29 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.

Deepen your sense of the past at sights like Constitution Hill and Mandela House. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Apartheid Museum and Art Eye Gallery. And it doesn't end there: brush up on your military savvy at South African National Museum of Military History, take an exotic tour of a safari tour, look for gifts at Finders Keepers Market, and take in the exciting artwork at I was shot in Joburg.

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

The Route module can give you travel options from your home to Johannesburg. In July, daytime highs in Johannesburg are 22°C, while nighttime lows are 5°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Sat) early enough 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.

Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Kingfisher Gallery and iNyoka Art Gallery. Do your shopping at 24 Degrees South and Ukuthula Arts & Craft Shop. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Hoedspruit: Amarula Lapa (in Phalaborwa), Idube Game Reserve (in Sabi Sand Game Reserve) and Kruger National Park (Game drives at Phalaborwa Gate in Kruger National Park & Masorini Archaeological Site). There's more to do: relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas.

Plan a trip to Hoedspruit easily and quickly by telling Inspirock to suggest an itinerary.

You can fly from Johannesburg to Hoedspruit in 3 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Johannesburg in August, plan for somewhat warmer nights in Hoedspruit, with lows around 12°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 7th (Wed) 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.

Head to Katundo Leather Shop and The White River Galleryfor some retail therapy. Take a break from the city and head to Safaris and Sudwala Caves. Get out of town with these interesting Nelspruit side-trips: Napi Wilderness Trail (in Kruger National Park) and Antiques & Artifacts (in White River). The adventure continues: buy something for everyone on your list at i'langa Mall and pick up some local products at Bagdad Farmers Market.

For traveler tips and other tourist information, you can read our Nelspruit journey planning site .

You can drive from Hoedspruit to Nelspruit in 2.5 hours. Other options are to take a bus; or do a combination of taxi and flight. Expect a daytime high around 27°C in August, and nighttime lows around 12°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 10th (Sat) to allow time to travel 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.

On the 11th (Sun), browse the different shops at Watercrest Mall, then stop by The Puzzle Place, and then meet some fierce fish with a shark diving experience. Keep things going the next day: explore the galleries of Elizabeth Gordon Gallery, buy something for everyone on your list at La Lucia Mall, then browse the exhibits of Makiwa Gallery, and finally browse the different shops at Gateway Theatre of Shopping.

For photos, where to stay, and more tourist information, go to the Durban road trip site .

Traveling by flight from Nelspruit to Durban takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a shuttle. Traveling from Nelspruit in August, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be a bit warmer in Durban, with lows of 17°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 12th (Mon) early enough to travel 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.

On the 13th (Tue), tour the pleasant surroundings at Shamwari Game Reserve and then browse the exhibits of Ron Belling Art Gallery.

For reviews and other tourist information, read Port Elizabeth driving holiday app .

Getting from Durban to Port Elizabeth by flight takes about 2 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. In August, Port Elizabeth is slightly colder than Durban - with highs of 23°C and lows of 11°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to Tsitsikamma National Park.

On a tour of Tsitsikamma National Park, walk through an 800-year-old forest of endemic yellowwood trees, explore diverse coastlines, and hit the array of hiking trails.

Start off your visit on the 14th (Wed): don't miss a visit to Tsitsikamma Forest’s Big Tree, then take in the exciting artwork at Bitou Art Gallery, and then tour the pleasant surroundings at The Dolphin Trail.

For traveler tips, maps, where to stay, and more tourist information, read our Tsitsikamma National Park holiday planning app .

Drive from Port Elizabeth to Tsitsikamma National Park in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In August in Tsitsikamma National Park, expect temperatures between 21°C during the day and 13°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 14th (Wed) so you can go by car to Knysna.

Enshrouded in lush indigenous forest and surrounding a scenic lagoon of the same name, the Garden Route town of Knysna has plenty to offer.

Kick off your visit on the 15th (Thu): take in the exciting artwork at Jandreart Studio, browse the exhibits of Peggy's African Art and Tours, and then look for gifts at Palms Garden Square. Here are some ideas for day two: stroll through Birds of Eden, savor the flavors at Elephant Walk Farm Stall, then hunt for treasures at Mosaic Outdoor Market, and finally view the masterpieces at Scarab Village.

For reviews, more things to do, other places to visit, and more tourist information, refer to the Knysna trip site .

You can drive from Tsitsikamma National Park to Knysna in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In August in Knysna, expect temperatures between 21°C during the day and 13°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Fri) early enough to drive to Mossel Bay.

A popular stopover on South Africa's famous Garden Route, Mossel Bay charms tourists with its picturesque sandy shore that stretches along the Indian Ocean, and its pleasant, mild climate.

Start off your visit on the 17th (Sat): admire nature's wide array of creatures at The Shark Lab, learn about winemaking at Boplaas Garden Route Tasting Room, look for gifts at La Chocolaterie Rococo, then take an in-depth tour of Janine Iron and Washing Museum, and finally have unforgettable encounters with a shark diving experience.

To see where to stay, traveler tips, and tourist information, go to the Mossel Bay travel route planning site .

Drive from Knysna to Mossel Bay in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In August, daily temperatures in Mossel Bay can reach 21°C, while at night they dip to 12°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 17th (Sat) early enough to travel to Hermanus.

Renowned as a premier whale-watching destination, Hermanus grew from a quaint fishing village nestled on Walker Bay.

Let the collections at African Hands Art Gallery and Kunstehuijs Fine Art Gallery capture your imagination. For shopping fun, head to IBIS Gallery or Hick's Art Gallery. Change things up with these side-trips from Hermanus: Edna Fourie Gallery (in McGregor), Drostdy Museum (in Swellendam) and Franschhoek (Masquerade Antiques And Things, Franschhoek Art House, & more). There's lots more to do: look for all kinds of wild species at Wildlife Areas, learn about winemaking at Marbrin Olive Growers, and browse the exhibits of Lembu Gallery & Studio.

To see photos, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read our Hermanus trip itinerary builder tool .

Traveling by combination of flight and taxi from Mossel Bay to Hermanus takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In August, plan for daily highs up to 21°C, and evening lows to 9°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Wed) so you can drive to Cape Town.

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

We've included these beaches for you: Boulders Beach Penguin Colony and Clifton Beaches. You'll explore and learn at District Six Museum and Eyewitness - A Private Collection. There's still lots to do: get great views at Cape Point, step into the grandiose world of Castle of Good Hope, contemplate the long history of Robben Island Museum, and take in nature's colorful creations at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.

To see reviews, photos, maps, and more tourist information, use the Cape Town trip builder tool .

Traveling by car from Hermanus to Cape Town takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and bus; or do a combination of taxi and train. Expect a daytime high around 21°C in August, and nighttime lows around 9°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 28th (Wed) to allow time to travel back home.