26 days in South Africa & Grand Baie Itinerary

Created using Inspirock Africa sightseeing planner
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Durban, South Africa
— 6 nights
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Knysna, South Africa
— 6 nights
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Cape Town, South Africa
— 6 nights
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Grand Baie, Mauritius
— 6 nights
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Durban, South Africa — 6 nights

Surf City

Sunny weather and golden beaches await you on a vacation in Durban, a busy port city on the Indian Ocean known for its outdoorsy atmosphere.
Explore Durban's surroundings by going to Nelson Mandela Capture Site (in Howick) and Piggly Wiggly Country Village (in Nottingham Road). There's much more to do: have unforgettable encounters with a shark diving experience, catch the contagious excitement of Giba Gorge Horse Trails, take in the pleasant sights at Umhlanga Rocks Promenade, and try to win big at Suncoast Casino.

To find where to stay, photos, reviews, and tourist information, read Durban planning website.

Sydney, Australia to Durban is an approximately 17-hour flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 8 hours traveling from Sydney to Durban. Traveling from Sydney in December, Durban is somewhat warmer at night with lows of 25°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Fri) to allow time to fly to Knysna.
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Parks · Outdoors · Shopping · Beaches
Side Trips
Find places to stay Dec 23 — 29:

Knysna, South Africa — 6 nights

Enshrouded in lush indigenous forest and surrounding a scenic lagoon of the same name, the Garden Route town of Knysna has plenty to offer.
Get out of town with these interesting Knysna side-trips: The Crags (Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary, Birds of Eden, &more), Oudtshoorn (Cango Caves, Highgate Ostrich Show Farm, &more) and Robberg Nature Reserve (in Plettenberg Bay). Next up on the itinerary: stroll through Knysna Elephant Park, snap pictures at Suspension Bridge, shop like a local with Elephant Walk Farm Stall, and examine the collection at Outeniqua Transport Museum.

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

Getting from Durban to Knysna by flight takes about 5.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. In December, Knysna is a bit cooler than Durban - with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 4th (Thu) to allow time to fly to Cape Town.
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Parks · Wildlife · Nature · Museums
Side Trips
Find places to stay Dec 29 — Jan 4:

Cape Town, South Africa — 6 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: admire the natural beauty at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, get up close and personal with brilliant marine life at Two Oceans Aquarium, tour the pleasant surroundings at Clifton Beaches, and enjoy the sand and surf at Boulders Beach Penguin Colony.

For where to stay, more things to do, reviews, and more tourist information, read Cape Town online tour itinerary planner.

You can fly from Knysna to Cape Town in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. January in Cape Town sees daily highs of 32°C and lows of 20°C at night. On the 10th (Wed), you'll have the morning to explore before heading off to Grand Baie.
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Parks · Wildlife · Historic Sites · Nature
Find places to stay Jan 4 — 10:

Grand Baie, Mauritius — 6 nights

Wide-open beaches with dazzling blue water and a relaxed coastal atmosphere lure visitors to take a trip to Grand Baie.
Get out of town with these interesting Grand Baie side-trips: Sophie Nature Walk (in Vacoas), Chamarel (Ebony Forest Reserve & Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth Geopark) and Grand River South East Waterfalls (in Beau Champ). Spend the 15th (Mon) exploring nature at Black River Gorges National Park. There's still lots to do: admire the natural beauty at SSR Botanic Garden, discover the deep blue sea with BASE Diving Centre Ltd, indulge in some personalized pampering at Ved Holistic Care Centre, and examine the collection at Chateau De Labourdonnais.

To see photos, reviews, ratings, and other tourist information, refer to the Grand Baie tour planner.

Traveling by flight from Cape Town to Grand Baie takes 8.5 hours. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 2 hours traveling from Cape Town to Grand Baie. Traveling from Cape Town in January, expect a bit warmer with lows of 28°C in Grand Baie. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Tue) to allow enough time to fly back home.
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Parks · Outdoors · Nature · Wildlife
Side Trips
Find places to stay Jan 10 — 16:

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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Mauritius travel guide

4.1
Beaches · Islands · Scuba & Snorkeling
Island of Rainbows and Shooting Stars
A small but surprisingly multicultural island in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius sits just east of Madagascar and offers a white-sand coastline lapped by sapphire waters. The contrasts of colors, tastes, and cultures here makes a vacation in Mauritius richly rewarding, with plenty to do along the coast and deeper inland. A tour of Mauritius usually includes long stops at the island's beaches, which serve as launching points for deep-sea fishing trips, dolphin-watching excursions, and scuba diving adventures. Farther away from the water, you can discover a paradise for hikers and nature lovers. Mauritius is made for explorations on foot, with several volcanic summits and a large national park sheltering abundant species of indigenous plants and birds.
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