South Africa in Seven Days | Cape Town and Johannesburg (2024)

After my solo trip to Kenya and Tanzania last year, I had been dying to visit the African continent again. And lo and behold, a trip to Johannesburg materialized and I jumped at the opportunity to visit South Africa. However, I only had the time to visit its two major cities: Cape Town (its second-largest city, major port, and legislative capital) and Johannesburg (its largest city and economic hub). The two cities are 1,500 km apart, and it takes 15 hours by road or 2 hours on a flight to traverse from one to another.

An efficient 7-day itinerary covering Cape Town and Johannesburg can be as follows.

• Days 1-5: Cape Town: 3-day hop-on-hop-off bus tours, city walking tours, and a visit to Robben Island. Go here for a detailed Cape Town itinerary
• Days 6-7: Johannesburg: City bus tour, Apartheid Museum, and Soweto.Go here for a detailed Johannesburg itinerary.
• Side trips: a 2-day Kruger Park safari or a 1-day Pilanesberg Safari from Johannesburg if you can slash a few days from the Cape Town itinerary.

Now, let’s dive into the seven-day South Africa itinerary covering Cape Town and Johannesburg.

—Tours are a great and safe way to see South Africa. Here is one I took—

About

South Africa

South Africa was prominent during my childhood due to the constant coverage of apartheid and the ANC’s (African National Congress) efforts to end it. This year (2024) marks thirty years since the abolition of apartheid.

The end of apartheid in 1994, following decades of racial segregation and oppression, was a pivotal moment in South Africa’s history. Nelson Mandela, an emblem of resistance and reconciliation, became the nation’s first black president. This milestone symbolises the triumph of democracy over oppression and underscores the ongoing journey toward equality and justice. As 2024 is a ‘Global Election Year’ with 64 major countries, including South Africa, undergoing national elections, this history takes on added significance.

Before colonialization, South Africa was inhabited by various indigenous groups, including the Khoisan, Xhosa, Zulu, and Sotho peoples. These groups lived in distinct regions, practising hunting, gathering, and farming. They had complex social structures and traded with each other. The arrival of Europeans in the 15th century marked a significant shift, as trade and conflicts altered the landscape.

Dutch settlers established the Cape Colony in 1652, followed by British colonization in the 19th century. This period saw the displacement and marginalization of indigenous peoples, laying the groundwork for apartheid in the 20th century.

Setting aside its heavy history, South Africa is a tourist’s delight, offering myriad attractions. It boasts adventures such as hiking, surfing, and diving. It features a diverse food scene influenced by many cultures. South Africa is also well known for its delicious wine, offering numerous vineyards to explore. Another compelling reason to visit is its wildlife, and it takes only a bit of effort to see lions, elephants, and rhinos on safaris in their natural habitat.

Additionally, South Africa’s scenery is breathtaking. Cape Town’s iconic Table Mountain in the Western Cape provides a stunning backdrop to the city, while Chapman’s Peak Drive offers spectacular coastal views along winding roads. Moving east, the Garden Route is famous for its lush forests, pristine beaches, and picturesque coastal towns. The road trip along this route is considered one of the most scenic in the world. Further inland, the Drakensberg Mountains boast dramatic peaks and valleys, perfect for hiking and exploring. There is so much to do!

Cape Town

I was late to the Cape Town party, both literally and figuratively. My friends couldn’t stop raving about how awesome it was. They said a week wasn’t enough to see it all, a road trip was a must, and the hikes were simply mind-blowing. So, when I had an opportunity to visit, I jumped at it.

I now wholeheartedly agree with my friends.

Cape Town is stunning, with the Atlantic Ocean on one side, Table Mountain as a prominent backdrop, and spectacular views throughout. However, the long shadow of apartheid continues to linger.

Cape Town, on South Africa’s southwestern coast, has a rich complex history. Originally inhabited by the indigenous Khoisan people, Portuguese explorers came to the area in the 15th century, followed by the Dutch East India Company, which established a settlement here in 1652. This settlement grew into Cape Town, serving as a strategic stop for ships travelling to Asia.

In 1795, France occupied the Seven Provinces of the Dutch Republic, which prompted Great Britain to occupy the Cape Colony to control the seas and stop any potential French attempt to reach India. After a series of wars, the British took over from the Dutch and started to settle the eastern border of the Cape Colony in the early 1800s.

Over time the city became a melting pot of cultures, with influences from Dutch, British, Malay, and African communities. Cape Town, with a population of about 4 million, is South Africa’s second-largest city. While Pretoria is the administrative capital, Cape Town is the legislative capital. It’s known as the “Mother City,” a nickname likely rooted in its history as the site of the first European settlement in South Africa.

Johannesburg

Johannesburg is South Africa’s largest city. The city was founded after the discovery of gold in 1886 and nicknamed eGoli, meaning “city of gold” in Zulu. The name ‘Johannesburg’ comes from the two officials of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek—Christiaan Johannes Joubert and Johannes Rissik—who were involved in surveying the area. The name combines their shared first name, Johannes, with ‘burg’, the Dutch and Afrikaans word for ‘fortified city’.

Johannesburg sits at an altitude of 1,753 meters (5,751 feet) above sea level, making it one of the highest major cities in the world. It is home to several universities and research institutions, such as the University of Johannesburg and the University of the Witwatersrand, and has various cultural and historical landmarks, including the Apartheid Museum and Constitution Hill.

Unfortunately, the city faces significant crime challenges, with high rates of violent crimes like assault, robbery, and homicide, as well as property crimes like burglary and car theft. Therefore, tourists often bypass Johannesburg in favour of its more attractive sister city, Cape Town. But Johannesburg comes with its unique charm.

Best Time to Visit

Conventional wisdom suggests that January to March is the best time to visit due to clear skies and sunny days. December is good too, but it can get windy in Cape Town. However, when I visited in late May and early June, the weather was just perfect. The days were sunny, around 20 degrees Celsius, with calm winds. It was never chilly. Except for one rainy day, the weather was extremely pleasant. I wondered why more people didn’t travel during this time until the day I left – June 3rd – when it rained and cold weather officially began. So, I was freezing when I left Cape Town for Johannesburg.

In summary, January to March is the best time to visit but also the high season. The shoulder months of April and May are perfect for avoiding crowds, but the days are shorter, and some attractions have reduced hours.

Is it Safe?

South Africa has a reputation for crime, but it’s not as bad as I had heard. With some precautions, you can have a safe and enjoyable trip. Look at me. I was fine.

Here are some tips to stay safe in South Africa.

• Be discreet with valuables: Avoid flashy jewellery and keep your phone tucked away. Use a crossbody bag for added security. Phone and bag snatching are common, so extra precaution is advisable.
• Avoid walking. Instead, utilize ride-sharing apps like Uber and Bolt even for short distances. Stick to well-lit areas at night and avoid walking alone, especially on empty roads. Just avoid walking, period.
• Grocery stores and supermarkets are few and far in-between and thus access to food can be challenging, so keep yourself well-stocked with food at all times. SPAR, Woolworth, Checkers, and Pick n Pay are the popular supermarkets to put in your ride app.

Flights and Visa from India

Flights

I flew Qatar Airways to Cape Town and Etihad on my way back from Johannesburg. The round trip cost INR 55,000 or USD 660. Kenya Airlines had flights too but with long layovers in Nairobi. No flights were being operated by South African Airlines from Mumbai when I travelled.

Visa

Currently, there are two ways to obtain a South African visa: an eVisa or a stamped visa through VFS. A South African visa is currently free of charge for Indians. The South African eVisa outcome can be unpredictable. I received mine within five days, but it had the wrong expiry date. When I called DHAC (their listed number on the website is toll-free only in South Africa), they confirmed they couldn’t correct the date over the phone. I sent them many more emails beseeching for help, but they remained unanswered.

Currently, the eVisa is free for Indians. I subsequently applied through VFS, which required additional documents, such as an employer letter for travel, a cover letter explaining why the letter was a scanned copy, a day-by-day itinerary, hotel bookings, flight bookings, and copies of the first and last pages of my passport (not mentioned in the list of documents). The consulate is strict about a recent photograph (ensure no previous visa on your passport has used the photo). This application incurred service charges totalling INR 2255 in Mumbai. The visa itself is free of cost. Processing time for the visa is typically 15-20 days, but I expedited mine with an “expedite letter.”

I suggest applying for an eVisa well in advance and waiting for two weeks. It might be issued correctly to you. If not, head to VFS.

Here are some points to note about the eVisa process:

• Ensure that you upload your most recent bank statement, which has been attested and signed. It’s advisable not to delay between obtaining the bank statement and applying for the visa.
• I included a copy of my yellow fever vaccination proof.
• When prompted to upload my passport, I submitted scans of the front cover, first page, and last page.
• Additionally, I provided a list of my visas from the past five years, which was quite laborious.

SIM, Money, and Transportation

SIM

I landed in Cape Town and so I purchased the SIM from Cape Town Airport. The Cape Town Airport has Vodacom and MTN SIM card stores open from 7 AM to 8 PM. I purchased an MTN prepaid SIM card at Cape Town Airport. Vodacom has slightly better 4G/5G network coverage in South Africa but is more expensive than MTN. A 30-day, data-only (10 GB) MTN SIM costs about 469 ZAR (25 USD).

Money

At the time of writing this, 1 South African Rand (ZAR) equalled INR 4.6 and 0.055 USD. I budgeted 200 ZAR (20 USD) per day to cover walking tours (~200-300 ZAR for a 2-hour tour), roadside shopping, and as a backup in case my credit card did not work. However, almost all places accept credit cards, with many displaying a ‘cashless’ sign, indicating that no cash is accepted. ATMs are available at the airport if you want to withdraw cash as a backup, as I did. Standard Bank, Capitec, and Nedbank ATMs appeared to have the lowest charge for withdrawal at 50 ZAR, while ABSA charges around 75 ZAR per withdrawal.

Transportation

Uber and Bolt are reliable and affordable ways to get around Cape Town and Johannesburg. Locals consider Uber safer, but it’s more expensive. Bolt is cheaper, but I used it for daytime travel only.

To travel from the airport to the hotel, take an Uber or Bolt. Do not get swayed by those who promise to help you find a cab or claim to be Uber. In both Cape Town and Johannesburg, Ubers or Bolts ply from the parking area. Ask for directions from one of the uniformed personnel inside the airport.

Accommodation

Safety and good power backup are important considerations when selecting a hotel in South Africa.

Cape Town

The V&A Waterfront area, Green Point, and Camps Bay are usually considered safe areas to stay. Best and cheapest close to the V&A: Protea Hotel by Marriott Best hotels close to the sea

• Camps Bay: Sun&Sand Camps Bay and Diamond House Guesthouse
• Three Anchor Bay: Bayflowers Guest House
• Green Point: Harper’s House and Brenwin Guest House
• Bantry Bay: Bantry Bay Aparthotel

Johannesburg

Rosebank and Sandton are among the best places to stay. In Rosebank, popular choices are

• Voco Johannesburg (Has an excellent restaurant called Proud Mary)
• Holiday Inn (Where the Sightseeing bus tour starts on Rosebank)
• Hyatt House (I stayed here partly. It’s located opposite Holiday Inn, one lane removed)

In Sandton, popular choices are

• Sandton Hotel

• Rivonia Premier Lodge

• Hyatt House

Or The Great Gatsby on Houghton (I stayed here partly). The hotel is straight out of a dream. It’s gorgeous and one of the prettiest I have stayed in. My room, the library, was my dream room. Cosy and beautiful, I could have stayed there for days, devouring all the books. It is also located in one of the best localities in Johannesburg, close to the Nelson Mandela Foundation, his former home. I highly recommend staying here for a unique experience. The hotel is also close to Rosebank and Sandton, both just minutes away.

Cape Town Itinerary

Cape Town can be done in several different ways. Using walking tours + self-guided visits to places of interest, and through the hop-on-hop-off bus tours + hop-off in areas of interest. Below is the summary of the itinerary I followed but here’s a more detailed Cape Town itinerary.

Walking Tours

There are three kinds of walking tours you can do in Cape Town. See timetables at City Sightseeing Free Walking Tours (from 81 Long Street), Walk Cape Town, or Cape Town Free Walking Tours (from Motherland Coffee, St Georges Mall). Both are tips-based. (~200-400 ZAR per person depending on the duration of the walk and how pleased you were.)

The City Centre

The walking tour starts at 81 Long Street. It passes through (1) The Greenmarket Square (A 17th-century marketplace once used for slave trading), (2) the Company’s Garden (South Africa’s oldest garden, established by the Dutch East India Company to supply fresh produce to sailors voyaging to India), (3) City Hall (Built in 1905, featuring a statue of Nelson Mandela at the site of his first post-prison speech), (4) The Grand Parade (Cape Town’s primary public square), (5) the District 6 Museum (Commemorates District 6 and the forced displacement of 60,000 residents based on race during Apartheid), (6) The South African Museum (Founded in 1825, housing diverse zoological, paleontological, and archaeological collections), (7) The Jewish Museum & Holocaust Centre (honouring Jewish life and South Africa’s Jewish history), (8) the Castle of Good Hope (A 17th-century fort, the oldest colonial structure, offering above-ground and underground exploration).

Apartheid to Freedom

I did the Apartheid to Freedom Tour with Cape Town Free Walking Tours. As part of the tour, we visited St. George’s Cathedral, where Desmond Tutu’s appointment as archbishop caused quite a stir. We also saw the race classification board building, where officials decided racial classifications and handed out passes. They used methods like the pencil test, where a pencil was placed in a person’s hair to see if it would fall out, and possibly the pinch test, which tested what a person yells out in shock when someone does a surprise pinch on him. These classifications determined where people lived, their earnings, and not just their futures, but those of generations beyond. We also saw the statue of Cecil Rhodes in the Company’s Garden, which has been retained as a reminder of the past, as Nelson Mandela wished. Rhodes founded De Beers and became prime minister of the Cape Colony in 1890. He used his power to take land from black Africans and promoted the superiority of the Anglo-Saxon race. Rhodes also founded Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe. The tour continued to the Parliament House, and the District Six Museum, ending at the site of Nelson Mandela’s inauguration speech at Cape Town’s City Hall.

Bo-Kaap

I did the Bo-Kaap Walking Tour with Cape Town Free Walking Tours. It runs thrice a day, so it must be a popular tour. ​The Bo-Kaap neighbourhood (Bo-Kaap meaning “above the Cape” in Afrikaans) is an area in Cape Town, South Africa, famous for its brightly coloured homes and cobblestone streets. It is a historically segregated area on the slopes of Signal Hill, above the city centre, which was once home to Muslim immigrants and slaves. Thus, the area is home to several mosques, which are a few centuries old. Bo-Kaap has the largest concentration of pre-1850 architecture in South Africa and is Cape Town’s oldest surviving residential neighbourhood. The brightly coloured facades are attributed to an expression of freedom by the new homeowners, as all the houses were painted white while on lease.

Townships

In South Africa, a township typically refers to a densely populated urban area that was designated for non-white residents during the apartheid era. These areas were segregated and often lacked basic infrastructure and services compared to predominantly white areas. Townships were a result of forced removals of black, coloured, and Indian communities from more desirable urban areas to peripheral locations.

Today, many townships continue to exist, though efforts have been made to improve living conditions and integrate them into broader urban development plans. Township tours in Cape Town are a way to experience the unique culture and history of these historically segregated communities.

However, it’s important to choose a tour company that is respectful and ethical, and that ensures that the benefits of tourism go back into the township. The Hop-on-Hop-off bus tours offer township tours (Langa, Gugulethu, and Khayelitsha) or you can do them as a walking tour with a guide from the area through an Airbnb experience or similar.

Others

There are other tours you can take as well, such as the Paarl, Franschhoek, Stellenbosch Three Region Explorer Wine Tour or an African food tour (conducted by the same guys I went on the Peninsula Road Trip with – they were fabulous!), but I didn’t do these due to lack of time.

—Cape Town has some great tours you can consider—

Where to Stop

District Six Museum

The District Six Museum is a tiny two-story museum chronicling the lives impacted by the Group Areas Act i.e. the former District 6 residents. A visit should take about an hour. Entry costs 50 ZAR. Open from 9 AM to 4 PM, Monday to Saturday.

Established in 1867, District Six was a vibrant, multicultural area in Cape Town, home to freed slaves, merchants, artisans, labourers, and immigrants. However, the area’s mixed population made it a target for the apartheid government’s segregation policies. In 1966, the apartheid government (the National Party) announced that District Six would be razed and rebuilt as a “whites-only” neighbourhood under the Group Areas Act. Over the next decade, more than 60,000 residents were forcibly removed to Cape Flats. In 1984, the destruction of District Six was completed. Although the new government in 1994 brought hope for change, it did not materialize. District Six provided its occupants with a sense of belonging despite that it served to reinforce patterns of segregation and white supremacy. The District Six Museum preserves this history.

Castle of Good Hope

Not far from District 6, Castle of Good Hope is a decent visit if you have time. The three-and-a-half-century-old monument is South Africa’s oldest colonial building and was a former Army base, a former seat of government, and a slave port. Entry fee is 50 ZAR, open from 9 AM to 4 PM with the last entry at 3:30 PM. It provides a good background of the history of Cape Town through a Military Museum, the William Fehr Collection of paintings, various erstwhile living quarters, and The Cape Heritage Museum, Castle of Good Hope which I found most interesting of all, as it was contemporary and filled with interesting knick-knacks and paintings depicting local life.

The Slave Lodge

The Iziko Slave Lodge in Cape Town is a significant historical museum, showcasing the history and legacy of slavery in South Africa. Built in 1679, the Slave Lodge was constructed by the Dutch East India Company to house enslaved people brought to the Cape Colony. Over time, it has been used for various purposes, including government offices and a post office. The exhibits inside detail the lives of enslaved people at the Cape, including their origins, living conditions, and the impact of slavery on Cape society. The museum is well worth a visit for the low price of admission. The entry fee is 60 ZAR. Open Monday to Saturday, 9 AM to 5 PM.

Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tours

Buy a two or three-day City Pass which includes the bus on all days and several activities and attractions for free. A 3-day pass costs 1895 ZAR (INR 8,600 or USD 103) but provides unbeatable value, offering free entry into many attractions and buses for all days. However, I knew I wouldn’t be able to cover all attractions in three days and wanted to spread it out. Thus, I only purchased the three-day unlimited Sightseeing Bus Pass. It cost 479 ZAR (INR 2200 or USD 26). Again, unbeatable value.

Red Route

The Red Route is shorter than the Blue Route, and I recommend you do it first.

The Red Route is used to visit Table Mountain and get a teaser of Camps Bay. I hadn’t booked a ticket for the Table Mountain cableway in advance, so when I arrived, there were long queues at both the ticket counter and the cableway entry point. Therefore, I bought an afternoon ticket, which is cheaper (360 ZAR in the afternoon after 1 PM versus 420 ZAR in the morning), and found the lines much shorter when I arrived at 1 PM when the afternoon batches started. I spent the morning exploring Camps Bay, taking two rounds on the bus, and falling in love with the place.

On the first day, you could consider stopping at Camps Bay or Green Point. The second day, which is the Blue Route, has too many places you’ll want to stop, so it’s better to leave time for it.

Blue Route

I took the blue route end to end at least four times in the last two days of my bus pass because the coastal drive was SO out of the world. It’s hands down one of the best drives in the world, and one of the best hop-on-hop-offs. Not just because it hugs the coast—there are many like it—but because it stretches for miles and miles with dramatic views on both sides. I can’t erase from my head the first view of the Twelve Apostles as we turned a bend. Below, the crashing waves met rugged rocks, lined with lavish homes trying to blend in. And the sight of fit joggers alongside only added to the enjoyable experience. Eye candy all around.

Purple Route

I was unsure about doing the wine route alone. Drinking solo seemed well… pathetic! However, I met two other solo travellers on the bus who were toying with the same conundrum, and so we joined forces. Constantia Groot is beautiful and well worth a visit. It’s South Africa’s oldest wine farm, established in 1685. According to its website, its wine is mentioned in Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, and Charles Dickens’s The Mystery of Edwin Drood and it may have been served to Napoleon during his exile on the island of Saint Helena. For 115 ZAR, we enjoyed delicious wine, learnt about winemaking, and took a goblet home. I loved the Pinotage, Lady of Abundance, and the sweet dessert wine that allegedly led to Napoleon’s demise.

I later visited Stellenbosch which is a gorgeous European-looking town, lined with oak trees and historical buildings, including the Village Museum, which showcases period houses and gardens. Stellenbosch University, with its botanical garden, is another must-see. In fact, the town is full of students. For wine enthusiasts, Stellenbosch offers many acclaimed wine estates. Some notable ones include Spier Wine Farm, Kanonkop, and Tokara—which combine art, wine, and stunning views of the Helshoogte Pass. The Waterford Estate offers unique chocolate and wine pairings. There is a very popular tram for the wine tour that visitors rave about. I wished I could have taken it, but I felt shy about drinking alone.

Where to Stop

The V&A Waterfront

The V&A Waterfront is stop 1 of the bus tour.

The V&A Waterfront was built between 1860 and 1920, inspired by the transformation of the Sydney and San Francisco Waterfronts and it’s pretty impressive. On the Waterfront are the 2 Ocean’s Aquarium, the V&A Food Market, the Watershed (a craft market), the Clock Tower, the Cape Wheel (a Ferris wheel with a view), the Cape Town Diamond Museum, the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, boat tours, numerous shops, and restaurants.

Hours Monday – Thursday: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm. Friday – Sunday: 9:00 am – 9:00 pm. More than 80 restaurants and entertainment options make it a great stop at Cape Town. It’s also safe to hang out here because there are patrols everywhere.

Table Mountain

Table Mountain should be the first item on your itinerary as it’s a Cape Town icon that needs to be scaled, either on foot or via the cable car. The Mountain is a prominent landmark overlooking Cape Town, standing at 1,086 meters (3,563 feet) above sea level. The mountain is part of the Table Mountain National Park and is known for its flat-topped summit, which is approximately 3 kilometres (2 miles) wide. Geologically, Table Mountain is composed mainly of sandstone and granite. It is one of the oldest mountains in the world, estimated to be around 600 million years old. The mountain’s unique shape was formed by natural erosion over millennia.

The mountain has a rich history. The indigenous Khoikhoi people called it “ho*rikwaggo,” meaning “Mountain of the Sea.” In 1503, the Portuguese explorer António de Saldanha named it “Table Mountain” because of its flat top. In 1929, a cableway was opened, making it accessible to tourists.

The cable car to the top operates from 8:30 AM to between 6 PM and 9 PM, depending on the season. It is a large cable car with a capacity of 65 people. Poor weather may lead to cancellations, so it’s good to have a backup plan.

Prices differ between the morning ride (420 ZAR) and the afternoon ride (360 ZAR, after 1 PM). Queues are usually shorter in the afternoon, making it a good time to go.

World of Birds

The World of Birds in Cape Town is one of the largest bird parks in Africa. Located in Hout Bay, it houses over 3,000 birds and small animals, representing about 400 species. The park is spread over 4 hectares and includes walk-through aviaries that allow visitors to see the birds up close in a natural environment. It is very well organized. Visitors can interact with some animals, such as feeding birds in designated areas. This hands-on experience is particularly popular with families and children.

The park is open from 9 AM to 5 PM, with the last admission at 4 PM. Monkey Jungle is open from 11:30 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 3:30 PM. Penguin feeding times are 11:30 AM and 3:30 PM. Entry costs 130 ZAR.

Mariner’s Wharf

This is a popular stop on the Blue bus route.

Mariner’s Wharf is one of the first harbourside developments of its kind in Cape Town and is designed to resemble a traditional fishing village. It’s a small, clean beach that offers stunning views of the Hout Bay harbour, the ocean, and the surrounding mountains. It has shops here that sell nautical-themed gifts, local crafts, and souvenirs, but the real draw is the restaurants that offer delicious seafood fares, such as ‘Mariner’s Wharf’ and ‘ Wharfside Grill’. There are a few places to have a quick bite as well. Mariner’s Wharf is a good lunch option on your Blue bus route.

Camps Bay

Camps Bay is a luxury suburb of Cape Town, known for its stunning beach, lively nightlife, and scenic views. It’s a hotspot for celebrities. Leonardo DiCaprio, Charlize Theron, David Hasselhoff, Zac Efron, Jared Leto, and many others have been spotted here. The area boasts several good hotels like the Bay Hotel, South Beach, and The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa. You can stop at one of the famous cafés such as the Mantra Café or Café Caprice, or restaurants such as Bo-Vine, The 41, or The Codfather on your Red or Blue Route buses.

Camps Bay is a tourist hotspot and gets super-crowded on the weekends.

From Camps Bay, you can visit several beaches:

1. Clifton Beach: A blue flag beach popular with the wealthy and famous. It’s known for its beautiful sands and views and is a favourite for sundowners and celebrity spotting. Access is via stairs from Victoria Road.
2. Oudekraal: Located halfway between Camps Bay and Llandudno Beach, this area has small coves and beaches surrounded by granite boulders, offering a secluded spot.
3. Bakoven Beach: Situated between Camps Bay and Llandudno, the beach is divided into two main sections: a small, sandy beach and a rocky area with large granite boulders. Ideal for sunbathing, swimming in calm waters, and exploring tidal pools.
4. Llandudno Beach: A stunning white sand beach with large granite boulders and mountain views. There are no shops, only expensive homes. It’s popular with surfers and rock climbers.
5. Sandy Bay: A wild, secluded beach with no development, accessible by a 20-minute walk from the parking lot. It is South Africa’s only nudist beach but mostly visited by older people 🙂

Kirstenbosch

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is one of the 10 botanical gardens in South Africa and is situated on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. Established in 1913, it is dedicated to the growing of native flora and fauna. It’s a beautiful, expansive, and verdant park, but I learned it’s in full bloom only until April, so I went at the wrong time. Spring and early summer (September to November) are the best times to visit.

The garden is home to more than 7,000 species of plants, many of which are indigenous to South Africa. It has several themed gardens, including a fragrance garden, a medicinal garden, a protea garden, and a cycad amphitheatre. The best part was the Boomslang Canopy Walkway, which offers stunning views and pictures.

The garden was a nice hour-long stop on the Blue Route bus.

Other Tours

Robben Island

Robben Island is a small island in Table Bay, about 7 kilometres (4.3 miles) from Cape Town. It covers 5.07 square kilometres (1.96 square miles) and is mostly flat, rising a few meters above sea level. The name “Robben” comes from the Dutch word for “seals,” which were once common there. Historically, Robben Island has had many uses. In the 19th century, it was a leper colony and a place to isolate people with contagious diseases. During World War II, it was used as a military base. The island is best known as a maximum-security prison during apartheid. Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first black president, was imprisoned there for 18 of his 27 years in jail, along with other political prisoners.

Today, Robben Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a museum. It symbolizes the triumph of the human spirit over adversity and oppression.

The regular official tour, which takes four hours, costs 600 ZAR (USD 32), with four official tours in summer and three in winter. The tours get cancelled when the sea gets choppy. Tickets are refundable until 48 hours in advance.

Peninsula Roadtrip

I did this using an Airbnb experience but I nearly booked this tour that seemed to be covering much more ground. In the end, I didn’t go for it because I was craving a good old-fashioned road trip experience. You know, like the ones my friends won’t stop bragging about! The peninsula road trip covers the colourful houses at Muizenberg Beach, St James Beach, Kalk Bay Harbour, Boulders Beach to see the African Penguins, a visit to the Cape Point lighthouse and Cape of Good Hope, Chapmans Peak Drive for a sundowner.

This experience is also available on Viator and GetYourGuide in other formats.

Off-the-Beaten-Path

Theatre

Watching a show at the Artscape Theatre Centre should be your top priority in Cape Town, South Africa. The Artscape Theatre Centre is Cape Town’s main performing arts centre. Established 40 years ago, it serves as the official performing arts council for the Western Cape. It offers internationally acclaimed ballet, opera, and other theatrical performances with a local twist. There is always something good to watch. Baxter Theatre is another popular venue. Look for shows in Cape Town here.

The Zeitz MOCAA

Apart from the shopping, restaurants, pop-up entertainment, and the Nelson Mandela Gateway for the ferry to Robben Island, the V&A Waterfront area has a few other attractions close to one another. These are the Two Oceans Aquarium (located next to the City Sightseeing Cape Town Visitor Center), the Diamond Museum, the Cape Wheel, and the Zeitz MOCAA. Of these, the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa seemed worthy of a visit. Zeitz MOCAA is the largest museum of contemporary African art in the world. It is housed in a former grain silo complex, and the building’s designer preserved its original structure, including its 42 cylindrical concrete tubes. Some of the most stunning works inside are by Nandipha Mntambo, Kudzanai Chiurai, Mustafa Maluka, and Wangari Mathenge, all of whose works touch on social, political, and cultural issues in Africa. Nandipha’s and Wangari’s works are gender-focused as well. A visit to the Zeitz MOCAA is worthwhile as it’s solely dedicated to contemporary African art. Both the artwork and the building in which they are housed are unique.

Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM with the last entry at 5.30 PM. Entry cost: 250 ZAR.

Food and Shopping

Time Out Market, an upmarket food hall, captures a diverse range of South African foods, from a chef’s take on a traditional barbecue at Mliloto Cape Malay cooking with a modern twist atBarakat. Selective Live provides an intimate setting, with a mountain view, to watch music performances from an array of genres that include Afro jazz, African folk and hip-hop.

Cape Town’s Old Biscuit Mill is a vibrant weekend destination, perfect for soaking up the local scene. Located in the trendy Woodstock neighbourhood, known for its hipster vibes and graffiti art (including some stellar street murals nearby!), the Mill itself buzzes with activity. While it’s a bit of a drive from the city centre, plan a morning or afternoon to fully experience what it offers. You can browse unique (though sometimes pricey) designer ware and grab a bite at Neighbourgood.

I also visited the Oranjezicht City Farm Market which was loads of fun. It’s located close to the V&A Waterfront, and therefore convenient to visit. Open Saturdays from 8:15 AM to 2 PM and Sundays from 9 AM to 2 PM. During the summer months (October to April), there’s also a Wednesday evening market from 5 PM to 9 PM. I had the best ice cream EVER at Harlow Gelato, a delicious apple crumble I devoured. Similar to the Old Biscuit Mill market, OZCF boasts a vibrant selection of artisanal food and handcrafted goods. But what truly sets them apart is their focus on fresh, seasonal produce, offering a complete farm-to-table experience.

Gold Restaurant in Camps Bay is highly recommended for its unique experience. It serves traditional African dishes from across the continent, accompanied by live entertainment featuring African music and dance performances. Although I haven’t been there, it seems worth checking out.

Trekking

Capetonians are enthusiastic about fitness and enjoy spending time in nature. Thus, there are several local hiking groups and visitors are welcome to join for a small fee. You could look up Meridian Walks and join them on a few of their walks. Lion’s Head is undoubtedly the most walked peak in South Africa, At 670 m high, it flanks Table Mountain on its right and has a 360-degree view of Cape Town. The most walked route is the spiral Path which has some interesting sections with a chain ladder that can be bypassed. There are also several organized hikes to Lion’s Head or Table Mountain.

Johannesburg Itinerary

As soon as you land in Johannesburg, you will notice the difference between the two cities. At first, you will miss seeing Table Mountain. Then, when you make peace with it, you’ll notice the neighbourhoods appear different, more urban and with a stronger Black cultural presence. From a tourist perspective, I didn’t find there was much to do in Johannesburg, and due to repeated safety warnings, I spent a much shorter time there. Here are a few tours you can do while in the city. Below is a summary but here’s a more detailed Johannesburg itinerary.

City Tour

The Apartheid Museum

The Apartheid Museum is the seventh stop on the hop-on-hop-off route, approximately an hour from the starting point in Rosebank. As it’s adjacent to Gold Reef City Casino, you can explore both one after the other. The Apartheid Museum’s admission fee is 160 ZAR, and it operates from 9 AM to 5 PM, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. At least two hours is required at this expansive museum, as it presents a comprehensive history of apartheid, showcasing the harsh realities and struggles of that era. It features numerous artefacts, archival film footage, and powerful photographs depicting life under apartheid.

Compared to Cape Town’s District Six Museum and the Slave Lodge Museum, I found the Apartheid Museum to be less engaging, but that’s just my personal preference for manageable and organized experiences. However, minor quibbles aside, it’s undeniable that the Apartheid Museum offers a deep dive into a crucial period of South African history, with fantastic artefacts and photographs. Since Johannesburg doesn’t offer many historical tourist attractions, this one is well worth visiting.

Soweto Tour

Soweto, located 30 minutes or 25 km from Johannesburg’s CBD, is home primarily to black South Africans, as well as poor undocumented immigrants. It is divided into Orlando West and East; I found the former to be a charming middle-class neighbourhood and the latter more rundown, with a slum or two. Key attractions in Soweto include Vilakazi Street in Orlando West, where Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu, two Nobel laureates, once lived, although at different times.

Nelson Mandela lived here with his first wife, Evelyn Mase, who was given the house by the government due to her role as a nurse. Desmond Tutu lived in a house on the road known as the Beverly Hills of Soweto, and his descendants live there now. Soweto is known for its role in the struggle against apartheid.

The Hector Pieterson Museum commemorates Hector Pieterson, a 12-year-old student who became a symbol of the anti-apartheid struggle after being killed by police on June 16, 1976, during the Soweto Uprising. The area around has several symbols of the student uprising.

Soweto is markedly different from mainstream Johannesburg. It’s a mix of middle-class-orderly, chaotic-lower-to-middle-class homes and sprawling townships (i.e., slums), with fallow land in between.

And, finally, there are the Soweto Towers, iconic symbols of Soweto, which were once power stations decommissioned for polluting Soweto (while providing electricity to other localities). They are now a bungee jumping destination. Most tours usually end here. They look sedate in my picture below, but the towers get repainted often and are quite colourful in the other pictures I have seen.

Others

Sandton City

Malls should typically not be part of a travel itinerary but in Johannesburg, Sandton City provides a welcome respite. It’s also a good place to walk about free of worry. Sandton City is one of the largest shopping centres in Johannesburg. The mall covers over 140,000 square meters of retail space and houses more than 300 shops, including international and local brands. Adjacent to Sandton City, Nelson Mandela Square features a large statue of Nelson Mandela and is a popular dining and cultural hub. Check out the shows playing at Theatre on the Square and the Pieter Toerien Theatre if you want cultural invigoration.

Sandton City typically stays open from 9 AM to 8 PM on weekdays and Saturdays, and from 9 AM to 6 PM on Sundays and public holidays.

Rosebank Mall

Rosebank Mall is a prominent shopping destination in Johannesburg with over 150 stores. Notable shops include Woolworths, Edgars, and Clicks, alongside high-end fashion retailers like Zara and H&M. The mall also hosts unique boutique stores, such as House of Cinnamon, Mambu, and Poetry. I found the Rosebank Mall difficult to navigate If I’m being honest, but it offers a more laid-back vibe compared to the bustling and more commercialized Sandton City. They also have a great Sunday market and the Keyes Art Mile is worth dropping into.

Rosebank Mall is open from 9 AM to 6 PM from Monday to Saturday and from 9 AM to 5 PM on Sundays and public holidays.

Ponte City Experience

Ponte City is a 54-story cylindrical skyscraper in Johannesburg, prominently standing out in the skyline. Completed in 1975, it is the tallest residential building in Africa, notable for its hollow core and turbulent history, including periods of neglect and revitalization. This unique urban exploration tour takes you through Ponte City, labelled by them as a “highly misunderstood” residential building. The group also offers other interesting tours worth taking a look at.

Day Trips

Kruger or Pillanesberg

Kruger National Park, located in northeastern South Africa, is one of Africa’s largest game reserves, spanning nearly 20,000 square kilometres. It is renowned for its diverse wildlife, including the Big Five: lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffaloes. A trip to Kruger National Park can be done in 2 days. Johannesburg Hop-on-Hop-off offers tours as do other tour operators.

A Pilanesburg Game Safari can be done within a day and offers the opportunity to see the Big 5 as well.

Cradle of Humankind

The Cradle of Humankind is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located about 50 kilometres northwest of Johannesburg. It is known for its rich fossil record that offers crucial insights into human evolution. Discovered in the late 19th century, the Cradle of Humankind comprises a complex of limestone caves. The caves were closed at the time of writing, but the Maropeng Visitor Centre was open. The centre offers interactive exhibits about human evolution. A trip takes half a day and costs about 1000 ZAR upwards for a group tour. I have heard that it is good for kids and to learn about human evolution, but the inscriptions are outdated. Additionally, as the Sterkfontein Caves are closed, it is not as impactful. The Maropeng tour includes a museum-guided tour, an underground boat ride, and a tour of the Vortex tunnel.

Pretoria City Tour

Pretoria is one of South Africa’s three capital cities, serving as the executive branch and administrative capital. (The other two are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital). Pretoriais located in the northern part of Gauteng Province and is known for its government buildings, universities, and historical sites. It is less than an hour away from Johannesburg. Visit the Voortrekker Monument, Church Square, Union Buildings, and Kruger House. Tours take half a day.

A short timeline of South Africa’s history, because it will come up a lot during your trip, and also because I’m a right proper nerd 🙂

• Prehistoric: Early human ancestors lived in South Africa. Some call Africa the ‘Mother Continent’.
• 1488: Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias rounded the Cape of Good Hope.
• 1652: Dutch East India Company established a supply station at Cape Town.
• 1806: The British took control of the Cape Colony from the Dutch.
• 1867: Diamonds discovered in Kimberley.
• 1886: Gold was discovered in the Witwatersrand.
• 1910: The Union of South Africa formed under British rule.
• 1948: The National Party implemented apartheid, institutionalizing racial segregation.
• 1961: South Africa became a republic, leaving the Commonwealth.
• 1990: Nelson Mandela was released from prison; apartheid began to be dismantled.
• 1994: First democratic elections held; Nelson Mandela leads the African National Congress (ANC) to victory to become president
• 2009: Jacob Zuma (ANC) becomes president.
• 2013: Nelson Mandela dies.
• 2018: Cyril Ramaphosa (ANC) becomes president.
• 2024: Elections with ANC losing majority for the first time in its history. While South Africa is governed by the ANC, Cape Town is governed by the Democratic Alliance (DA), the official opposition to the ANC.