The Ultimate Itinerary: 16 Days in South Africa & The Seychelles
From candlelit dinners in the Cape Winelands to barefoot afternoons on Indian Ocean beaches, this South Africa-to-Seychelles itinerary is designed to enchant at every turn.
Start your journey in Cape Town, where dramatic coastlines, buzzing neighbourhoods, and a thriving food scene offer a dynamic introduction to South Africa. Then, trade the city for the vine-covered hills of Franschhoek, indulging in slow lunches and crisp local vintages beneath the mountains. From there, the tempo shifts as you head into the heart of safari country - sunrise game drives, starlit dinners, and close encounters with the Big Five await. Finally, unwind in the Seychelles, where each day brings sun-soaked beaches, warm ocean breezes, and the kind of barefoot luxury that defines a once-in-a-lifetime escape.
Day 1: Cape Town Arrival & City Charm
Touch down in Cape Town, where a private transfer and seamless VIP airport assistance ease you into South Africa’s sun-drenched pace. The drive into the city offers your first look at Table Mountain’s iconic silhouette and the vibrancy of the streets below. Your base for the next few nights is the Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel - a heritage townhouse blending old-world charm with modern flair, tucked into the leafy heart of the Gardens neighbourhood. Expect plush textures, quiet courtyards, and just the right amount of indulgence.
With the afternoon yours to explore, take a wander along nearby Kloof Street, where local galleries, independent bookshops, and stylish wine bars invite you to linger. For your first evening, settle in at Kloof Street House, an atmospheric Victorian villa turned restaurant, where flickering candlelight and vintage glamour set the scene. The menu? A celebration of South African flavours - think chargrilled calamari, fragrant Cape Malay curry, and rich dark chocolate torte. The perfect welcome to a city that knows how to romance.
Day 2: Coastal Icons & Penguin Encounters - A Private Cape Peninsula Tour
After a slow breakfast on your terrace or in the courtyard garden, your private guide meets you for a full-day journey along one of the most breathtaking coastal routes in the world. Today is about contrasts - dramatic seascapes, charming seaside villages, and wild natural beauty that feels untouched by time. Wind your way along Chapman’s Peak Drive, where every curve reveals a postcard view, then head toward the windswept cliffs of Cape Point, the legendary meeting place of two oceans. Watch the waves crash below and feel the thrill of standing at the edge of the continent. Continue to Boulders Beach, where a colony of tuxedoed African penguins waddles between granite boulders and white sand. The air smells of sea salt and sun; the scene is pure joy. Pause for lunch at Harbour House in Kalk Bay - a light-filled, glass-fronted restaurant perched just above the water. Here, line-caught fish and local wines are served to the soundtrack of crashing waves.
On your return to the city, stop for a tasting in the Constantia Winelands, where centuries-old vineyards stretch into the mountain foothills. Back in Cape Town, your evening is open - but if you're still chasing the ocean, SeaBreeze Fish & Shell is a local gem, known for oysters on ice and perfectly grilled kingklip served with sea views and a splash of Cape sparkle.
Day 3: Table Mountain & Waterfront Chic
There’s no better way to greet your first full day in Cape Town than with the city’s greatest icon rising before you. This morning, your guide meets you for an early start, the golden hour when the light is soft, the air is crisp, and Table Mountain stands serene against the sky.
Instead of the usual cable car, you’ll begin with a guided hike along one of the mountain’s gentler trails, where birdsong and wildflowers accompany your steady climb. As you rise above the city, the views unfold - Lion’s Head, the Atlantic coastline, and the sprawl of Cape Town framed by clouds. At the summit, a private picnic breakfast awaits, laid out just for you with fresh pastries, tropical fruit, and steaming coffee. There’s time to linger, take it in, and feel on top of the world before descending by cable car.
Back at your hotel, enjoy a slow midday pause, perhaps by the plunge pool or tucked into a lounger on the shaded veranda, before heading out again to explore the V&A Waterfront. The afternoon is made for wandering: admire the bold contemporary works at Zeitz MOCAA, browse local design boutiques, or sip chilled wine with a sea breeze at Si! Cantina-Sociale.
As dusk draws in, the action shifts to Camps Bay, where golden sands and palm-lined promenades welcome the evening. Start with sundowners at The Bungalow - think rosé, ocean views, and a salty breeze - before moving on to Bilboa, a sleek seafood restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows and a menu that celebrates the ocean. Try the grilled kingklip, butter-poached prawns, or burrata with heirloom tomato, each bite a fitting close to a day defined by views, elegance, and the easy rhythm of Cape Town living.
Honeymoon Tip:
Book a sunrise cable car ticket to beat the crowds and witness Cape Town bathed in golden light. Bring a flask of coffee and a blanket: the top of Table Mountain is one of the most romantic spots in the city to share a quiet moment above it all.
Day 4: Into the Winelands - Arrival in Franschhoek
After a final Cape Town breakfast, perhaps on the terrace with views of Table Mountain still lingering in the distance, your private driver arrives to take you inland. The road to Franschhoek winds through rolling countryside and sun-drenched vineyards, each turn revealing another postcard-perfect view. This is the Cape Winelands at its most cinematic: wide skies, mountain peaks, and vines stretching as far as the eye can see.
Your home for the next few nights is Le Quartier Français, a serene boutique retreat tucked just off the village main street. Step inside and you're greeted by lush garden courtyards, curated art pieces, and the gentle hum of fountains. It’s a place where time feels slower and every detail is designed for comfort. In your suite, expect plush linens, deep soaking tubs, and views out to the Hottentots-Holland mountains.
Spend the afternoon settling into Franschhoek’s charming rhythm. Wander hand-in-hand past art galleries, cheese shops, and boutique wine cellars. Pop into a family-run tasting room for your first swirl of local Chenin Blanc or browse a weekend market for lavender honey and leather-bound journals.
Dinner tonight is perched above the valley at La Petite Ferme, a beloved hillside restaurant where the view alone is worth the reservation. As the sun slips behind the mountains, you’ll dine on seasonal plates, perhaps springbok carpaccio, pan-seared trout, or a decadent local cheese board. Raise a glass of sparkling MCC (Méthode Cap Classique) and toast to new flavours, slower moments, and the beginning of your Winelands escape.
Day 5: Sipping & Soaring
There’s a particular magic to waking up in Franschhoek. Morning light dances over the vineyards and a soft breeze carries the scent of wild herbs and woodsmoke. After a leisurely breakfast in the garden — perhaps poached farm eggs, fresh figs, and a strong South African roast — it's time to explore the valley the way it was meant to be discovered: one vineyard at a time.
Today’s adventure begins aboard the iconic Franschhoek Wine Tram, a charming open-air tramcar that glides past manicured vines and historic Cape Dutch estates. You’ll follow the Blue Line, a favourite for those seeking a balance of iconic wines, architecture, and scenery. Hop off at Haute Cabrière, nestled into the mountainside, where your tasting comes with a sweeping view over the valley. Their Pierre Jourdan Brut — South Africa’s answer to Champagne — is the perfect start.
Continue on to Rickety Bridge, a working wine farm where centuries-old cellars meet modern innovation. Sample bold reds and crisp whites in the dappled garden, or wander through the vines with a glass in hand. Your guide is happy to tailor the day to your pace — this is slow, sumptuous travel, after all.
At midday, stop for lunch at one of the valley’s vineyard restaurants — perhaps Leopard’s Leap, where a shaded terrace, artful plating, and locally sourced ingredients turn lunch into a lingering, sun-soaked affair. Think free-range chicken with wild mushrooms, handmade pasta, and plenty of estate rosé.
As the afternoon unfolds, hop off for a final tasting at Mont Rochelle, owned by Sir Richard Branson and known for its crisp Sauvignon Blancs and elegant Shiraz. The view from their cellar door — rows of vines stretching toward rugged peaks — is the kind you’ll want to remember.
Return to your hotel in time for a rest or sunset swim before dinner at Épice, a small and refined space with a globally inspired tasting menu. Here, every dish is a revelation — fragrant with spice, impeccably plated, and paired with wines that tell the story of the Cape in every sip.
It’s a day that blends discovery, indulgence, and that dreamy sense of time slowing down — the kind of day honeymoons were made for.
Honeymoon Tip:
Upgrade your wine tram experience with a private picnic basket from one of the estates (like Mont Rochelle) and find a hidden spot among the vines. A bottle of local Méthode Cap Classique, fresh bread, cheese, and fruit — it’s a dreamy way to pause between tastings and soak in the views, just the two of you.
Day 6: Slow Living in Franschhoek
By now, the rhythm of Franschhoek has taken hold: unhurried, sun-drenched, and sensorial in every way. Today is yours to savour, with no schedule but the one you write together.
Linger over a slow breakfast beneath the lemon trees at Le Quartier Français, perhaps warm croissants with farm butter, soft-boiled eggs, and ripe, local stone fruits. Afterwards, stroll into the village for a final wander, dipping into artisan chocolatiers and boutique galleries or if you're in the mood to indulge, book a spa ritual at Leeu Spa, a serene retreat tucked into the Leeu Estates. Here, grape seed oils, African botanicals, and panoramic vineyard views set the tone for deep relaxation.
Alternatively, let your driver take you to Maison Estate, known not just for its bold, expressive wines but also its effortlessly stylish design. A tasting here, paired with a lazy seat on the terrace, feels like slipping into the best version of rural life.
Tonight, you’ll dine at La Petite Colombe, the sister restaurant to one of Cape Town’s most awarded kitchens. Every detail is artfully considered: candlelit interiors, impeccable service, and a multi-course tasting menu that surprises and delights with each dish. Expect plates inspired by seasonal produce, subtly spiced with global flavours, and paired with exceptional Cape wines. It’s the kind of dinner that invites quiet pauses, long toasts, and shared smiles across the table.
As you return to your suite for the night, perhaps with a final glass of Chenin Blanc in hand, you’ll feel the unmistakable richness of the past few days, not just from the wine and food, but from the space to connect, exhale, and enjoy each other fully.
Day 7: Into the Wild — Arrival at Simbavati Hilltop Lodge
This morning, leave the vines behind and trade the stillness of the Winelands for something more primal, the pulse of the wild. After breakfast, a private transfer brings you to the airport for your flight to Hoedspruit, the leafy gateway to Greater Kruger National Park. As the plane descends, the landscape shifts: vineyards give way to bushveld, and the soft green of the Cape becomes the golden sweep of the African savannah.
On arrival, you’ll be met and whisked away to Simbavati Hilltop Lodge, an exclusive hideaway perched high above the Nhlaralumi River, where luxury meets wilderness in effortless harmony. The journey into the Timbavati Private Game Reserve is already an adventure: watch for giraffe, impala, or even elephants en route.
Your suite is one of just eight, a serene canvas of billowing white canvas, natural timber, and panoramic views over the reserve. Step out onto your private deck and breathe in the scent of dry grass and acacia. You’re far from anywhere, and yet everything you need is at your fingertips: a plunge pool, a freestanding tub, and an endless horizon where anything might appear.
After settling in, head to the main lodge for afternoon tea, where cool drinks and light bites are served in the open-air lounge. Then it’s time for your first evening game drive. As the light softens and golden hour takes hold, your expert tracker leads you deep into the bush in search of the Big Five - lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo. There is magic in this dusk patrol: the sudden stillness when something stirs in the grass, the thrill of a pawprint in the dust, and the way the land seems to hold its breath.
Return to camp beneath a sky scattered with stars. Dinner is served al fresco, lit by flickering lanterns and the soft glow of the fire pit. Expect a refined take on South African flavours, perhaps grilled venison, roasted root vegetables, and Amarula panna cotta, paired with bold red wines and the quiet roar of the bush beyond.
This is safari living at its most romantic: untamed, elegant, and entirely unforgettable.
Honeymoon Tip:
Let the lodge team arrange a private candlelit dinner on your suite’s deck for your first night in the bush. The sounds of the savannah, the flicker of lanterns, and the distant call of wildlife set a wildly romantic tone that feels like your own movie moment.
Day 8-10: Safari Rhythm
Out here, time stretches. The days begin with a gentle knock on your door just before dawn, the soft hush of a new day stirring across the reserve. Wrapped in a light shawl, coffee in hand, you step into the cool morning air and into your open-air safari vehicle, ready for the wild to reveal itself.
Each game drive is different. One morning it’s the graceful stride of giraffes silhouetted against the sunrise; another, the drama of a pride of lions stalking silently through the bush. Your guide and tracker are masters of anticipation, reading every rustle and footprint, every call and scent trail. You might follow a leopard's path through the trees or pause quietly beside a waterhole as elephants drink, their trunks curling in unison.
After the thrill of the early drive, you return to the lodge for a leisurely breakfast enjoyed with views over the riverbed. Then, the day is yours. Sink into a lounger beside the infinity pool, schedule a soothing spa treatment with natural botanicals, or simply take in the view from your private deck, binoculars in hand and a cold drink beside you.
Afternoon tea arrives just in time as the bush begins to stir again. Then it's back into the Land Rover for your sunset safari, golden light casting long shadows as nocturnal life begins to emerge. Sundowners are poured somewhere remote: gin and tonics on a rocky outcrop, with nothing but silence and sky stretching around you.
Evenings at Simbavati Hilltop Lodge are intimate, elegant, and atmospheric. Dine beneath the stars with the flicker of lanterns dancing across the tablecloth, the warm glow of the boma fire behind you. Menus change nightly, showcasing seasonal ingredients and South African flair.
Honeymoon Tip:
Ask your guide about surprise bush stops - many lodges offer romantic touches like private sundowners, picnic brunches, or even stargazing setups just for couples. Trust the magic of the moment; safari romance happens in the most unexpected ways.
Day 11: Johannesburg Interlude: From Bushveld to City Pulse
This morning, you bid farewell to the wild as your time in the Timbavati draws to a close. After a final sunrise game drive and a lingering breakfast beneath the mopane trees, a private transfer takes you to Hoedspruit Airport for your short flight to Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest and most cosmopolitan city.
On arrival, a private driver greets you for a seamless transfer to The Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa, your luxurious stopover before the island leg of your journey begins. Tucked into the serene neighbourhood of Sandhurst, this legendary retreat, once home to Nelson Mandela, blends five-star refinement with leafy tranquillity. Expect sweeping suites, marble bathrooms, art-filled hallways, and a quietly attentive staff who seem to anticipate every need.
After days in the bush, this is the perfect place to rest and reset. Spend the afternoon in the spa, where African oils and holistic rituals soothe you into calm, or take a dip in the sun-dappled pool, cocktail in hand. If you prefer to explore, your driver is on standby, perhaps for a curated visit to Maboneng’s art galleries, or a walking tour of Soweto’s history-rich streets.
Dinner tonight is at Greenside’s Embarc, a Johannesburg gem celebrated for its seasonal tasting menu and bold South African wines. Settle in for eight inspired courses, each one a tribute to local flavours and ingredients, from springbok tartare to karoo lamb and granadilla sorbet.
As the city quiets outside and your bags are packed for warmer shores, there's a sense of transition in the air. Tomorrow, the final chapter begins - one of turquoise waters, white sands, and barefoot elegance in the Seychelles.
Day 12: Welcome to the Seychelles
Leave the hum of the city behind as you board your international flight to Mahé, the lush, mountainous main island of the Seychelles. As you descend, the view feels dreamlike, dense emerald forests spilling down to turquoise waters, coral-fringed coves, and ribbons of white sand tracing the coastline like brushstrokes.
A VIP meet-and-greet service eases you through the airport and onto your private transfer. The drive winds through coconut groves and granite hills, eventually revealing your destination: Mango House Seychelles, a boutique luxury retreat perched on the serene shores of Anse Aux Poules Bleues.
Originally built as a family home by an Italian fashion photographer, Mango House blends effortless style with barefoot intimacy. Your suite opens out onto the Indian Ocean, where the air is warm and the sea shifts in every shade of blue. Inside, expect rich textures, local artwork, and a design ethos that feels both elevated and laid-back.
Spend the afternoon unwinding into island life. Take a dip in the oceanfront infinity pool, sip a freshly shaken cocktail by the water, or walk along the powder-soft beach, hand in hand, as gentle waves lap the shore.
Tonight, begin your island indulgence with dinner at Moutya, the hotel’s atmospheric Creole grill. Tables are set beneath swaying palms, and the scent of grilled lobster and cinnamon wood smoke fills the air. The menu is a love letter to Seychellois tradition - octopus curry, red snapper wrapped in banana leaf, and coconut nougat to finish. Paired with local rum or a crisp French rosé, it’s a meal that feels celebratory and grounding all at once.
The stars come out early here, scattered across the sky like salt crystals. Your island honeymoon has officially begun: slow, sensual, and stitched together with beauty at every turn.
Day 13-15: Barefoot Bliss
By now, the outside world feels distant. Each morning begins with sunlight filtering through gauzy curtains, the soft rhythm of the ocean just beyond your balcony, and the scent of warm tropical air. These are days without plans but rich in beauty, indulgence, and connection.
At Mango House, time unfolds gently. Spend your mornings with slow, late breakfasts on the veranda at Muse - think tropical fruit platters, vanilla-scented pancakes, and Seychellois coffee strong enough to match the sun. Afterwards, follow your own rhythm: lounge beside the cliffside infinity pool, paddle out in a clear-bottom kayak, or snorkel among coral gardens teeming with parrotfish and sea turtles.
For a change of pace, take a private boat to La Digue or Praslin, two neighbouring islands that offer their own slices of paradise. Walk the shores of Anse Source d’Argent, often ranked among the most beautiful beaches in the world, or hike into the Vallée de Mai, a UNESCO-listed palm forest home to the mystical coco de mer.
Back at the resort, indulge in a couples' treatment at Anpe Spa, a serene sanctuary where ocean breezes and local botanicals set the tone. Choose a coconut oil massage, a warm sand compress, or a ritual inspired by island rhythms. The ultimate release after weeks of adventure.
Each evening invites a new flavour. One night, dine under the stars at Moutya, where the menu nods to local cuisine with ingredients capturing the flavours of the Seychelles. Another, let the hotel arrange a private beach dinner, complete with candles in the sand, chilled Champagne, and a menu created just for you.
As the waves whisper outside and the stars wheel slowly overhead, these days become something you’ll return to forever. The quiet luxury of space, of time, of each other - that’s the true essence of your Seychelles chapter.
Honeymoon Tip:
Book a sunset sailing or private catamaran cruise around Mahé for an evening of Champagne toasts and ocean breezes. As the sun slips into the sea and the sky turns soft with colour, it’s the perfect way to savour the serenity of your island escape.
Day 16: One Last Sunrise: Departure from Paradise
Your final morning on the island arrives slowly, wrapped in golden light and soft ocean breeze. There’s time for one last swim, one final barefoot walk along the shoreline, or a quiet coffee taken out on the deck, where the sea stretches endlessly toward the horizon.
A private transfer brings you back to Mahé Airport, where your return journey begins, but the feeling of this place lingers. The hush of the bush at dawn, the scent of South African wine on warm evenings, the rhythm of waves against white sand, these are more than memories; they’ve become part of your shared story.
This wasn’t just a honeymoon, it was a journey stitched together by elegance, adventure, and intimacy. From the vineyards of Franschhoek to the wild heart of the Kruger, and finally to the sun-drenched serenity of the Seychelles, you’ve experienced Africa in its most romantic form and written the first chapter of your new life in unforgettable style.
