Fast-Track South Africa: Wine, Whales & Wildlife in 10 Days

Written By Wessel de Werk

If you're like me and start missing home after just 12 days away, you plan your trips accordingly. My partner wasn’t thrilled, but limitations breed creativity—and that’s how we ended up on a fast-paced but unforgettable road trip through South Africa. We went in September (early spring there), and while the itinerary was packed, it’s easily extendable if you prefer a slower pace. Here's how it went:

Day 1 & 2 – Franschhoek
We kicked off with a calm start: rental car picked up in Cape Town, then off to the wine lands. First stop: Franschhoek. We stayed two nights at Lavender Farm Boutique Guest House—booked via Booking.com. Set between lavender fields and just five minutes from the village center, it was the perfect base. We explored Boschendal and Babylonstoren, two stunning wine estates, and soaked up the relaxing vibe. (More tips are coming!)

Day 3 – The Garden Route to Knysna
A beautiful (and long) travel day: almost six hours of driving through valleys, mountains, flower fields, and eventually, the coastal stretch of the Garden Route. We made plenty of pit stops to stretch our legs and raid our road trip snack stash (aka the ObesiTas). We arrived in Knysna around 6 PM, just in time for a short stroll and dinner. Unlike many South African towns, Knysna felt safe enough to walk around after dark—refreshing!

Day 4 – A Week in a Day
From Knysna to Addo via Plettenberg Bay and Tsitsikamma National Park.
We kicked off the day with one of the most surreal whale-watching tours ever—from Plettenberg Bay. Think: whales and dolphins galore, but instead of open ocean, the coastline framed the whole show. The sea was rough, and for someone with thalassophobia (hi, me), it was a relief to be back on land.
We made a quick weather-beaten stop at Tsitsikamma National Park—home to lush forests and dramatic suspension bridges—then continued on to Addo. Be warned: we underestimated the timing and ended up driving the last stretch in the dark, including past some townships. Not ideal. I'd recommend breaking this day into two and a better planning of our route. Click here for a recommended route!

We stayed at Gerald’s Gift Guest House—super charming and surrounded by orange groves. Total hidden gem!

Day 5 & 6 – Addo Elephant National Park
Addo is compact but packed with wildlife. It’s famous for elephants, but the park is home to much more.
We started slowly—almost bumping into a rare aardwolf before seeing any elephants. Later, a giant elephant bull stood in front of our car for a full minute, staring us down. Cue: sweaty palms, high heart rate, and nervous laughter. Eventually, he moved on.
Addo is great for a self-drive safari. Over two days we saw: ostriches, hyenas, buffalos, zebras, kudus, jackals, mongooses, meerkats, hartebeests, birds, and yes—lots of elephants. No full Big Five, but enough to keep us wide-eyed.

Day 7 & 8 – Amakhala Private Game Reserve
Next up: two nights in a private reserve that’s double the size of the Veluwe. We stayed in a luxury tent at Woodbury Tented Camp, overlooking the savannah. Early in the season, we pretty much had the place to ourselves. Wild.
In two days we did six safaris—including a night drive and a walking safari (highly recommended!). On foot, we got within 30 meters of three sleeping rhinos and spotted an elephant in the distance. The idea that a lion could appear at any moment made it all feel extra real. Highlights? Giraffes, lions, elephants, springhares, and two rhinos… mating… in front of their own offspring. Nature, unfiltered.

Day 9 – Amakhala to Cape Town (via Port Elizabeth)
One last morning game drive, then off to Port Elizabeth to catch our flight back to Cape Town with FlySafair. But not before lunch with two flirty elephants just 20 meters away—more baby rhinos incoming, we suspect.
We landed around 8 PM, Ubered to our hotel, ate, and crashed hard. Safaris are exhilarating—and exhausting.

Day 10 – Cape Town
We ended in Cape Town, keeping it chill. Since we’d both visited before, we took the Hop-on Hop-off bus, did a walking tour of Bo-Kaap, and lunched in Camps Bay. We’d planned to snorkel with seals, but a rabies outbreak had shut that down. Instead, we enjoyed one last wander before heading to the airport for our flight home.

Travel Tips

  • Flights: We originally wanted to fly straight to Cape Town, but that route was full. We flew into Johannesburg instead and took domestic flights (JNB–CPT and PLZ–CPT) with CemAir and FlySafair.

  • Rental Car: Make sure your rental allows drop-off in Port Elizabeth—some don’t.

  • Lodges we loved:

    • Lavender Farm Boutique Guest House (Franschhoek): affordable, charming, great location.

    • Gerald’s Gift Guest House (Addo): peaceful, delicious food, great service.

    • Woodbury Tented Camp (Amakhala): a whole different level—worth the splurge.

  • When to go: we went in September (spring in South Africa). Weather was mixed, but mostly sunny! Most ideal period: November-March…

  • Safari 101: Learn the rules—e.g., when an elephant blocks your path: engine off, don’t move. Reversing might seem smart… it’s not.

Route Recap
1: Cape Town → Franschhoek
2: Franschhoek
3: Franschhoek → Knysna
4: Knysna → Addo
5: Addo
6: Addo
7: Addo → Amakhala
8: Amakhala
9: Amakhala → Cape Town
10: Cape Town

Wessel de Werk