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2. Reasons to visit South Africa
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3. Cost of living in South Africa

From a budget perspective, traveling to South Africa is very easy on the pocket for visitors, thanks to the country's relatively low cost of living and favorable exchange. That said, do not be blinded by the stereotypical view on South Africa. Contrary to what the media industry would have you belief, the country is not crippled by poverty and complete social and political turmoil.

South Africa is the economic powerhouse of the African continent and although its cost of living is very affordable, it is not as rock-bottom cheap as so many of the under-developed third world African countries. Yet you will still find the overall cost of your trip very reasonable.

Think more of South Africa as a country of duality. On the one hand it is a highly developed first world state that can rival any modern country in the world and on the other hand it is largely underdeveloped in the more rural areas.

The South African currency is called the "Rand" (indicated with the "R" symbol) in denominations of R10, R20, R50, R100 and R200 notes, and 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent coins. Please note that the now worthless one and two cents coins have been removed from circulation, so they are no longer legal tender. When making a purchase, your goods will be rounded off to the nearest 5 or ten cent.

Now, onto the practical stuff...

The South African Rand Exchange Rate plays an important role in the cost of living for visitors,...

It is very likely that your plane ticket will be one of the most expensive elements of your trip. This can be regarded as a common cost element and you have more than 40 air carriers worldwide to compare and choose from. As far as the Rand exchange rate for your currency is concerned, it is largely its weakness against the US Dollar and the Euro that makes it so attractive for the visitor. It is that same weakness that causes the regular price increases (mainly on imported goods) that South Africans themselves so often have to contend with.

The banking system is highly efficient, so you can exchange currency at any of the major banks, and Visa and Master Cards are virtually accepted everywhere. Exactly how much value for your money will depend on the current exchange rate, which is pretty stable at the moment.

Use the Currency Converter below to check it out.

The Cost of Living in South Africa,...

The biggest chunk of daily budget will go towards accommodation. Now, the affordability of your trip will greatly depend on your preference; are you a budget traveler or a high roller? Budget to mid-range accommodation in South Africa is highly affordable.

Estimated cost per day for a budget traveler including meals in an inexpensive restaurant, public transport and a cheap hotel, would average out around R750,00 ($60.00 or €50.00) per day, assuming that you like camping, hostels and self-catering accommodation.

Estimated cost per day for the mid-range regular tourist or business visitor including meals in a mid-range restaurant, rented transport and accommodation in mid-range hotels, guest houses and B&B's averages out around R1950.00 ($156.00 or €130.00) per day.

The above two figures demarcate a huge grey area with a multitude of cost per day options that will meet the budgets of most visitors and tourists. For those that can afford to rake the luxury lane, things such as affordability and cost per day are much less of an issue. A stay in a luxury private game reserve for instance, can easily set you back R3500.00 ($300.00 or €230.00) per day and often way beyond that.

Just how much does living in South Africa cost on average? Lodgings aside, you will find that all the good things in life such as food, drink and shopping, are incredibly affordable, thanks once again to the exchange rate. A decent, world class bottle of wine can set you back a mere $5 (€4.50) . Unlike other developing countries, prices in the shops are fixed, so bartering will get you nowhere here. Instead, save your haggling skills for the street vendors.

To help you work out your budget, here are some examples to give you an idea what you will be spending in South Africa. The figures shown are in the South African Rand currency, use the currency converter to compare them in whatever other currency you want.

The above information was sourced from the Numbeo.com website and the figures on this page can be out of date at the time that you read this. For more comprehensive and the most current information with regard to costs of living in South Africa, just click on the above Numbeo.com link to access a wealth of relevant information.

Picture Gallery,…

Video Gallery,…

Situated at the tip of the African continent, South Africa is a country of unparalleled diversity. Ranked as number 6 among the 17 most diverse countries in the world, it borders the Indian and Atlantic oceans with a coastline of more than 2,500km. Boasting 291 conservation parks and 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, it is home to more than 20,000 different plant species, 299 mammal species, 850 bird species, 370 reptile and amphibian species 11,300 marine life species.

Filmed from a Drone, this video offers a unique aerial view perspective of the Garden Route, one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in South Africa. Some of the highlights you will see are the shorelines of Plettenberg, Keurboomstrand, Bloukrans Bridge (famous for its bungee jumping), Storms River mouth, Robberg Nature Reserve and the Knysna Heads.

Fondly known as the Mother City by South Africans, Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities on the planet, with the world-renown Table Mountain as its backdrop and surrounded by the most stunning scenic beauty one can find.

Join us on a visit to the Kruger National Park, the flagship of South Africa's 21 national parks and experience untamed Africa as you imagined it, meeting the Big Five up close, discovering the unique Little Five, experience exhilarating bushwalks and game drives, learn about bird life, insects, reptiles, topography and ecosystems and much more.

Last but not Least,…

To further ensure an affordable trip, beware of the tourist trap. As with everywhere else in the world, destinations with a high density of tourists such as Cape Town and the Wine lands for instance are often considerably more expensive than the lesser frequented ones. You will often find two price levels in operation, one for locals and one for tourists and visitors. But with some planning and research before you embark to the wilds of South Africa, you can overcome these hindrances and have a very affordable trip indeed.

Last but not least, a VAT tax of 14% applies on all purchases and services, but to ensure even more affordable travel to South Africa, be sure to keep your receipts of any purchases over R250, as you will be able to reclaim your VAT at the Refund Office at your departure lounge.

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2. Reasons to visit South Africa
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3. Cost of living in South Africa