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 Signal Hill. And it doesn't end there: take some stellar pictures from Cape Point, take a leisurely stroll along Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, tour the pleasant surroundings at Platteklip Gorge, and admire nature's wide array of creatures at Two Oceans Aquarium.

To find reviews, traveler tips, maps, and other tourist information, read our Cape Town trip maker tool.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands to Cape Town is an approximately 15- hour combination of train and flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 1 hour traveling from Amsterdam to Cape Town. In September in Cape Town, expect temperatures between 23°C during the day and 11°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 4th (Wed) to allow time to travel 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.

To see where to stay, ratings, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read our Plettenberg Bay trip builder app.

You can do a combination of flight and taxi from Cape Town to Plettenberg Bay in 3 hours. Other options are to do a combination of flight, taxi, and bus; or drive. 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 travel 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 Elephant Whispers. Explore Nelspruit's surroundings by going to Hazyview (The Elephant Sanctuary & Safaris). Next up on the itinerary: explore the fascinating underground world of Sudwala Caves and stop by Joubert en Seuns Padstal.

To see more things to do, maps, and more tourist information, read Nelspruit trip planner.

Getting from Plettenberg Bay to Nelspruit by combination of taxi and flight takes about 5.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of bus, taxi, and flight; or drive. Traveling from Plettenberg Bay in September, expect nights in Nelspruit to be about the same, around 16°C, while days are a bit warmer, around 30°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 9th (Mon) so you can travel 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 Sweni Wilderness Trail. The adventure continues: stroll through Idube Game Reserve, trek along Lonely Bull Trail, and get great views at Nkumbe View Site.

To find photos, traveler tips, more things to do, and tourist information, go to the Kruger National Park journey tool.

You can fly from Nelspruit to Kruger National Park in 4.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Expect a daytime high around 32°C in September, and nighttime lows around 15°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 13th (Fri) early enough to travel 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 Moholoholo Animal Rehabilitation Centre. Next up on the itinerary: stroll through Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre, indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas, and head outdoors with Siyafunda Conservation.

For where to stay and more tourist information, go to the Hoedspruit planner.

You can do a combination of taxi and bus from Kruger National Park to Hoedspruit in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can 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 travel 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 don't miss a visit to Constitution Hill Human Rights Precinct.

For reviews, photos, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Johannesburg trip planner.

Traveling by combination of taxi, flight, and train from Hoedspruit to Johannesburg takes 3 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 travel back home.