South Africa travel guide

Overview

Cape Town combines mountain views, peninsula wildlife and the history of Robben Island. Johannesburg adds Constitution Hill, the Apartheid Museum and guided visits in Soweto. Our first-week route links these two bases by air, with a half-day airport transfer allowance; add separate nights for a safari or a longer coastal road trip.

March to April and September to October suit this two-city introduction. Cape Town has dry summers and wetter winters, while much of the interior receives summer rain. Keep mountain and ferry days flexible, pack a warm layer for evenings, and choose your wider route before choosing a season.

When to go

BestGo with a plan

janHotfebHotmarBestaprBestmayMildjunColdjulColdaugColdsepBestoctBestnovHotdecHot

Cape Town's December to February summer brings dry outdoor days, but wind can interrupt the cableway and island ferry; keep a spare weather window.

Every month in detail: weather and recent fares

Itineraries

Brick facade and red-framed windows of Mandela House in Soweto, Johannesburg — Mandela House stands on Vilakazi Street in Soweto. · Adapted from A. Bailey, with edits by Junkyardsparkle · Adaptation licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

Johannesburg in 2 daysConstitution Hill, Braamfontein, Wits Art Museum, Keyes Art Mile, Rosebank, Hector Pieterson Museum, Vilakazi Street, Apartheid MuseumBalanced pace

Table Mountain, Devil's Peak and Lion's Head across Table Bay from Bloubergstrand — Table Mountain rises above Cape Town across Table Bay. · Adapted from South African Tourism, Table Mountain from Blouberg · CC BY 2.0

Cape Town in 3 daysTable Mountain, Bo-Kaap, District Six, Boulders, Cape Point, Robben Island, Zeitz MOCAA, V&A WaterfrontBalanced pace

South Africa in 7 daysCape Town, Table Mountain, Boulders, Cape Point, Robben Island, Johannesburg, Constitution Hill, SowetoBalanced pace

Where to stay

Cape TownChoose the Waterfront for the ferry and dining, Sea Point for the promenade, or the City Bowl for museums and Bo-Kaap.Best areas to stay in Cape Town Hotels in Cape Town

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JohannesburgRosebank suits this museum route, Braamfontein puts you near Wits, and the airport area works for a late arrival or early departure.Best areas to stay in Johannesburg Hotels in Johannesburg

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Getting around

Between cities: Fly between Cape Town and Johannesburg, reserving roughly half a day for check-in, the flight, baggage and onward transport.
Cape Town: Combine short daytime walks with MyCiTi buses or verified ride-hailing, and arrange a driver for the full Cape Peninsula day.
Johannesburg: Use prearranged transport between museum districts and a reliable local guide for Soweto rather than treating the city as one walking route.
Airport transfers: Arrange a hotel or licensed operator pickup and agree a main-road route before leaving either airport.

Before you go

Travel insuranceHealth insurance from home often doesn't cover care abroad. Check what your plan includes, then compare travel cover for your dates.

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Phone dataMobile data helps confirm pickups, check attraction closures and keep offline maps available between the two cities.How a travel eSIM works

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