Budget safari holiday in South Africa

Budget safari holiday in South Africa Camping is a budget-friendly activity in South Africa | Credit: Getaway Magazine

South Africa is well-suited to budget travellers. There are backpacker hostels and affordable B&Bs as well as self-catering options in all major centres. There are also very affordable and well-equipped campsites, usually with hot water in the ablution blocks and electricity. For transport, the perennially popular hop-on, hop-off Baz Bus connects Johannesburg to Cape Town via the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg, Durban, East London, Port Elizabeth and the Garden Route. Good and very affordable coach services run along these and most other trunk routes.

Most backpacker hostels offer or can arrange a variety of excursions - from half-day wine-tasting trips out of Cape Town to multi-night Kruger safaris out of Johannesburg - at prices that cater to their intended clientele. Although restaurants in South Africa are very affordable by international standards, the cost of eating out three times a day will add up, and you can save a lot of money by self-catering and buying ingredients and drinks directly from supermarkets and liquor stores.

Family safari in South Africa

A family safari is a lot of fun and kids get to learn about new cultures and the wildlife in South Africa South Africa is one of the world’s best safari destinations for families. It’s mostly malaria-free and offers excellent infrastructure and relatively good road networks. There are also a number of parks that offer self-drive safaris, making it ideal for families wanting to…

Medical emergencies in South Africa

If no other assistance is at hand, call a medical emergency service. The government-run emergency number for ambulances in South Africa is 10177. Private 24-hour national emergency and ambulance services include ER24 (084 124), which is linked to a private network of 50-plus MediClinic hospitals, and Netcare 911 (082 911). The police flying squad can be reached at 10111. ...

Birding safari holidays in South Africa

The narina trogon in iSimangaliso Wetland Park South Africa is a superb bird watching destination. The national checklist comprises around 840 species, and includes the world’s largest bird (ostrich) and what is reputedly its bulkiest flying species (kori bustard) along with a dazzling variety of birds of prey, ranging from the largely terrestrial secretary-bird to the charismatic…

Health care in South Africa

Although South Africa has a public healthcare system, it is underfunded and understaffed, and facilities tend to be overcrowded, with some 20% of the country’s doctors employed to serve around 80% of the population. By contrast, private medical facilities compare favourably with anywhere in the world, and also tend to be affordable. ...

South Africa in June

The Drakensberg experiences snow during June Johannesburg and the highveld is cool but sunny by day, very cold at night, and dry. Cape Town and the Western Cape is warm by day, cool at night, and receives regular rainfall. The Kruger Park and surrounds is hot by day, cool at night, and dry. June is an ideal time for beach holidays on the Indian Ocean coastline of the KwaZulu-Natal…

Why go to South Africa?

No other country in Africa, and few anywhere else in the world, offer a diversity of attractions to rival South Africa. South Africa is one of the continent’s finest Big Five destinations. The likes of the Kruger National Park and Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve have all the amenities and attractions one would come to expect from world-class wildlife destinations. While adjoining…

Honeymoon safari South Africa

You can expect an intimate and luxurious retreat on a romantic vacation in the bush | Credit: Singita Ebony Lodge Lodge, Kruger National Park South Africa is a wonderful destination for honeymoons and romantic holidays, especially for those who want to mix up the romance with outdoor pursuits such as game viewing and walking. If it’s bush luxury you are after, look no further than a…

An active holiday in South Africa

Trail biking in South Africa With its fine year-round climate and varied landscapes, South Africa is custom-made for active travellers. Indeed, there are a few parts of the country where a good selection of fun activities can be integrated into a regular holiday. Surfing in Ballito Bay A lovely area for active travellers is the Garden Route, where low-key physical activities range…