The Perfect 10 Day South Africa Itinerary for Honeymooners

If you’re looking for a classic, 10 day South Africa itinerary for your honeymoon, you’re in the right place!

South Africa is one of my favourite honeymoon destinations because it offers so much variety and can be seen in a relatively short amount of time. 

In just ten days, you can combine a Big Five safari, spectacular scenery and world-class wine estates with some of the world’s most luxurious hotels.

But if you’re unsure how to fit it all together – don’t worry, I’ve got you! 

I’ve seen so many couples make the mistake of trying to see too much during their honeymoon. They add Cape Town, the Garden Route, a safari and a beach destination, only to spend half the trip in airports and transfer vehicles.

While it is possible to experience all these things – it’s only what I recommend if you have 2+ weeks to explore.

In my experience as a travel agent, the best South Africa honeymoons aren’t the busiest ones. They’re the ones that strike the right balance between everything.

Which is exactly what this itinerary is designed to do!

This 10-day South Africa itinerary combines Cape Town, the Cape Winelands and a luxury safari, making it the perfect choice for honeymooners and first-time visitors alike.

Why this is the perfect 10 day South Africa itinerary

With only ten days available, you’ll need to make some compromises. It can be tempting to squeeze in as many destinations as possible, but I’d recommend focusing on quality over quantity.

This itinerary gives you:

• Four nights in Cape Town
• Two nights in the Cape Winelands
• Three nights on safari
• One overnight flight home

You’ll experience three completely different sides of South Africa without ever feeling rushed.

You’ll explore one of the world’s most beautiful cities, enjoy incredible food and wine, and finish your honeymoon with an unforgettable safari experience.

It’s the ideal introduction to South Africa and one of the most popular routes that I sell as a travel agent.

Who this itinerary is best for

This 10 day South Africa itinerary is ideal if you are visiting South Africa for the first time and want to experience a little bit of everything.

It’s perfect if you want to combine a luxury safari with beautiful scenery, incredible food and wine, and some relaxation along the way.

I’d particularly recommend this itinerary if you prefer a slower pace of travel. Rather than rushing between multiple destinations, you’ll have time to properly enjoy each stop and soak up the experience.

However, if your priority is spending as much time as possible on safari or relaxing on the beach, you might prefer one of the alternative itineraries that I’ve suggested later in this guide!

When is the best time to visit South Africa?

One of the reasons I love recommending South Africa for honeymoons is that it can work at almost any time of year.

That said, the best time to visit will depend on the experiences you’re hoping to prioritise.

If a Big Five safari is at the top of your wishlist, the dry winter months between May and September are generally considered the best time to visit. Wildlife is often easier to spot during this period because vegetation is thinner and animals gather around water sources.

If you’re planning to spend more time in Cape Town and the Cape Winelands, the summer months between November and March offer warm temperatures, long sunny days and ideal conditions for sightseeing, wine tasting and exploring the coastline.

The shoulder seasons are a good sweet spot for a South African honeymoon and work well with this itinerary. May, September and October tend to offer a great balance of good safari conditions, pleasant weather and fewer crowds.

If you’re still deciding on dates, I’ve written a detailed guide on the best time to visit South Africa, including month-by-month advice for safaris.

10-day South Africa itinerary + map

Days 1-4: Explore Cape Town

I recommend starting your honeymoon in Cape Town. Few places combine mountains, beaches and cityscapes as effortlessly as Cape Town. It’s the perfect place to ease into your honeymoon before heading into the bush!

I recommend staying in either Camps Bay or the V&A Waterfront depending on the style of experience you’re looking for.

During your time here, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to explore the city’s highlights.

You could ride the cable car up Table Mountain for panoramic views across the city, drive the beautiful Chapman’s Peak Drive and spend a day exploring the Cape Peninsula. You’ll also be able to see the penguins at Boulders Beach!

With this itinerary, you’ll have long enough to explore at a relaxed pace. It’s an amazing city and you’ll find lots to fill your time.

Where to stay in Cape Town

Cape Town has some of the best luxury hotels in Africa. Some of my favourite luxury honeymoon hotels in Cape Town include:

• The Twelve Apostles Hotel – A romantic oceanfront hotel that’s perfect  if you want incredible sunsets and a more secluded feel.
• Cape Grace – One of Cape Town’s most iconic luxury hotels, located on the V&A Waterfront and within easy walking distance of restaurants, bars and attractions.
• Camissa House – A small, luxury hotel tucked beneath Table Mountain, ideal if you want a boutique experience.

Days 5-6: Escape to the Cape Winelands

After four nights in Cape Town, it’s time for a change of pace.

The Cape Winelands is located less than an hour from the city but feels completely different.

This is where you’ll find rolling vineyards, dramatic mountain scenery and world-class wine estates. It’s one of the most romantic regions in South Africa and an absolute must for a honeymoon!

Many visitors choose to visit as a day trip from Cape Town, but I think honeymooners should spend at least two nights here if possible.

The slower pace allows you to fully appreciate the scenery and enjoy the luxury accommodation that the region is known for.

You’ll be able to spend your days wine tasting, enjoying long lunches and exploring the charming towns of Franschhoek and Stellenbosch.

Even if you’re not a huge wine drinker, the scenery alone makes this region worth visiting!

Where to stay in the Cape Winelands

The Cape Winelands is one of the most romantic parts of South Africa and the perfect place to slow down for a couple of days during your honeymoon. 

Most visitors choose to stay in either Franschhoek or Stellenbosch. Both offer beautiful scenery, excellent restaurants and easy access to some of the region’s best wineries.

Some of my favourite luxury honeymoon hotels in the Cape Winelands include:

• La Residence – One of the most luxurious hotels in South Africa, known for its mountain views, lavish suites and beautiful setting.
• Mont Rochelle – This boutique wine estate combines luxury accommodation with its own beautiful vineyard and valley views.
• Babylonstoren – This iconic stay in the Cape Winelands is famous for its gardens, farm-to-table dining and unique luxury farm experience.

For a honeymoon, I’d personally choose Franschhoek as a base. The town has a really romantic atmosphere, exceptional restaurants and some of the best luxury hotels in the region.

Days 7-9: End with a luxury safari

A South Africa honeymoon itinerary wouldn’t be complete without a safari!

For most honeymooners, I recommend ending the trip with three nights in either Greater Kruger or the Eastern Cape.

If your budget allows for it, Greater Kruger has some of the best wildlife viewing in Africa and is home to many of South Africa’s most luxurious safari lodges in reserves like Sabi Sands.

The Eastern Cape is another excellent option, particularly if you want a malaria-free safari or are travelling during months when it works better logistically.

Regardless of where you choose to go on safari, you’ll spend your days heading out on morning and afternoon game drives. It’s a true bucket list experience and the highlight of the trip for most couples!

A typical safari day starts before sunrise with a morning game drive, followed by breakfast at the lodge, time to relax during the heat of the day and another game drive in the late afternoon.

Between drives, you’ll have plenty of time to relax at your lodge, enjoy the pool and soak up the atmosphere.

Three nights or four?

If you have the flexibility, it’s well worth adding a fourth night on safari. However, for a classic 10-day honeymoon, three nights is still amazing and a good introduction to safari life without making the itinerary feel rushed.

I’ve found that most couples only need 3 or 4 nights to have the best experience, but it really does depend on your priorities.

When I went to South Africa in 2023, I volunteered at a game reserve and went on game drives every day for two weeks. For me, it never got boring, but we’re all different!

Where to stay on safari

Choosing where to stay on safari is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when planning your South Africa honeymoon.

Unlike Cape Town or the Winelands, you’re not just choosing a hotel – you’re choosing a wildlife experience. The reserve, guiding and game viewing can have just as much impact on your trip as the accommodation itself.

For this itinerary, I’d recommend focusing on either Greater Kruger or the Eastern Cape, depending on your budget, travel style and the time of year you’re visiting.

It’s also important to understand the difference between a national park (like Kruger National Park) and a private reserve in South Africa. For a honeymoon, it’s generally better to stay in a private reserve if you want the most exclusive experience.

Some of my favourite safari lodges within private reserves include:

• Lion Sands Ivory Lodge (Sabi Sands) – One of South Africa’s most luxurious safari lodges, known for its beautiful private villas, plunge pools and amazing wildlife.
• Leopard Hills (Sabi Sands) – A stunning lodge with panoramic views and a reputation for leopard sightings.
• Amakhala Safari Lodge (Eastern Cape) – A beautiful tented safari lodge offering an authentic bush experience, brilliant game viewing and an intimate atmosphere.

If this is your first safari, I’d focus on choosing the reserve and overall experience that’s right for you. South Africa has incredible safari properties, and the best choice will ultimately depend on your budget, travel style and itinerary.

For more inspiration, take a look at my guide to the best luxury safari lodges in South Africa, where I compare my favourite lodges across Greater Kruger, the Eastern Cape and beyond.

How to get around South Africa

One of the best things about this itinerary is that it’s relatively easy to navigate.

You’ll fly into Cape Town and spend the first part of your honeymoon exploring the city and surrounding areas. From there, you can either hire a car or arrange private transfers to the Cape Winelands, depending on your preference.

After your stay in the Winelands, you’ll fly from Cape Town to your chosen safari destination. If you’re heading to Greater Kruger, this will usually be a short domestic flight from Cape Town via Johannesburg. For the Eastern Cape, you’ll fly to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) from Cape Town.

For most honeymooners, I recommend combining domestic flights with private transfers where possible. It keeps the journey smooth and allows you to maximise your time enjoying South Africa rather than spending it on the road.

How much does a 10 day South Africa itinerary cost?

One of the reasons why South Africa is such a popular honeymoon destination is because it offers brilliant value compared to other luxury safari destinations.

That doesn’t mean it’s cheap, but it means you’ll get to enjoy a genuinely luxurious experience for less than you would elsewhere.

For a honeymoon following this itinerary, I’d suggest budgeting between £10,000 and £20,000+ for two people, depending on your choice of hotels, safari lodge, travel dates and flight costs.

The biggest factor influencing your budget will be your honeymoon safari lodge, followed by your international flights.

If you want a more detailed breakdown, take a look at my guide to South Africa safari honeymoon costs!

Is 10 days enough for South Africa?

You could easily spend several weeks exploring South Africa, but ten days is enough time to experience some of the country’s main highlights.

The key is being selective and not trying to do everything within this time frame. There’s absolutely no point rushing it all.

Trying to fit too much into a short trip often means spending more time travelling than actually enjoying the destinations you’ve chosen.

Frequently asked questions

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