Solo travellers have tons of reasons to visit South Africa. English is widely spoken, locals are famously welcoming, and the landscapes — whether bushveld, beaches, or buzzing cities — are some of the most fascinating on the planet.
For some, solo travel in South Africa could feel intimidating at first glance. You might hear conflicting stories about safety, long distances to get around, and logistics. The truth is that with a little planning, South Africa is one of the most rewarding countries in the world for solo travellers. With the right mix of on-your-own exploration and group adventures, solo travellers can discover how to see South Africa safely and affordably, with plenty of new friends along the way.
Is South Africa good for solo travel?
The short answer is yes, but with some planning. South Africa consistently ranks as one of Africa’s top destinations for solo travellers, thanks to its variety of experiences, well-developed tourism industry, and English-speaking population. For first-timers to the continent, it offers a softer landing while still delivering the raw thrills Africa is known for. For solo travellers, one of the benefits is that English is widely spoken in major cities, along the Garden Route, and within the safari circuit. Communication barriers are minimal, which makes arranging tours, navigating menus, and chatting with locals much easier.
Infrastructure is excellent in popular tourist areas. Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban have airports, highways, and domestic flights that make long distances manageable. Plus, bucket-list experiences abound. From safaris in Kruger to road-tripping along the Garden Route, South Africa delivers the sort of moments (lion sightings, penguin colonies, whale-watching) that solo travellers dream of.
In South Africa, community is easy to find. Cape Town’s co-living spaces, Joburg’s hostel scene, and day tours throughout the country mean you’re never far from like-minded travellers.
Safety tips for solo travellers
Is it safe to visit South Africa? The country does face challenges with crime, and travellers, solo or not, should take precautions. These steps help mitigate risks and allow you to focus on the country’s rich experiences. The golden rules:
– Stick to well-known tourist areas.
– Use Uber or Bolt instead of hailing taxis off the street.
– Avoid walking alone at night, even in central neighbourhoods and areas considered safe.
– Join small-group tours when venturing into remote areas or national parks.
– Don’t flash valuables or carry large amounts of cash.
– Ask your accommodations about which areas are safe to explore on foot.
– Carry a working SIM or eSIM for maps and communication.
– Travel with others when hiking, on safari, or in remote areas.
One of the easiest ways to combine independence with peace of mind is to join a small-group trip. G Adventures’ Solo-ish South Africa itinerary is designed exactly for this: solo-friendly tours where you get your own space, but also the opportunity to connect with other travellers. Think of it as the best of both worlds: freedom when you want it and community when you need it.
South Africa destinations for solo travel
South Africa is perfect for solo travel. This country truly has it all: wildlife safaris, golden beaches perfect for surfing, buzzing cities, and a wine and food culture that rivals anywhere in the world. Most importantly, solo doesn’t mean alone here. Between hostels, day trips, and small-group tours, it’s easy to make connections. Whether you want to blaze your own trail or join a group, South Africa rewards independence while surrounding you with opportunity.
Cape Town
If there’s one city that encapsulates why South Africa is perfect for solo travellers, it’s Cape Town. Cushioned between mountains and ocean, Cape Town offers everything from outdoor adventures to cultural immersion. You can spend one day in Cape Town summiting Table Mountain, either on foot for a rewarding challenge or by cable car if you prefer the easy route, and the next wandering through the Bo-Kaap, learning to make Cape Malay curries in a colourful community kitchen.
The V&A Waterfront buzzes with restaurants, galleries, and ferry departures to Robben Island, where you can reflect on South Africa’s history. For nature lovers, a day trip to the Cape Peninsula brings coastal views, the rugged cliffs of Cape Point, and the famous colony of African penguins at Boulders Beach.
What makes Cape Town especially great for solo travellers is the infrastructure. The city has hostels with social events, co-living apartments, and boutique hotels with communal lounges. Whether you’re craving company or solitude, you can easily find both.
Experience it for yourself on: Cape Town to Victoria Falls Adventure
Johannesburg
South Africa’s largest city is often skipped by tourists, but Johannesburg deserves a place on any solo itinerary. Even if you have only 24 hours in Johannesburg, you can experience a lot of the city. History buffs will be moved by the Apartheid Museum, one of the most powerful museums in the world. A guided visit to Soweto offers insight into South Africa’s struggle for equality, with stops at Vilakazi Street — the only street in the world where two Nobel Peace Prize winners, Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu, once lived. For a more contemporary scene, the Maboneng Precinct brims with street art, galleries, and weekend markets where you can join locals for craft beer and live music.
Experience it for yourself on: Best of South Africa
Kruger National Park
Few names conjure the magic of Africa quite like Kruger National Park. One of Africa’s best safari destinations, Kruger is enormous, with ecosystems that host an astonishing variety of wildlife. Seeing the “big five” — lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalo — on a single drive is not uncommon.
For solo travellers, guided game drives are the way to go. Self-driving can be daunting if you’re on your own, given the size of the park and the need for constant vigilance. Instead, eco-lodges and tour operators run daily 4×4 safaris where you’ll stay safe, as well as share the thrill of spotting a lioness with fellow travellers. Evenings are best spent around a fire at your lodge, swapping stories of the day’s sightings and enjoying amazing South African food like a traditional braai (barbecue).
Experience it for yourself on: Cape Town, Kruger & Zimbabwe
Garden Route
South Africa’s Garden Route is a solo traveller’s dream: a stretch of coast that combines beaches, forests, lagoons, and adventure sports into one unforgettable road trip. The route is well-marked and dotted with towns that welcome backpackers and road-trippers.
Start in Mossel Bay, a town with golden beaches and a touch of history as the place where European explorers first set foot on South African soil. From there, stop in Knysna, a lagoon town known for its oyster festivals and relaxed vibe. In Plettenberg Bay, dolphin- and whale-watching cruises set out daily, while Tsitsikamma National Park offers trails through indigenous forests and along suspension bridges that sway over plunging gorges. For adrenaline seekers, this is also where you’ll find the Bloukrans Bridge, home to the world’s highest commercial bungee jump. Solo doesn’t feel lonely when you’re free-falling with dozens of other thrill-seekers cheering you on.
Experience it for yourself on: Kruger Safari & The Garden Route
Best things to do for solo travellers
There’s never a dull moment in this country because South Africa offers travellers tons of things to do.
Group-friendly activities
Sometimes the best way to experience South Africa is in the company of others. Group safari drives in South Africa’s national parks like Kruger or Addo Elephant Park give you access to expert rangers who know where the wildlife is likely to appear. In cities like Cape Town and Jo’burg, cooking classes introduce you to both food and people. Learn how to make bunny chow with a local chef or share bobotie (spiced meatloaf) straight from the oven.
Township tours led by residents offer safe and respectful ways to understand communities that shaped South Africa’s history, while hostel-based Garden Route tours link activities like zip lining, kayaking, or shark cage diving into social, easy-to-book packages. Even if you start out solo, you’ll end these activities with a handful of new friends.
Solo-focused activities
There are also plenty of ways to explore at your own pace. Wander the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens or spend a day wine tasting in Stellenbosch. For a more laid-back vibe, head to seaside towns like Hermanus, famous for whale-watching, or Simon’s Town, which has a penguin colony. If you’re confident behind the wheel, road-tripping solo from Cape Town through the Garden Route to Port Elizabeth is one of the continent’s greatest drives.
Planning your South Africa solo travel
Join a small-group tour with G Adventures, and leave the logistics to us.
Getting around
Distances in South Africa are vast, but there’s a strong network to help you get from point A to point B. Domestic flights are quick and affordable, making it easy to jump from Cape Town to Johannesburg or Kruger. For travellers on a tighter budget, long-distance buses like Intercape are reliable, while the Bazbus is especially popular with backpackers, offering hop-on, hop-off passes between hostels along key routes. In cities, rideshare apps like Uber and Bolt are lifesavers. They’re safer and more transparent than hailing taxis off the street, and you can track your route in real time. One golden rule: avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas, even if locals tell you it’s safe.
Accommodations
South Africa caters beautifully to solo travellers with a wide spectrum of accommodation options. In Cape Town, you’ll find hostels with rooftop bars overlooking Table Mountain, where group hikes on South Africa’s best trails and braai nights are organized weekly. Along the Garden Route, beachside backpacker lodges double as adventure hubs, where you can sign up for zip lining or kayaking tours directly from the reception desk.
If you prefer something quieter, eco-lodges, guesthouses, and boutique hotels often include shared dining spaces where solo travellers can mingle. If you crave guaranteed connection, a structured small-group itinerary like G Adventures’ Solo-ish South Africa ensures you’re surrounded by like-minded travellers while still having the flexibility to branch out on your own.
Budgeting tip
For travellers from North America or Europe, South Africa offers excellent value. Dining, wine, and local transport are affordable, though safaris and domestic flights can eat into budgets. A smart strategy is to balance free activities (beach days, hikes) with special moments like private game lodges or adrenaline sports.
Connecting with others while traveling solo
One of the best parts of solo travel in South Africa is how easy it is to make connections. Stay in hostels or guesthouses with communal kitchens and lounges. Use social media or platforms like Backpackr or Meetup to link with fellow travelers. Activities like paragliding in Cape Town, shark diving in Gansbaai, or township tours naturally draw a mix of solo explorers eager to swap stories. Of course, if you want a ready-made group of travel companions, G Adventures’ Solo-ish South Africa tour ensures you’ll travel solo without ever feeling alone.
10-Day South Africa solo travel itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Cape Town and watch the sunset at Signal Hill.
Day 2: Hike Table Mountain and explore the V&A Waterfront.
Day 3: Full-day Cape Peninsula tour, including Boulders Beach penguins and Cape Point.
Day 4: Robben Island in the morning and then a Cape Malay cooking class in Bo-Kaap.
Day 5: Fly to the Kruger region and enjoy a sunset safari drive.
Day 6: Full-day “big five” game drive in Kruger National Park.
Day 7: Early bush walk or upgrade to a safari lodge.
Day 8: Fly to Johannesburg and explore the Maboneng Precinct.
Day 9: Day trip to Soweto and the Apartheid Museum.
Day 10: Departure or set off on the Garden Route.
