10 ways to experience South Africa on a budget

12.09.2023 - 15:35 / lonelyplanet.com / Africa

South Africa – with its dramatic coastline, wildlife-filled parks, vibrant cultures and cosmopolitan cities – can be within reach for travelers of all budgets.

The country has long had a reputation for being affordable. Accommodations and food are particularly good value, especially in the upper ranges of the market, with prices at luxury hotels and restaurants considerably less than those at their European and North American counterparts.

At the budget end of the spectrum, expect good quality and standards at very reasonable prices. At all levels, your most significant outlays are likely to be for organized safaris and guided tours. But even here, with a bit of planning, it’s possible to find ways to keep costs manageable while still experiencing everything you hope to.

Plan your spending with this guide to daily costs along with top tips to help you save.

Average daily cost for three meals a day plus accommodations and activities: from ZAR800 at the budget level up to ZAR3500 or more for top-end travel.

Johannesburg is an ideal port of entry if you’re planning to include Kruger National Park or the Drakensberg area (both an easy half-day’s drive away) in your travels, or if you'll be combining your South Africa itinerary with visits to Lesotho, eSwatini (formerly Swaziland), Botswana or other neighboring countries. For international flights, Cape Town is catching up with Johannesburg, and fares are now roughly comparable between the two hubs, so choose an entry point based on geographics and where you want to focus your explorations.

Car hire is the best budget option for traveling around South Africa, especially if you’re traveling as a family or in a small group. International and local rental agencies have branches at major South African hubs, and many offer unlimited kilometers at reasonable rates – essential for keeping costs down while covering the country's large distances.

Solo travelers or those who don’t want to rent a vehicle should check out private shuttle services. One popular company is BazBus, which connects Cape Town with both Johannesburg and Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) via the scenic Garden Route, with both direct and hop-on-hop-off options. Bus is another possibility, but suited mainly for point-to-point transfers between major towns. 

Uber is generally regarded as safe and is less expensive than taxis. It’s also a good choice for affordable transport between the airport and your hotel – look out for the signposted ridesharing app pick-up zones.

Throughout South Africa, prices are highest during the December to January summer holiday period, and accommodations – including those within national parks – are often booked out well in advance. February to May and September to November tend to be