As a traveler on a mid-range budget, I’ve heard that this country offers incredible experiences at a low price. In fact, South Africa consistently ranks among the most affordable travel destinations, in the top 25% worldwide for value.
Typical mid-range travelers here spend around R1,900 per day (about $106), which promises a lot of fun. I’m eager to see how far my budget will go.
Over the next two weeks, I’ll journey from Cape Town to the Garden Route, up into the Drakensberg mountains, and finish in Johannesburg, discovering where my money goes and how South Africa delivers world-class experiences at bargain prices.
Cape Town
I start my adventure in Cape Town, a city famous for its stunning Table Mountain backdrop and lively waterfront. Cape Town is the priciest stop on my itinerary – yet by global standards it’s still a great deal.
I had pre-booked a cozy guesthouse apartment in the City Bowl for R900/night ($50), complete with a kitchen and a balcony view of the mountains. (For context, budget hotels in South Africa range R850–1,200 per night, so I felt I got a fair deal in a prime location.)
My first morning, I splurge on convenience with a MyCiTi bus to the V&A Waterfront – it’s clean, safe, and costs only R10 (about $0.50) for a short ride, a far cry from big-city transit fares elsewhere. Already, I can tell my rand will go far.
Eager to explore, I join a free walking tour through the vibrant Bo-Kaap neighborhood (tips encouraged, I give R50). Come lunchtime, I find a local eatery serving bunny chow – a hearty curry-in-a-bread-bowl inherited from Indian South African culture – for just R60 ($3) at a cafe.
Eating out in South Africa can be very affordable: a sit-down restaurant meal can run as low as R120–R150 per person (around $8), and even a nicer dinner with wine rarely exceeds R300 ($16) in a mid-range spot.
I indulge guilt-free in Cape Malay cuisine one night, savoring a fragrant bobotie casserole for R130 and a local pinotage wine for R50 a glass – prices that make my taste buds and wallet equally happy.
Activities in Cape Town offer tremendous value, often free or cheap. Instead of paying for the cable car up Table Mountain, I opt to hike up for free via Platteklip Gorge at dawn – a sweaty two-hour trek with rewarding views.
The cable car is R210 one-way if you prefer, which is still modest compared to similar attractions in other countries. At the summit, I’m treated to a panoramic view of the Atlantic and the city waking up below – an experience money can barely buy.
Later, I visit Boulders Beach to see the penguin colony; the entrance fee is only R152 for internationals (and as low as R25 for locals). I chuckle thinking how such unique wildlife encounters might cost triple elsewhere. In the late afternoon, I join a half-day Cape Winelands tour to Stellenbosch.
For R950 ($50), our small group is ferried between vineyards, sampling award-winning wines against a mountainous backdrop – an upscale experience at a fraction of the price of Napa or Tuscany.
As night falls, I cap the day with a craft beer on the hostel rooftop bar back in the city – just R30 for a pint, clinking glasses with fellow travelers while the city lights twinkle.
It’s hard to believe that in this cosmopolitan metropolis I’m spending well under my budget and still living richly. Cape Town proves that even a world-class city can be budget-friendly if you know where to look.
Hermanus
Leaving Cape Town, I drive eastward along the scenic coastal R44 highway (renting a car cost me about R500 per day, a worthwhile expense to explore at my own pace). A two-hour drive brings me to Hermanus, a charming seaside town famed for its whales.
September is peak whale season, and from the clifftop path I immediately spot the spouts and tails of southern right whales just offshore – an exhilarating show that costs me nothing at all.
Hermanus proudly calls itself the whale-watching capital of the world, and indeed one can simply sit on a bench by the Old Harbour and watch these majestic creatures nursing and breaching in the bay for free. Few places offer such a world-class wildlife spectacle at zero cost.
Of course, I can’t resist getting a closer look. I join a boat tour for a once-in-a-lifetime up-close encounter. The tour isn’t cheap at R1,440 per adult (about $80), but it’s good value considering we spend over two hours on the ocean, surrounded by whales and even dolphins.
For comparison, similar whale tours in California or Europe often cost more and sighting chances aren’t as high. With the money I saved elsewhere, this splurge fits my mid-range budget. Back on land, I wander Hermanus’s cute town center and treat myself to a fresh seafood lunch.
At a local bistro, I enjoy catch-of-the-day fish with chips for R120, paired with a glass of crisp Cape white wine at R55 – ridiculously affordable seaside dining. In the evening, I stay at a family-run guesthouse a few blocks from the water, which I booked for only R800 for the night including breakfast.
The friendly owner even fires up a braai (barbecue) for guests, and we share stories over boerewors sausages – a hearty dinner that costs just a few dollars in groceries.
Hermanus feels like a hidden gem where mid-range travelers spend about R1,800 ($100) a day on average, but honestly I feel like I’m living larger than that. As I fall asleep to the distant sound of waves (and perhaps a whale’s blow), I’m grateful for how affordable this rich experience has been.
The Garden Route
Continuing east, I embark on the famous Garden Route, a 300-km stretch of coastline renowned for its lush landscapes and adventure opportunities. With my little rental car and a tank full of petrol (fuel here costs around R22 per liter, roughly $1.20/L, making road trips easy on the budget), I set off on a road-trip adventure.
The Garden Route is essentially an outdoor playground, and much of it is free or very low-cost: golden beaches, dense forests, tranquil lagoons – all there to explore with no entry fee. I spend an afternoon at Wilderness National Park, hiking to a waterfall without paying a cent.
The next day in Tsitsikamma National Park, I walk among 800-year-old Yellowwood trees; the park asks a token R12 entry fee which almost feels like a typo – it’s so low! Clearly, South Africa keeps its natural wonders accessible on any budget.
Along the route, I overnight in picturesque towns known for hospitality and good prices. In Knysna, I find a waterfront Airbnb apartment for R700 ($40) a night – waking up to a view of the lagoon felt far more luxurious than its price. Dinner is at a local oyster bar (the region is famous for oysters), where a dozen fresh oysters and a drink set me back only about R200.
Driving on, I reach Bloukrans Bridge, site of the world’s highest commercial bungee jump – a whopping 216 meters. Adventure calls! I take the plunge with a reputable operator. At R1,690 (around $90) for the jump, it’s a thrill-and-value combo I couldn’t resist.
In many countries, a comparable bungee or skydive easily costs double – indeed, average bungee prices abroad (e.g. $130–$200 in New Zealand) dwarf the $70–$100 range in South Africa. Adrenaline on a budget is a South African specialty, it seems.
Even less extreme activities are affordable here: one morning I rent a kayak on the Knysna lagoon for an hour at R150, and another day I join a guided forest canopy zipline tour for R750 – both well worth the modest cost for the fun provided.
On the eastern end of the Garden Route, I arrive at Jeffreys Bay, a laid-back surf town that’s all about sun, waves, and savings. The vibe in “J-Bay” is delightfully casual. I check into a beachfront hostel with a private en-suite room for R600 (under $35) – falling asleep to the sound of the Indian Ocean is included at no extra charge.
Here, your money truly goes far: data shows a mid-range traveler’s daily spend in the Garden Route’s Eastern Cape region can be half of Cape Town’s – around R1,000 ($57) per day in nearby Port Elizabeth, versus ~R3,000 in Cape Town. I feel that difference as I wander J-Bay.
Meals are cheap and cheerful – I grab a tasty calamari basket for R75 at a local joint – and the entertainment is free: watching surfers carve up the legendary Supertubes wave at dusk is as good as any paid show. Inspired, I take a surfing lesson myself.
The group lesson with board rental costs me R500 (about $27) for two hours – an unbelievable bargain to learn at one of the world’s top surf breaks. By the time I leave Jeffreys Bay, I realize that this stretch of coast has been one of the best-value segments of my trip. Stunning scenery, plentiful activities, and low prices – the Garden Route truly lets you travel well without spending a lot.
The Drakensberg
After the coast, I point my travels inland and upward – to the mighty Drakensberg mountains. A quick domestic flight from Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg (one-way was only about R800, roughly $45) and a 4-hour rental car drive bring me to the foothills of the “Dragon Mountains.”
The scenery here is dramatically different: jagged green peaks, clear rivers, and a refreshing mountain chill in the air. Despite the remoteness, traveling the Drakensberg on a mid-range budget is remarkably easy.
I base myself in a rustic lodge near Royal Natal National Park for R750 a night, enjoying a private rondavel hut with sweeping valley views. The rate even includes hearty breakfasts of eggs, boerewors, and local jams – setting me up for active days in the mountains.
Most Drakensberg activities revolve around nature – which kindly charges no fee. I spend my days hiking along well-marked trails, discovering San rock art on cliff faces and swimming in cold mountain pools, all for free.
One highlight is tackling the Amphitheatre hike to Tugela Falls (one of the world’s tallest waterfalls) – an all-day adventure that costs me only R50 in trail permit fees. The lack of crowds and cost here is refreshing; it’s just me, my daypack, and million-dollar views that cost nothing.
Even organized tours are affordable: I join a guided day trip up the famous Sani Pass into Lesotho, riding in a 4x4 van that navigates hairpin bends to the “Roof of Africa.” At R940 for the tour, including a pub lunch at Africa’s highest bar, it’s a deal for such a unique excursion.
It strikes me that similar mountain excursions in Europe could easily cost twice as much. Indeed, on average a mid-range traveler in the Drakensberg spends about R1,900 ($108) per day all-in – and that often includes guided treks and hearty hotel meals.
Speaking of meals, the Drakensberg region offers country comfort on the cheap. Each evening at my lodge, I dine on farm-to-table fare – think lamb potjie stew or fresh trout – for around R150 per meal.
One night, the hosts light a bonfire and fellow travelers and I gather under the stars, splitting a few bottles of Cape wine (only R60 each at the local bottle shop). We trade stories while the Milky Way shines overhead, and I realize experiences like this – warm camaraderie in a stunning locale – can’t be priced.
In the Drakensberg, my expenses feel like an afterthought; the value of the experience far outweighs its cost. From the affordable lodge to the free hikes, every rand here delivers an outsized return in adventure and memory.
Johannesburg
My final stop is Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city and economic hub. After the open roads and peaks, Jo’burg’s urban energy is a change of pace – but it too proves to be a best-value region in its own right.
Many travelers skip Johannesburg or only pass through, which keeps prices quite reasonable for a city of its size. I check into a stylish hotel in the trendy Maboneng district for R1,000/night (about $55), enjoying comforts like a rooftop pool that would easily cost double in a more touristed city.
In fact, the average mid-range traveler spends about R2,000 ($112) per day in Johannesburg, which includes nicer lodging and dining – a testament to how far your money goes here compared to many world cities.
Johannesburg offers a rich cultural experience for very little cost. I spend a humbling morning at the Apartheid Museum, where the entry fee of R170 feels like the best $9 I’ve ever spent – the museum’s powerful exhibits leave a deep impression of South African history.
Later, I join a guided bicycle tour of Soweto, Johannesburg’s historic township, for only R400; pedaling through its streets, I’m welcomed by friendly waves from locals, taste a home-brewed beer for a few rand, and learn about the community’s resilience.
In the afternoons, I explore the city’s markets – at the Rosebank Art & Craft Market I haggle (good-naturedly) for souvenirs, knowing outdoor markets allow a bit of bargaining.
Evenings in Johannesburg can be surprisingly gentle on the wallet: one night, I dine in Melville, a bohemian neighborhood, feasting on a plate of braaied meat with pap (maize porridge) for R120, and cap it with a craft gin and tonic for R60. Getting around the city is cheap and safe thanks to Uber – most rides across town cost me only about R50–R100 ($3–$6), a small price for the convenience and security.
By the time I’m winding down at a hip rooftop bar in Sandton, watching the city lights with a sundowner cocktail (R70), I’m struck by how accessible Johannesburg’s upscale experiences are. Here I am in a swanky setting a world away from the mountains, yet it’s all within a mid-range budget.
Conclusion
As my journey through South Africa comes to an end, I reflect on the remarkable range of experiences I’ve had without overspending. South Africa truly delivers a champagne experience on a beer budget.
As a traveler, it’s deeply satisfying to feel that every rand spent earned me rich memories. In South Africa, I never felt priced out of enjoying myself: if something was costly (like a safari or fancy dinner), there was always a more affordable alternative (a self-drive in a national park or a delicious street-food meal) that was just as fulfilling.
This journey has been a story of maximizing value, proving that South Africa is indeed incredibly affordable for mid-range tourists.
For anyone dreaming of safari sunsets, mountain vistas, and vibrant cities but worried about the cost, the message is clear: South Africa welcomes you and your budget.
Come for the natural beauty and cultural diversity, stay for the hospitality, and relish the fact that here, your money are worth more.
I know I’ll be back, drawn not just by the memories, but by the unbeatable value that made them possible.