South Africa is delicious, colourful, fun, scenically outstanding and a very worthy choice for solo travel. In this article, I’m talking about the benefits of solo travel, safety in South Africa and I’m sharing some solo travel destinations in South Africa to consider.
If you would like to learn more about the ins and outs of global solo travel from a South African perspective, read these tips from South African solo travellers.
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Unpacking solo travel in South Africa
Why solo travel?
Because of the common challenge of aligning schedules with friends and family, many have resorted to traveling solo as a way of liberating themselves from such limitations.
"Solo travel is freedom"
There are many solo travellers with friends and family members to travel with who still choose to solo travel instead. I would like to emphasise this point. Solo travel is not a compromised choice in comparison to group travel. Many view this style of travel as a way of rewarding yourself with solitude in a scenic location.
For me, solo travel is freedom. The freedom to go where I want to and to discover more about myself and my travel preferences.
And don’t be mistaken, solo travel does not mean isolating yourself from any interaction. In fact, from my experience, one of the greatest benefits of solo travel is that it encourages you to interact with new people instead of sticking with familiar friends or family.
Awkward initial conversations with strangers often become emotional goodbyes at the end of the trip.
Solo vs group Travel
When I’m asked which I prefer between group travel and solo travel, I always say, “group travel with solo travellers.”
As you may know, my company, Gophari Travel, hosts premium group trips for women to African destinations. Most of the women who sign up for my trips do so as solo travellers or in pairs. Joining a group tour as a solo traveller is a working way of “finding your people.” It works. Since inception, all Gophari Travel trips have sold out!
Keeping safe while solo travelling in South Africa
South Africa’s crime statistics understandably have some people nervous about travelling solo in South Africa. So I have shared some practical advice for keeping safe in South Africa:
-Meet up with other solo travellers and join group tours.
-Always share your itinerary with friends/family so someone always knows where you are
-Carry some cash on you
-Have key emergency contact numbers on hand
-Always have airtime and data
Read more solo travel tips from solo travellers.
Accommodation in South Africa for solo travel
When I solo travel in South Africa, I am drawn to accommodation options that have shared social spaces. Backpacker accommodation is a popular choice amongst solo travellers for this reason and for their affordability. Examples of backpacker accommodation in South Africa include Coffee Shack in Coffee Bay and Tube n’ Axe in Tsitsikamma.
I’ve engaged with other female solo travellers who prefer high end hotels when they solo travel because they feel more secure in those spaces.
Fortunately, South Africa has accommodation options for a wide range of budgets and travel styles.
As you do an online search for accommodation in South Africa you will notice that the standard is high. Service providers in the South African tourism sector are ready to receive you and offer you their best service.
"The standard is high"
Find accommodation in South Africa by using Booking.com and my personal favourite – Airbnb (As an Airbnb Associate, I earn when you book using this link).
Read my destination specific accommodation recommendations in my South Africa travel blog posts.
Recommended destinations for solo travel in South Africa:
If you are based in South Africa and would like to build your solo travelling confidence, start with a destination that isn’t too from home. If you’re in Johannesburg, for example, go on a weekend road trip within Gauteng.
One of the best things about traveling in South Africa is that each of it’s nine provinces is unique. It’s so true that you don’t have to go far to experience something different in South Africa.
What makes a destination suitable for solo travel?
I prefer locations where the social aspect of solo travel is facilitated by group tours and activities. Browse through tour and activity options available on Airbnb Experiences.
There is nothing stopping you from making any destination a solo travel destination besides your travel preferences.
As a woman traveling in South Africa, safety is a major priority. For me, this has meant choosing destinations that aren’t too isolated.
Meet Fikile Sithole
As an avid solo traveller, Fikile Sithole (@Majay_globetrotter) loves exploring her home country, South Africa. We connected through Instagram over our shared passion for travel. Fikile has recommended three South African destinations for solo travel based on her experiences. The section below are her words. Over to you Fikile!
St Lucia, Kwa-Zulu Natal
St Lucia is a beautiful small town located in the north coast of KwaZulu Natal. If you’re looking for a chilled vacation along the coast with wild life, I highly recommend St Lucia.
I felt safe in this destination. At night, I was able to walk peacefully without fear.
The town is sometimes referred to as the “hippo town” because of the abundance of hippos surrounding the estuary. These hippos even roam the streets at night! If you are lucky, you could meet a friendly hippo.
Excursions in St Lucia:
-Boat cruise in the estuary
-Horse riding (You can choose to horse ride in the bush or along the beach. I highly recommend the beach!)
-Game drives (You can choose to do a self drive in the park or book a guided drive with an agent)
-Crocodile feeding in the estuary
-Beautiful Cape vidal beach (there is a small fee to pay at the gate as it is a national park, isiMangaliso wetland park). Note that the beach is not so safe for swimming.
-Bicycle hire for touring the town.
The Garden RouTe
Knysna is an amazing place in the beautiful Western Cape, along the garden route N2. Logistic recommendations would be to fly to Port Elizabeth airport, and hire a car and drive down the beautiful garden route. This drive takes about 3 hours. You don’t even feel the hours as it’s a scenic route. I could do the drive over and over again.
Excursions in Knysna:
-Boat cruise in the beautiful lagoon
-Wine tasting in Bramon Wine Estate.
-The Garden of Eden along the garden route. if you’re a lover of forest and peaceful environment.
–Visit Tsitsikama and hike at the Garden Route National Park to the suspension bridge. The hike is an hour long and has breathtaking views. You can also go kayaking here along Storms River.
-If you are an adrenaline junkie, jump from the world’s highest bridge bungee at Bloukrans bridge.
Drakensberg
If you’re a lover of mountains, hiking and water sports then Drakensberg will be a thrill. Drakensberg has majestic mountains for all your hiking leisures or for those trail runs lovers. Drakensberg is known for its snowy mountains in winter, so if you want to experience some snow you can visit in mid-June or July. There are lots of camping sites as well for those that love to sleep in the tents and connect with nature.
Excursions in Drakensberg:
-Scenic hiking trails (different intensities available for everyone)
-Ziplining, horse riding and quad
biking.
-If you’re looking to relax, cathedral wine estate is my favourite spot for that.
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