In planning mode - how much budget should I keep in mind for South Africa - any experiences?
South Africa offers great value if you plan smart. Street food or small cafés serve meals for $3-5, while sit-down dinners cost $10-15. Minibus taxis are $1-2, but most travellers rely on Uber, which averages $3-6 per ride. Tips are 10%. On a budget, $30-35 daily is doable, especially in smaller towns. Activities like safaris or wine tours add more, but regular food and transport are inexpensive compared to Western countries.
I planned for R1,000/day and it gave me enough flexibility to do local tours, stay in decent hostels, and eat well without overspending. Safari days in Kruger were expensive - I spent nearly R2,000 including park fees and transport. But cities like Pretoria or Port Elizabeth were way cheaper than Cape Town. Just keep in mind tipping culture adds up - restaurants and drivers usually expect 10%. South Africa’s still a great value if you watch for high-tourist markups.
Lived in Cape Town for a month and spent around R1,000-R1,300 per day. That included a studio rental in Gardens, daily Flat Whites at Truth Coffee, and coworking space at Workshop17. Eating out varied - a casual café lunch cost R120, while dinner at a decent spot ran me R250-R350. I also paid for good WiFi and backup power due to loadshedding. Transport via Bolt or MyCiTi Bus was efficient and cheap. South Africa’s lifestyle-to-cost ratio is fantastic if you plan right.
I budgeted R1,200 a day in April 2024 and it worked out well for a mix of mid-range comforts: Airbnb in Cape Town, museum visits, uBer rides, and two splurge meals. Domestic flights and car rentals can get pricey, so I grouped activities city by city. Big activities like game drives or wine tours can add R800-R1500 per outing, so factor those separately. South Africa offers huge value - I found it better than Europe, but more planning needed for safe and cash-smart travel.