South Africa in a Week: Cape Town, Walker Bay & Phinda

Cape Town, Walker Bay & Phinda in a Week

Cape Town • Walker Bay • Phinda Private Game Reserve
Duration: 8 Days

Overview

A shorter trip to South Africa that swaps the Winelands and the Kruger for the whale coast and a safari in KwaZulu-Natal, at very good hotels and lodges that cost far less than the top tier. Two nights in Cape Town are enough for Table Mountain and the Peninsula. Then you drive two hours along the coast to Grootbos, a private reserve above Walker Bay where the land is covered in fynbos and the whales come close to shore from July to December. The last three nights are at Phinda, a private Big Five reserve in northern KwaZulu-Natal known for cheetah and rhino.

Getting from the Cape to Phinda is the long day of the trip. Drive about two hours back to Cape Town airport and fly to Durban's King Shaka airport, about two hours, then drive about three and a half hours north to Phinda. On the days it runs, a light-aircraft shuttle from Johannesburg to Phinda's airstrip can replace the drive. Luggage on shuttle flights is limited, so pack soft bags. September to November is the best balance: whales are still in the bay, spring flowers are out in the fynbos, and the bush at Phinda is still dry before the summer rains. Phinda is in a low-risk malaria area, so ask your doctor about prophylaxis.

Trip Highlights

Table Mountain, the Cape Peninsula and the penguins at Boulders Beach

Whales close to shore in Walker Bay, seen from the cliffs or on a boat trip

Botanical drives and walks through fynbos and an old milkwood forest

Big Five game drives at Phinda, with strong cheetah and rhino viewing

Guided bush walks and river cruises in a reserve with seven habitats

Ideal For

First-time visitors to South Africa on a shorter schedule • Couples • Families with children aged 12 and up • Nature lovers who want more than the Big Five

Preferred Properties

Cape Town: Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel

Walker Bay: Grootbos Private Nature Reserve

Phinda: andBeyond Phinda Mountain Lodge

Day-By-Day Itinerary

Days 1–2: Cape Town

Arrive in Cape Town and transfer about 30 minutes to the hotel, set in nine acres of gardens just below Table Mountain. On Day 2, ride the cableway up Table Mountain early before the cloud or wind comes in, then drive the Cape Peninsula to Cape Point with a stop for the penguins at Boulders Beach. Take afternoon tea at the hotel when you get back.
Overnights: Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel

Days 3–4: Walker Bay

Drive about two hours east along the coast to Walker Bay and Grootbos, a private reserve of about 3,500 hectares between the mountains and the sea. Meals and most activities are included here: guided botanical drives that explain the Cape's floral kingdom, walks in the milkwood forest, horse riding, beach picnics and coastal drives. From July to December, whales come into the bay, and you can watch from the cliffs or book a boat trip. Shark cage diving is booked separately. The coast is often windy and cool, so bring layers.
Overnights: Grootbos Private Nature Reserve

Days 5–7: Phinda

Drive back to Cape Town airport and fly to Durban, then drive north to Phinda Private Game Reserve, arriving in the late afternoon. Mountain Lodge sits on a crest with views toward the Ubombo mountains, and each suite has its own plunge pool. Spend the next two days on morning and evening game drives with a ranger and tracker, looking for cheetah, rhino, lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo, with bush walks and river cruises when water levels allow. Rhino tracking on foot can be booked at extra cost.
Overnights: andBeyond Phinda Mountain Lodge

Day 8: Depart via Johannesburg

Take a last morning game drive, then fly from Phinda's airstrip to Johannesburg, or drive to Durban for a flight to Johannesburg, and connect to your international flight home. If you have more time, Sodwana Bay, about two hours away, is good for snorkeling and diving.