60 days in South Africa Itinerary

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, trek along Platteklip Gorge, kick back and relax at Boulders Beach Penguin Colony, and go for a stroll along the water at Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.

For maps, ratings, and more tourist information, read our Cape Town day trip planning site.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands to Cape Town is an approximately 15-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from Central European Standard Time (CET) to South Africa Standard Time (SAST) is 1 hour. Traveling from Amsterdam in January, things will get much hotter in Cape Town: highs are around 32°C and lows about 20°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 12th (Fri) early enough to catch the flight 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.

Change things up with these side-trips from Oudtshoorn: George (Herold Wine Estate, Outeniqua Transport Museum, &more), Wilderness Beach (in Wilderness) and Umkhondo Big Five (in Albertinia). The adventure continues: Head underground at Cango Caves, experience rural life at Cango Ostrich Show Farm, cruise along Swartberg Pass, and look for gifts at Bella-Mia Pottery.

To see traveler tips, other places to visit, where to stay, and tourist information, you can read our Oudtshoorn online trip itinerary builder.

Traveling by flight from Cape Town to Oudtshoorn takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Expect little chillier weather when traveling from Cape Town in January: highs in Oudtshoorn hover around 28°C, while lows dip to 18°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 17th (Wed) early enough to drive 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 (Garden Route National Park, Le Spa Tranquille, &more) and Tsitsikamma National Park (Otter Trail, Suspension Bridge, &more). There's still lots to do: tour the pleasant surroundings at Birds of Eden, indulge your thirst for a good beer at Mitchell's Brewery, enjoy the sand and surf at Sanctuary Beach, and cool off at Water World Wild Waters Fun Park.

To find photos, ratings, reviews, and more tourist information, you can read our Plettenberg Bay online trip builder.

Traveling by car from Oudtshoorn to Plettenberg Bay takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. January in Plettenberg Bay sees daily highs of 28°C and lows of 20°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Tue) early enough to drive to Port Elizabeth.

The sprawling city of Port Elizabeth, nestled on the scenic Algoa Bay, draws visitors with its sandy beaches, mild climate, and an enviable location as the gateway to the famous Garden Route.

Change things up with these side-trips from Port Elizabeth: Parque Nacional dos Elefantes Addo (in Addo Elephant National Park) and Sundays River Mouth and Beach (in Colchester). Spend the 24th (Wed) in the pleasant surroundings of Shamwari Game Reserve. Spend the 28th (Sun) spotting exotic species with a safari tour. And it doesn't end there: enjoy the sand and surf at Hobie Beach, pause for some serene contemplation at St Marks Congregational Church, try to win big at The Boardwalk Casino & Entertainment World, and tour the pleasant surroundings at Cape Recife Local Authority Nature Reserve.

To find out how to plan a trip to Port Elizabeth, use our trip itinerary maker.

Drive from Plettenberg Bay to Port Elizabeth in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In January, plan for daily highs up to 30°C, and evening lows to 20°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 29th (Mon) so you can fly to Durban.

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.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Durban: Mac Nicol's Caravan Park (in Sihangwane) and Ballito (Holla Trails & Spas). Next up on the itinerary: meet some fierce fish with a shark diving experience, go for a walk through Umhlanga Rocks Promenade, walk around Umgeni River Bird Park, and take in nature's colorful creations at Durban Botanic Gardens.

To find photos, other places to visit, traveler tips, and other tourist information, go to the Durban trip planner.

Fly from Port Elizabeth to Durban in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Port Elizabeth in January, expect a bit warmer with lows of 26°C in Durban. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 4th (Sun) to allow time to fly to Hazyview.

A gateway to the popular Kruger National Park, Hazyview boasts an enviable location in South Africa's lowveld, surrounded by a staggering number of both natural and historic sites.

Explore Hazyview's surroundings by going to Nelspruit (i'langa Mall, Safaris, &more). There's much more to do: stroll through Elephant Whispers, steep yourself in history at Shangana Cultural Village, look for gifts at Katundo Leather Pty Ltd, and head outdoors with Outdoor Activities.

To find ratings, where to stay, maps, and other tourist information, go to the Hazyview trip planner.

You can fly from Durban to Hazyview in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Durban in February, things will get a bit cooler in Hazyview: highs are around 31°C and lows about 20°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Fri) to allow enough time to drive 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 (Hans Merensky Golf Estate, Qualito Craft Distillery, &more). And it doesn't end there: stroll through Moholoholo Animal Rehabilitation Centre, explore the galleries of Kingfisher Gallery, browse the different shops at 24 Degrees South, and get to know the resident critters at Hoedspruit Reptile Centre.

To see maps, other places to visit, more things to do, and more tourist information, read Hoedspruit trip itinerary planning tool.

Traveling by car from Hazyview to Hoedspruit takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. February in Hoedspruit sees daily highs of 34°C and lows of 19°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 15th (Thu) 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.

Step out of Kruger National Park with an excursion to Kruger National Park in Nelspruit--about 48 minutes away. Spend the 18th (Sun) surrounded by wildlife at Game drives at Phalaborwa Gate in Kruger National Park. There's lots more to do: see exotic creatures in open habitats at a safari tour, contemplate the long history of Masorini Archaeological Site, stroll through Bushmans Trail, and get great views at Nkumbe View Site.

To find traveler tips, ratings, maps, and other tourist information, read Kruger National Park travel route planner.

You can take a bus from Hoedspruit to Kruger National Park in 2.5 hours. Another option is to drive. Expect a daytime high around 34°C in February, and nighttime lows around 19°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Thu) so you can catch the flight 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.

Change things up with these side-trips from Johannesburg: Voortrekker Monument (in Pretoria), The Cradle of Humankind (in Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site) and Lion and Safari Park (in Broederstroom). Spend the 25th (Sun) trying your luck at Gold Reef City. Next up on the itinerary: see the interesting displays at Apartheid Museum, try to win big at Montecasino, explore and take pictures at Constitution Hill Human Rights Precinct, and test your problem-solving skills at popular escape rooms.

For where to stay, other places to visit, maps, and tourist information, go to the Johannesburg itinerary builder app.

Getting from Kruger National Park to Johannesburg by flight takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. In February, plan for daily highs up to 32°C, and evening lows to 19°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 29th (Thu) so you can catch the flight back home.