South Africa in 7 Days

On this page, we give a brief overview of 3 ideas on how you could spend 7 Days in South Africa. Each itinerary has the basis of some sort of city or urban experience coupled with a nature or safari experience. The first one is more of a classic itinerary for a first-time visitor to South Africa. The second option focuses on the visitor who may be coming to South Africa for a second time, while the third is aimed at just Cape Town and surrounding areas, with relaxation as a central theme.

South Africa in 7 Days

Itinerary at a Glance:

  • South Africa in 7 Days

    Idea #1

  • South Africa in 7 Days

    Idea #2

  • South Africa in 7 Days

    Idea #3

South Africa in 7 Days

Idea #1

Day 1 -  Arrive Johannesburg - The Peech Hotel
Day 2 -  Full Day Jo’burg & Soweto - The Peech Hotel
Day 3 -  Overland Panorama - Tima Moon
Day 4 -  Safari of a Lifetime - Singita
Day 5 -  Safari of a Lifetime - Singita
Day 6 -  Safari of a Lifetime - Singita
Day 7 -  Depart

Singita is one of South Africa's premier safari destinations
Leopard are among the big cats often seen at Singita
Leopard are among the big cats often seen at Singita

On this choice of ‘7 Days in South Africa’, the first two days are focussed on Johannesburg and its role in South Africa’s turbulent history, from the dark days of Apartheid to the vibrant multicultural gateway that it has become. You get to take a guided bicycle ride through the streets of the township of Soweto, where you meet day-to-day people and taste modern urban African life. Contrasting this you will visit the Apartheid Museum for a historical reflection of where we’ve come from and also see the glitz and style that exists in some of Johannesburg’s more affluent areas including Rosebank and Sandton.

On day 3 the tour takes a turn to South Africa’s natural heritage and enjoy a private guided overland journey that takes in the Afro-mountain forested region of the Mpumalanga Escarpment where you will see the Blyde River Canyon, the Bourkes Luck Potholes and some spectacular views across what is known as the Lowveld – a vast expanse of savanna where the Kruger National Park lies.

On days 4 to 7, you get to experience the safari of a lifetime in the Sabie Sands Game Reserve, a private reserve that forms part of the greater Kruger National Park. Here starlit dinners, open vehicle safaris, and soul-stirring sunsets are the norm. On a safari at Singita, guests will typically witness some of the best animal interaction in the wild including the big 5 and many more animals. Take a guided walking safari for a few hours and see, smell, and feel the African savanna on a unique level.

South Africa in 7 Days

Idea #2

Day 1 -  Arrive Cape Town & Table Mtn - Cape Grace
Day 2 -  Full Day Whale Watching - Cape Grace
Day 3 -  Winelands Explorer - Babylonstoren
Day 4 -  Kalahari Lifetime Safari - Tswalu Kalahari
Day 5 -  Kalahari Lifetime Safari - Tswalu Kalahari
Day 6 -  Kalahari Lifetime Safari - Tswalu Kalahari
Day 7 -  Depart to JNB

Tswalu Kalahari offers visitors an alternative safari experience they never knew they wanted
Game drives are one of many activities offered at Tswalu Kalahari in in South Africa
Tswalu Kalahari, in the remote northern part of South Africa

On our second ‘7 Days in South Africa’ option, we shift the focus to a combination of the Cape and all its delights from food & wine and to the natural spectacles it can offer. This is coupled with a very unique safari to South Africa’s vast interior. A greatly overlooked stretch of wilderness that allows the visitor to experience the vast space and big blue skies.

On the first 3 days, you enjoy a private guided experience where we visit Table Mountain either on foot or by cable car, we explore the Cape Peninsula for a day dictated by the weather. This can include surfing, kayaking, taking selfies with the African penguins of Boulders Beach, or picnicking on a white stretch of beach next to the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. On one of the days, you need to be particularly hungry as we take to the quaint streets of Stellenbosch for a guided culinary walking tour with an expert foodie to sample the sweets & savoury delights on offer and enjoy a sit-down lunch. During the day we taste craft beers, delve into the gins, and or cut straight to some of the finest wines.

In the second half of this 7-day journey, we get in a plane and fly into South Africa’s vast interior to the Tswalu Kalahari Reserve. Here you spend 3 nights on this vast private reserve that couples unique Kalahari game viewing with some fascinating conservation research projects. All activities are privately guided and guests can experience sleeping under the stars, visiting some rock art sites, interacting with meerkats in the wild, enjoying a horseback safari, or taking the remote recesses of this wilderness in a game viewing vehicle in search of Africa’s lesser know and desert-adapted animals including brown hyena, porcupine, pangolin and more.

South Africa in 7 Days

Idea #3

Day 1 -  Arrive Cape Town - The Silo
Day 2 -  Full Day City, Peninsula & Robben Island - The Silo
Day 3 -  Full Day Winelands drop off Grootbos - Grootbos
Day 4 -  Experience the Cape Coast & Fynbos - Grootbos
Day 5 -  Namaqualand - Bushmanskloof Wilderness Reserve
Day 6 -  Taste Namaqualand - Bushmanskloof Wilderness Reserve
Day 7 -  Depart

GGrootbos, 2 hours from Cape Town is a premier ocean - fynbos nature experience
San Rock art seen at Bushmanskloof Wilderness Reserve
Picnic at Grootbos, South Africa

On this version of the ‘7 Days in South Africa’ tour we focus on the ‘Cape’ the colloquial name given to Cape Town and its surrounds. We touch on Cape Town itself and then sample the natural heritage of the Cape Coast, and its fynbos as well as take to the lesser-known and vast interior of the Namaqualand.

On days 1 - 2, we take in the beat of the mother city by a visit to the top of Table Mountain, a boat ride & tour of the notorious Robben Island - the former prison of Nelson Mandela. We drive the craggy coastline of the Cape Peninsula with the option of hiking, kayaking, or surfing. We take to the dawn skies in a hot air balloon flight over the Cape Winelands countryside and sample some of the world’s best wines & cheeses.

On days 3 and 4 we change pace and focus on nature & ancient culture. You experience the beautiful Cape Coast a enjoy guided activities that range from mountain biking, whale watching, exploring the floral delights of the Fynbos biome, or enjoy a simple but fascinating guided excursion to the unspoilt beaches in the area, where you get an insight into how the traditional Khoi Bushman existed in this coastal habitat.

For the remaining days, we take off to the remote, vast, and beautiful Namaqualand region of the Cape’s Interior. Famed for its phenomenal wildflower extravaganza in the spring months, the area has much more to offer. Here you are exposed to ancient San Rock Art some dating back 10 000 years. Be mesmerized by the crazy spectacle of wildflowers that carpet the landscape (Aug – Sep), take a private picnic in a natural setting, burn some energy mountain biking, try your hand at fly fishing, or take a guided game drive in this 7500-hectare reserve.

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Michael Sump
Michael Sump
13 June 2025
We had a wonderful trip to Africa with everything arranged by Bianca Gersbach. She was extremely attentive to our wishes, and we couldn't have asked for a better experience. We wanted a full overview for our first trip to Africa, and we received it. We went on Safari in 3 countries: South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. We saw so many animals! But that wasn't all, we had a delightful visit to the South African wine country, and deep-dive experiences in both Cape Town and Johannesburg. The township tours and trip to the Apartheid Museum really opened our eyes. At times, Bianca knew what we wanted better than we did. She insisted that we'd enjoy the Okabango Panhandle, and we did! It was magical. A real highlight. A less engaged travel consultant might have let me make a suboptimal choice. We also enjoyed several days in Victoria Falls. I can't praise Bianca and African Travel Gateway enough. We will certainly use them again when we decide to return, and we will return. Once is not enough!
Jim Campbell
Jim Campbell
01 May 2025
We asked for a holiday of a lifetime for my wife's birthday ... and Lize Enderstein and ATG certainly delivered!!! We could not have experienced such a magnificent trip without all Lize's organisation and planning. It was an absolute dream! So much so, we're looking to visit again and will certainly be using Lize for our next adventure. Nothing was too much trouble and all the planning made everything work so very smoothly. We felt like royalty throughout our trip with all sorts of birthday surprises already booked at every location. Incredible!!! We are so very grateful for everything Lize arranged and can't thank her enough and would heartily recommend Lize and ATG. Jim and Melanie xxx
Teresa Harrison
Teresa Harrison
29 January 2025
I have been using African Travel Gateway for about 30 years and not once have they let me down. My travels have been varied, visiting different countries and cultures in Africa, but with their help, it is always a magic carpet ride. Lize has been my contact for many years, and the intineries devised have been spectacular. She really understands our requirements and goes the extra mile to ensure all is OK. This time, we visited South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. Everything was amazing. Our highlights, however, were La Fontaine in Franshoek and Camp Xakanaxa in the Okavango Delta in Botswana. We HIGHLY recommend African Travel Gateway
Debbie Isaacs
Debbie Isaacs
21 January 2025
We used African Travel again for the second time over Xmas and New Year. Once again, every little bit of our trip ran smoothly and without a hitch. Their communication was great throughout and we will, no doubt, be returning to them in the future too. Thanks Petru.
Daniel Stewart
Daniel Stewart
08 January 2025
We had the most amazing time on our self drive tour of Namibia organised through African Travel Gateway. Everything from the planning and booking process, to the arrival and welcome in Windhoek, to the app with the itinerary and directions made for a really relaxed and well organised holiday. But the most important part was getting to experience Namibia - what a spectacular country! The only negative was that we should have booked for longer!
Hilda Stanfliet
Hilda Stanfliet
27 December 2024
Amazing hotel booked by Lize of African Travel Gateway, the most attentive service leading up to holiday
Zoe Heelas
Zoe Heelas
27 November 2024
ATG were fantastic from start to finish organising our trip 3 week trip in South Africa.Communication with Debbie was excellent before and during our trip. All accommodation and trips chosen by ATG was fantastic. This is our third trip with ATG and we are already thinking about our next.
Harrison Shore
Harrison Shore
09 November 2024
We used African Travel Gateway to plan our honeymoon, and it was incredible! Putting together the itinerary was really smooth and fun - Lize sent us a few options, and was really quick to make the changes we wanted and let us know what made the most sense. The planning portal had a lot of really useful information so we knew what to expect and made the whole thing very comfortable (this was our first trip to Africa!) The itinerary we ended up with was spectacular, and very well structured. We spent most of our trip in the greater Kruger area (Kapama River Lodge then Walkers Plains Camp) and then finished in Victoria Falls (Vic Falls River Lodge) - each stop was both nicer and more wild than the last, which made for a very cool trip. Some real gems - Walkers and the camp at Victoria Falls had both been open less than a year, and were super luxurious, no way we would have found places like that on our own! And starting at Kapama, which is a bigger operation and a little more controlled (fully fenced, very close to the Hoedspruit airport) was a great way to ease into the trip. The animal viewing at all three locations was amazing - we saw the Big 5 at both camps in South Africa, plus wild dogs and a cheetah at Walkers, and not just from a distance - we were able to get up pretty close at several of the viewings. The guides were excellent at all three, same with the staff, and the other guests! Logistics were seamless - all of our transfers were easy, the lodges knew our schedule and drivers were where they needed to be exactly on time. I would absolutely recommend African Travel Gateway, and hope to work with Lize on our next safari!
Hamdan nazarudin
Hamdan nazarudin
28 September 2024
Contacted Lize to get assistance with our trip. Her help has been really great! Enquiries are replied within a short period. Even asking for last minute arrangement of extra baggage and early hotel check-in. Itinerary are also seamless at every transition of camps and location.
Archie B
Archie B
16 August 2024
Travelled across South Africa with ATG. They picked the most amazing places to stay where we felt like royalty. The planning was efficient and there was regular communication during the booking process. The knowledge of Lize was excellent and so we knew what to expect at each stage. Would we use them again? YES, of course, and we are!!! - Already planning our next trip across Namibia for next year!
yvonne omer
yvonne omer
07 August 2024
We chose African Travel Gateway because of their awesome reviews and they did not disappoint! Bianca created a fabulous itinerary combining a luxury private reserve experience, a trip to Victoria Falls, a riverboat stay viewing the animals from a different perspective, ( and BTW the best scrambled eggs we have ever tasted) and a stay at a lodge where we saw different animals and a ride on a bush plane landing in what seemed the middle of nowhere! Every connection was seamless, no stress traveling at its best.Our hosts and guides were excellent, and lovely people. The food was wonderful and of course loved the sundowner drinks and our first” Bush Bar! Would definitely go back for more adventure, thank you ATG for a lovely experience!
Jennifer Morawiecki
Jennifer Morawiecki
06 August 2024
We've just returned from an incredible two-week holiday across Botswana and Zimbabwe with African Travel Gateway. The arrangements made by Bianca were perfect, the documentation provided was extremely thorough, and every detail of our journey was meticulously planned. Communication was excellent throughout. Coming from North America, we felt it best to work with a travel agent located in Southern Africa and it was absolutely the right choice. Highly recommended!
Maria Lohan
Maria Lohan
01 August 2024
Lize helped us find accommodation in Kruger when there was practically none to be got - and t was the best place. The tours she booked were tremendous and the people she booked were great and we are very grateful and glad we had the opportunity to book with Lize. Maria & family form Belfast
Arishana Riek
Arishana Riek
03 July 2024
Tailormade itinerary with knowledgeable guides (Apartheid Museum and Cradle of Humankind).
Sivan Debeljakovic
Sivan Debeljakovic
03 July 2024
Petru, of African Travel Gateway, planned our 12-day South Africa-Zimbabwe itinerary for three of us (arriving from two continents). Her expertise, keen insights, and care in arranging the most perfect accommodation for us, prompt and efficient transfers/drivers, and booking all internal flights, meant this was the smoothest, most enjoyable holiday experience, ever! We covered a lot of ground in a short time, but the precision-timing with transfers, and Petru's choice of such knowledgeable and personable tour guides really made all the difference. Huge thanks to Natasha (Afrifriends) and Chris (Paradise)! Highlights were: The Peech Hotel in J'burg (delightful boutique hotel with a fabulous breakfast - thank you, Oliver!); Ilala Lodge in Zimbabwe; Nkorho Bush Lodge in Sabi Sand (if you want up close & personal experiences with the wildlife, this is where you need to go!); Rickety Bridge Manor House in Franschhoek (perfectly appointed and beautiful accommodation); Boschendal Winery (try the pinotage; farm shop is a must!); Woodstock Markets in Cape Town (so much to see and buy here!). We had the most exceptional holiday – we will definitely return to SA in the future, and will be utilising the expert services of Petru at ATG. Thank you again, Petru.
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