7 Ultimate Moments You Wouldn’t Expect in South Africa

Few places combine big city buzz with spectacular wild landscapes like South Africa. Begin your trip in electric Johannesburg, an emerging global epicentre of food, art and fashion. Then head to Cape Town to the south-west – one of the country’s three capitals – where dramatic mountain ranges and the glimmering coastline provide a picturesque backdrop to eclectic marketplaces and dynamic museums. Here’s our guide on the best things to do during your next visit.

Day one: 12pm – Enjoy lunch with a side serve of history

Dine on Nelson Mandela’s favourite dishes inside his former home at Insights Restaurant, 10 kilometres north of Johannesburg’s CBD and a 30-minute drive south-east of O.R. Tambo International Airport. Housed within Sanctuary Mandela – the political activist’s primary place of residence in the 1990s and now transformed into a boutique hotel within the leafy suburb of Houghton – the restaurant’s menu was curated by Xoliswa Ndoyiya, who served as the first South African president’s personal chef for 22 years. Book a table in the 36-seat dining room beneath a montage of historical photographs and indulge in dukkah-rubbed ostrich fillet with chakalaka (spicy vegetable stew), pan-fried Cape Malay-style kingklip (a native saltwater eel) matched with curried paw paw salsa and poached pear served alongside a tangy ice cream made with amasi, Mandela’s beloved fermented milk.

3pm – Shop for South African fashion and design

After you’ve dined, take the five-minute drive or 35-minute walk west to Rosebank Mall. Nestled within one of Johannesburg’s hippest neighbourhoods, the city’s premier retail destination houses more than 150 shops spanning apparel, homewares and technology. Swing by the vibrant SOKO District department store to shop for authentic South African keepsakes including KoiKoi’s sustainably minded lounge wear, button-cute children’s clothing from Nu Nues and quirky ceramics from Rialheim. And don’t miss the Rosebank Arts and Crafts Market on the shopping centre’s second level, where stallholders are happy to haggle the old-fashioned way over locally produced bags, collectibles and jewellery.

TIP: Save your dollars for the shopping spree and book your flights with the help of the annual $450 Qantas Travel Credit¹ that comes with your Qantas American Express Ultimate Card. Each year, you’ll receive a $450 Qantas Travel Credit to use on eligible domestic or international Qantas flights when booked through American Express Travel.

6pm – Indulge in a spa treatment at a luxury hotel

Which would you choose? A massage inspired by the rhythmic patterns of African dance or a facial using rejuvenating South African botanicals such as marula oil and Kigelia africana? You can treat yourself to both at Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff’s luxurious day spa, which is just a 10-minute drive north of the CBD. Check into a panoramic room or suite at this five-star retreat, which cascades down a terraced hillside to deliver epic views of the city and its surroundings from almost every room. It’s located moments away from some of Johannesburg’s most exciting areas such as the Hyde Park district’s luxury boutiques and fine dining and the historic Constitution Hill. At the in-house Flames Restaurant, the South African braai (barbecue) adds smoky flavours to a range of premium proteins, including the restaurant’s signature tomahawk rib-eye.  

 TIP: Moments of relaxation can start at the airport. With the Qantas American Express Ultimate Card, you’ll receive two complimentary Qantas Club Lounge Invitations each year after your first Card spend on selected Qantas products and services² and two passes to The Centurion® Lounge to use at Sydney or Melbourne International Airports³. Lounge access entitles you to complimentary food and beverages, plus enjoy free and fast wi-fi and more.

Day two: 11am – Get your art fix on the waterfront

After the two-hour flight to Cape Town, travel 20 kilometres west of the airport to hit the legislative capital’s buzzy Silo District on the sprawling Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Here, an abandoned grain silo has been reinvented into an architectural masterpiece housing the Zeitz MOCAA (Museum of Contemporary Art Africa). The first major institution dedicated to African artists, the gallery’s collection is spread across nine floors and spans everything from traditional paintings to cutting-edge multimedia art. Take the glass-walled elevator through the silo’s concrete cylinders to wander through the rooftop sculpture garden and stop by the sixth-floor Ocular Lounge for a glass of South African wine.

3pm – Take a ride in the sky

No trip to Cape Town is complete without riding a cable car to the top of Table Mountain, which towers 1086 metres over the city. Located six kilometres south of the CBD, the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway takes around five minutes to reach the summit, with each car gently rotating to give passengers 360-degree views. Stretch your legs at the top with a hike such as the 45-minute Upper Cableway Station to Maclear’s Beacon Walk, which spans a significant portion of the plateau. Time your trip for the late afternoon to soak up the spectacular sunsets over the Atlantic Ocean. 

TIP: Whether you’re eating, drinking, shopping or soaking up South Africa’s natural wonders, tap your way closer to your next trip with your Qantas American Express Ultimate Card. You’ll earn up to 1.25 Qantas Points per $1 spent on everyday purchases⁴ so you can continue to grow your points balance. You'll also enjoy uncapped Qantas Points earning potential for every dollar you spend on your Card.

7pm – Relax amid sumptuous South African design

Nestled on a private quay between the marina and harbour on the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Grace Hotel’s recent multi-million-dollar renovation combines modern luxury with the creative talents of South African artists. Throughout the property’s public areas and 112 rooms and suites you’ll find a broad collection of tapestries, paintings and sculptures decorating the walls and halls. Choose between mountain or water views when checking in before enjoying dinner at the elegant Heirloom Restaurant, where smoked snoek (barracouta) paté, veld-raised (grass-fed) beef fillet and a well-stocked cellar of local wines awaits. 

“Our difference lies in the authenticity of connection,” said Leon Meyer, general manager of the hotel. “Whether it’s a curated wine tasting at Bascule, marina-side spa treatment or bespoke dinner at Heirloom, we tailor every moment to be as personal as it is memorable.”

If you can fit more into your itinerary, Meyer recommends visiting Norval Art Foundation, which specialises in 20th- and 21st-century South African visual art, situated 23 kilometres south of Cape Town’s CBD.

TIP: If wine is your drink of choice with a great dinner, take advantage of a fantastic offer when you return home. With your Qantas American Express Ultimate Card, you’ll get a complimentary Qantas Wine Premium Membership. Not only will you get access to exceptional wines and exclusive events, you'll also earn 3 Qantas Points per dollar spent on all Qantas Wine purchases⁵.

Day three: 10am – Head out on safari

See Africa’s iconic wildlife – including the “big five”: lions, leopards, rhinoceros, elephants and African buffalo – in their natural habitat, only a two-hour drive north-east of Cape Town. The award-winning Aquila Private Game Reserve is home to all of these and more – including hippos, zebras and antelope. The expansive protected area sprawls over 10,000 hectares in the wild semidesert Karoo region and is renowned for its conservation efforts. Choose from a half- or full-day safari in an open-backed jeep or opt to head out on horseback or quad bike – keep your eyes peeled for the local wildlife as they lounge and play nearby. If you have the time, spend the night in one of the property’s self-contained cottages or the main lodge and get ready to wake up early for a sunrise game drive. At night you’ll have the magical experience of stargazing at the twinkling Karoo sky while toasting marshmallows over the campfire. 

TIP: When exploring the natural beauty of South Africa, help ensure you have added coverage for all possibilities. The Qantas American Express Ultimate Card's Complimentary Travel Insurance6 offers domestic and international insurance for you, your partner and your dependent children when you pay for your return trip on your Card. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply (such as maximum age-limits, pre-existing medical conditions and cover limits). Please check your Travel Insurance terms for the full coverage details for specific activities.

Have fun getting there

Fly Sydney to Johannesburg return using Classic Flight Rewards, Classic Plus or Points Plus Pay via our one world alliance member airlines.^

Make your way around South Africa thanks to the Qantas American Express Ultimate Card. Earn up to 90,000 bonus Qantas Points* - that’s 70,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online by 13 January 2026, are approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new Qantas American Express Ultimate Card within the first 3 months. Plus, an additional 20,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend min $1 on your Card within 90 days of paying your second year annual Card fee. T&Cs apply. New Amex Card Members only. 

You’ll also receive:

• An annual $450 Qantas Travel Credit¹ to use on eligible domestic and international Qantas flights booked through American Express Travel.
• The potential to earn more Qantas Points with up to four Additional Cards for family or friends, at no extra fee⁷.
• Two Qantas Club Lounge Invitations each year after purchasing eligible Qantas products and services², plus two complimentary entries to The Centurion® Lounge³ at Sydney and Melbourne International Airports.
• Complimentary Qantas Wine Premium Membership⁵, allowing you to enjoy gourmet food, exceptional wines and exclusive access to food and wine events around Australia.

Complimentary domestic and international Travel Insurance⁶ (for you, your partner and dependent children) when you pay for the return trip with your Card. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply (such as maximum age limits, pre-existing medical conditions and cover limits).

SEE ALSO: 7 Ultimate Moments You Need to Experience in the Philippines