South Africa Planning Advice

Posted by pulps (Detroit) on 09/25/25 08:06 PM

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a solo trip to South Africa this October (late 30s, active traveler), and I’d really appreciate your input on how to make the most of it.

I’ll be in the country from October 17 to November 1, flying into Cape Town and out of Johannesburg. I’ve got a 3-day professional conference in Cape Town from October 23–25, ending at noon on the 25th. The rest of the trip is flexible, and I want to make efficient use of my time. Ideally mixing natural beauty, culture, and a safari experience without it feeling rushed.

Here’s what I’m hoping to get feedback on:

My Main Questions:
• Is my pacing reasonable, especially with the conference breaking up the week?
• Are there good ways to do the Garden Route and a safari (e.g., at Botlierskop) without renting a car?
• Can anyone recommend small group tours or private guides that include transport and aren’t overly expensive?
• Would a day trip to Pretoria from Johannesburg be worthwhile?
• Any suggestions for ways to connect with locals or fellow travelers along the way? (Group wine tours, meetup apps, walking tours, etc.)

I’m active and comfortable traveling solo, but would enjoy chances to meet people during the trip. I don’t need luxury, but I’m willing to pay a bit more for a good guide or small group experience, especially if it avoids the hassle of renting a car.

Below is my rough itinerary, open to changes! The Airbnb in Cape Town is already booked, but everything else is still flexible.

⸻

Itinerary Overview

Oct 13: Depart Detroit
Oct 14–16: Layover and sightseeing in Istanbul
Oct 17: Arrive Cape Town
Oct 18–22: Explore Cape Town & nearby areas (Table Mountain, Cape Peninsula, Robben Island, Winelands)
Oct 23–25: Conference in Cape Town (ends at noon on 25th)
Oct 25 afternoon–28: Garden Route road trip, including a short safari at Botlierskop
Oct 28 evening: Fly to Johannesburg
Oct 29–31: Explore Johannesburg, with a possible day trip to Pretoria
Nov 1: Evening flight home

⸻

Thanks in advance for any feedback or suggestions!
I’d especially love practical tips on transport, guide recommendations, and off-the-beaten-path highlights that work well for solo travelers.

Posted by ekscrunchy

new york

09/26/25 12:29 AM

733 posts

Me, I'd go to the Kruger area and spend the extra time on safari.

I use a wonderful safari planner in CapeTown who could also set you up with guides for that city.
Her agency is Southern Destinations.....give them a call and see what they can set up as far as safari or local guides in CT and environs..

Posted by TravelBug79

Indiana

09/26/25 11:19 AM

1087 posts

We used Uber Black for transportation within Cape Town. It was efficient and inexpensive. You may want to check out Mother City Hikers if that type of experience appeals to you. The guide we had for the Pipe Track on Table Mountain was great. https://mothercityhikers.co.za/ Our safari was in the Kruger area, so I can't speak to the area you are considering. I would suggest you contact Sutton Africa, for guide services. You can find them on Facebook. Paul is a licensed, professional guide; very knowledgeable and accommodating to your interests. The Oranjezicht City Farm & Market is in Cape Town on Saturday mornings, and it was a fun way to explore some local cuisine and vendors. https://ozcf.co.za/ Easy walk to the V&A Waterfront from there.

Posted by Milo

09/27/25 05:12 PM

41 posts

Hi! I hope you love your time in South Africa. It is my favourite place to travel. So, I am posting some of the advice I typically offer when this question comes up:

Cape Town is lovely, and the weather is very fickle! I know that everyone has opinions on the Hop On Hop Off busses (Red Bus) in different places across the world, but my experience on the HOHO busses in Cape Town has been delightful and affordable. There excursions to the other areas around (Winelands, Cape Point, Hermanus) are also top tier, in my opinion. The main station is just in front of the aquarium at V&A - the aquarium is lovely, too. There is a lovely restaurant, Den Anker at the Waterfront that I recommend. Another restaurant in CPT that is lovely is Kloof Street House, but make your reservation in advance.

You'll definitely want to make it around Chapman's Peak Drive and maybe to Simonstown if you would like a quaint area -- You don't have to purchase tickets to the Nature Reserve in Simonstown to see the penguins; they will be around when you get close to the beach! If you are interested in botanicals, stop by Kirstenbosch Gardens. Cape Town represents a unique botanical biome found no where else in the entire world (fynbos) - also makes good gin which I am sure you will find in the winelands. I would recommend taking the Wine Tram if you want to explore the winelands around Franschhoek. Franschoek is a lovely area. On the HOHO bus, you will make a stop in Hout Bay. You have to eat the fish and chips from Mariner's Wharf Harbour Front Emporium. Can't miss it.

You may also be interested in visiting Robben Island; however, the weather will dictate if you are able to make it to the island. As I mentioned earlier, Cape Town weather is absolutely lovely, but unpredictable. If you want to make it up to the top of Table Mountain, your schedule should be guided by the weather - if it is a clear morning when you wake up, go to the mountain first.

The V&A waterfront is a nice area to relax and has some nice restaurants and live music typically in the evenings. There are some nice restaurants along Mouille Point and Green Point area (not far from V&A Waterfront). Ubers are, in my opinion, are quick, safe, and affordable (Lyft does not function in SA, you could also use Bolt, but in my experience the prices have fun similar to Uber and I have had better experiences with Uber, just my experience). All of this said, the Hop on Hop off Red Bus is lovely and will even take you to some of the larger wine estates (Groot Constantia is nice). The areas serviced by this bus service are more than enough to fill your several days. The views on the open top of the bus are divine. I would recommend some of their other excursions, too. You can take the day trip to Hermanus, and try to spot some whales as we are right in the middle of the southern right whale migration. In Hermanus proper, you could also book an excursion to go out whale watching, but can likely catch some spouts from the walk along the seaside.

A few days in Joburg will likely suffice. I would focus your stay in a suburb of Johannesburg (Linden or Sandton for example). A few things I would suggest that you must do whilst in Johannesburg: visit the Apartheid Museum, block off several hours and really spend time engaging with the material. Another area of interest could be visiting the Constitution Hill Human Rights Precinct and having a tour here as well. You will also be able to see South Africa's Constitutional Court here. If you like being outside, visit the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens. A fun outing is also visiting Gold Reef City and enjoying the roller coasters there. A highlight of Pretoria would be visiting the Voortrekker Monument. Hope this helps! Enjoy! Feel free to send follow up questions.