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How to Travel South Africa on a Budget
South Africa represents a country of fantastic views, mixed nationality, and a lot of wild animals. Hence, the country is a great tourist destination for people from all over the world. Though most tourists imagine South Africa as the country of luxury safaris and posh lodging, it is among the best and easily reachable options for budget tourists. Nevertheless, a little prior planning is needed to reduce costs while still enjoying the natural landscapes, pulsating cities, and animals of the country. Here are some of the key areas you would be taken through when creating a meaningful South Africa on a shoestring guide, including some of the top tourist destinations in the country, some of the cheap things to do in South Africa, as well as some tips and tricks of cost-cutting, be it your first time or subsequent times visiting that beautiful country.
Affordable Adventures in Cape Town
Cape Town is always on every tourist list in South Africa due to its good geographical features, historical holes, and modern civilization. Still, Cape Town has plenty of things to do that won’t be costly or are completely free for visitors. One gets an excellent view of the city and the coast by biking around Table Mountain or hiring a cable car to the mountain’s top. The cable car has cost, but hiking is relatively cheaper and best for physically more active travelers. Also, the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens are not very expensive; you can spend your day here paying an insignificant amount of money.
There are free attractions for tourists who want to enjoy a beach: Clifton Beach and Camps Bay Beach of Cape Town. There are also cheaper food markets, such as the Neighbourgoods Market, that offer other foods in this city at cheaper prices. By using cheap hostels or budget guest houses, you can come across some places to stay within a limited budget while traveling to one of the most stunning places in the world.
Discover the Garden Route on a Budget
The splendid Garden Route along South Africa’s southeastern coast is a scenic place not to be missed. It includes bestows of rainforests, excellent cliffs, and great beaches. Touring the Garden Route on the cheap is very much within the realm of possibility, particularly for those selecting to self-drive or go on a bus drive. It is possible to make this scenic ride much cheaper by sharing the car rental fee with friends or other travelers.
There are cheaper options, including hostels, camps, and small backpacker lodges for tourists. Some of the most popular activities include visiting Tsitsikamma National Park and exploring the Cango Caves, which are fairly affordable. Sports facilities and exercise, for instance, hiking, free exploring, swimming, or playing at the beaches, are free of charge or very cheap throughout the Garden Route so that you can afford the Garden Route without having to spend a fortune.
Kruger National Park: A Budget-Friendly Safari
Some tourists have to see a safari tour in South Africa after going through lots of hassle. Home to abundant wildlife, Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in Africa that contains some of the finest wildlife viewing opportunities on the planet. Although there are expensive lodges within the park, an affordable SAMC safari gives a perfect go for the cheap method to get a feel of the park. Self-drive safaris are common, where you visit the park in your car, or you hire one from a car rental company.
Another way to reduce costs is to sleep in one of many budget accommodation places within the park or in a rest camp. Most of the rest of the camps are cheap but have good standard facilities for the accommodation of tourists, and most offer reasonably guided tours. For those who do not want to rent a car, there are economy group tours that involve transportation, makings Kruger National Park affordable for everybody.
Affordable City Life in Johannesburg
Some cultural and historical sites and activities to visit at friendly prices are in Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city. Tourists who are interested in history will never miss visiting the Apartheid Museum since they have lower charges compared to some other museums. You can also visit Constitution Hill, a prison effective in South Africa’s history, at less cost. Most of the art galleries and museums in Johannesburg open their doors to the public free of charge on specific days, which makes it possible to ‘art’ and ‘explore Johannesburg on the cheap.’
The cost of moving around Johannesburg is relatively low, and to save on the fare, citizens widely use buses and shared minibus taxis. It also has a highly developed product base of restaurants and street food-related markets that offer local cuisine. Johannesburg accommodation can be described as affordable, so guests will find several hostels and cheap Johannesburg hotels.
Exploring the Drakensberg Mountains on a Budget
The hiking and scenically stunning Drakensberg Mountains in the country’s eastern region are also part of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The best thing is that going through the tourist attractions in Drakensberg is an unbelievably cheap experience for thousands of tourists who enjoy outdoor activities. Trekking is quite free as most hiking trails do not charge an entrance fee, allowing you to explore the beautiful rugged peaks and valleys.
For affordable places to stay, the Drakensberg has campsites, backpacker’s accommodation, and guest house lodging at very reasonable rates. These areas are situated near the best tracks for mountain climbing, meaning that the tourist will spend a little of his/her money on transport. If you are keen on more structured experiences from your trip, there are cheap guided hiking and tours for those who want to be educated on the plants and animals of the area.
Budget Wildlife Viewing in Addo Elephant Park
However, if Kruger National Park is far from all your travel plans, Addo Elephant Park will be a perfect substitute for a budget-loving wildlife lover. Less than a two-hour drive from Port Elizabeth, Addo features a large elephant population and is a cheaper alternative to some of the other larger parks. Admission charges are relatively low, and any person with his or her automobile can drive around the park.
Like Kruger, there are several low-cost options in Addo, including campgrounds and cheap lodges. It is also not as popular and, hence, less busy as some of the other national parks, yet it hosts wildlife in a more natural environment than many other parks and at a lesser cost. Major wildlife attractions found in this park include the big five, which are elephants, lions, rhinos, buffalos, and leopards, allowing for a compact, low-cost wildlife encounter.
Beachside Bliss in Durban
Durban is a coastal city situated on the east coast of South Africa. It is popular for its warm, sunny beaches and relaxed environment. Durban, however, has free beach access, and because it has a good climate all year round, it is perfect for backpackers or anyone who wants to spend most of their time on the beach. Exploring the beach, having a tan, or enjoying an evening brisk on the famous Golden Mile will cost a traveler nothing, and cheap options such as hostels and guesthouses are within easy reach.
Durban is equally well known for its roadside food, especially Indian-style food. A bunny chow, for instance, is a small loaf of bread dug out and filled with curry, which comes for a couple of dollars, so one can afford to eat healthily. Besides its affordability, Durban becomes a perfect place to tour since it has coastal features.
Conclusion
South Africa hosts a wealth of different facets that make it possible for anyone with a certain amount of money to experience something unique. For the energetic Cape Town and Johannesburg, the quiet nature of the Drakensberg Mountains, the opportunities to observe wildlife in Kruger National Park, and traveling around South Africa on a really low budget are possible. Whether trekking, sightseeing, or sunbathing at the shore, this country opens up a world of cheap thrills and discovery.
FAQs
How much money do I need daily to travel to South Africa on a budget?
On a shoestring, you would pay between $30 and $50 daily for meals, hotels, and transportation.
What is the best way to travel around South Africa on a budget?
Some means of public transport, for example, buses and shared taxis, are cheap to hire. For longer distances, one can look at cheap and cheerful airlines or take a cheap car rental service for group travel.
Are safaris expensive in South Africa?
Safaris can be very costly, but Kruger Park and Addo self-drives are much cheaper. Camping and staying in budgetary lodges also help cut expenses.
Is it safe to travel to South Africa on a budget?
Yes, South Africa can be safe for tourists at a low price, but one must be careful. Do not travel alone at night, and research what parts of the country are safe for tourists.
Are there free activities in South Africa?
Yes, there are many free things to do in South Africa, such as hiking in nature parks, going to the beaches, and going around cultural attractions in towns and cities such as Cape Town & Johannesburg.