A Backpacker’s Guide to Exploring South Africa

I didn’t know where to start when I first arrived in South Africa. Coming to this country, you will realise that it is unique; this place is very different from the rest of the world. You will find yourself in a different world every day, and that is why it is so wonderful. South Africa is a whole bag of experiences for people; it is a perfect balance of adventure, affordability, and your soul. It is a perfect place for travellers and backpackers.

The information and knowledge the guide will provide you with, you will not get in any of the other magazines. This guide will provide you with all the stories, advice, and other necessary information. This guide will help you travel in South Africa, and that too within your budget.

Why Backpackers Love South Africa

Backpacking in South Africa is like discovering a travel secret. Here are the reasons:

• The street food, buses, and the homestays here are less expensive, so you will get a lot of money to save. Even though safaris here are usually very expensive, you can go on one on a shoestring.
• Adventure is everywhere. You can go bungee jumping over a gorge or hiking in the Drakensberg one day, and surfing at Muizenberg the next.
• You always have someone by your side. Whether you’re having a braai (barbecue) with friends or a stranger guiding you to the right bus, South Africa makes you feel welcome.
• The landscapes differ greatly from one another. Imagine taking a tour that passes through deserts, savannas teeming with wildlife, luscious mountains, and wild coasts.

This place is always liked and adored by the travellers, as it always has something unique for them, and that is why they always want to come back here.

When to Leave

For visiting a place, the most important thing here is timing. But you should not plan your trip during some of the bad weather.

• Summer (December to February): During this time, the place is too busy and hot. This time is ideal for people who love beaches, but sometimes this place can become too hot.
• The best time to come to this place is during the months of March to May, during this time the temperature is warmer, quieter, and even the things are less expensive.
• The best time to go on Safari is during the winter months, especially from June to August. You can easily spot animals, especially near the waterholes, as the temperature goes down during the night.
• If you are coming during spring, which is from September to November, you will find wildflowers blooming all around the Western Cape. Witnessing these might give a feeling that nature is throwing a party toward you.

The best seasons to do it are fall and spring if you want to have fun and save money.

How to Get Around Without Going Over Budget

Being able to move around freely is essential to backpacking, and South Africa offers many options:

• For those who travel alone, the Baz Bus is an essential tool. You can board and disembark from the bus at any time, which links hostels throughout the nation. You will come to know the other travellers here.
• Locals use it because it’s inexpensive, but don’t expect to be comfortable or have a set schedule.
• Long-distance buses: Greyhound and Intercape are reliable, affordable, and safe options for getting from one city to another.
• Renting a car: Splitting the cost of a rental car with a friend or two may be the most economical way to discover undiscovered attractions.
• Over here, you won’t find many trains, but if you are capable of waiting, then you can board Shosholoza Meyl, and that too at a reasonable price.

Where Backpackers Go and Why You Should Follow Their Lead

Cape Town: The Meeting Point of the Sea and the Mountains

You want to stay in Cape Town forever. It’s simple to understand why so many hikers become “stuck” here. Great reasons include the miles of beaches, the colourful homes of Bo-Kaap, and the majestic backdrop of Table Mountain.

Things you must not ignore:

• Lion’s Head has fewer crowds when you are hiking in the dawn in comparison to Table Mountain.
• You can spend a day at Cape Point along with the Cape of Good Hope.
• You can spend some money and get a surfboard while visiting Muizenberg beach.
• By visiting Long Street, you can see hostels, bars, and some of the stories of the night.

A backpacker’s paradise is the Garden Route.

The famous coastline stretches between Storms River and Mossel Bay. Every stop seems like a mini-adventure.

Why you’ll adore it:

• Peaceful paths and wilderness for kayaking.
• The incredible oysters and the lagoon at Knysna.
• Bloukrans Bridge offers the best bungee jump.
• Tsitsikamma offers views of the wild ocean, forests, and suspension bridges.

The Garden Route is a beautiful, enjoyable, and safe alternative to backpacking.

Johannesburg: Unvarnished and Unfiltered

Johannesburg will surprise you if you give it a chance, even though it’s not always love at first sight. The city is rich in innovation and history.

Backpackers adore:

• Anyone interested in learning more about South Africa should visit the Apartheid Museum.
• A visit to Mandela’s former home in Soweto.
• Street markets, cafes, and artwork abound in the Maboneng Precinct.

Advice: To network with other visitors and gain knowledge of the area, enroll in a free walking tour.

Durban: Spice and Surf

Durban has a laid-back vibe, a lovely ocean, and delicious food. After lengthy bus rides, backpackers come here to unwind.

Key points:

• Surfboard rentals in the Golden Mile are reasonably priced.
• Indian-inspired street food, like bunny chow.
• Spices and trinkets can be found at Victoria Street Market.

The Drakensberg Mountains are a paradise for hikers

Imagine waking up in a mountain hostel with mist blowing over rocky peaks and trails waiting just outside. The Drakensberg is that.

The bag packer’s choice:

• You can have a great view from the amphitheatre, which is breathtaking.
• You can even take a tour to the rock art so that you can witness the San artwork.
• Clear-sky campsites at reasonable prices.

Kruger National Park: An Affordable Safari Adventure

Do you believe that only the wealthy can afford safaris? You can have a change of heart. To travellers, Kruger has always had something special for them.

• You can rent a shared car with the tourists and travel to different places.
• You can enjoy an evening camp and that too at a reasonable price.
• If you don’t want to drive alone, then you can go on a group safari.

What if, while cooking, you spot some elephants on the road? Hiking is at its peak during that time.

Wild Coast: Where Time Slows Down

Stop if you can:

• As a backpacker you can just relax, surf, and even practice yoga. You can socialize with the locals and other travellers at Coffee Bay.
• You can take part in the treks to the beaches and waterfall which has been untouched.
• The most beautiful location in South Africa is the Hole in the Wall.

Eat While Travelling

You can find some traditional and delicious food that is very affordable. Want to know where:

• In Durban, try a rabbit chow, a vendor’s boerewors roll, or a mince-filled vetkoek for street food.
• Markets: For reasonably priced food, visit Cape Town’s Old Biscuit Mill and Johannesburg’s Neighbourgoods Market.
• Self-catering: The majority of hostels have communal kitchens. While cooking, go to Spar or Pick n Pay and meet new people.

You can build new friendships while cooking a pot of pasta in the hostel kitchen along with the strangers. It’s all a part of the journey.

Being intelligent and safe

Yes, South Africa has a negative reputation, but you’ll be fine if you know what you’re doing.

• Don’t flaunt your valuables.
• At night, take dependable taxis or Ubers.
• Find out from the hostel staff which places to avoid.
• Fit in and pack light.

Most of the time, you should feel welcome and at ease; just be mindful.

How to Divide Up Your Budget for Backpacking

A rough idea of how much you might spend every day in US dollars is as follows:

• Hostels: $10–$20.
• If you cook for yourself, the cost of food can range from $8 to $15.
• $10 to $20 for transportation (buses, ridesharing, or the Baz Bus).
• Activities: $50 safaris, adventure sports, or free hiking.

On average, backpackers can spend $35 to $50 per day traveling comfortably throughout South Africa.

A Three-Week Backpacker’s Plan

• Week 1: Cape Town to Hermanus (whale watching) to Stellenbosch (wine country).
• Week 2: Traveling to Knysna via the Garden Route, followed by Tsitsikamma and Port Elizabeth.
• Week 3: Traveling to Johannesburg from the Drakensberg, Durban, and Kruger National Park.

Cities, culture, beaches, mountains, and safaris are all included in this trip. On a budget, it offers the best of South Africa.

Backpacking in South Africa will expose you to a wide variety of landscapes, people, and stories. One day, as the sun sets over Table Mountain, you’re sipping inexpensive wine. The next day, you’re riding a bus with locals who teach you Zulu words and give you snacks.

It’s not always simple; you’ll experience lengthy travel days, rapidly shifting weather, and the odd issue. But it’s real because of that. In South Africa, backpackers can have experiences that seem like pure magic, such as spotting a leopard in the wild, climbing through misty mountains, or making friends with strangers over a hostel fire.

If you go backpacking in South Africa, I promise you, you won’t soon forget your trip. Before you depart, you might even find yourself planning a return trip.