touch with the country's human history on a Cape Town city tour and over dinner in Johannesburg. You'll end your trip listening to the bird calls and animals of Kruger National Park on safari.
This 10-day itinerary is the ultimate introduction to South Africa for animal lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Start your adventure with two nights in Kruger National Park followed by a self-drive tour from the Eastern Cape through the Garden Route and all the way to Cape Town while seeing members of the Big Five, as well as ostriches, penguins, meerkats, and a range of marine life off the South Atlantic Coast.
Take 10 days to travel through some of the wildest parts of Southern Africa with this trip plan. You'll start in Cape Town to experience urban life, touring the surrounding natural attractions and the city's wine scene, before you start your safari time in Sabi Sands, adjacent to Kruger National Park. From there, fly to Victoria Falls to take in the famous waterfalls, then continue on some slower waters with a houseboat trip down the Zambezi.
Elephant calves can weigh around 260 pounds at birth; hopefully, your own offspring aren't quite as heavy as you tote them through this 10-day trip. After three days in Cape Town, hit the road to enjoy working farm experiences, road trips, lagoons, and more before you end on a safari in the Shamwari Game Reserve.
Take 10 days to get a taste of some of the urban and natural attractions of South Africa on this trip. Your tour takes off in Cape Town, taking in the views from Table Mountain and tasting wine and cheese from the Winelands. Transfer to Kruger National Park to traverse the wild landscapes and treetop creatures, then travel down to Thonga Beach Lodge to work on your tan and turtle time.
Explore South Africa's culture and wildlife on this 10-day trip, starting in the vibrant city of Cape Town with a tour of the Cape Peninsula, a visit to Boulders Beach to view the penguins, and a whale-watching cruise near Walker Bay. Then hop aboard the luxury train Rovos Rail to traverse the country, stopping in Matjiesfontein, Kimberely, and Pretoria along the way. End your trip with a flight to Thornybush Game Reserve for daily safaris and dinners in a luxury tented camp under the stars.
This itinerary will start in Cape Town, where you will have a few days to explore the culturally-rich and scenic city, including a visit to Robben Island as well as a cable car ride up to Table Mountain. You will then drive through the Cape to the quaint town, Caledon, before exploring the Klein Karoo and spending a night in Oudtshoorn. Over the next few days, you will discover the famous Garden Route while staying in Knysna before heading to Amakhala Game Reserve for two days of safari.
Take 10 days to tour South Africa's top spots with this trip plan. Take in the tantalizing views from Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope or on top of Table Mountain, travel to Franschhoek to taste their time-honored vintages, and traverse the Kalahari on safari.
Travel across southern Africa for ten days on this safari-centric tour. Spend three nights exploring Cape Town and its surroundings, then head out into the bush and three different parks to try your hand (and eyes) at spotting the Big Five and all their friends.
Travel for 10 days through tantalizing South Africa on this trip plan. You'll bask in the sea air on your face as you take the scenic route up the coast, then feel the fins of great whites swimming past you on a cage dive. Relax in the Winelands as you enjoy their classic vintages, then go wildlife spotting on a safari on the Eastern Cape.
Take ten days to tease your taste buds on this trip through South Africa's treats. You'll start with three days in Cape Town to walk the city streets on a guided food tour and visit the Winelands, then stop in the smaller towns of Elgin and Knsyna to explore their farm-to-table scenes. End your trip around the bonfire in Johannesburg with storytelling and barbecue-style dining.
Hit the road on this 10-day self-drive adventure to explore the highlights of South Africa's eastern region. First, travel along the Panorama Route, one of the most scenic drives in the country, then continue to the majestic plateaus of the Drakensberg escarpment. After enjoying nature hikes and mountain fun, travel to the coast for boat tours and safaris to spot exotic animals like leopards and rhinos.
From bustling Cape Town to secluded St Lucia, you'll see the best that South Africa's Atlantic and Indian coasts have to offer on this 10-day self-drive itinerary. Experience golden beaches in Durban, take in stunning views from atop Table Mountain, and come face to face with hippos and crocodiles in iSimangaliso Wetland Park as you create lasting memories on this South African adventure.
This 10-day tour of eastern South Africa kicks off in Durban, the country's third-largest city known for its surf culture, Indian heritage, and bunny chow. Spot hippos and crocs at a UNESCO World Heritage-listed reserve, learn about Swazi culture as you cross the kingdom of eSwatini (formerly Swaziland), and spend two days driving around Kruger National Park seeking out lions, elephants, and leopards.
