South Africa
Coast, culture and the wild
Build a route through magnetic cities, dramatic coastlines, mountain country and wildlife experiences that reward thoughtful planning.
The honest overview
Get to know South Africa before fixing the route.
Known as the Rainbow Nation, South Africa is famed for Table Mountain and the Cape Peninsula, Kruger's Big Five safaris and a wine country that rivals anywhere in Europe, attracting road-trippers, wildlife-watchers and backpackers doing the wider Southern Africa loop alike from all corners of the world. South Africa is known for being one of the continent's most established backpacker circuits, thanks to a dedicated hop-on-hop-off backpacker bus network, a dense hostel scene along the Garden Route and Cape Town, and some of the best self-drive infrastructure in Africa, making it a natural anchor point for a longer regional trip.
Part of the joy of backpacking in South Africa is deciding what deserves more time. Keep space for weather changes, longer travel days and recommendations from people you meet on the road.
Card is widely accepted in cities, supermarkets and most hostels, but carry some Rand in cash for informal taxis, market stalls and tips – card payments can occasionally be affected by power cuts at smaller vendors, worth double-checking if you're relying on it outside major towns.
There's no single fixed route through South Africa, and with distances this large it's worth building in flexibility rather than a tight day-by-day plan – most backpackers end up adjusting as they go, especially around weather and wildlife sightings. The classic circuit runs Cape Town up through the Garden Route to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), then either cuts inland towards the Drakensberg and Johannesburg, or continues up the coast to Durban before heading north to Kruger. For those doing a wider Southern Africa trip, Johannesburg is the usual jumping-off point overland into Mozambique, Eswatini, Zimbabwe or Botswana.
Season by season
What each season means for your trip
South Africa's weather can change sharply by region and elevation. These are planning patterns, not guarantees.
Wetter travel conditions
Peak summer, hottest and driest in Cape Town and the Winelands (25–33°C, low rainfall), while the Highveld and Kruger see their wet season with afternoon thunderstorms and temperatures of 25–30°C. Malaria risk in the Kruger lowveld is highest during these humid, rainy months.
Shoulder-season balance
A strong shoulder window. Cape Town is still dry and warm (22–28°C) as its rains haven't started, while Kruger's wet season is tailing off and the bush is still green but thinning out for easier game viewing.
Wetter travel conditions
Winter across the country, but a very different winter depending on where you are. Cape Town gets its rainy season, with cold fronts, wind and temperatures of 12–18°C. The Highveld and Kruger are dry, sunny and cool (18–25°C by day, near freezing overnight at higher altitude), which is peak wildlife-viewing season as animals gather at shrinking water sources.
Shoulder-season balance
The second strong shoulder window. Cape Town moves into spring with wildflowers on the West Coast and improving weather (18–24°C), while Kruger is at the tail end of its dry season, still excellent for game viewing before the rains and crowds return.
Wetter travel conditions
Transitional month everywhere. Cape Town warms towards summer (20–26°C), and Kruger's first rains begin, greening up the bush and signalling the end of peak safari conditions.
Check the forecast for the exact region and elevation on your route, then leave room to change outdoor plans when conditions move.
Cost of day to day travel
Build a budget around the route
On the standard backpacker circuit – hostels, self-catering or casual meals out, local transport and the odd activity – £20–25 a day covers you comfortably in cities and along the Garden Route.
On the standard backpacker circuit – hostels, self-catering or casual meals out, local transport and the odd activity – £20–25 a day covers you comfortably in cities and along the Garden Route.
Long transfers, specialist tours and headline activities can change the daily total quickly.
Card is widely accepted in cities, supermarkets and most hostels, but carry some Rand in cash for informal taxis, market stalls and tips – card payments can occasionally be affected by power cuts at smaller vendors, worth double-checking if you're relying on it outside major towns.
Average the full trip rather than forcing every day into the same number. Keep emergency funds separate from daily spending.
Key backpacker routes
Find the route that feels right for you
There is no single route you need to follow. Let your timeframe, interests and season shape the journey through South Africa.
Start with the natural route Core journey
There's no single fixed route through South Africa, and with distances this large it's worth building in flexibility rather than a tight day-by-day plan – most backpackers end up adjusting as they go, especially around weather and wildlife sightings.
Add the region that earns your time Build depth
The classic circuit runs Cape Town up through the Garden Route to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), then either cuts inland towards the Drakensberg and Johannesburg, or continues up the coast to Durban before heading north to Kruger.
Keep the order flexible Adapt as you travel
For those doing a wider Southern Africa trip, Johannesburg is the usual jumping-off point overland into Mozambique, Eswatini, Zimbabwe or Botswana.
Main destinations and attractions
Where to spend your days
Pick a connected group and leave room for hostel friendships and changing plans. South Africa rewards depth more than a checklist of stops.
Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula. Photo: Dimitry B / flickr, BY 2.0.Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula
Table Mountain (cable car or the hike up Platteklip Gorge) anchors most people's first days here, alongside Bo-Kaap's colourful streets and the V&A Waterfront.
The Cape Winelands. Photo: South African Tourism / flickr, BY 2.0.The Cape Winelands
Stellenbosch and Franschhoek are both easy day trips or overnight stops from Cape Town, with tram-style wine tours and tastings that undercut European wine country on price considerably.
The Garden Route. Photo: atlanticstorm (Christopher_Griner) / flickr, BY 2.0.The Garden Route
A string of small towns between Mossel Bay and Storms River, built around adventure activities: bungee jumping at Bloukrans Bridge (the world's highest bridge bungee), the Tsitsikamma forest canopy walks, and whale watching from Hermanus in season (July–November).
Kruger National Park and the Panorama Route. Photo: Gareth1953 All Right Now / flickr, BY 2.0.Kruger National Park and the Panorama Route
South Africa's flagship safari destination, reachable by self-drive or guided tour, with God's Window and Blyde River Canyon on the Panorama Route making a scenic approach from Johannesburg.
Johannesburg and Soweto. Photo: Paul Saad / flickr, BY-NC-ND 2.0.Johannesburg and Soweto
Often used as a transit hub rather than a destination in its own right, but the Apartheid Museum and a guided tour of Soweto (including Vilakazi Street) are worth the stop rather than skipping straight through.
Durban and the KwaZulu-Natal coast. Photo: South African Tourism / flickr, BY 2.0.Durban and the KwaZulu-Natal coast
Warmer water and a big surf scene, with a strong Indian food influence around the Victoria Street Market.
To get a feel for the cities you're exploring, we'd highly recommend booking a 'free walking tour' via Guruwalk. You sign up for the tour and pay via a tip based system. Alternatively, many hostels offer a walking tour within their activities. Our Outpacker chatbot is available to help you plan and build out your itinerary to make the most of your trip.
South Africa covers a huge amount of ground, so here's a regional breakdown of where backpackers spend most of their time:
Getting around
Compare time, comfort and cost
Distances in South Africa are large, so plan transport time into your route rather than treating it as an afterthought.
Baz Bus
A hop-on-hop-off backpacker bus network connecting Cape Town, the Garden Route, Durban, the Drakensberg and Johannesburg, dropping directly at partner hostels along the way.
Self-drive / car hire
One of the best self-drive countries in Africa, with good road quality on the main routes.
Long-distance coach
Intercape and Greyhound run overnight and daytime coaches between major cities, a cheaper alternative to flying or self-driving for city-to-city legs.
Domestic flights
Budget airlines including FlySafair, Lift and Kulula make Cape Town–Johannesburg and other long hops fast and often cheaper than a multi-day overland leg.
Download offline maps, keep key booking details available without data and avoid placing an international departure immediately after a fragile overland transfer.
Make sure you've got an eSIM or local data SIM set up, and download your route on Google Maps in advance in case you lose signal in more remote areas.
Culture and events
Events worth knowing about
Dates can shift, so verify the current programme before building a trip around an event in South Africa.
A street carnival where troupes in bright, matching outfits parade through the Bo-Kaap and city centre with brass bands and choirs, marking the one day of the year historically given to enslaved people as a holiday.
A major music festival drawing international and local jazz acts to the Cape Town International Convention Centre over two nights, with a free outdoor stage for those without a ticket.
South Africa's largest performing arts festival, turning the small university town of Makhanda into a fringe-style hub of theatre, comedy and live music for around ten days.
A multi-day outdoor music festival on a wine estate outside Cape Town, camping included, with a lineup that mixes South African and international acts.
Confirm the official programme, accommodation pressure and transport changes before committing non-refundable plans.
South African food
Discover the flavours that make South Africa memorable
South African food reflects the country's mix of Cape Malay, Zulu, Afrikaans and Indian influences, and it's worth eating your way through more than one region.
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BraaiSouth Africa's version of a barbecue, less a dish than a whole social occasion; join one if you get invited to a hostel or homestay braai night.Photo: South African Tourism / flickr, BY 2.0 -
Biltongdried, cured meat, sold everywhere as a snack, closer to jerky but with its own distinct spicing.Photo: dbking / flickr, BY 2.0 -
Bunny chowa hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with curry, a Durban Indian-community invention worth trying at the source.Photo: Rod Waddington / flickr, BY-SA 2.0 -
Bobotiespiced minced meat baked with an egg-based topping, a Cape Malay classic.Photo: JuliaC2006 / flickr, BY 2.0 -
Boereworsa coiled, spiced sausage, a braai staple.Photo: UNAMID Photo / flickr, BY-NC-ND 2.0 -
Chakalakaa spicy vegetable relish, usually served alongside braai meat or pap.Photo: UNAMID Photo / flickr, BY-NC-ND 2.0 -
Papa maize porridge, the everyday staple served with most stews and braais.Photo: UNAMID Photo / flickr, BY-NC-ND 2.0 -
Malva puddinga sticky, caramelised sponge pudding, the dessert most people end up ordering twice.Photo: Queensland State Archives / flickr, PDM 1.0
Visible turnover is a useful guide. Explain allergies carefully and carry a translated note when an ingredient could cause a serious reaction.
Food markets like Cape Town's Old Biscuit Mill (Saturdays) or the Neighbourgoods Market are the easiest way to sample a wide range of this in one sitting.
Hostels
Choose the atmosphere, not just the bed
South Africa has one of the strongest hostel scenes on the continent, concentrated in Cape Town and along the Garden Route.
Villa Viva Cape Town
Cape Town, South AfricaProperty image from Hostelworld's official HOSCAR record.View photos and details →Never At Home Green Point
Cape Town, South AfricaProperty image from Hostelworld's official HOSCAR record.View photos and details →91 Loop
Cape Town, South AfricaProperty image from Hostelworld's official HOSCAR record.View photos and details →Zen Den Hermanus
Hermanus, South AfricaProperty image from Hostelworld's official HOSCAR record.View photos and details →Ashanti Lodge Gardens
Cape Town, South AfricaProperty image from Hostelworld's official HOSCAR record.View photos and details →Long Street Backpackers
Cape Town, South AfricaProperty image from Hostelworld's official HOSCAR record.View photos and details →What you need to pack
Pack for the route, not every possibility
The gear you need depends on which regions and season you're covering, so check out our trip planner for anything specific to your dates and route – it'll build you a kit list based on exactly where and when you're going.
Climate and clothing
South Africa's real packing challenge is temperature range rather than heat: you can be in shorts on a Cape Town beach in the morning and needing a proper warm layer for a Drakensberg or Karoo night the same week, especially outside peak summer.
- Insect repellent – important if you're heading into the Kruger lowveld or other malaria-risk areas in the northeast.
- A basic first aid kit – plasters, rehydration sachets and something for an upset stomach, useful on longer self-drive stretches away from towns.
- Run all of this through the trip planner to build your full kit based on your specific route and dates.
Rain and terrain
For layering, quick-dry synthetic base layers are the cheap, reliable default and do the job across most of the trip.
- A warm beanie and gloves – for Drakensberg hikes and Highveld winter nights, easy to forget when the rest of your kit is beachwear.
- Binoculars – worth it if you're self-driving through Kruger or the Panorama Route rather than relying entirely on a guide's.
Hostels and travel days
Hostel laundry services and local laundrettes are widely available and affordable in the main towns, so you can pack lighter than the trip length suggests.
- A UK-to-South Africa plug adapter and a power bank – South Africa runs on Type M sockets (some newer buildings use Type N), 230V.
- Sun protection – South Africa's high UV index catches people out even in cooler months, especially at altitude.
Activities and health
Add specialist equipment only for booked activities and current health guidance.
- Padlocks – for hostel lockers, a worthwhile precaution here given the crime advisory.
- Tap water is generally safe to drink in South Africa's major cities and towns, a useful one less thing to budget for compared with much of the rest of the region – a reusable bottle still helps outside main urban areas or if you're unsure locally.
Language
A few local phrases go a long way
English is South Africa's backpacker-relevant lingua franca – it's an official language and the one used in hospitality, transport and everyday tourist interactions across the country, so you won't need much beyond it to get by.
IsiZulu
| English | Say it in IsiZulu | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Sawubona | sah-woo-boh-nah |
| Goodbye | Sala kahle | sah-lah kah-shleh |
| Yes / No | Yebo (yeh-boh) / Cha | chah |
| How much? | Kubiza malini? | koo-bee-zah mah-lee-nee |
| How are you? | Unjani? | oon-jah-nee |
| Please | Ngicela | nghee-che-lah |
| Do you speak English? | Uyakhuluma isiNgisi? | oo-yah-koo-loo-mah ee-see-ngee-see |
| Help, please | Ngicela usizo | nghee-che-lah oo-see-zoh |
| Where are you from? | Uvelaphi? | oo-veh-lah-pee |
| What is your name? / My name is... | Ubani igama lakho? / Igama lami ngu... | oo-bah-nee ee-gah-mah lah-koh / ee-gah-mah lah-mee ngoo... |
| Thank you | Ngiyabonga | ngi-yah-bong-gah |
Use these phrases respectfully and let a translation app handle detailed or important questions.
Visa requirements
Check the rule for your passport
Entry rules depend on nationality, journey and length of stay. Confirm the current rule before booking, then check it again shortly before departure.
Check your exact requirements
Use Sherpa to review entry requirements for your passport and journey. Also confirm passport validity, permitted stay, proof of onward travel and any current arrival-form requirements.
Vaccinations
Make the advice fit your route
Vaccination and health advice depends on your route, duration, medical history and activities.
Review current CDC guidance
Read the current CDC South Africa traveller guidance, then discuss personal recommendations with a qualified clinician.
Arrange appropriate travel insurance and keep policy details available offline. Consider the practical risks created by climate, altitude, insects, animals, water activities and road travel on your specific route.
Safety and common scams
Standard caution, specific habits
Most backpackers travel South Africa without incident, especially sticking to well-established routes and using common sense around cities after dark, but current UK government advice highlights crime and kidnap risk that's notably higher here than most other destinations on this list, so it's worth taking seriously rather than treating as boilerplate caution.
Airport-follow robberies
Criminals have followed travellers from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg to their destination before robbing them. Arrange airport pickup through your hostel or accommodation where possible, keep valuables in carry-on rather than checked luggage, and move through public areas without lingering.
Smash-and-grabs at traffic lights
Opportunistic theft from stopped cars, more common in city centres. Keep bags and phones out of sight and doors locked while driving.
Cape Town airport road robberies
There have been attacks on secondary roads between Cape Town and the airport. Stick to the M3 and N2, and use the airport approach road at exit 16 rather than routes via Nyanga.
Card/ATM skimming and swap scams
Use ATMs inside banks or malls rather than standalone street machines, and don't accept help from strangers at a cash machine.
Kidnap-for-ransom and express kidnappings
Foreign nationals, including British travellers, have been targeted, generally for financial gain rather than political reasons. Stay alert in unfamiliar areas and keep trusted people updated on your movements.
Beach and hike opportunistic theft
Popular spots like Table Mountain's lower trails have seen bag-snatching. Don't hike alone in quieter sections, and don't leave valuables unattended on beaches.
None of this should be read as a reason to avoid the country – it's a reason to plan the practical basics (airport transfers, driving routes, valuables) properly rather than winging them.
Sources and feedback
Help us keep this guide useful
Travel information changes. Verify current entry, health, safety and transport guidance before booking or travelling.
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