If you're spending time in Johannesburg, definitely go to the Apartheid Museum, Constitution Hill and the Lion Park. If you have anything more than a day or two in the city, considering making a trip to the Pilanseberg game reserve.
For wine tasting, you have to go to Stellenbosch and Franschoek. Some recommendations:
- L'Omarins
- Haute Cabriere
- Chamonix
- Rust en Vrede
- Kanonkop
- Jordan
- Ernie Els
- Del Aire (best views)
Within Cape Town itself, there is a ton to do including hiking (Lion's Head and/or Table Mountain), kitesurfing (Blauwberg), paragliding (off Table Mountain) and much more. If you just want to hang out at the beach go to Llandudno or Clifton.
Places to eat (bold are my favorites)
- Harbour House (Kalk Bay) - sit upstairs; no restaurant with a better view
- La Parada (CBD) - chef is from el bulli; have the bloody mary
- Royale - great(est) burgers
- Kalky's in Kalk Bay - real fish and chips
- El Burro
- The Food Barn in Noordehoek
- Willoughby's - great sushi
- Pot Luck Club - amazing food with a stupidly good view
- Addis in the Cape - best Ethiopian food outside of Ethiopia
- Miriam - get a gatsby for lunch. You won't regret it.
- Bo Kaap Kombuis - Local Cape Malay food
- South China Dim Sum
- Kitima - amazing asian food out in Hout Bay
- Black Sheep
- Hemelhuijs
- Dear Me
- Jason Bakery - great breakfast spot
- Test Kitchen - needs reservations a few months out
- Myoga
- Nando's
- Wimpy - fast food breakfasts that can cure any hangover
- Truth Coffee on Buitenkant - Steampunk inspired coffee shop
- Honest Chocolate Bar - it smells so good!
- The Canteen
Things to do
- Kirstenbosch gardens - go see a concert or an open air movie. You'll need to book for both. If you don't get tickets for anything, just take a blanket and go read a book.
- Hike Lion's head - go as early as you can. It gets hot.
- Penguins at Boulders
- 2 Oceans aquarium
- Cape Point - walk up to the lighthouse
- Sunset cruise from V&A waterfront
- Robben Island
- Drive around Chapman's Peak
- Spend a morning & afternoon in Kalk Bay
- Watch a Super 15 game at Fireman's Arms. Local team = Stormers.
- Go up Table Mountain
- Old Biscuit Mill on a Saturday Morning - look for the guy making steak sandwiches
- Walk around the CBD in the afternoon (specifically Bree street). There are a few organized tours http://www.nielsentours.co.za/#tour-highlights
General advice is to be street smart - South Africa is incredible but it's never perfectly safe. Think twice about walking around at night (take an Uber), keep your camera packed away, don't engage with people who start talking to you randomly on the street and leave your passport and a credit card in a safe spot at the hotel/guest house you're staying at. Make sure you have travel insurance (for private hospitals) while in SA.