I’m on a mission to knock down false limiting beliefs that hold people back from experiencing travel in South Africa. So, let’s talk about some of the misconceptions about travel in South Africa.
Misconceptions about travel in South Africa
I’ve unpacked three misconceptions that I keep coming across. Hear me out and let me know what you think.
Misconception no.1: It's too expensive to travel in South Africa
This point is tricky because “expensive” is relative. I believe that it’s more accurate to say that travel in South Africa can be expensive. Those R20k per night stays in 5-star private game reserves also make my wallet laugh.
And then there is the irony that many tourists are drawn to South Africa for it’s affordability. There is no denying that high-end hotels are priced for the international market.
Despite this, I always believe that there is a way to make things happen! I have considered that it may be my annoyingly positive outlook on life that pushes me to work around travel expenses and pay as little as possible for travel in South Africa. I’m so passionate about this that I have put together an e-book that will help people learn how to plan travel within any budget – the book will be ready soon!
The extra effort of good travel planning opens up many destinations.
Through my extensive travel across South Africa, I have always focused on travelling affordably. That has sometimes meant taking the bus instead of flying or booking a room in someone’s house on Airbnb instead of a hotel or travelling during less popular periods. It’s certain that the extra effort of good travel planning opens up many destinations.
It has also helped that as a nature lover, my favourite parts of travelling South Africa are it’s free landscapes (the beaches, the mountains the forests). For those who are drawn to the luxury of the “soft life” but can’t afford it, consider staying somewhere that you can afford and then spending the day enjoying the facilities at a 5-star space.
Please do not write off South Africa after coming across travel packages that are out of your budget. It’s so worthwhile to improve your travel planning skills so that you can dodge expenses like I do haha.
For more simple and practical advice, check out the points made in this related article: Smart ways to travel cheap in South Africa
Misconception No.2: Human interaction with wildlife is accepted in South Africa
It’s not normal for wild animals to interact with humans. Lion petting, cheetah walks, elephant rides or any interaction are all forms of animal cruelty. Without knowing this, it’s easy to be drawn to experiences that allow you to get close to your favourite predators.
Unethical wildlife tourism is not accepted by SATSA and SA Tourism. In October 2019, the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA) released voluntary animal interaction guidelines funded by SA Tourism for the tourism industry to follow.
It's not normal for wild animals to do tricks
We need to not support establishments that keep wild animals captive for profit. Spread the word that this is wrong.
These are some signs of unethical wildlife tourism establishments:
-They allow you to touch the animals
-The animals behave like pets instead of wild animals
-animals are kept in cages
Examples of ethical wildlife tourism
Go on a game drive and view animals in their natural environment. You won’t be guaranteed to spot your favourite animals but it’s the right thing to do. It’s special and thrilling to spot an elephant doing it’s thing freely in it’s natural habitat. There are plenty of game parks to choose from in South Africa.
Checkout SanParks they take conservation and wildlife protection very seriously. .
Related articles:
Misconception no.3: Cape Town is the best destination in South Africa
Now this is nothing against Cape Town. I really love Cape Town.
However, my favourite destinations in South Africa have been those that we seldom hear about. Sorry to do this but the overused term, “hidden gems,” fits well here.
And hey, depending on what excites you most, Cape Town might be the best. The point I want to make is that the places that are most marketed in South Africa aren’t necessarily going to be your favourite.
It makes me think back to when I completed my studies at the University of Cape Town after having lived in Johannesburg & Durban for most of my life. At the time, I genuinely believed that I had experienced South Africa’s best.
It took being obligated to relocate to a small industrial town in Mpumalanga for me to open my eyes to other parts of South Africa. Standing before Blyde River Canyon for the first time slapped me inside out. I realised how much more I needed to see and that I needed to encourage everyone to do the same.
Break the routine by going somewhere different
If you repeatedly go back to the same parts of South Africa, I encourage you to break the routine by going somewhere different.
Visit Mpumalanga, or hike along the untouched coastlines in rural Eastern Cape, go and see what you will find in Northern Cape and be humbled by the mountains in KwaZulu-Natal.
I wouldn’t want you to not consider travel in South Africa because you have heard that it is expensive. I also wouldn’t want people to think that they have to travel to Cape Town to experience the best of South Africa. Misconceptions have a way of creating mental blocks. Don’t let these stop you from experiencing this country’s magnificence. Instead, face every challenge with a question and look for a way to knock each of the challenges down.
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