Stay : The multiple facets of South Africa
Three weeks is the time you need to thoroughly discover what the great country of South Africa hides. You won't miss anything either its abundant fauna and a flora, its stunning landscapes and its large lively cities.
Summary of the stay
Best time to go
21 days
€€ - Charm and comfort
Detail of the stay : The multiple facets of South Africa - 21 days
Day 1: Historical tour of Johannesburg
Steps: Johannesburg
Arrival in Johannesburg, guided tour of Soweto. Lunch in a shebeen and visit Nelson Mandela's former home (included in some organized tours). In the afternoon, visit the Apartheid Museum. Dinner at Parktown North, at your convenience.
Day 2: A relaxing day of shopping and elephant encounters
Steps: Johannesburg
Enjoy a shopping spree at the African Craft Market of Rosebank (the ideal place to pick up souvenirs), or at Sandton City Shopping Center. After lunch, drive to Hartbeespoort Dam, and spend some time at the elephant sanctuary (allow 4 hours). Return to Johannesburg. You can spend the evening at the theater, for example.
Day 3: Discover the city in depth
Steps: Johannesburg
Take the Nelson Mandela Bridge to New Town. If you're going on a Saturday morning, take a trip to the flea market. Visit Museum Africa. Then join a djembe class.
MUSEUM AFRICA
Day 4: Day trip to Sun City
Steps: Pretoria Tshwane, Sun City
Take the R556 past Pretoria to Sun City. Enjoy the day with the attractions on offer. Dine in one of the park's many restaurants and spend the night.
Day 5: Departure on roads and enjoy the grandiose landscape parade
Steps: Kruger National Park, Nelspruit
Leave early. Go to Nelspruit by the N4. Stop at the Ndebele village. Continue on the R532 and admire the impressive Bourke's Luck Potholes. Join Kruger Park by the R536 and spend the evening and night at Camp Skukuza. Think of booking a morning walk for the next morning.
Day 6: A short safari to discover the wildlife
Steps: Kruger National Park
After the morning walk, grab a bite to eat at one of the picnic areas, complete with supermarkets and gas barbecues, then head out into the Kruger in search of the Big Five. Spend the night in a safari tent. Remember to book an afternoon drive for the following day.
Day 7: Animal watching
Steps: Kruger National Park
Spend the day in the reserve, and a final night in the Kruger. Some camps offer restaurants.
Day 8: Departure for Cape Town
Steps: Johannesburg
Return to Johannesburg in the morning. Fly to Cape Town, or take the Blue Train or Premier Classe Train (one day's journey).
Day 9: Escapade off Cape Town
Steps: Le Cap
Take a stroll along the VA Water Front and do some shopping. Ask at the tourist office on the Water Front about an organized day tour of the wine route. Take one of the boats to discover Robben Island. In the evening, enjoy a drink and dinner on Camp's Bay as the sun sets.
Day 10: Gourmet day in Stellenbosch
Steps: Constantia, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl
Departure for Stellenbosch. Stop off at Constantia, renowned for its white wines. For lunch, you can choose from several gourmet restaurants (with wine tasting) in Stellenbosch itself. Finally, continue on to Paarl, and opt for a short digestive walk. Spend the night in Franshhoek.
Day 11: On the wine route
Steps: Le Cap
Take the organized wine route tour you've booked.
LA ROUTE DES VINS
Day 12: Heading for the ocean
Steps: Hout Bay, Kalk Bay, Table Mountain
Take the cable cars to the top of Table Mountain. You can have lunch there. Then cross the national park by Chapman 's Peak (when the road is open), which will take you to the Cape of Good Hope, otherwise take the M4. At the end of the day, head to Kalk Bay for one of the colorful oceanfront bars.
Day 13: A lazy day on the beach and a stroll through the center of Cape Town
Steps: Le Cap
Treat yourself to a morning's rest on Boulder Beach and its famous penguins, then head to Cape Town's downtown market, Green Market Square. Perhaps you'll be lucky enough to cross paths with the famous Egg Man. Dine in one of Green Point's restaurants.
GREEN MARKET SQUARE
Day 14: Township tours
Steps: Le Cap, Hermanus, Knysna
Spend the morning in Hermanus if you're there during whale season. Otherwise, opt for a guided tour of the townships (the multi-colored houses of Bo Kaap, District Six museum). Get back on the road and spend the night in Knysna.
Day 15: Hiking in lush vegetation
Steps: Port Elizabeth
The next morning, drive along the coast to Port Elizabeth. Take a hike along the Bushbuck Walking Trail, where you can admire forest, ocean and animals.
Day 16: Departure for the wild coast
Steps: East London - Buffalo City, Durban
Drive up the Wild Coast towards Durban. Stop at Morgan Bay after East London (N2 + R349). Take a horseback ride along the beach. Then relax on one of the magnificent wild beaches. Eat and sleep on site.
Day 17: Boat trip
Take the road back to Umgazi River. If you're there in May or August, take a boat trip in search of whales and dolphins, or go fishing. Take time to pamper yourself at a spa. Stay overnight.
Day 18: A variety of activities in the world's smallest desert
Steps: Port Edward
Continue north along the Wild Coast to Port Edward. Discover the world's smallest desert, the Red Desert, followed by a choice of sporting activities: surfing, canoeing, beach, golf...
Day 19: Durban's surroundings
Steps: Durban
Drive for another hour or so to Durban. Have lunch on the waterfront and try the famous Indian Bunny Chow. Take a stroll, then visit the superb Ushaka Marine World aquarium. For the brave, try cage diving with sharks. In the evening, dine in one of the many Indian restaurants in town.
USHAKA MARINE WORLD
Day 20: From the sea to the mountains
Steps: Umhlanga Rocks, Drakensberg
Spend the morning at Gateway, the shopping center of nearby Umhlanga. Then lunch on the beaches of Umhlanga Rocks. Return to the Drakensberg Mountains (N3). Stay overnight.
Day 21: Get some height
Steps: Johannesburg
For thrill-seekers, take a canopy tour. For a bird's-eye view of the mountains, opt for a hot-air balloon ride. Return to Johannesburg (3 to 4 hours' drive). By plane.
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