From City to Safari: Planning the Perfect Cape Town to Kruger Adventure

Cape Town or Kruger? It’s the age-old safari question, but what if you didn’t have to choose… A Cape Town to Kruger safari is one of the easiest and most rewarding trips in South Africa, offering an laidback mix of coast, culture and Big Five sightings in the iconic Kruger and its private reserves. Take the cable car up Table Mountain in the morning, wander Bo-Kaap’s technicolour streets before lunch and a swim at Clifton – and a short flight later, you’ll find yourself rolling along sandy tracks in the heart of the Kruger. It’s a South Africa safari itinerary that shows off the country at its most dazzling, and with friendly flight networks and simple transfers, it’s surprisingly easy to make it happen.

The best time for a Cape Town and Kruger trip

Cape Town’s summer season from December to March is glorious. The days are long and sunshine-filled, the beaches are lively, and the city hums with alfresco everything. It’s busy (in every sense) but the energy is addictive! Spring and autumn (October & November, April & May) are softer, sunnier and less crowded, with near perfect conditions for walking, hiking and exploring. Then in winter, swap sun hats for fireplaces and full-bodied reds in Constantia or take the opportunity to spot whales along the southern coastlines.

Kruger, however, follows a slightly different pattern. From May to October, the dry season means crisp mornings and thinned-out vegetation and the wildlife tends to concentrate at the waterholes, allowing for fantastic game viewing. Then, from November to March, the summer rains transform the landscape into a lush carpet of green filled with baby animals and sensational birdlife. It’s also a photographer’s dream at this time of year, with dust-free landscapes and the most vibrant colours. 

For a Cape Town and Kruger trip that balances both seasons, March to May and September to November are the sweet spots, but we rather like any time of year – it might not be picture-perfect but sometimes, that’s when the best things happen…

How to get from Cape Town to Kruger National Park

It’s easier than you might think to travel from Cape Town to Kruger and the surrounding reserves. Most flights go from Cape Town International Airport via Johannesburg, connecting onwards to Skukuza, Nelspruit or Hoedspruit depending on which lodge you’re staying at (we’ll recommend the best airport for your accommodation). In certain seasons, direct flights appear on the timetable that fly straight to the Kruger gateways and we’ll always let you know if these are available for your dates. 

Once in the Kruger, lodge teams or private drivers handle the final stretch of your journey to your lodge, and if you’d like to land even closer to the action, scheduled light aircraft flights touch down on smaller airstrips inside the reserves.

You can, of course, drive to the Kruger from Johannesburg in five or six hours if you’re building a broader road trip, however we highly recommend flying to keep things stress-free, simple and quick.

How long do you need for a Cape Town to Kruger safari?

You can just about squeeze a Cape Town and Kruger trip into a week, but, in our eyes, the ideal length of time is around 9 to 12 nights. We recommend a split of three or four nights in the city, enough to hike, beach-hop, shop and make full inroads into the restaurant scene, followed by four or five nights on safari. This balance lets you really settle into the rhythm of game drives without rushing through a tick list of animals.

Where to stay in Cape Town and the Kruger private reserves

In terms of hotels straight from the pages of a design magazine, Cape Town spoils for choice. For cliff-side glamour and a private art collection that’s a destination in itself, Ellerman House in Bantry Bay sets the tone for a ultra-luxe trip and the views of the Atlantic are sensational. Closer to the heart of the city, Cape Cadogan is all about classic Victorian elegance with its whitewashed façade and secret-garden calm a minute’s walk from Kloof Stret. Kensington Place, tucked into the lower slopes of the mountain, is one the city’s original boutique boltholes and is equidistance to both beaches and bars. For something more homely, Welgelegen House combines townhouse charm with a pool and mountain views – and you can wander straight out the door for dinner. 

In the Kruger private reserves, Dulini River Lodge is in prime position in the leopard country of Sabi Sand, right on the banks of the Sand River, which elephants have also been known to cross before breakfast. Over in Thornybush, Monwana is equally as beautiful and the guiding is the headline act, whilst Lion Sands, positioned on the Sabie River in its private reserve, is all about crisp, contemporary design and big-cat sightings in equal measure. If you’re keen to keep an eye on spend without sacrificing wildlife, Notten’s Bush Camp in Sabi Sand is an intimate camp with excellent sightings and Garonga Safari Camp’s six tents in Makalali deliver relaxing days with a good dose of Big Five punch game viewing.

Things to do in Cape Town before your safari

It might be an exaggeration to say “everything,” but Cape Town really does have something to please everyone. Start with Table Mountain—on foot if you enjoy a climb, or by cable car if you’d rather save your legs for Lion’s Head at sunset. Then, drive the Peninsula to Cape Point, stopping to see the penguins at Boulders Beach, before looping along Chapman’s Peak and rolling back into the city (via a sundowner in Camps Bay). In the city bowl, peruse the design stores and coffee shops – and take a moment to pause in some of the continent’s best galleries – and then take the boat to Robben Island to learn a little of South Africa’s varied history. In the evening, it’s all about the restaurants and boy does Cape Town do dining well – you’ll find some of our all-time favourites in this article. 

What to expect on safari in the Kruger private reserves

The daily rhythm of a safari is incredibly soothing: think early wake-ups, coffee as the bush wakes, then the thrill of the morning game drive. In the private reserves, off-road access and carefully managed sightings mean you can follow fresh lion tracks or meander with a herd of elephant without lots of other vehicles around you. By late morning, you’ll be back at camp for breakfast and a little afternoon R&R during siesta time. The afternoon brings your second drive of the day, including a stop for something cold as the sun drops beneath the horizon. 

But that’s not all! Many lodges offer walking safaris to attune your senses to the small stuff, photographic hides to while away a few hours, specialist family safari programmes, spa treatments and cultural or community visits. It’s definitely safe to say that your days in the bush will not be quiet… 

Extra destinations to add to your trip

If you have a couple of days spare, it’s very easy to tack on another chapter. Both Johannesburg and Cape Town have good local connections, and one of our favourite add-ons is Victoria Falls. Start off gently with a walk along the precipitous edge of the waterfall, then get active with white-water rafting, helicopter flights and even microlight flights. Or, if you’d rather slow the pace down a little time, island time awaits: Mauritius is all about barefoot luxury and powder-soft beaches, Mozambique for reefs and dhow sails, or the Seychelles for crystal-clear waters and all-out luxury. 

Adding the Cape Winelands can also turn a Cape Town and Kruger trip into a delicious combination. The petite French village of Franschhoek is the perfect choice for epicurean delights, street-side cafes and joy of the Wine Tram, whilst Stellenbosch suits anyone who loves heritage streets and some serious wine estates. Both places are around 90-minutes from Cape Town and we would recommend either hiring a car and driving out (the roads are good and the drive is pleasant) or organising a private road transfer. 

Sample Cape Town and Kruger safari itineraries

All the Highlights: Cape Town, Kruger and Vic Falls

This is the quintessential Cape Town to Kruger safari, topped off with one of the world’s great natural wonders, Victoria Falls. It’s the ultimate highlights reel! For those travelling en famille, check out our family version too, jam-packed with beaches, cable cars and penguins.

South Africa in a Nutshell

This classic itinerary will have you restaurant-hopping in Cape Town, grape sampling in the Winelands and ending in the Kruger for a spectacular few days of wildlife spotting.

Highlights of Southern Africa with Mauritius

Cape Town and Kruger anchor this trip, before you are whisked off to Mauritius for a dreamy beach finale.

Practical tips for your South Africa safari itinerary

Health and malaria advice

Parts of the Kruger carry a low malaria risk and it’s wise to speak to a travel doctor about prophylaxis. Cape Town and the Winelands are malaria-free.

Packing and luggage

Light aircraft transfers in Kruger often require soft-sided bags with weight limits (we’ll send the exact numbers in your pre-departure pack). Packing-wise, layers are a must — mornings can be chilly even when days are warm – but again, we’ll send you a comprehensive packing list before you leave.

Booking and peak-season planning

December to March and July to October are the busiest windows for booking and if you’ve for you heart set on specific lodges or hotels or top tables in Cape Town, book well in advance.

Start planning your South Africa trip with Timbuktu

The joy of a Cape Town and Kruger trip is how simple it is both to plan, but also to make your own. To start your planning, dive into our Trip Wizard, mix and match Cape Town, the Kruger private reserves and even the Winelands, play with dates and lodges until it feels right — and then let us polish the details.