Useful Information for Backpacking South Africa

Awesome! Once you’ve booked, just let us know who you’re travelling with and we’ll make sure you’re roomed together. Easy as that!

Accommodation on this trip is budget-friendly, typically 2 to 3 star standard. Each place is selected for comfort, location, and convenience.

Yes, vegetarian and vegan options are available throughout the tour. However, meat is a staple of South African cuisine, so options may be more limited compared to what you're used to. Your group leader can help recommend the best available meals at each stop.

It depends on your passport. British, Australian, Canadian and New Zealand passport holders, among many others, can visit South Africa without a visa for up to 90 days; other nationalities may need a visitor visa before travelling. Our South Africa visa guide has the details.

Since 1 July 2026, every traveller entering or leaving South Africa must complete an online traveller declaration with SARS, no more than 24 hours before departure. For British passport holders, the UK government's entry requirements say your passport must be valid for at least 30 days after you leave and have at least 2 blank pages.

We cannot arrange visas for you: the rules depend on your passport, and it is your responsibility to check them well before you travel. Our South Africa visa guide explains the rules, and if you do need a visa you can start your application here.

If your trip crosses into Eswatini, as the 12-day Backpacking South Africa does, check Eswatini's rules too. British passport holders can currently visit Eswatini without a visa for up to 30 days, and the UK government advises having 2 blank passport pages for Eswatini plus 2 more for South Africa.

International flights are not included in the price of any tour and will need to be booked separately. You’re free to book your own flights or book here.

Once you've booked your flights, log in to My Account on our website and enter your flight arrival details. That is how your group leader knows when you are landing.

Arriving before the tour starts, or staying on at the end? Let us know as early as you can so we can check availability and pricing on extra nights.

Please let us know as soon as possible. If you are already en route and a connecting flight changes, contact your group leader or email us so we can still meet you at the airport.

For group tours, your place is confirmed once enough travellers have booked, and always at least four weeks (28 days) before your tour starts. Most group tours are confirmed around six months before departure.

For volunteer or private bookings, please allow 2-3 working days.

If a tour does not run, you get a full refund.

We always recommend travelling with a backpack and keeping things light. Around 10 to 20 kilograms of gear is usually plenty.

It’s often hot in South Africa, and dragging around a large suitcase can be uncomfortable. Luggage storage is available at the airport or at some accommodations if needed.

South Africa runs on 230V and 50Hz, and you will find a mix of sockets: the large three round-pin Type M, the newer three-pin Type N, and the two-pin European Type C. Eswatini uses the same types.

A universal adapter that takes Type M is the easiest option, as many European and all UK plugs will not fit. Travellers from the UK and Europe do not need a voltage converter for phone, laptop or camera chargers.

Comfortable clothes in neutral colours such as khaki, green, beige or brown work best, as they blend in and do not show the dust. Bring layers: early morning and evening game drives in an open vehicle can be surprisingly cold, especially from May to September, so pack a warm fleece or jacket even in summer.

Add a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent and closed shoes, and bring binoculars if you have them. A small bag keeps your camera and phone dust-free.

Yes. Most of our accommodations offer free Wi-Fi. Speeds may be slower than what you’re used to, but you’ll be able to stay connected and do basic tasks like messaging and checking emails.

We recommend arriving on the official start date of the tour, as that’s when most travellers arrive. While there are no activities scheduled on the first day, the group usually meets for a welcome dinner around 7pm.

The tour ends in Cape Town, which has its own international airport. If you plan to leave right after the trip, we recommend flying out of Cape Town International Airport. That means flying into Johannesburg at the start, and flying out of Cape Town at the end if possible.

If you need to get back to Johannesburg, take a domestic flight from Cape Town to O.R. Tambo International. The flight takes around 2 hours, so if you are flying home from Johannesburg on the last day of the tour, book your onward flight for after 3pm.

Tipping is not required on our tours, but South Africa has a strong tipping culture.

It’s customary to tip small amounts in bars, restaurants, and for services like taxis. While we cover the wages of local suppliers, many travellers choose to tip drivers and local guides if they’ve received great service.

Your group leader can provide guidance on suggested tip amounts if you’d like to contribute.

Most things are covered, including activities, transport, accommodation and some meals. You'll just need money for extra meals, drinks, shopping and any onward travel after the tour.

This tour covers a large part of South Africa, so expect some long travel days and the possibility of delays due to traffic. We use a private bus for the full journey, and the itinerary includes one internal flight to help cover longer distances comfortably.

The trip starts in Johannesburg and finishes in Cape Town.