Things to do in South Africa
2 destinations in South Africa, when to visit each, and what a trip actually costs.
Places to visit in South Africa
- Things to do in Cape Town city, beach, nature
- Things to do in Johannesburg city, culture, adventure
Best time to visit South Africa
When flights to each destination are cheapest.
- Cape Town
- The cheapest months to fly to Cape Town are May through August (Southern Hemisphere winter), when fares from major US hubs can run 25-35% lower than the December-January peak summer season. Flying midweek, Tuesday or Wednesday departures, adds another 5-10% in savings.
- Johannesburg
- The cheapest months to fly to Johannesburg are May, June, and early September, Southern Hemisphere autumn and the shoulder season before the European summer crush, when fares can run 20-35% lower than the December holiday peak. Tuesdays and Wednesdays consistently offer the lowest published fares from most major hubs.
Is South Africa expensive?
It depends on the city and how you travel. Open any destination below and set your dates, budget and home airport to get an estimated total for flights, stays and day-to-day spending, rather than a generic average.
Free things to do in South Africa
- Cape Town: Hike Lion's Head A circular trail with chain-assisted scrambles leads to a peak with iconic views of Table Mountain and the Atlantic, no entry fee.
- Johannesburg: Neighbourgoods Market Vibrant Saturday food and craft market in the Braamfontein arts hub with live music and incredible local street food