26 days in Africa Itinerary

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

Bring the kids along to Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and Robben Island Museum. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Franschhoek Motor Museum and First South African Perfume Museum. Venture out of the city with trips to Stellenbosch (Dorp Street, Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, &more) and Senechal-Senekal Art Gallery (in Franschhoek). The adventure continues: have unforgettable encounters with Pisces Divers, take in nature's colorful creations at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, cruise along Chapman's Peak Drive, and get up close and personal with brilliant marine life at Two Oceans Aquarium.

For where to stay, more things to do, traveler tips, and other tourist information, go to the Cape Town day trip planning website.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands to Cape Town is an approximately 15-hour flight. The time zone changes from Central European Standard Time to South Africa Standard Time, which is usually a 1 hour difference. Plan for warmer temperatures traveling from Amsterdam in January, with highs in Cape Town at 32°C and lows at 20°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 11th (Tue) to allow enough time to fly to Windhoek.

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.

Kick off your visit on the 12th (Wed): look for gifts at Wecke & Voigts, then pause for some serene contemplation at St Mary's Catholic Cathedral, and then stroll through NamibRand Nature Reserve. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: take an exotic tour of a safari tour.

To see reviews, other places to visit, and other tourist information, refer to the Windhoek online trip builder.

Getting from Cape Town to Windhoek by flight takes about 5.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 1 hour traveling from Cape Town to Windhoek. While traveling from Cape Town, expect a bit warmer days and about the same nights in Windhoek, ranging from highs of 38°C to lows of 20°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 14th (Fri) so you can travel to Livingstone.

Tourism in Livingstone, a town nestled on the Zimbabwean border, thrives largely thanks to the nearby Victoria Falls.

Discover out-of-the-way places like The Explorer Club and Kayaking & Canoeing. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Livingstone Museum and Railway Museum. Next up on the itinerary: take in the dramatic scenery at Victoria Falls, stroll through Livingstone Crocodile Park, take an exotic tour of a safari tour, and see the interesting displays at Railway & Gateway Jewish Museum.

To see reviews, ratings, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read our Livingstone trip itinerary planning tool.

Do a combination of flight and car from Windhoek to Livingstone in 6 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight, car, and bus; or drive. Traveling from Windhoek to Livingstone, you'll lose 1 hour due to the time zone difference. While traveling from Windhoek, expect little chillier days and somewhat warmer nights in Livingstone, ranging from highs of 30°C to lows of 24°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 17th (Mon) early enough to travel to Gaborone.

Planned as the capital after Botswana gained independence in the 1960s, Gaborone quickly transformed into a bustling city and the country's commercial center.

Christ the King Cathedral and Trinity Church will appeal to history buffs. Get some cultural insight at ISKCON Gaborone and Jamia Mosque. There's still lots to do: take an exotic tour of Maroon Tours & Safaris, see the interesting displays at National Museum, tour the pleasant surroundings at Gaborone Game Reserve, and explore the striking landscape of Khutse Game Reserve.

To see maps, more things to do, reviews, and tourist information, go to the Gaborone attractions planner.

Traveling by combination of bus and flight from Livingstone to Gaborone takes 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and flight; or drive. January in Gaborone sees daily highs of 29°C and lows of 28°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Fri) so you can 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.

Your inner history buff will appreciate Union Buildings and Boer War Blockhouse. Get a sense of the local culture at Constitution Hill Human Rights Precinct and Hector Pieterson Museum and Memorial. Get out of town with these interesting Johannesburg side-trips: Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve (in Krugersdorp), Kruger House Museum (in Pretoria) and Lesedi Cultural Village (in Lanseria). Spend the 27th (Thu) spotting exotic species with a safari tour. There's much more to do: see the interesting displays at Apartheid Museum, contemplate the long history of Mandela House, admire the majestic nature at Alberts Farm, and don't miss a visit to Nelson Mandela Square.

To find where to stay, more things to do, maps, and tourist information, read Johannesburg trip planner.

Fly from Gaborone to Johannesburg in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or drive. While traveling from Gaborone, expect somewhat warmer days and slightly colder nights in Johannesburg, ranging from highs of 33°C to lows of 19°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 28th (Fri) to allow enough time to fly back home.