15 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.

Johannesburg is known for museums, wildlife, theme parks, shopping, and zoos & aquariums. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: examine the collection at Apartheid Museum, contemplate the long history of Constitution Hill, view the masterpieces at I was shot in Joburg, and get in on the family fun at Gold Reef City.

To see where to stay, other places to visit, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read our Johannesburg travel itinerary planner .

Amsterdam, Holland to Johannesburg is an approximately 14.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of train and flight. The time zone difference moving from Central European Time to South Africa Standard Time is 1 hour. Traveling from Amsterdam in January, things will get warmer in Johannesburg: highs are around 33°C and lows about 19°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Mon) to allow enough time to travel 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.

Get out of town with these interesting Hoedspruit side-trips: Idube Game Reserve (in Sabi Sand Game Reserve), Phalaborwa (Amarula Lapa & Qualito Craft Distillery) and Kruger National Park (Game drives at Phalaborwa Gate in Kruger National Park, Masorini Archaeological Site, & more). There's more to do: indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas.

To find where to stay, ratings, reviews, and more tourist information, read our Hoedspruit online travel route planner .

You can fly from Johannesburg to Hoedspruit in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In January, daytime highs in Hoedspruit are 34°C, while nighttime lows are 20°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Thu) early enough to drive to Nelspruit.

Nestled on the banks of the Crocodile River, Nelspruit provides visitors with a convenient base point boasting two airports and an enviable location on the road between Johannesburg and the Mozambican border.

Change things up with these side-trips from Nelspruit: The Elephant Sanctuary (in Hazyview) and Kruger National Park (Safaris & Napi Wilderness Trail). Spend the 24th (Fri) exploring nature at Kruger National Park. There's still lots to do: Head underground at Sudwala Caves and stop by Joubert en Seuns Padstal.

To see photos, ratings, and other tourist information, go to the Nelspruit trip itinerary maker website .

Traveling by car from Hoedspruit to Nelspruit takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of taxi and flight. In January, plan for daily highs up to 32°C, and evening lows to 20°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 26th (Sun) early enough to travel 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, beaches, parks, shopping, and adventure. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: take in nature's colorful creations at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, tour the pleasant surroundings at Signal Hill, see the interesting displays at District Six Museum, and take some stellar pictures from Cape Point.

For other places to visit, more things to do, where to stay, and tourist information, refer to the Cape Town visit planning app .

Getting from Nelspruit to Cape Town by flight takes about 4.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 32°C in January, and nighttime lows around 20°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 31st (Fri) to allow enough time to travel back home.