Days 1–4 · Cape Town
Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront, Bo-Kaap and a Cape Peninsula day trip to Cape Point and the Boulders Beach penguins.
Africa travel guide
Africa Holiday Packages from Australia
Africa rewards the traveller who plans well: a first trip usually pairs Cape Town's food, coastline and Winelands with a Big Five safari in Kruger or a private reserve, and East Africa adds the Serengeti and the Masai Mara. This guide covers a proven first itinerary, what a trip actually costs, entry requirements for Australian passport holders and when to travel. Our Sydney consultants then tailor it around your dates, pace and budget.
A classic 10-day South Africa itinerary
Cape Town, the Cape Winelands and a Kruger National Park safari, connected by domestic flights. It runs as a private trip on your own dates or combined with Victoria Falls or a Mauritius beach stay.
Days 5–6 · Cape Winelands
Stellenbosch and Franschhoek cellar doors, with a night in a vineyard estate.
Day 7 · Fly to Kruger
Domestic flight to the Kruger region and a first afternoon game drive.
Days 8–9 · Safari
Dawn and dusk game drives with rangers and trackers — lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo country.
Day 10 · Departure
Morning drive, then fly via Johannesburg for the overnight flight home.
More ideas on the Explore the World page.
What this holiday costs
Return flights Sydney–Johannesburg
From around $1,400 economy, $2,000+ in peak seasons
10-day private package (land only)
From $4,500 per person, twin share
Safari lodge, all-inclusive
Roughly $500–$1,200 per person per night
Cape Town hotels, 4–5 star
Roughly $180–$350 per room per night
Meals and daily spending
Allow $60–$120 per person per day outside the safari
All figures are indicative guides in Australian dollars for planning only. Final pricing depends on your travel dates, airline, hotel category, group size, exchange rates and availability at the time of booking, and is confirmed in writing before you pay.
Best time to travel
May to October · Dry season
The best safari months: animals gather at waterholes and the bush is thin. Cool mornings on game drives — pack layers.
November to March · Cape summer
Cape Town and the Winelands at their best, with warm dry days. Safari areas are greener, hotter and quieter, with excellent birding.
April & November · Shoulder
A good-value compromise between Cape weather and safari conditions, with lower lodge rates.
July to October · East Africa
The Great Migration river crossings in the Masai Mara and northern Serengeti — book 9 to 12 months ahead.
Seasonal dates shift each year with the weather; we track the forecasts and advise on departure dates before you commit.
Visa and entry tips
- Australian passport holders currently enter South Africa for tourism without a visa for stays of up to 90 days.
- Kenya requires an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) arranged online before departure; other African countries each have their own rules.
- Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your stay, with blank pages for entry stamps.
- Some safari regions recommend vaccinations or malaria precautions — we point you to a travel doctor before you book.
Entry rules can change at short notice. Always confirm current requirements with the relevant embassy or consulate and with Smartraveller before you travel. We assist with documentation but cannot guarantee entry decisions.
Ready to plan your Africa holiday?
Tell us your dates, travellers and whether it's a first safari or a return trip. Our Sydney consultants build the itinerary, price the flights and lodges, and hold the best-value camps for migration and dry-season departures.