South Africa is great for seeing wildlife because it is home to a diverse range of ecosystems and habitats that support a wide variety of animal species. From the iconic "Big Five" (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo) to an array of other …
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South Africa
South Africa
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Backpacking South Africa in 2025
A complete guide for backpacking in South Africa with best places to go, best time to visit, what to bring and safety advice.
Visit South Africa
Welcome to South Africa, a backpacker's haven where diverse landscapes, wildlife, and rich cultures converge. Pros? Immerse in vibrant cities, embark on safaris, and enjoy a well-established backpacker infrastructure. The favorable exchange rate enhances affordability. However, safety concerns in certain areas warrant vigilance. For those seeking a dynamic blend of adventure, culture, and wildlife, South Africa stands out as a well-rounded destination, offering a kaleidoscope of experiences that few countries can match, making it a captivating choice for backpackers with varied interests.
Why to go?Why backpacking in South Africa
Wildlife
Beach life
South Africa is great for beach life and snorkeling because of its stunning coastline that stretches for over 1,600 miles along the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. The country boasts a diverse range of beaches, from bustling city beaches to remote, …
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Scenery
South Africa offers a diverse range of stunning sceneries to explore. From the iconic Table Mountain in Cape Town to the picturesque Garden Route along the southern coast, there are plenty of natural wonders to discover. The Drakensberg Mountains …
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Backpackers
The backpacker scene in South Africa is vibrant and diverse, offering a unique travel experience for budget-conscious adventurers. With its stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and abundance of outdoor activities, South Africa attracts …
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Mountains
The Drakensberg Mountains in South Africa are a great destination for exploration. The range is known for its stunning landscapes, including dramatic cliffs, lush valleys, and cascading waterfalls. Hiking and rock climbing opportunities abound, with …
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Food
The food in South Africa is so good because of its rich and diverse culinary heritage. South African cuisine is influenced by a variety of cultures, including indigenous African, Dutch, British, Indian, and Malay. This blend of flavors and cooking …
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Cheap
The average costs for backpacking in South Africa can vary depending on various factors such as accommodation, transportation, food, and activities. On average, budget travelers can expect to spend around $30 to $50 per day.
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💡 HighlightsTop-5 things to do in South Africa
- Table Mountain: Explore the iconic Table Mountain in Cape Town, known for its stunning panoramic views of the city and the ocean. Take a cable car ride or hike to the top for an unforgettable experience.
- Kruger National Park: Embark on a safari adventure in one of Africa’s largest game reserves. Spot the Big Five (lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, and rhino) and other incredible wildlife in their natural habitat.
- Robben Island: Visit the historic Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years. Take a guided tour to learn about South Africa’s struggle against apartheid and the triumph of democracy.
- Winelands: Explore the picturesque Cape Winelands, home to some of the world’s best vineyards. Take a wine tasting tour, indulge in gourmet cuisine, and enjoy the breathtaking landscapes of rolling vineyards and mountains.
- Blyde River Canyon: Discover the beauty of Blyde River Canyon, one of the largest canyons in the world. Marvel at the dramatic rock formations, stunning waterfalls, and panoramic viewpoints along the scenic Panorama Route.
But South Africa offers more...
🌤️ When to go?Best time to go backpacking South Africa
The best time to visit South Africa for backpacking is during the spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) seasons. These months offer pleasant weather with mild temperatures and less rainfall, making it ideal for outdoor activities and exploring the country's diverse landscapes. Additionally, visiting during these shoulder seasons allows you to avoid the peak tourist crowds and enjoy more affordable prices for accommodations and attractions.
Risk level: medium (50%)Safety advice for South Africa
- Protests and large gatherings can occur anywhere in South Africa at any time. Avoid protests, demonstrations or large demonstrations. Use major roads where it's safe to do so and verify that alternate routes recommended by your GPS are safe prior to travel. Monitor local media and follow the advice of local authorities.
- Crime and violence are serious issues across South Africa, including murder, rape, assault, food and drink spiking, robbery and carjacking. South Africa experiences more crime during its rolling blackouts (load-shedding). Be particularly alert in major city centres and township areas and when travelling after dark. Crimes in South Africa often involve the use of weapons.
- There’s a threat of kidnapping across South Africa, pay attention to your personal security.
- Terrorism is a threat worldwide and can occur anywhere at any time. Be alert to possible threats, especially in public places and follow the advice of local authorities.
- Opportunistic criminals also target travellers at the approaches to Kruger National Park, including Numbi Gate, and at the Lebombo/Komatipoort border. Criminals have also been targeting tourist vehicles at the approaches to Pilanesberg National Park and Sun City Resort.
- Criminals target travellers and their bags at airports and on public transport. Vehicles parked or stopped at intersections are also targeted. Criminals have posed as fake tourist police to extort and rob tourists.
- ATM and credit card fraud are common. Criminals wait near ATMs to rob people who have withdrawn cash. Be aware of your surroundings, and only withdraw small amounts. Keep your credit card with you at all times.
- Respect local wildlife laws. Only use professional guides or tour operators. Follow park regulations and advice from wardens. Don't swim in lakes and rivers due to the risk of wildlife attacks and disease.
source: smartraveller.gov.au
South AfricaMy tips to get you on the way!Does South Africa sound like your next backpacking destination? Use these steps to get you on the way.
Get inspiration 📚
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
Prepare your trip ✅
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for South Africa. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. South Africa may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for South Africa. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. South Africa may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Book your flight ✈️
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into South Africa, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into South Africa, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
Book your first night(s) 🛌
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
My personal packing list 🎒
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Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.
Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Moneybelt
[Amazon]
“Best way to carry your important documents”
Quick dry pant
[Amazon]
“Nothing beats these quick dry and light pants when traveling”
Light rain jacket
[Amazon]
“Hiking in rainy season? These keep you dry”
Thermo underwear
[Amazon]
“Less weight and volume than bulky sweaters or jackets”
Quick dry towel
[Amazon]
“Normal towels get smelly and heavy when traveling”
Power bank
[Amazon]
“Pick a small and light one, with 10.000mAh or more”
Travel adapter
[Amazon]
“Needed as each country has its own electricity plugs”
Number lock
[Amazon]
“No chance of losing your key; handy for lockers in dormitories”
Packing cubes
[Amazon]
“Keep your wet or dirty clothes separate from the rest”
Travel pillow
[Amazon]
“Light and great for flights and long bus journeys”
last page update: 29 September 2024