A place that captured the hearts of the world for the 2010 FIFA World Cup as they welcomed the world to their country with an array of colour, music and smiles. South Africa is alive with passion, the awe inspiring Big 5, breathtaking miles of coast line and a rich national history of influential men and women.
Of all the countries I have travelled, South Africa is definitely one of the best backpacking destinations. with so many spectacular places to visit. Check out my tips and start planning an epic trip to South Africa today.
Getting to South Africa
Visitors from the UK need only produce their watches to adjust to the timezone, leaving the weight of jetlag to the east-to-west crowds. Flights from London can be booked direct (approximately an 11/12 hour flight), or with a change somewhere like Dubai. Search the cheapest flights on Skyscanner.
Accommodation
The country has so many amazing hostels and lodges. Find the best deals on hotels on Booking.com.
South Africa Tours
One of the best ways to discover the highlights of South Africa is by booking a tour. There are lots of different trips and itineraries available showing you the best places in South Africa, and the surrounding region if you have more time. This is also one of the safest ways to et around especially if you are a solo traveller. I recommend small group adventure tours with G Adventures or Contiki.
Top Things to Do in South Africa
These are some of the most unmissable attractions and popular activities.
Cape Town is one of the most spectacular cities to visit in Africa, home to Robben Island where the late great Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, a busy shipping harbour and one of the 7 natural wonders of the world; Table Mountain. You can soar to the summit by cable car (£15 return).
At the coast around the city you can see the migrating blue whales just off the shore as the sun sets into the Atlantic Ocean. The array of restaurants and bars of the famous Long Street pump beats to move your feet and the friendly nature of the people made Cape Town shoot to the top of my list of the top places I’ve been.
Wine Tasting
A short drive from Cape Town you hit the wine regions, perfect for an afternoon’s wine tasting, a sip on the Sav, purse your lips to the Pinot and consume responsibly the Chardonnay away whilst nibbling on foods to complement every bottle of beauty. (Yeah ok I like wine)
Garden Route
The magnificent Garden Route. is sandwiched between towering mountain ranges and the Indian Ocean and host to a unique collection of marine reserves, coral reefs, dolphins, seals and the great white shark (distant cousin of the average white shark).
From the Jungle Monkey at Port St. Johns, to the Coffee Shack in the beautiful and secluded Coffee Bay. The best way to see South Africa is definitely along the Garden Route, which runs up the coast via the N2 Highway.
On the way you’ll pass capes, villages, and flourishing scenery, including the continent’s most spectacular beaches. To make the journey, there is no better place to start than Cape Town and travel through the Drakensberg Mountains stopping at places like the Addo Elephant National Park.
Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa and usually an essential stop off for anyone visiting the country.
Shamwari
The Shamwari Conservation project is located just on the outskirts of the Shamwari (meaning ‘my Friend’) Game Reserve it was voted the World’s Leading Conservation company in 2012, yes I said world!!
In a completely malaria free zone, only an hours drive from Port Elizabeth airport and host to the Born Free Foundation Cat Sanctuary, it’s no wonder Shamwari is one of the top choices. They offer a diverse experience that exposes participants to real conservation issues and tasks, with the chance to make a sustainable difference through their participation.
Not just with animals but their contribution to the local communities (namely the township of Patterson) with maintenance of vegetable patches, recycling projects, maintenance and development of local schools. A simple addition of a jungle gym is a simple and inexpensive toy in our eyes but to see the smiles of each and every child was utterly priceless.
Kruger National Park
South Africa has some of the best National Parks in the world, and none are more famous than the Kruger. You start to get a feel for the dirt tracks peppered with footprints of predator and prey and keeping your eyes peeled for Nelly hiding in the bushland, Rafiki nibbling the fruits from the trees or the heart pounding sight of a pride of big Cats.
Wipe the sleep out your eyes early morning as that’s when the guide grabs hold of their Binoculars, points into the distance where three Lions (mother and two cubs) are chasing two cheetahs for being on their block. Hearts are pounding, then the Lions look over at the vehicle taking all breath away in one of the most exhilarating experiences I have ever been blessed to be a part of.
Going on a safari really is a bucket list adventure everyone needs to do.
Indulge at a Luxury Game Lodge
If you’re going to spend all the money and effort to travel to South Africa, treat yourself with a two-night stay at a five-star game lodge. You know, the kind you see in magazines and only dream about.
The quality of your game drive as you spot animals in the reserve will be like night and day compared to your Kruger Drive (although it is still a fantastic experience). Pilanesburg Game Reserve is home to Ivory Tree Game Lodge, one of my personal favorites. Legend Lodges is another hotelier with their own private reserve called Entabeni.
Drive Along the Cape of Good Hope
The drive along the Cape of Good Hope is one of the most scenic drives in the world. Beginning at Muizenberg (catch it’s colorfully painted beach shacks before you leave town) and ending in Cape Town, the drive is chock-full of scenic vistas, quaint towns and wildlife surprises. Don’t miss the penguins at Boulders Beach, Whale Spotting in False Bay and Wild Baboons along the Cape of Good Hope – and excellent stopping point and hiking spot.
Bungee Jumping
Feeling like a thrill? The Bloukrans Bridge Bungy is one of the world’s highest commercial bridges at 216 metres above the Bloukrans River. It is situated at Bloukrans Bridge on the N2 Highway at the border between the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape in the Tsitsikamma area of South Africa’s Garden Route.
Victoria Falls
While Victoria Falls is not located in South Africa, it should be added to your itinerary before you depart the region. Picture a waterfall over a mile wide with a mist plume that rises hundreds of feet into the air.
Thousands of gallons of water fall over the edge every second and never stop. Natural wonders like these are where phrases like breath-taking and awe-inspiring come from. An easy (but slightly pricey), 2-3 day trip. Fly into Zambia and cross into Zimbabwe for a view on both sides.
South Africa Travel Tips
Do I need a visa?
British passport holders do not require a visa before travel to South Africa for short stays. If you hold a different passport and require a visa, you might need a supporting letter of introduction to assist your application.
How safe will I be in South Africa?
South Africa crime stats are quite scary if you look at them, but if you stick to the main tourist locations or book a structured experience you should be fine. One of the safest ways to visit South Africa is on a tour where you will travel with others and get experienced guides. Extra. caution is advised in the larger cities like Johannesburg.
How can I look after my health?
Unlike much of Africa, South Africa does not require malaria tablets and many of the jabs usually needed. The most common health annoyances are between November and March when the sun can be at its strongest, so take sensible precautions by covering up as you will like be outside a lot.
Language
Nestled between the magnificent Table Mountain and two lively oceans, Cape Town’s 3.5 million people make every effort to welcome visitors from around the world. While over 40% of Capetonian’s chat away in Afrikaans at home, you will rarely encounter any problems conversing in English.
Budget
At the time of print the South African Rand returns a fantastic 12.8 to the British pound (which is, by pure coincidence, the typical cost of a beer in the city). South Africa offers great value for money!
Tipping
If you’re munching on boerewors (South African sausage) or bunny chow (bread stuff with spicy curried meat or veggies) in Cape Town, add a tip of 10-15 per cent to your restaurant bill. Can’t walk back to your hotel and need to catch a cab? Add an extra 10 per cent to your fare.
Driving
South Africa is similar to the UK as they drive on the left.
Drink an Amarula Sundowner
Amarula is a simply divine, cream liquor made from the Marula Fruit – a favorite of elephants. Sure you can buy it Stateside, but when paired with Vanilla Ice Cream (a Dom Pedro), as a shot with crème de menthe (Springbok) or on the rocks, it’s a perfect indulgence as the sun sets on your game drive. Have two or three.
Plan Your Trip to the Rainbow Nation
South Africa really is somewhere you have to visit, so whether you are looking for your next destination, or planning a round the world trip and looking for where to stop, visit! Nothing compares to going on a safari here, whilst Cape Town really is one of the most stunning cities I’ve ever been. Now go see South Africa for yourself.