24 days in South Africa, Botswana & Namibia Itinerary

Created using Inspirock Africa vacation planner
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1
Johannesburg, South Africa
— 4 nights
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2
Gaborone, Botswana
— 4 nights
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3
Ngamiland East, Botswana
— 1 night
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4
Windhoek, Namibia
— 3 nights
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5
Swakopmund, Namibia
— 3 nights
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6
Cape Town, South Africa
— 8 nights
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Johannesburg, South Africa — 4 nights

City of Light

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.
When in Johannesburg, make a side trip to see Union Buildings in Pretoria, approximately Pretoria away. There's lots more to do: examine the collection at Apartheid Museum, learn about all things military at South African National Museum of Military History, take a stroll through Maboneng Precinct, and steep yourself in history at Mandela House.

To see maps, photos, more things to do, and more tourist information, read Johannesburg vacation website.

If you are flying in from South Africa, the closest major aiports are OR Tambo International Airport and Pilanesberg International Airport. November in Johannesburg sees daily highs of 32°C and lows of 15°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Fri) so you can fly to Gaborone.
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Museums · Casinos · Fun & Games · Tours
Side Trips
Find places to stay Nov 30 — Dec 4:

Gaborone, Botswana — 4 nights

Planned as the capital after Botswana gained independence in the 1960s, Gaborone quickly transformed into a bustling city and the country's commercial center.
Gaborone is known for parks, sightseeing, and shopping. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at ISKCON Gaborone, buy something for everyone on your list at Sebele Centre, stroll through Mokolodi Nature Reserve, and pause for some serene contemplation at Trinity Church.

To see photos, maps, reviews, and tourist information, use the Gaborone trip tool.

Traveling by flight from Johannesburg to Gaborone takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or drive. Traveling from Johannesburg in December, you will find days in Gaborone are somewhat warmer (44°C), and nights are much hotter (44°C). Finish up your sightseeing early on the 8th (Tue) so you can catch the flight to Ngamiland East.
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Historic Sites · Shopping · Parks · Wildlife
Side Trip
Find places to stay Dec 4 — 8:

Ngamiland East, Botswana — 1 night

Ngamiland East, a sub-district of Botswana's North-East District, is all about the wildlife and safaris.
On the 9th (Wed), tour the pleasant surroundings at NG/32 Okavango Kopano Mokoro Community Trust.

Before you visit Ngamiland East, use our trip planner to discover what you can do and see there.

Traveling by flight from Gaborone to Ngamiland East takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Traveling from Gaborone in December, you will find days in Ngamiland East are little chillier (39°C), and nights are colder (24°C). Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Wed) early enough to fly to Windhoek.
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Parks · Wildlife
Find places to stay Dec 8 — 9:

Windhoek, Namibia — 3 nights

Located in the heart of the country, Namibia's capital city Windhoek receives a constant influx of tourists, in part because of its international airport.
Step out of Windhoek with an excursion to Deadvlei in Sossusvlei--about 5h 15 min away. Next up on the itinerary: tour the pleasant surroundings at NamibRand Nature Reserve, play a few rounds at Omeya Golf and Residential Oasis, examine the collection at Trans-Namib Railroad Museum, and see exotic creatures in open habitats at a safari tour.

To find photos, other places to visit, reviews, and more tourist information, use the Windhoek trip planner.

You can fly from Ngamiland East to Windhoek in 9 hours. Other options are to do a combination of bus and shuttle; or take a bus. The time zone changes from Central Africa Time (CAT) to Central Africa Time (CAT), which is usually a -1 hour difference. Traveling from Ngamiland East in December, expect slightly colder with lows of 20°C in Windhoek. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 12th (Sat) to allow time to fly to Swakopmund.
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Wildlife · Outdoors · Tours · Parks
Side Trips
Find places to stay Dec 9 — 12:

Swakopmund, Namibia — 3 nights

Nestled on Namibia's Atlantic coast and surrounded by the sand dunes of the vast Namib Desert, the resort town of Swakopmund enchants visitors with its distinct German colonial architecture and pleasant climate.
Go for a jaunt from Swakopmund to Walvis Bay to see Kayaking & Canoeing about 40 minutes away. And it doesn't end there: indulge in some culinary diversions at a local gastronomic tour, enjoy the sand and surf at Long Beach Leisure Park, look for gifts at Die Muschel, and snap pictures at Swakopmund Jetty.

To see photos, where to stay, reviews, and tourist information, refer to the Swakopmund online road trip planner.

Getting from Windhoek to Swakopmund by flight takes about 3 hours. Other options: take a shuttle; or drive. Traveling from Windhoek in December, expect Swakopmund to be a bit cooler, temps between 27°C and 17°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Tue) to allow enough time to fly to Cape Town.
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Tours · Outdoors · Wildlife · Adventure
Side Trip
Find places to stay Dec 12 — 15:

Cape Town, South Africa — 8 nights

Mother City

Sweeping beaches, towering hilltops, and picturesque vineyards adorn the landscape of Cape Town, dominated by the imposing Table Mountain.
Cape Town is known for nature, sightseeing, and beaches. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: take in nature's colorful creations at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, take in the waterfront activity at Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, observe the fascinating underwater world at Two Oceans Aquarium, and enjoy the sand and surf at Boulders Beach Penguin Colony.

To find more things to do and more tourist information, go to the Cape Town itinerary site.

Traveling by flight from Swakopmund to Cape Town takes 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Swakopmund to Cape Town, you'll lose 1 hour due to the time zone difference. In December in Cape Town, expect temperatures between 30°C during the day and 18°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Wed) early enough to fly back home.
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Parks · Outdoors · Wildlife · Beaches
Find places to stay Dec 15 — 23:

South Africa travel guide

4.4
Nature & Parks · Wineries & Vineyards · Mountains
Rainbow Nation
The landscapes of South Africa match its people in terms of diversity, richness, and vitality. From desert lands and coastlines, to the famous nature reserves sheltering the "Big Five" game animals, the country has natural charm in spades. The main cities provide a wealth of bars, clubs, shopping districts, and entertainment options to please the most demanding visitors, while traditional life can still be admired and respected in a collection of villages with beehive-style huts and an age-old cultural heritage. When in need of a minute to digest all that's happened during your trip to South Africa, sit down to a braai (traditional barbecue), and a bottle of wine made at one of the country's thriving vineyards.
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Botswana travel guide

3.7
Nature & Parks · Safaris · Nature & Wildlife Tours
Sparsely populated Botswana possesses some of the most unadulterated wilderness and animal-rich areas in Africa. Largely unfenced national parks allow the world's largest population of elephants to roam freely--these protected areas also shelter varied birdlife and many endangered and rare mammal species. Tourism in Botswana largely caters to visitors seeking luxury lodges and exclusive safari experiences, but expeditions into traditional villages are also strongly recommended. The preserved cultures of these agricultural settlements show a link between man and nature formed over centuries, a relationship that many visitors to Botswana come to reconsider in their own lives.
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Namibia travel guide

4.1
Nature & Parks · Deserts · Landmarks
Land of the Brave
Since gaining independence from South Africa in 1990, Namibia has sought to rival its neighbor in terms of tourist appeal. While it hasn't yet gotten up to the numbers of South Africa, Namibia tourism sector has plenty to work with. The desert and mountainous areas represent a real source of appeal, with species of classic African game animals, such as desert lions, zebras, and elephants real highlights of safaris through the national parks. Namibians are rightly proud of their country, and the myriad traditional villages, colonial German towns, and lively urban centers all deserve your attention.
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