Let’s keep it short and simple. Is travelling to South Africa worth it? Yes! Yes, this country is incredible. It has wonderful urban wonders, incredible beaches and coastal towns and wildlife that just seems to appear right in front of you. Its people were friendly, open and accommodating towards us, and we had a great time. We still often talk about the memories we made on this trip, and I would also go right back to South Africa if it comes up.
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This South Africa Travel Review is based on my two-week trip to South Africa in 2024. I am from Germany, and at this time I have travelled to more than 50 countries, which is important to keep in mind; this offers me the option to compare holiday destinations from the perspective of someone who enjoys that – going on holidays. So, in complete transparency, I am no expert in political situations, and that’s why I am not qualified to give them. I can, however, tell you about my time in South Africa and how I liked it. This South Africa Travel Review will therefore cover both the things that I liked about my time in South Africa and why I think that everyone should visit South Africa at least once (ups, did I just spoil the ending of this travel review?), but also the things that I didn’t like.
Why South Africa Should be on Your Bucket List
South Africa is one of those countries that has it all. You have the vibrant and exciting city of Cape Town for you to explore. Right here, you will find countless activities where every person will find what they desire: cultural immersion, shopping opportunities, museums, art, hiking, viewpoints. There are so many top things to do in Cape Town, it would be hard to list them all. And beyond Cape Town, there is so much beauty for you to explore too. Quaint coastal towns, wide mountain ranges and the unparalleled beauty of the Garden Route. It isn’t one of the most famous bucket list destinations for people without a reason.
The Food in South Africa
Across the country, you will also find some of the best food you have ever tasted. I mean, Cape Town and the Garden Route are directly next to the ocean, so the seafood there being incredible is logical, right? And let me tell you, it is even better than I had imagined. Eating sushi at the Codfather in Cape Town changed my life for the better forever, and I wish I could go there on a weekly basis. The restaurants we visited during our 4-day stay in Cape Town were thoughtfully decorated, with exceptional service and amazing food. There was no exception.
The Wildlife in South Africa
On top of the many things to do in South Africa and the incredible food to have in South Africa, another reason I loved to visit this country is that you just see the most amazing wildlife so casually. Right in Cape Town, you can visit Boulders Beach to see a colony of penguins, and at the Cape of Good Hope we saw ostriches, bunteboks, and so many sea lions. In Hermanus and Plettenberg we saw whales just mere meters away from us and from and between villages we stopped to watch dolphins playing near the shore. And that is all without setting foot in one of the safari parks on the Garden Route. Going on safari in South Africa was one of the most icredible experiences in my entire life.
Furthermore, you will get all these things for such a great value for money. As Europeans, we cherished this part enormously, but I know that we might be a little biased on that one.
What I didn’t like about travelling to South Africa
While none of the things that I didn’t like about travelling South Africa would have prevented me from going there, I still want to list them to give you a more detailed and balanced view of the country and our overall travel experiences.
The Safety Issue
One thing that tainted my time in Cape Town was, for sure, the permanent safety concern. I simply love walkable cities and am one of those travellers that collect 20k steps per day on a trip easily. So in Cape Town, you are ought to take an Uber even for short distances. As this is for safety reasons, you also don’t really want to argue with that.
Furthermore, certain neighbourhoods can feel quite scammy, and you will feel like you have to watch your belongings very closely. People being robbed in Cape Town is something that happens quite regularly. One thing I was warned about time and time again was to never leave your luggage unattended in your car, as windows get broken into on a daily basis.
These were just a few things I did to be safe, but if you are travelling to South Africa, please make sure to check out official safety guidelines and instructions.
Between Champagne and Town Ships
Apart from the safety issues, the one thing that got to me the most was the palpable rift between luxury and poverty. To this day, you can still feel, see and experience the consequences of Segregation in South Africa in a way that feels much more present than when you are experiencing it in other countries. In Cape Town and the other towns, you will have the most luxurious and wonderful time, but then passing townships left and right can make you feel guilty.
This guilt is not something particularly bad. I think it is good and important to have it and educate yourself on the matter. However, I can also understand why this might stain your view of a trip to South Africa. If you are simply looking for a vacation destination where you will have a good time, without questioning society or politics, Cape Town might not be the place for you. However, I believe you can also view this as an option to expand your horizons and experience a new place.
Conclusion – South Africa Travel Review
South Africa is one of the the most incredible travel destinations on the globe. It does come with different rules than others, but in my opinion, this shouldn’t be something not coming to South Africa for. Stay safe, be aware of your surroundings and be open minded for new influences and experiences.
