30 days in South Africa & Cancun 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.

Get in touch with nature at Lion and Safari Park and Greenstone Mall. Bring the kids along to Apartheid Museum and Acrobranch Melrose. Step out of Johannesburg with an excursion to National Zoological Gardens of South Africa in Pretoria--about 56 minutes away. There's lots more to do: contemplate the long history of Mandela House, get to know the resident critters at Johannesburg Zoo, admire nature's wide array of creatures at Monte casino bird park, and stop by Jack Friedman Eastgate.

To see where to stay, more things to do, traveler tips, and other tourist information, you can read our Johannesburg trip maker.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to Johannesburg is an approximately 15.5-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from Brasilia Standard Time (BRT) to South Africa Standard Time (SAST) is 5 hours. Expect a bit cooler evenings in Johannesburg when traveling from Rio de Janeiro in December, with lows around 19°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Sat) 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.

Kids will appreciate attractions like Perry's Bridge Reptile Park and Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre. Get in touch with nature at Game drives at Phalaborwa Gate in Kruger National Park and Hans Merensky Golf Course. Change things up with these side-trips from Hoedspruit: The Elephant Sanctuary (in Hazyview) and Phalaborwa (Qualito Craft Distillery & Hans Merensky Golf Estate). There's much more to do: tour the pleasant surroundings at Moholoholo Animal Rehabilitation Centre, tee off at Drakensig Golf Club, indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas, and look for gifts at Kumbaya Home Decor.

To find more things to do, maps, traveler tips, and tourist information, read Hoedspruit online trip builder.

You can fly from Johannesburg to Hoedspruit in 2.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. In December in Hoedspruit, expect temperatures between 34°C during the day and 20°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 17th (Thu) so you can travel to Cape Town.

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

Visit Boulders Beach Penguin Colony and Clifton Beaches for some beach relaxation. Family-friendly places like Cape Point and Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden will thrill your kids. There's still lots to do: whizz through the canopy at Abseil Africa, kick back and relax at Llandudno Beach, steep yourself in history at Robben Island Museum, and trek along Platteklip Gorge.

To see maps, photos, reviews, and other tourist information, use the Cape Town tour itinerary planning site.

Getting from Hoedspruit to Cape Town by flight takes about 4.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. When traveling from Hoedspruit in December, plan for little chillier days and about the same nights in Cape Town: temperatures range from 30°C by day to 18°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Sat) so you can travel to Cancun.

Few destinations in Mexico dazzle visitors quite like Cancun, a modern resort town filled with glitzy hotels sitting on picturesque and well-developed Caribbean beaches.

Get in touch with nature at Akumal Beach and La Isla Shopping Village. We've included these beaches for you: Playa Norte and Playa Delfines. Explore Cancun's surroundings by going to Riviera Maya Golf Club (in Akumal), Playa del Carmen (Scuba & Snorkeling & Nature & Wildlife Tours) and Isla Mujeres (Isla Brewing Company & Guadalupe Chapel). And it doesn't end there: indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas, look for gifts at Tattooarte, meet the residents at Interactive Aquarium, and take in the spiritual surroundings of Catedral de la Santisima Trinidad.

To see maps, more things to do, reviews, and other tourist information, read our Cancun trip website.

You can fly from Cape Town to Cancun in 23 hours. Traveling from Cape Town to Cancun, you'll gain 7 hours due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Cape Town in December, plan for a bit warmer nights in Cancun, with lows around 24°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 4th (Mon) to allow time to travel back home.