- Baz Bus Hop on Hop off
The Baz Bus is a hop-on, hop-off backpackers bus in South Africa. It’s an easy way to get from A to B and a fun way to meet other travellers. They drop you at your backpacking hostel door.
- Buy back Car Companies
Buy a car here for your journey through Southern Africa and save up to 60% in rental fees!
- Car Hire South Africa
There are a number of cheap car hire operators in South Africa. All of the cities in South Africa have car hire branches.
- Long Distance Buses
There are a number of long distance buses including Translux, Intercape, Greyhound and the Baz Bus (which is the only real backpacker bus).
- Long distance trains
Southern Africa does not have a great railroad infrastructure so travelling by train is fairly restrictive (but fun nonetheless).
- Minibus taxis
Without doubt, the cheapest way to travel is to use local black transport systems or “minibus taxis”. They require nerves of steel but are definitely the most efficient way to get around pretty much anywhere in South Africa.
Air Flights
Major airlines fly into Cape Town and Johannesburg on a daily basis. You won’t get cheaper fares by booking them in Southern Africa so you may as well book them from wherever you are/live.
Local flights are cheaper if they are booked at least a week in advance. Unfortunately there are no last minute stand-by specials in this country!
Internal flights and flights in Southern Africa
South African Airlink /SAA
SAA fly to all major centres, as well as to George and Plettenberg Bay (on the Garden Route), Nelspruit (which is close to the Kruger National Park) and Upington (which is close to the Kalahari). They also have flights from Johannesburg to Mazini and Maseru in Swaziland, and between Durban and Maputo (Mozambique). There is a daily flight from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls.
SAA fly to all major centres, as well as to George and Plettenberg Bay (on the Garden Route), Nelspruit (which is close to the Kruger National Park) and Upington (which is close to the Kalahari). They also have flights from Johannesburg to Mazini and Maseru in Swaziland, and between Durban and Maputo (Mozambique). There is a daily flight from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls.
www.saairlink.co.za Johannesburg: Tel: (011) 978 1111 Cape Town: Tel: (021) 936 1111
British Airways
BA fly between Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and Port Elizabeth. They also fly to Victoria Falls and Harare from Johannesburg every day. They fly from Jo’burg to Lusaka (the capital of Zambia) once a day, and once a day to Windhoek, the capital of Namibia.
BA fly between Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and Port Elizabeth. They also fly to Victoria Falls and Harare from Johannesburg every day. They fly from Jo’burg to Lusaka (the capital of Zambia) once a day, and once a day to Windhoek, the capital of Namibia.
British Airways is operated by Comair Johannesburg: Tel: (011) 921 0222 Cape Town: Tel: (021) 936 9000
South African Express
These guys fly you from Cape Town or Jo’burg to Hoedspruit airport - you can’t get any closer to the Kruger Park unless you have your own aeroplane. If you are a mega-buck tourist, they’ll fly you right into the Kruger National Park, landing at Skukuza. The flight goes via Sun City, so should you want, you can arrange a stop-over. They also fly to Gaberone in Botswana.
These guys fly you from Cape Town or Jo’burg to Hoedspruit airport - you can’t get any closer to the Kruger Park unless you have your own aeroplane. If you are a mega-buck tourist, they’ll fly you right into the Kruger National Park, landing at Skukuza. The flight goes via Sun City, so should you want, you can arrange a stop-over. They also fly to Gaberone in Botswana.
Johannesburg: Tel: (011) 978 5569
Flights within Africa
Johannesburg – Malawi: You can fly with SAA or Air Malawi. Johannesburg – Kenya: You can fly with SAA or Kenya Airways. Johannesburg - Dar es Salaam: You can fly with SAA and Air Tanzania.
Johannesburg – Malawi: You can fly with SAA or Air Malawi. Johannesburg – Kenya: You can fly with SAA or Kenya Airways. Johannesburg - Dar es Salaam: You can fly with SAA and Air Tanzania.
Exotic destinations from Jo’burg with Interair - flying to Antananarivo, Reunion, Libreville, Seychelles, Douala, and Ndola. (I don’t know where these some of these places are, but you might.) Mail interair@mweb.co.za
Last words
There is no departure tax when you depart SA - it’s included in your ticket, although this may change. You will pay US $20 departure tax when you fly out of Zimbabwe and Kenya.
There is no departure tax when you depart SA - it’s included in your ticket, although this may change. You will pay US $20 departure tax when you fly out of Zimbabwe and Kenya.
Really last words
Make sure there’s space in your bag to take stuff home. You don’t need 20kg of luggage to have a good holiday. Carry a backpack, not a mobile home. Be intrepid. And don’t worry about your giraffe - the airlines have had plenty of practise.
Make sure there’s space in your bag to take stuff home. You don’t need 20kg of luggage to have a good holiday. Carry a backpack, not a mobile home. Be intrepid. And don’t worry about your giraffe - the airlines have had plenty of practise.
If at first you don’t succeed, skydiving is not for you.
Feeling lucky?(randomly selected service providers from all regions)
Satvik in Tzaneen is a wonderful laid-back and rustic backpackers farm where time holds its breath and fish eagles are framed by seablue skies.
(Tzaneen,Mpumalanga)
They offer a small lodge and a travel centre.
(Cape Town City Centre,Cape Town)
A Community Centre and Homestay that offers fascinating insight into our history and the paths that can be taken to repair past injustices.
(Punda Maria and Makuleke,Limpopo)
Set in a quaint old Karoo house, The Owl House Backpackers is a must for anyone who has the time, or needs a spiritual boost.
(Nieu Bethesda,Eastern Cape Inland and the Karoo)
En route to Lesotho, between the Wild Coast and Jo'burg.
(Rouxville,Free State)
Cape St Francis backpackers is located just off the beach. The town of Cape St Francis will give you some of the best surf breaks in South Africa.
(Cape St Francis,Sunshine Coast)
They offer easy access to the tourist attractions of George and the Garden Route.
(George,Garden Route)
Fly between cliffs on cables - it’s a jol.
(Graaff-Reinet,North West Province)
Chill out in your beachfront chalet or sea-view room in this eco-friendly estate.
(Pemba Mozambique,Mozambique)
On-line bookings that make the most of what's on offer.
(Stellenbosch,)
