South Africa’s story stretches from ancient Khoisan hunter-gatherers and the 17th‑century Cape colony to a modern democracy shaped by resilience and creativity. You’ll feel that living history in museums, music, and food—from Cape Malay spices to Durban curry and Johannesburg grill houses. With 11 official languages and distinct regions, this is a country best tasted and walked neighborhood by neighborhood.

This mid-range itinerary focuses on three classics—Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban—balancing bucket-list sights with local favorites. Expect cinematic coastlines, world-class coffee, penguins, township cuisine, design-forward markets, and a one-day big-five safari. Beaches, shopping, and spa time are woven throughout.

Practical notes: rideshare apps (Uber/Bolt) work well; the local plug is Type M. Load-shedding (power cuts) can occur—carry a power bank. Tipping 10–12% is customary for restaurant service. Best beach weather is November–April, but Cape Town’s wind can be feisty—pack a light layer.

Cape Town

Ringed by mountains and the Atlantic, Cape Town is a city where morning hikes, oceanfront sunsets, and neighborhood food crawls fit in a single day. Its V&A Waterfront buzzes with buskers and boats, while Woodstock’s murals and markets showcase the city’s creative pulse. Beaches from Clifton to Muizenberg give you soft sand, surf breaks, and classic sundowner spots.

Arrival: Fly into Cape Town International. Check fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. An Uber into the City Bowl is ~20–30 minutes, $12–20 depending on traffic.

Days 1–4: City Icons, Coffee, and Neighborhood Flavor

• Table Mountain and city overview: Start with sweeping views via the rotating cable car or a guided day sampling the mountain, penguins, and Cape Point for efficient sightseeing.
• V&A Waterfront and harbor: Browse the Watershed design market and take a coastal cruise at golden hour for skyline-and-sea photos.
• Local living in Woodstock and the City Bowl: Track down street art in Woodstock, then café-hop through Bree, Kloof, and Loop Streets.
• Robben Island context: Visit the island prison where Nelson Mandela was held to anchor the city’s beauty in its history.

Recommended activities (book ahead):

Table Mountain, Penguins & Cape Point Small Group Tour Cape Town — All the classics in one curated day for first-time visitors.

Cape Town: Robben Island Tour: Pre-Booked Ticket and Transfers — Secure your ferry slot and transfers; it often sells out.

Full-Day Franschhoek Hop On Hop Off Wine Tram Tour — A relaxed, photogenic way to taste multiple estates without driving.

Sunset Champagne Cruise — Toast the skyline as the Atlantic glows amber and pink.

Eat & drink like a local:

• Breakfast/Coffee: Truth Coffee (steampunk roastery, legendary flat whites), Origin Coffee Roasting (De Waterkant pioneer), Jason Bakery (laminated pastries and bacon-on-brioche), and Kleinsky’s (New York–meets–Sea Point bagels).
• Lunch: Oranjezicht City Farm Market (weekends, farm-to-table stalls at Granger Bay), V&A Food Market (try The Knysna Oyster Company and Hokey Poke), and The Loading Bay (clean, modern bowls).
• Dinner: Kloof Street House (romantic, eclectic heritage home), The Pot Luck Club (Asian-Latin small plates; time your booking for sunset), The Codfather in Camps Bay (choose your own fish), and FYN (African-Japanese fine dining—book well ahead).
• Spas: One&Only Spa (island serenity at the Waterfront) and The Twelve Apostles Spa (ocean-facing relaxation after a coastal drive).

Days 5–6: Cape Peninsula Beaches and Penguins

• Beach time: Mornings at Clifton 2nd or 4th (soft sand, wind-sheltered) or Muizenberg (gentler waves, colorful huts; good for first-time surfers).
• Penguins at Boulders Beach: Boardwalks bring you close to the African penguin colony; arrive early to beat crowds.
• Chapman’s Peak Drive: One of the world’s great coastal roads—pull over at viewpoints for photos and a picnic.
• Evening in Kalk Bay: Browse vintage shops and dine at Olympia Cafe or Harbour House above the breakers.

Where to stay (Cape Town):

• Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront — Walkable to V&A, with sea-facing decks for sundowners.
• The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa — Dramatic coastal setting and a pampering spa.
• One&Only Cape Town — Iconic island suites, standout spa and Nobu on site.
• Mojo Hotel — Budget-friendly Sea Point rooms above a lively food market.
• The Backpack — Social, sustainable base near Company’s Garden (good for value).
• Compare more stays: VRBO Cape Town | Hotels.com Cape Town

Getting to Johannesburg (morning of Day 7): 2-hour flight; typical fares $50–120. Check options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From O.R. Tambo, take the Gautrain to Sandton (~15 minutes, ~$10) or Uber (~30–50 minutes, $18–28).

Johannesburg

Gold birthed Johannesburg in 1886; today it’s a cultural engine where galleries, street markets, and jazz bars hum late into the night. Soweto’s energy, Constitution Hill’s fort-turned-court, and Braamfontein’s creative scene reveal the city’s grit and grace. It’s also a fine base for a one-day big-five safari.

Days 7–8: Soweto, Markets, and a One-Day Safari

• Soweto stories: Walk Vilakazi Street past Mandela House and the Hector Pieterson Memorial for a poignant look at the struggle era; sample kota sandwiches from local vendors.
• Constitution Hill: Tour the former prison complex and current Constitutional Court—a powerful arc from injustice to rights.
• Market culture: Saturdays at The Playground (Braamfontein) for design, live DJs, and street eats; daily browsing at 44 Stanley’s indie boutiques and Bean There Coffee Roastery.
• Safari day trip: Swap the city for Pilanesberg National Park to spot elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo, and leopard in an ancient crater landscape.

Recommended activity (hotel pickup early AM):

Full Day Ultimate Pilanesberg National Park Safari from Johannesburg or Pretoria — Depart ~06:00–06:30, arrive ~09:00, with guided game drives and return by evening.

Eat, drink, and unwind:

• Coffee/Breakfast: Bean There (44 Stanley; fair-trade African origins), Father Coffee (Braamfontein roastery), and The Whippet (Linden; flaky croissants and shaksouka).
• Lunch: Social Kitchen & Bar (Hyde Park—bookish, sunny plates), Coalition (crispy Neapolitan pizza in Rosebank), and Kota Joe–style street stands in Soweto for local flavor.
• Dinner: Marble (live-fire cooking, Joburg skyline), The Grillhouse (Rosebank; classic steaks), and Saint (neo-Italian with a buzz on Keyes Art Mile).
• Spas: Saxon Spa (signature hydrotherapy and African botanicals) and Life Day Spa Rosebank (good value, modern facilities).

Where to stay (Johannesburg):

• The Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa — Tranquil gardens, destination spa; ideal for a pampered city interlude.
• Protea Hotel by Marriott Johannesburg Wanderers — Leafy Illovo base near Rosebank and Melrose Arch.
• Curiocity Backpackers Johannesburg — Design-led budget option with community tours in Maboneng.
• Compare more stays: VRBO Johannesburg | Hotels.com Johannesburg

Getting to Durban (morning of Day 9): 1h10 flight; fares often $40–90. Search on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Uber from King Shaka International to uMhlanga ~20 minutes, $12–18; to Durban beachfront ~30–40 minutes, $16–22.

Durban

Durban brings warm Indian Ocean beaches, palm-lined promenades, and the spice-scented legacy of one of the world’s largest Indian diasporas. It’s South Africa’s “curry capital,” with surf breaks before breakfast and sunset strolls under the lighthouse at uMhlanga.

Days 9–11: Golden Mile, uMhlanga, and Curry Culture

• Beach time: Swim and promenade-cycle along the Golden Mile (rent wheels at Bike & Bean), then head north to uMhlanga’s calm sands and postcard lighthouse.
• Moses Mabhida Stadium: Ride the SkyCar for sweeping city-and-sea views; the Big Swing operates seasonally—check on arrival if you crave adrenaline.
• Markets and spices: Victoria Street Market is your stop for masala mixes, beaded crafts, and incense—great for gifts. For modern retail, Gateway Theatre of Shopping ticks every box.
• uShaka Marine World: Aquarium, snorkel lagoon, and water slides for an easy-going beach day alternative.

Eat, drink, and spa:

• Coffee/Breakfast: Colombo Coffee & Tea (Glenwood; artisanal roastery), Bike & Bean (seafront cappuccinos with sunrise), and Surf Riders Cafe (casual seaside breakfasts on the promenade).
• Lunch: Little Gujarat (vegetarian Indian thali plates), CaneCutters (beloved bunny chow—half-loaf bread filled with curry), and California Dreaming (retro-beachfront grills with ocean views).
• Dinner: The Grill Room or Ocean Terrace at The Oyster Box (don’t miss the famed curry buffet), Unity Bar & Brasserie (gastropub fare), and Daruma-By-Oshi (teppanyaki theater near the beachfront).
• Spas: The Oyster Box Spa (award-winning, colonial-era glamour) and Mangwanani Boutique Spa (good-value African-inspired treatments).

Where to stay (Durban & uMhlanga):

• The Oyster Box — Lighthouse views, standout spa, and an iconic curry buffet.
• Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani — Family-friendly twin towers right on the Golden Mile.
• Happy Hippo Backpackers — Budget, social base by uShaka.
• Compare more stays: VRBO Durban | Hotels.com Durban

Budget-savvy tips for a 50/100 spend:

• Mix splurge dinners (Pot Luck Club, Marble) with market feasts (OZCF, The Playground) and casual curry houses.
• Use rideshares over car rentals in cities; book one-way airport transfers during daylight when possible.
• Choose one marquee spa day (Twelve Apostles or Oyster Box) and complement with shorter treatments elsewhere.

Optional swaps and add-ons: Prefer a multi-day safari? Replace Durban with a 3-night Kruger fly-in (Nelspruit/MQP), considering Protea Hotel by Marriott Kruger Gate or Kruger Park Lodge. For adrenaline in Cape Town, dune-ride with Atlantis Dunes quad biking, or add the Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour for flexible sightseeing.

Getting home: Depart from Durban or loop back to Johannesburg or Cape Town depending on flights. Compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Trip summary: In 11 days you’ll sip world-class coffee, savor Cape Malay and Durban curries, browse designer markets, laze on warm beaches, and stand in places that changed the world. It’s a journey of ocean horizons, urban creativity, and wildlife drama—South Africa’s greatest hits with a local’s touch.