20 days in South Africa Itinerary

Sweeping beaches, towering hilltops, and picturesque vineyards adorn the landscape of Cape Town, dominated by the imposing Table Mountain.

Escape the urban bustle at Boulders Beach Penguin Colony and Cape Point. The adventure continues: go for a stroll along the water at Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, head off the coast to Robben Island Museum, take in nature's colorful creations at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, and appreciate the extensive heritage of Maclear's Beacon.

For where to stay, traveler tips, photos, and more tourist information, read our Cape Town tour planner.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands to Cape Town is an approximately 15-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from Central European Standard Time to South Africa Standard Time is 1 hour. September in Cape Town sees daily highs of 23°C and lows of 11°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Wed) so you can fly to Plettenberg Bay.

As one of South Africa's most popular beach destinations, the resort town of Plettenberg Bay comes to life in December and January, when the holiday homes fill up with domestic tourists and foreigner visitors.

Start off your visit on the 5th (Thu): stroll through Birds of Eden, then stroll through Knysna Elephant Park, and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Robberg Nature Reserve. Keep things going the next day: stroll through Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness Centre and then trek along Otter Trail.

For photos, maps, ratings, and other tourist information, read our Plettenberg Bay trip builder app.

You can fly from Cape Town to Plettenberg Bay in 3 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. In September, daytime highs in Plettenberg Bay are 22°C, while nighttime lows are 13°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 6th (Fri) so you can catch the flight to Nelspruit.

Nestled on the banks of the Crocodile River, Nelspruit provides visitors with a convenient base point boasting two airports and an enviable location on the road between Johannesburg and the Mozambican border.

Take a break from the city and head to Kruger National Park and Sudwala Caves. Explore Nelspruit's surroundings by going to Hazyview (The Elephant Sanctuary, Safaris, &more). There's more to do: look for gifts at Joubert en Seuns Padstal.

To see ratings, photos, reviews, and tourist information, read our Nelspruit online road trip planner.

Getting from Plettenberg Bay to Nelspruit by flight takes about 5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Plettenberg Bay in September, you will find days in Nelspruit are a bit warmer (30°C), and nights are about the same (16°C). Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Mon) so you can fly to Kruger National Park.

One of Africa's largest game sanctuaries and part of UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Program, Kruger National Park provides an immersive experience of wildlife.

Get outdoors at Game drives at Phalaborwa Gate in Kruger National Park and Olifants Wilderness Trail. There's lots more to do: tour the pleasant surroundings at Idube Game Reserve, take some stellar pictures from Nkumbe View Site, and trek along Sweni Wilderness Trail.

To find where to stay, reviews, maps, and more tourist information, you can read our Kruger National Park route maker tool.

You can fly from Nelspruit to Kruger National Park in 3 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 32°C in September, and nighttime lows around 15°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Fri) to allow enough time to take a bus to Hoedspruit.

Hoedspruit offers proximity to Kruger National Park and features an airport, making it a popular jump-off point for a variety of tours and safaris.

Take a break from the city and head to Safaris and Tshukudu Game Lodge. There's still lots to do: stroll through Moholoholo Animal Rehabilitation Centre, relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, and head outdoors with Siyafunda Conservation.

To see other places to visit, where to stay, photos, and tourist information, read our Hoedspruit trip itinerary planning website.

You can take a bus from Kruger National Park to Hoedspruit in 2.5 hours. Another option is to drive. In September, daily temperatures in Hoedspruit can reach 32°C, while at night they dip to 15°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Mon) early enough to fly to Johannesburg.

Founded when gold was discovered in the area in the late 19th century, Johannesburg quickly grew into a bustling metropolis, South Africa's largest city and the region's economic hub.

On the 17th (Tue), take an exotic tour of a safari tour. On the next day, steep yourself in history at Mandela House, see the interesting displays at Apartheid Museum, and then contemplate the long history of Constitution Hill Human Rights Precinct.

To find ratings, maps, where to stay, and tourist information, read our Johannesburg trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Hoedspruit to Johannesburg takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Hoedspruit in September, Johannesburg is slightly colder at night with lows of 12°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 19th (Thu) early enough to catch the flight back home.