while you're already this far from home
You've come a long way for the wedding - may as well make a proper trip of it. Most of our overseas guests are planning around two to three weeks in the country, mostly based around Cape Town. Here's how we'd spend it.
This isn't the only way to do it, but it's a solid backbone to build your own trip around - loop in the wedding week in the middle, and add or drop the optional legs depending on how much time and budget you've got.
Settle in, adjust to the time zone, and work through the city's icons - Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront, Robben Island, Bo-Kaap, Kirstenbosch, and a full day down the Cape Peninsula to Boulders Beach and Cape Point.
Head through to the Winelands for the wedding week itself - full details on the main site. Good base for Franschhoek, wine tastings, and slower days between events.
A scenic drive east from Stellenbosch along the coast - Hermanus for whale watching, Knysna, and Tsitsikamma forest. Great if you'd rather stay road-based than fly.
A direct ~2.5 hour flight from Cape Town gets you to safari country. Genuinely worth the detour if it's your only trip to South Africa for a while - details below.
Costs are approximate 2026 per-person rates in South African Rand (ZAR) - prices shift, so treat these as ballpark and check official sites closer to your trip.
The obvious one, and worth it - a rotating cable car up to sweeping views over the whole city and coastline.
Dramatic cliffs at the tip of the peninsula, usually combined with the scenic drive down and Boulders Beach on the way.
A colony of African penguins on a beach near Simon's Town - genuinely one of the best "just for fun" stops in the Cape.
A ferry from the V&A Waterfront and a guided tour of the former prison, often led by an ex-political prisoner. Moving, and books out weeks ahead.
Beautifully landscaped gardens under the mountain, with a treetop canopy walkway and plenty of picnic-friendly lawns.
Cape Town's historic, brightly coloured Malay quarter - wander on your own or book a guided cooking class for something more hands-on.
Shopping, seafood, harbour views, and a good default for an easy half day between bigger activities.
A hop-on-hop-off tram through the valley, stopping at estates along the way - a fun, easy group activity that doesn't need a designated driver.
A moderate hike (with a couple of short scrambles) that's become a Cape Town rite of passage for sunset.
A reliable rainy-day or younger-kids option at the Waterfront, with a decent shark tank and touch pools.
Roughly 1.5 hours from Cape Town, with genuinely excellent land-based whale watching in season (June-November).
A fun, easy way to see a working wine farm in Stellenbosch - good for something a little more active.
Cape Town takes its sunsets seriously. A few favourites, roughly in order of effort required:
Drive-up views over the city bowl and Atlantic - zero effort, maximum payoff. Popular, so arrive early for parking.
Palm-lined promenade, a strip of bars and restaurants right on the sand, and the Twelve Apostles mountain range as backdrop.
Four linked coves, slightly more low-key than Camps Bay, sheltered from the wind - bring a bottle of something and a blanket.
Across the bay, with the classic postcard view of Table Mountain silhouetted against the sunset - worth the drive out.
The hike from earlier doubles as the best sunset spot in the city, if you're up for the climb.
Catamaran trips leave most evenings in summer - a relaxed, no-effort way to watch the sun go down over the Atlantic.
A few neighbourhoods to base an evening around, depending on the vibe you're after:
The classic Cape Town night out - dense strip of bars, live music venues, and clubs. Loud, lively, walkable between stops.
A cocktail-and-craft-beer crowd, slightly more polished than Long Street, with excellent small-plate restaurants mixed in.
Relaxed rooftop bars and gastropubs, good for starting an evening before heading further into the city centre.
Beachfront bars and restaurants with sunset views built in - more upscale, better for a slower evening than a big night out.
Cape Town's arts-and-industrial district - breweries, warehouse bars, and a younger, more alternative crowd.
If it's your only trip to South Africa in a while, a few days chasing the Big Five is hard to pass up - and it's more reachable from Cape Town than most people expect.
Self-drive through SANParks rest camps - basic huts or bungalows, your own vehicle, and public game drives. Great value, more independence.
Comfortable private lodges or tented camps, usually including meals and guided game drives - the value sweet spot for most first-time visitors.
All-inclusive private reserve lodges - gourmet dining, night drives, guided bush walks, and low vehicle density at sightings.