34 days in South Africa Itinerary

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.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Johannesburg: Pretoria (Kruger House Museum & Voortrekker Monument) and Lion and Safari Park (in Broederstroom). Spend the 11th (Sat) trying your luck at Gold Reef City. And it doesn't end there: see the interesting displays at Apartheid Museum, try your luck at Montecasino, buy something for everyone on your list at Jack Friedman Sandton City, and get some fabulous bargains at The Diamond Ring By GC Manufacturing Jewellery.

For where to stay, ratings, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Johannesburg online travel route planner.

Vancouver, Canada to Johannesburg is an approximately 26.5-hour flight. You'll lose 10 hours traveling from Vancouver to Johannesburg due to the time zone difference. Prepare for much warmer weather when traveling from Vancouver in February: high temperatures in Johannesburg hover around 32°C and lows are around 19°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 13th (Mon) early enough to catch the flight 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.

Explore Hoedspruit's surroundings by going to Phalaborwa (Amarula Lapa, Qualito Craft Distillery, &more) and Seronera Crocodile Farm (in Hazyview). There's lots more to do: explore the stunning scenery at Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, stroll through Moholoholo Animal Rehabilitation Centre, take in the exciting artwork at Kingfisher Gallery, and get some fabulous bargains at Godding & Godding.

To find where to stay, ratings, and tourist information, you can read our Hoedspruit day trip planning tool.

Traveling by flight from Johannesburg to Hoedspruit takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 34°C in February, and nighttime lows around 19°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 17th (Fri) so you can catch the bus 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.

Change things up with a short trip to Kruger National Park in Nelspruit (about 48 minutes away). Spend the 22nd (Wed) surrounded by wildlife at Game drives at Phalaborwa Gate in Kruger National Park. The adventure continues: tour the pleasant surroundings at Idube Game Reserve, trek along Wolhuter Wilderness Trail, get great views at Nkumbe View Site, and explore the ancient world of Masorini Archaeological Site.

For ratings, maps, where to stay, and other tourist information, use the Kruger National Park trip planner.

Take a bus from Hoedspruit to Kruger National Park in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. In February, daytime highs in Kruger National Park are 34°C, while nighttime lows are 19°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 22nd (Wed) early enough to 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.

Venture out of the city with trips to Knysna (Holy Trinity Church, Knysna Heads, &more), Tiny Shop (in Wilderness) and Sedgefield Craft Brewery (in Sedgefield). And it doesn't end there: stroll through Birds of Eden, don't miss a visit to Bloukrans Bridge, take in the views from Suspension Bridge, and kick back and relax at Robberg 5 Beach.

For ratings, reviews, maps, and other tourist information, you can read our Plettenberg Bay road trip tool.

Traveling by flight from Kruger National Park to Plettenberg Bay takes 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. While traveling from Kruger National Park, expect slightly colder days and about the same nights in Plettenberg Bay, ranging from highs of 28°C to lows of 20°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 26th (Sun) early enough to go by car to Oudtshoorn.

Nestled in the arid valley of Little Karoo, the town of Oudtshoorn remains the hub of everything ostrich-related, housing the world's largest population of the flightless birds.

Get out of town with these interesting Oudtshoorn side-trips: George (George Golf Club & Dutch Reformed Mother Church), Fernskloof Wines (in Prince Albert) and Meiringspoort (in De Rust). There's much more to do: Head underground at Cango Caves, take a memorable drive along Swartberg Pass, relax in the rural setting at Highgate Ostrich Show Farm, and tour the pleasant surroundings at Cango Wildlife Ranch.

To find reviews, other places to visit, maps, and more tourist information, refer to the Oudtshoorn online visit planner.

Drive from Plettenberg Bay to Oudtshoorn in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In February, daily temperatures in Oudtshoorn can reach 28°C, while at night they dip to 18°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Thu) so you can catch the flight to Cape Town.

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: tour the pleasant surroundings at Cape Point, admire all the interesting features of Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, enjoy the sand and surf at Clifton Beaches, and take a stroll through Bo-kaap.

For more things to do, where to stay, other places to visit, and more tourist information, use the Cape Town road trip planning website.

You can fly from Oudtshoorn to Cape Town in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. While traveling from Oudtshoorn, expect somewhat warmer days and about the same nights in Cape Town, ranging from highs of 30°C to lows of 17°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 12th (Sun) early enough to fly back home.