Traveling in South Africa: organized tour or DIY? (page 1 of 2)

Hello,

I’m really interested in traveling to South Africa in September 2020. My question is whether I should go on an organized tour or plan my own itinerary. Organized trips are pretty expensive $$$$, but the security aspect reassures me. I’d love to hear your thoughts on safety in South Africa and whether it’s easy to arrange activities like visiting vineyards, Cape Town, and going on a safari on our own. Which is better in terms of cost—booking an organized trip or doing it ourselves? It’s definitely less exciting to follow a group for 10 days. We’re a couple in our 50s who love nature. 😊🦁

Hello

Here, you’ll find that 99% of people have traveled on their own, like grown-ups, and they’re happy about it... and came back safe and sound, ready to go again!

So...

Hi Johanne,

Like Michel, plan your own itinerary by drawing inspiration from others' travel journals. Apart from the big cities, South Africa isn't any more dangerous than anywhere else if you follow basic safety rules.

Hi there,

I went to South Africa in November with three others, and we organized our trip with the help of a travel agency, Comptoir des Voyages, for booking accommodations and renting a car. Actually, it reassured us to do it this way because we weren’t sure what we’d find once we got there. Once we arrived, we realized it was safe and that we could’ve organized the trip ourselves... You might think it’s easier to trust someone who knows the country well to avoid pitfalls and make the most of our vacation. There were just the four of us, and it was great! We wouldn’t have liked a trip with 50 people 😅.

Happy planning!

Eve

Thanks so much for your advice! 😊

Hello, At 69 years old, I just returned from South Africa without using guides or an organization. No problem, and it’s the 3rd time I’ve been there—6 weeks each time. But you’re free to waste money if you have too much of it! I can resell you some Rand since I have a lot left (cost price, no commission). Best regards, JPBRIERE

Hi there, In my opinion, no problem organizing your trip on your own. A rental car, a few booked accommodations, and you're all set. Kruger, the vineyards, and Cape Town (during the day) are safe. To put your mind at ease, I’d avoid big cities, especially at night. Don’t hesitate if you need advice. Either way, South Africa is a beautiful country—you’re going to have an amazing trip!

We're heading to South Africa for 15 days in October. We don’t speak English and aren’t big travelers (this will be only our second trip outside Europe). I decided to go through an agency to handle hotel bookings, car rentals, and a guide for Johannesburg. However, I planned the itinerary myself thanks to this forum. By the way, thanks to everyone for all your great tips. Chris

Hi Christine, I’ve traveled to many countries without knowing English or Spanish, without a guide, without an agency, and for a great quality-to-price ratio (from 17 € to 27 € per day, all included). Best regards, JPBRIERE

Thanks so much for the tips—it reassures me because I’m used to traveling in Asia and Europe, but I’d heard comments about Africa that made me feel insecure, and a group trip didn’t appeal to me since it takes away the adventure side of travel.

As for the cost of lodges in the parks, do you have any suggestions?

Thanks

Hi Johanne, I stay just outside the parks by finding accommodations on Airbnb or Booking that are much cheaper than inside the parks, and I arrive ten minutes before opening to get the ticket. But you can always waste money! Best regards, JPBRIERE

The cost of lodges in the parks—any suggestions?

Let’s take Kruger Park as an example. You have three options for accommodations inside the park:

Staying in the park’s rest camps. The list is here. Prices vary depending on the accommodation, but for a fully equipped unit, you’re looking at around 50 to 70 € per night. There are cheaper options too. There are lodges inside the park, but they’re very expensive and don’t add much to the safari experience. Then you have lodges integrated into Kruger Park (located on the edges of the park). These range from expensive to ultra-expensive, but they offer a different experience since you’re no longer self-driving—you’re on a guided safari, and the guides can go off-road. In these lodges, you can’t use your own car or self-drive, but you can in the park’s rest camps.

Staying inside the park is still an unforgettable experience. You’re right in the heart of the wildlife, and in the morning, you can leave as soon as the gates open. This lets you explore deeper into the park than if you had to exit and re-enter every night.

If I had one piece of advice, it’d be to stay inside the park in the rest camps and do self-drive during the day. South Africa isn’t especially dangerous if you follow basic safety rules, and the parks are super safe.

I stay just outside the parks by finding accommodations on Airbnb or Booking—much cheaper than inside the parks—and show up ten minutes before opening to buy the ticket. But you can always throw money away.

I’d love to know how much a night near the South African parks costs. When you say the daily price is between 17 and 27 € all-inclusive, does that not apply to South Africa?

Hi there, I’ve just returned from South Africa (3 trips of 6 weeks each), with a budget of max. 25 € per person for 4 people total. That covers Airbnb accommodation, lunch at restaurants, and transport with two small rental cars. Plan on 10 to 15 € per person for accommodation at the entrance to the parks (Booking or Airbnb). Best, JPBRIERE

It depends on the season. Outside of South African school holidays, many private accommodations drop their prices significantly—e.g., on booking.com.

Yes, obviously, like everywhere else. But for just a few euros more, I’d much rather be in the park :)

What criteria do you prefer? Based on what experiences? Just instinct? I’ve done both! I’m 200 € short, but I’d go back for the 4th time

What criteria do you prefer? Based on what experiences? Just instinct? I’ve done both! I’m good with spending up to 200 €, but I’d go back for a 4th time

6 trips to ZA—is that a good enough criterion?

What criteria do you prefer? Based on what experiences? Just instinct? I’ve done both!

I’ve been to Southern Africa about fifteen times. For my first trip, I stayed outside the park.

I really don’t recommend that option. It’s not the same at all. It’s only a last-resort solution (park fully booked).

For tight budgets, just make the effort to camp or rent a basic cabin.

One night in the magical Balule bungalows only costs 32 € for two. Four campers can stay there for the same price.

So camping turns out to be cheaper than your choices, which seem more about wanting luxury and comfort than budget.

Staying in a modest bungalow costs the same.