21 days in South Africa Itinerary

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

Get in touch with nature at Boulders Beach and Clifton Beaches. Let the collections at The Franschhoek Motor Museum and District Six Museum capture your imagination. Venture out of the city with trips to Cape Point (in Simon's Town), Stellenbosch (Verbatim Bookstore & Bebe's Chocolaterie and Gluten Free Patisserie) and Cape of Good Hope (in Table Mountain National Park). There's lots more to do: hunt for treasures at Old Biscuit Mill, take in the dramatic natural features at Twelve Apostles, do a tasting at Constantia Uitsig Wine Estate, and contemplate the long history of Robben Island.

To see traveler tips, where to stay, photos, and more tourist information, use the Cape Town tour planner.

Johannesburg to Cape Town is an approximately 4.5-hour combination of train and flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. In April, daytime highs in Cape Town are 27°C, while nighttime lows are 14°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 14th (Fri) early enough to go by car to Hermanus.

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

Discover out-of-the-way places like Cape Agulhas - Southernmost Tip of Africa and Funky Vibes. You'll get in some beach time at Grotto Beach and Voelklip Beach. Take a break from Hermanus with a short trip to Cape Agulhas Lighthouse in Cape Agulhas, about 1h 40 min away. Next up on the itinerary: stop by OneLove The Fashion Shack, stroll through Kwaaiwater, hunt for treasures at Hermanus Country Market, and look for all kinds of wild species at Fernkloof Nature Reserve.

To find maps, other places to visit, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read Hermanus itinerary planner.

Drive from Cape Town to Hermanus in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi. In April, daytime highs in Hermanus are 27°C, while nighttime lows are 14°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Wed) to allow enough time to travel to Swellendam.

Regarded as South Africa's third-oldest town, Swellendam contains over 50 provincial heritage sites and well-preserved examples of Cape Dutch architecture.

On the 19th (Wed), stop by Chocolat Etc., take in the exciting artwork at Kunstehuijs Fine Art Gallery, take an in-depth tour of Drostdy Museum, then stop by Bee Things, then look for gifts at Wilderbraam Berry Estate, and finally take in the architecture and atmosphere at Old Apostolic Church. On your second day here, take in the exciting artwork at Montagu Museum and Art Gallery, then look for gifts at Montagu Dried Fruit & Nuts, then view the masterpieces at Hardys Memories of Africa African Art and Curios, and finally take in the exciting artwork at Magpie Gallery.

To see more things to do, where to stay, reviews, and tourist information, you can read our Swellendam trip itinerary builder.

Traveling by car from Hermanus to Swellendam takes 2 hours. April in Swellendam sees daily highs of 26°C and lows of 13°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Fri) to allow time to travel 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.

Villa Kruger and Calitzdorp Museum will appeal to museum buffs. Shop till you drop at Peter Bayly Wines and Greg Kerr Art Gallery. There's still lots to do: experience rural life at Safari Ostrich Show Farm, admire all the interesting features of Swartberg Pass, look for gifts at Lugro Ostrich Leather Products, and identify plant and animal life at De Zeekoe Farm.

To see maps, traveler tips, where to stay, and other tourist information, use the Oudtshoorn tour planner.

Drive from Swellendam to Oudtshoorn in 2.5 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 25th (Tue) to allow enough time to drive 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.

Get a sense of the local culture at Jandreart Studio and Holy Trinity Church. Give yourself a bit of retail therapy at Mosaic Outdoor Market and Metelerkamps. Explore Knysna's surroundings by going to Wilderness Beach (in Wilderness) and The Crags (Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary & Elephant Sanctuary). Spend the 26th (Wed) exploring nature at Garden Route (Tsitsikamma, Knysna, Wilderness) National Park. Next up on the itinerary: kick back and relax at Brenton on Sea, explore the activities along Knysna Lagoon, identify plant and animal life at Featherbed Nature Reserve, and delve into the lush surroundings at Garden Route National Park.

To find photos, other places to visit, traveler tips, and other tourist information, use the Knysna itinerary planner.

You can drive from Oudtshoorn to Knysna in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In April, daytime highs in Knysna are 25°C, while nighttime lows are 17°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 30th (Sun) so you can travel back home.