South Africa – Accommodation
In South Africa, the traveller will find all common forms of accommodation. From luxury hotels to standard hotels, guesthouses, guesthouses, camps in the wildlife parks, backpacker hostels, bed and breakfast options and campsites, everything is available here. The hotels in the middle price range are usually surprisingly well equipped and relatively cheap for Europeans due to the exchange rate. Guesthouses are available in all quality levels from simple to 5* luxury. Prices are seasonal almost everywhere. Farm stays are available for as little as 130 Rand p.p. incl. breakfast. The prices in the luxury game lodges range from 400 to 500 US $ per person. Game lodges are located in private, huge game reserves. As a rule, you even get to see the Big Five here.
There are often discounts if you stay longer than two nights. You should also always inquire whether the price is per person or per room and whether breakfast is included. In any case, you should book your accommodation in advance during the high season (October to February and over Easter). If you don’t want to commit, you should call and order one or two days in advance to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Reliable hotel chains include Sun International, Southern Sun, Protea Hotels, Holiday Inn and City Lodge. The camps in the state-owned game parks are comfortable and inexpensive. The hotels tend to be expensive and often more impersonal than guest farms, retreats, and bed and breakfasts as accommodations. Here you live more individually and you come into contact with the locals and often get many tips that you won’t find in any travel guide. Often you also get into conversation with other guests, exchange experiences and possibly go to dinner together. The standard is relatively high, especially in the upper price category. These accommodations can be booked from R300 per person per night. Often these accommodations can be found in historic buildings or in private villas and especially in very good locations. However, even the simpler accommodations offer their own charm. It doesn’t always have to be the upper price segment.
In principle, reservations are not absolutely necessary with the large number of accommodation options. However, if the route is already fixed beforehand, they are very practical, as there is no need to search on site. So you have the certainty that you really get the accommodation you want. In areas with a lot of tourist traffic and for the national parks, you should definitely make reservations in advance, even outside the high season.
