- 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)
These are usually air-conditioned “luxury buses” which have on-board toilets and a hostess who occasionally offers you a sugary drink or blanket. “Chicken (pack ‘em and stack ‘em) busses” are cheaper, less spacious, more crowded, more likely to be fun (if you have a sense of humour) and more likely to break down. In some areas they may be the only bus service and are unlikely to have a strict timetable.
(Not Set / NA,Not set / NA)
A quiet beach with warm water year round, thumping surf and safe swimming is just a 2 minute walk away. Most mornings see dolphins cruising around the point.
(Umzumbe KZN,South Coast)
Centrally located, this efficiently run backpacker has a fantastic view over the Swartberg Mountains and the sunset which casts a magical shadow over it every evening.
(Oudtshoorn,Garden Route)
In Central PE and close to restaurants, shops and public transport, PE Backpackers is situated in a gracious old Victorian house.
(Port Elizabeth,Sunshine Coast)
Aliwal Shoal is one of the world's top dive sites, so grab this opportunity to get out there and discover an awesome array of marine life.
(Umkomaas,South Coast)
Situated in town, Jeffreys Bay Backpackers has the best of both worlds.
(Jeffreys Bay,Sunshine Coast)
Set on a huge property with lovely gardens and overlooking the mystical Hogsback Peaks, this is a wonderful backpacker.
(Hogsback,Eastern Cape Inland and the Karoo)
This is Cape Town backpackers is in the centre of Long Street.
(Cape Town City Centre,Cape Town)
A soul calming view of azure seas.
(Vilanculos,Mozambique)
Offer some of the best tours into the Addo Elephant Park
(Addo Elephant Park,Eastern Cape Inland and the Karoo)
