2-week South Africa itinerary: safaris, cities and sandy beaches

South Africa offers a huge variety of experiences and it can be hard to know what to choose for your first visit. As a South African who has been living offshore for the last 15 years, here are my tips for your first trip, assuming you have around two weeks to spend in the country.

First, a quick disclaimer: to really enjoy your time in this beautiful country, you will need to hire a car with GPS. Public transport in South Africa is not as reliable as it could be and isn’t always safe. Hiring a car is a much more efficient way to get around, and a good GPS will keep you out of the more undesirable areas.

Johannesburg (2-3 days)

Most international flights will fly into Johannesburg, and I suggest you spend 2-3 days there before moving on. The Northern Suburbs are generally a safe way to go and Sandton is a popular choice, with the nearby mall, shops and restaurants. If you are after somewhere with a bit more character, Rosebank is a good bet and much more pedestrian friendly.

The central city is where you'll find a lot of Johannesburg's interesting attractions and activities. The Mabokeng Precinct has a great art and cafe culture and the Johannesburg Art Gallery is well worth a visit (just be aware that the surrounding area and park isn't the best). Be sure to stop into the Neighbourgoods Market on a Saturday morning – there’s a wide range of food and it’s really delicious!

Photo by Captureson Photography

From there, you can drive south of the city to visit the Apartheid Museum to gain insight into the country's conflicted past and troubled present. If you're interested in visiting a township, Soweto is accessible enough for experienced travellers to visit independently (just make sure you go during the day), or you can take a tour to see both the Apartheid Museum and a few of Soweto's landmarks.

For a change of pace, try visiting Montecasino for a show and dinner, to try your luck at the blackjack table or just to see a replica of an Italian village in Africa. Just resist the temptation to wear heels as the cobblestone floors are rather slippery!

If you have the time, do a day trip to Cradle of Humankind to see the Sterkfontein Caves and a fascinating archaeological site. You can either self-drive or take a tour from Johannesburg.

Stay in a comfortable apartment at The Vantage - Rosebank

Mpumalanga and the Kruger National Park (3-5 days)

From Johannesburg, drive to Mpumalanga and the Kruger National Park, taking the Panoramic Route through the Blyde River Canyon. The views are amazing, and there are some beautiful walks in the canyon with occasional waterfalls. People say wonderful things about God’s Window, but it’s been misty every time I’ve looked down, so I can’t recommend it from personal experience.

The heritage town of Pilgrims Rest is fun to visit, still almost exactly like it was in the 19th century, while Harrie’s Pancakes in nearby Graskop is an institution and it’s definitely worth stopping for a bite.

For most travellers to South Africa, a safari is the highlight of the visit. I suggest considering whether you would prefer to visit a private reserve bordering the Kruger National Park or Kruger itself. Both have their pros and cons – it just depends on what you’re looking for.

In my opinion, a private reserve is better for families with young children or those in a rush. It’s a lot smaller than Kruger and the rangers generally have a good idea where the animals are, meaning you see more animals in a shorter timeframe. It’s a great option if you want to be sure to see the Big 5 in a day or two.

Kruger, on the other hand, is almost the size of Belgium. It’s vast and takes longer to find the animals, but it’s wonderful to get a sense of how much space they need and the size of their territories. I also think it’s worth staying in one of the lodges in the Park or a by a private reserve. Having animals come visit you while you’re having an afternoon drink is a wonderful experience.

If Mozambique or Swaziland feature in your travel plans, consider staying in Marloth Park on the southern border of Kruger Park. You miss the sweeping views of the Panoramic Route, but can watch animals wander past your window. You'll also considerably cut down on your travel times.

Stay at Honeyguide Tented Safari Camps in the Manyeleti Game Reserve

Cape Town (5-7 days)

From Mpumalanga, drive back to Johannesburg and fly to Cape Town, picking up another rental car when you get there. The Mother City deserves at least a week, although you can see the highlights in less if you're short on time. I suggest carefully a picking a neighbourhood that resonates with you.

The V&A Waterfront is an easy option for first-time visitors, but there are other options too. If you want somewhere a bit less touristy, consider somewhere around Sea Point. It’s close to town and the waterfront if you want to take a taxi home, has beautiful views and there are good restaurants and cafes are close by.

In Cape Town, it’s worth ticking the tourist boxes – take a cable car up Table Mountain and drive around the coast and over Chapman’s Peak – the views are stunning. Visit Kirstenbosch and have lunch at a winery in Constantia.

Drive past Hout Bay to Cape Point where you can see the light house and the merging of the different coloured waters, then backtrack and visit Kalk Bay and Muizenburg, stopping to see the penguins at Boulders Beach on the way.

Closer to the city, visit Bo Kaap, known for its colourful houses, Cape Malay culture and delicious food. It's also worth having the obligatory drink at the V&A Waterfront, with the postcard view of table mountain and the harbour.

Stay at the Table Bay Hotel, elegant and convenient with beautiful views, a spa and an outdoor pool.

If you have more time

If you have another week or more in South Africa, spend a couple of days in Stellenbosch and the Cape Winelands, before driving up the coast along the Garden Route. Pick a few bays and towns to stop in and, if you have time, you can drive all the way up the coast to Port Elizabeth.

Alternatively, if you only have a few more days, spend your time visiting the West Coast National Park and Paternoster, a couple of hours north of Cape Town. The wildflowers are gorgeous in spring, and the beaches are well worth the drive.