South Africa in One Week: 4 Recommended 1-week Itineraries to South Africa
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South Africa One-week Itinerary Options
Stuck for ideas? Take a look at our South Africa one-week itinerary suggestions below. From exploring Cape Town’s vibrant culture to spotting the Big Five on safari, these plans will guide you on your trip to South Africa.
Itinerary #1: Hiking South Africa’s Highlands and Gorges
| Overview | Activity | |
| Day 1 | Arrive in Johannesburg and transfer to Clarens. | Transfer |
| Day 2 | Retrace dinosaur footsteps in the Maloti-Drakensberg range. | Exploration |
| Day 3 | Hike the sandstone cliffs of Golden Gate Highlands. | Hiking |
| Day 4 | Trek to the summit of Drakensberg via chain ladder. | Hiking |
| Day 5 | Explore Royal Natal National Park highlights. | Exploration |
| Day 6 | See the Amphitheatre in Tugela Gorge. | Exploration |
| Day 7 | End your trip in Johannesburg. | Departure |
See the best of South Africa on foot and turn each daily hike into a new adventure with this one week trip to the Maloti-Drakensberg range. Starting off in Clarens, you will enter the Drakensberg Mountains, where dinosaurs once roamed free. Continue to Golden Gate Highlands Park, where imposing, ochre-hued sandstone cliffs jostle for your attention with diverse and unique flora and fauna. Summit Drakensberg via its iconic chain ladder, then head off to Tugela Gorge, home to the awe-inspiring Amphitheatre, a South African landmark.
Itinerary #2: The best of Kruger
| Overview | Activity | |
| Day 1 | Arrive in Johannesburg, relax, or explore the city. | Arrival and exploration |
| Day 2 | Rise and shine for a trip to Kruger, enjoy a game drive. | Game drice |
| Day 3 | Chase the ‘Big Five’ in Kruger. | Exploration |
| Day 4 | Enjoy the scenery along Panorama Route. | Scenery exploration |
| Day 5 | Have a free day in Greater Kuger. | Leisure day |
| Day 6 | Go on guided bush walk. | Walking tour |
| Day 7 | Departure in Johannesburg. | Departure |
Combine game drives in one of the world’s most sought-after wildlife destinations with the scenic Panorama Route during this one-week South Africa trip. Your first safari experience is on the second day of this trip at a wildlife reserve abutting Kruger. Chase the ‘Big Five in Kruger the day after. Then, embark on a visual feast along the Panorama Route, marveling at the third-largest canyon in the world, Blyde River Canyon, and the breathtaking vistas from God's Window. Conclude your journey with an intimate bush walk before returning to Johannesburg.
Itinerary #3: Venda Cultural Experience & Safari
| Overview | Activity | |
| Day 1 | Arrive in Johannesburg. | Arrival |
| Day 2 | Drive your rental car to Bela-Bela, stay in a private game reserve. | Scenic drive |
| Day 3 | Leave Bela-Bela for an exciting cultural experience in Limpopo. | Cultural exploration |
| Day 4 | Learn more about Makushu culture. | Cultural exploration |
| Day 5 | Explore Kruger on your own, spend the night in a hut. | Exploration |
| Day 6 | A free day in Kruger National Park. | Leisure day |
| Day 7 | Visit Mpumalanga province, return to Johannesburg. | Departure |
Enjoy the culture and wildlife of South Africa with this week-long self-driving trip. Take the road less traveled as you explore the country’s hidden gems and learn more about local cultures and traditions along the way. Stay at a private game reserve in Bela-Bela, known for its hot springs, and be part of an exciting cultural experience in Limpopo. Continue to Phalaborwa, where you will spend the night in a bush lodge, before returning to Johannesburg via scenic Mpumalanga province.
Itinerary #4: Cape Town, Garden Route, and Vineyards
| Overview | Activity | |
| Day 1 | Begin with a trip to Cape Town, where you will head to the Western Cape for cheese and wine tastings. | Arrival and wine-tasting |
| Day 2 | Enjoy a wonderful road trip to the Du Toitskloof Mountains, passing picturesque towns and vineyards. | Exploration |
| Day 3 | Explore the Cango Caves before driving over the Meiringspoort Pass towards Addo Elephant National Park. | National park exploration |
| Day 4 | Experience a game drive in the national park, where you may spot elephants, rhinos, and lions. | Game drive |
| Day 5 | Hike through Tsitsikamma National Park, where stunning views of the Storms River Mouth await. | Hiking |
| Day 6 | Have a free-roam day with the option of dining on a double-decker floating restaurant. | Leisure day |
| Day 7 | Return to Cape Town for your onward journey. | Departure |
Unique experiences unfold amid picture-postcard scenery on this one week in South Africa itinerary. Having enjoyed wine and cheese in Paarl, one of South Africa’s premier wine regions, you will drive through the Cape Winelands to Oudtshoorn. While there, head for the Cango Caves, located at the foothills of the Swartberg. A game drive in Addo Elephant National Park is followed by a trip to Knysna, a scenic location along the famous Garden Route known for its rocky outcrops dotting and dashing into the ocean. Spend the last night of this tour in Hermanus, where the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic and pods of whales drift off the coast.
Need help in planning your one-week itinerary to South Africa?
A week-long trip to South Africa following one of our top four itineraries is sure to impress. But if you want to add your own twist to the whole experience, you can always reach out to our local travel experts to plan a customized South Africa trip based on your interests. If you are looking for more South Africa 7-day itinerary plans, check out our travel guides on how many days to spend in South Africa and the best time to visit South Africa.
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