A Solo Traveller’s Guide to South Africa

The biggest misconception is safety. You can travel – with friends or solo – with no issues, as thousands of visitors do annually. Use your judgment as you would anywhere in the world and stick to safe neighbourhoods, especially for accommodation. Don’t wear flashy jewellery, and always visit a township (or shanty town) with a reputable local guide. You’ll get the facts on the place and eat the best local foods. South Africa has 11 official languages, including English. Learning some South African words, such as howzit (hello) and dankie (thank you), will instantly connect you with locals.

Most people fly into Cape Town or Johannesburg (Joburg) – both deserve a week minimum. Cape Town brims with great food and wine; it’s beautiful, artsy, adventurous and diverse. Table Mountain reigns supreme, offering magnificent views from the top. In Joburg, learn about apartheid, Soweto and multiple Nobel Prize winners. Braamfontein showcases the Neighbourgoods Market, an open-air food-and-design market, and historical and contemporary African art at Wits Art Museum. Also, Joburg has a winery – Gerakaris Family Wines, next to leafy Delta Park.

Around Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, there are several private reserves that protect many species from trophy hunters. For spotting the Big Five, consider Amakhala Game Reserve.

Coastal Durban has expansive beaches, warm weather year-round and high-rises reminiscent of Miami. Stop at KwaZulu-Natal on the way, if driving from Joburg, and hike to view Tugela Falls – among the tallest waterfalls in the world – dropping from the Drakensberg. The craggy landscape along the Wild Coast shelters the idyllic towns of Port St Johns, Coffee Bay and Chintsa.

One of the prettiest drives is the Garden Route between Port Elizabeth and Cape Town. Discover some of the quaintest towns in the country. Surf at Jeffreys Bay and stroll the stunning beaches in Plettenberg Bay and Sedgefield. Also, spend a few days with wine in Stellenbosch. A 30-minute drive from Cape Town, it’s abuzz with architecture, history and boutique hotels. Join a wine tour so that you don’t have to drive.

In South Africa, many excellent hostels have private rooms at unbeatable rates. Some of the best are along the Garden Route. Try Afrovibe Beach Lodge in Sedgefield and Buccaneers Lodge and Backpackers in Chintsa.

Hotels are better options in Joburg. Try boutique classic 54 on Bath in Rosebank; it has large classy rooms and stunning historical decor. There are also good-value hotels close to exciting bars and restaurants in Norwood, Melville, Newtown and upmarket Sandton.

For something unique, stay in a rooftop vintage Airstream trailer at the refurbished Grand Daddy Hotel on Long Street, Cape Town. The views are fabulous.

South Africa is known for being home to the Big Five, but there are many other cool things to tick off…

Get active

Try paragliding off Table Mountain and cage diving with great white sharks in Mossel Bay or crocodiles in Oudtshoorn. Snorkel with seals in Hout Bay, and surf and paddleboard with penguins off Boulders Beach, Simon’s Town, between checking out the baboons and ostriches at Cape of Good Hope. Segway, zip line and bungee jump in Storms River, and swing from Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. Alternatively, enjoy a more sedate sunset helicopter flight over Cape Town, or in the morning, soar over Paarl vineyards, the vastness of Joburg or nearby Crocodile River Valley in a hot-air balloon. All are superb.

You’ll partake in a Dyer Island marine safari and another free day at Storms River as part of Culture Trip’s exclusive 10-day Rainbow Nation road trip.

Take it easy

Rest, relax and soak up the history of Cape Town and Joburg on a hop-on, hop-off bus. Discover what shaped this beautiful country and its people at its various iconic stops.

Shop and see art

Visit artisans at work in the Watershed by V&A Waterfront, Cape Town. Money spent on purchases goes directly to their communities. Find the best designer wares, chic boutiques and Sunday markets in Maboneng, Joburg.

The food in South Africa is as diverse as the landscapes and people. From high-end French to authentic Indian, Asian, Middle Eastern and South African meat lovers’ fare, it’s excellent value. Game meats (kudu, zebra, warthog, ostrich) are top-notch; springbok is a must. If you miss it at a traditional braai (barbecue), try it in a restaurant, including Marble Restaurant in Joburg.

Like Indian curry? Bunny chow, which originated in Durban, comes in a hollowed-out loaf of bread and is eaten with your hands. Combine a walking tour with Cape Malay cooking classes in historic Bo-Kaap.

Other South African specialities include biltong (dried beef), boerewors (spicy sausage), rooibos tea (red and bitter) and Amarula, a deliciously smooth liqueur similar to Bailey’s.

Go wine tasting on the wine tram in Franschhoek or the hop-on, hop-off Vine Hopper in Stellenbosch, the birthplace of pinotage, a home-grown smooth, earthy red grape. The local chenin blanc is also a standout and absurdly cheap.

Craft breweries and microbreweries are also widespread. Sample a range at Drifter Brewing Company in Cape Town. Combine your ale tasting with sightseeing on a craft-beer city tour. Soweto Brew Co in Joburg is as eclectic as the beer and barbecue it offers.

You’ll try Tsitsikamma Micro Brewery craft beer when staying at Tsitsikamma Village Inn as part of Culture Trip’s exclusive 10-day Rainbow Nation road trip.

There are ample domestic routes and flight options – try budget airline Kulula. In addition, Intercape and Greyhound operate comfortable buses around the country. In cities, use UberBLACK or a private driver, which is much cheaper than in Europe or the USA.

It’s easy to meet people in South Africa; they’re open, friendly and warm. A smile usually seals the deal. Be thoughtful with what you wear, but you needn’t worry about culturally covering up in funky places such as Camps Bay, Cape Town and Rosebank in Joburg. On safari, you don’t need a whole new khaki wardrobe – black and neutrals are fine.

Fancy exploring the Rainbow Nation with a small group of like-minded travellers? Sign up for TRIPS by Culture Trip’s 10-day adventure Cape to Cape: Discover South Africa’s Wildlife, Winelands and the Garden Route. You’ll enjoy highlights such as stand-up paddleboarding with penguins and climbing Table Mountain.