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Planning a trip to South Africa? South Africa is a myriad of experiences from vibrant cities to breathtaking landscapes. I recently traveled to South Africa and here’s my guide on how to make the most of your 10-day trip to SA.

Before you start planning I have mentioned all the prerequisites for the trip including air bookings, cost and car rentals. You can also find the link to the best budget Airbnbs towards the end of the blog.

How to book flights to South Africa at half price ?
I booked a return from New Delhi to Johannesburg for INR 35k / person. Took a Flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town for INR 5k / person and returned to Johannesburg from George airport for INR 6k / person. You can also directly book for Cape Town, however that costed nearly double the amount around INR 75k / person

How to book a car on rent ?
I booked a Car from Avis Car Rental from Cape Town to George Airport for 8 days. I took a swift and the rent per day was INR 2k. The deposit was INR 17k. Make sure that your fuel tank is full on returning or else you might be charged extra for fuel. Additionally, you’ll be charged extra for dropping the car at a different location.

What is the average cost of travelling to South Africa?
The average cost for two people for a 10-day trip to South Africa including stay, car rental, fuel, and meals is INR 3.5 lacs. If you skip Kruger National Park the cost will be around INR 2.5 – 2.75 lacs. The average price for a night stay at an Airbnb is INR 2.5k – INR 3.5k. The average cost / meal is INR 1500-2K.

How long does it take to get a tourist visa for South Africa ?
For Indian citizens applying for a tourist visa to South Africa, the processing time typically ranges from 5 to 10 working days. Since this can vary depending on the volume of applications received and other factors it is advisable to submit your application at least 20 days in advance. I also applied for an E-Visa but did not get a response for more than a month. Later, I applied through VFS global and got the visa within a week.

This 10-day itinerary takes you through the landscapes, beaches and jungles of South Africa. You’ll see a lot of beautiful photos of the beaches however, I would recommend you see them in real life. 

On reaching Johannesburg, I took a flight to Cape Town, from here I covered the coastline till Knysna (as shown in the map).

Day 1-2: {VA waterfront, Table Mountain, Kloof’s Corner, Camp’s Bay, Hout’s Bay}
Start your journey from Cape Town, a vibrant city nestled between Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean. Even the ordinary lanes are visually spectacular.
Upon reaching, utilize your evening to visit primary highlights like the V&A waterfront (it’s an ideal evening destination where you can enjoy a lively city against the backdrop of peaceful sea). You can shop, dine or just walk around the ocean, there are high end restaurants for fine dining, however you can also chill in smaller local cafes located in inner lanes.

On day two, visit the iconic Table Mountain. Hike on the way to Kloof’s Corner, a short, easy 1.5-hour hike that offers a stunning panoramic view of Cape Town and the Atlantic Ocean. The natural beauty is breathtaking here.

From here there are two options

Option 1: Hike up to Table Mountain from Kloof’s corner, its a 3-hour-long hike. 

Option 2: Go by cable car that costs INR 1680 /person. 

The view on reaching Table Mountain is spectacular, it’s a beautiful rocky landscape that gives a 360-degree view of Cape Town. No matter which direction you look, you are sure to be spellbound by natural beauty. Make sure to carry a jacket to shield yourself from the strong winds. In the evening, I went to Camp’s bay and it was such a happening beach, you can spend an entire evening here, you can chill at upmarket restaurants, cocktail bars, rooftop bars or you can just stroll around the beach getting the city vibe. I also saw some school kids doing the traditional Congolese dance at the beach. I also visited Hout’s bay on the way to my next destination, however found it very crowded and ordinary

Day 3-4: {Simon’s town, Chapman’s peak drive, Cape of Good Hope, Boulder’s Beach, Diaz Beach}
Leave for Simon’s town, and stop at vineyards on your way for lunch, I visited Constantania. The wines here are extraordinary and very affordable, I purchased a bottle for approximately INR 600. You’ll drive through Chapman’s peak drive, a winding road through the mountain that provides numerous stunning view points. You can also spot the beautiful Noordhoek beach from here, make sure to visit, I had to skip it due to time constraints. The toll for Chapman’s peak drive is INR 244 for a car.

Upon reaching Simon’s town, I visited Boulders Beach and saw the famous African penguins up close.

Simon’s town also has a beautiful local market where you can stroll around. For dinner, I really recommend dining at Dixies for its amazing evening vibe and beautiful sea view.

On the next day, drive to Cape of Good Hope, a rocky headland, which is a 30-minute drive from Simon’s town. The entry fee is INR 1600/adult, you can spend an entire day here visiting various viewpoints and enjoying food at the restaurants. You can climb rugged cliffs and view dramatic seascapes, the expanse of the sea feels out of this world.

The famous lighthouse is a 45-minute walk from the Cape of Good Hope starting point, however, I would suggest you take a detour to a hiking trail that leads to a hidden gem that is Diaz Beach. Nestled within towering cliffs this remote beach with white sand and crystal-clear water is bound to leave you mesmerized.

Day 5: Gansbaai {Shark cage diving, De Kelders Village} 

Leave for Gansbaai(a 3-hour drive from Simon’s town) to experience marine life through shark cage diving and many more marine activities like snorkeling and scuba diving. Gansbaai is the best place for marine activities as water temperatures facilitate better marine life viewing. You can find many local places in Hermanus that can guide you with the options and prices for the marine activities.

There are few stay options

Option 1: De Kelders, A small residential village 10 mins from Gansbaai

Option 2: Stay at another beautiful coastal town Hermanus, 1 hr away fromGansbaai. 

Gansbaai seemed a little shady, and would not recommend being out after sunset. Also it would be better to stay at Dekelders which is sort of a retirement place for people and is relatively safer due to residential areas.

Day 6: Mossel Bay {Point’s Beach}

Leave for a 4-hour drive to Mossel Bay. This is a long, lonely drive surrounded only by dry hills, so make sure you have enough fuel. I stayed in Mossel Bay for just one night. Arriving in the evening, I visited Point’s Beach, a vibrant beach in the heart of the city. Here you can take a swim in the tidal pool,which varies in depth with some deeper and shallow points. The atmosphere is vibrant in the evening, with locals strolling, cycling and enjoying ice cream. You can also see caravans with people barbecuing and enjoying the evening.

Day 7-8: Knysna {Pizza E Vino, Wilderness, Coney Glen Beach, Brenton on Sea}

On day 7, I departed for Knysna, which was a 1.5-hour drive from Mossel Bay. Knysna became my favorite place due to its incredibly picturesque beaches and breathtaking views. En route to Knysna, you can make a stop at the Wilderness town to visit the Milkwood Market and enjoy the beauty of Wilderness beach, which I saw while driving but unfortunately missed visiting. I explored Wilderness National Park, which offers several hiking trails. The waterfall hike was highly recommended, but I found it disappointing as the waterfall turned out to be very small.

I had the most amazing time at Knysna. I was spellbound by the beauty of this coastal town. When I reached Knysna it was raining so there was not much I could do, but the owner of my Airbnb suggested me a few places that I enjoyed even with the weather. I visited Pizza E Vino, which offers a stunning view of Knysna Lagoon surrounded by majestic sandstone cliffs. I enjoyed my pizza outdoors, soaking in the beautiful sunset view.
I enjoyed Pizza E Vino so much that I returned the next morning, opting for breakfast at East Head Cafe nearby, which also boasts the same stunning view of Knysna Lagoon. Afterward, I took a stroll around the lagoon and discovered picturesque viewpoints reminding me of some scenes from Game of thrones.

I also visited Conney Glenn Beach and drove by the ocean and way up to Brenmton on the sea to get an elevated view of the city. In the evening I strolled around local markets and then came back for dinner at Pizza E Vino 🙃

Day 8-10: Knysna to Johannesburg to Kruger – It’s a 1.5 hr drive from Knysna to George Airport, Where I dropped the car and caught a flight to Johannesburg. I stayed overnight in Johannesburg, but it’s not a particularly great place and is best used only as a stopover.Next day, I left for Kruger National Park early in the morning, which is a 6 hrs drive from Johannesburg. There are a few options to manage your visit to Kruger National Park. 

Option 1: Self-drive to Kruger National Park, stay in rest camps like Satara and hazy view.
Option 2: Manage your stay, safari and transport through a safari camp. There are some reasonable options however, the cost depends on your stay period. Here’s a link of the safari that I booked

You can do sunset game drives at a private game reserve that takes around 2.5 – 3 hrs, or do a full day Jungle safari that is sure to leave you exhausted and satisfied. I visited central Kruger and experienced both. I was lucky to spot the Big 5 along with a Giraffe, Zebra and a Leopard feeding on an Impala. 

Once you are finished with Kruger, the Safari company will drive you back to Johannesburg for your return flight. If you are a wildlife enthusiast you might want to spend more time in Kruger, however if you are like me 2 days would suffice.

For me the best part of South Africa was the coastal line from Cape Town to Knysna and how the landscape changed as I moved from Atlantic Ocean to Indian Ocean. And if there was place that I could choose to go back again it would definitely be Knysna, and you know where you’d find me enjoying my evenings 😉

What are the top budget-friendly Airbnbs in South Africa ?
Johannesburg – Catch your Breath
Simon’s town – Ollava guest house
De Kelders – Entire rental unit 
Mossel Bay – Room in Mossel Bay
Knysna – Crescent Cottage