A holiday doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Consider some home- grown options and tips for exploring, relaxing and making memories, while being money-savvy at the same time.
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A good break is the best way to rejuvenate your body and soul. Getting away from the daily grind is a huge privilege, but rising travel costs and a weakening rand make it increasingly difficult to afford an overseas adventure. So, why not keep it local?
Hit the road
Road trips are the ultimate budget- friendly holiday. SA has many quaint small towns brimming with friendly locals who welcome visitors with open arms.
Accommodation ranges from self-catering cottages to farm stays. Check out the wide range of affordable accommodation options offered by South African National Parks (SANParks) and Cape Nature Conservation.
Lauren Melnick, a South African travel blogger, believes it’s worthwhile to research what’s on offer. ‘Many provide spectacular experiences, such as the Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve, which has incredible “glamping” tents and camping areas with electricity and incredible views,’ she adds.
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Choose self-catering
Self-catering is an excellent way to save money, whether you want to visit big cities or more rural areas. This is especially true when travelling with a family, as eating out can quickly add up. You can still splurge on a meal at a restaurant occasionally, but make it a special treat rather than the norm on your holiday.
Travel off-season
When you travel can make a significant difference in the cost. If possible, avoid peak seasons, long weekends and school holidays. Travel during the low season, from 1 May to 30 September, for some fantastic deals because hotels have low occupancy and frequently offer winter specials to entice local travellers. The added bonus will be fewer crowds and a far more relaxed holiday experience.
Book your flights well in advance
According to Flight Centre, domestic flights are booked an average of 43 days in advance, which isn’t enough time to ensure the best deal. Antoinette Turner, General Manager of Flight Centre South Africa, recommends booking at least three to six months in advance to get the best price, noting that during school holidays, the demand often outstrips the available flights, driving up airfare prices.
According to Antoinette, domestic mid-week flights are often less expensive than weekend flights. ‘These are small patterns that, once identified, can make a big difference in cost.’
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Compare deals before booking
Special offers don’t only come around on Black Friday. If you can take advantage of them, you can find some fantastic last-minute deals in the off-season. According to Dawn Jorgensen of The Incidental Tourist, if you’re booking in advance or can
only go away at specific times, such as school holidays, there may be discounts if you book online in advance, ‘Compare prices on the establishment’s website to those on booking platforms such as booking.com to make sure that you’re getting the best rate and added benefits,’ she advises.
Explore Africa
The African continent has many iconic holiday experiences, and you don’t have to travel very far or spend a fortune to enjoy them. Seeing where the Namib Desert meets the Atlantic Ocean in Swakopmund or hiking up Kopje Hill in Zimbabwe are both free activities, according to Antoinette. ‘Other must-sees, like Victoria Falls, have an entry fee, but these are generally affordable, with Southern African Development Community (SADC) visitors enjoying a significant discount.’
During the rainy season, safari lodges in Africa, including Botswana, Kenya and Tanzania, may offer discounts. Do your research to see when these ‘low season’ dips occur, as some destinations such as Kenya have two rainy seasons per year.
You also need to consider whether a trip during the low season will meet your expectations for the destination. ‘For example, the rainy season is ideal for bird lovers who want to see the migratory birds returning to the national parks,’ says Lauren. ‘But if you don’t want to go on safari in Kenya, explore coastal towns such as Diani, Watamu or Lamu, which are affordable and offer incredible beach destinations.’
While the destination may be affordable, reaching it may not be. Dawn cautions that some African destinations can only be reached by expensive flights or transfers. ‘Enlist the help of a ground operator if you want to visit lesser-known places, as they will know how to direct you towards the best option and provide support with logistics at most price points,’ she recommends.
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Be realistic
You may not be able to afford to do everything you want, so be realistic and manage your expectations of what you want to get out of the holiday.
‘If hot-air ballooning in Namibia is on your bucket list, you may need to choose camping so you can splurge on the element that is most important to you,’ says Lauren. ‘Depending on where you’re going, it may be cheaper to book a package that includes flights and an all-inclusive resort, if available, as this may be cheaper than booking everything separately.’
Work within a budget
There’s nothing worse than returning home to find you’ve overspent on your holiday and must work to pay it back! The first step in your holiday planning is to create a budget and then plan within the parameters that you can afford. Decide on what you want to do and where you want to go so that you can budget accordingly. Remember to budget for tips, transportation, food and shopping. Souvenirs and other trinkets can also add up quickly, so budget for a few thousand rand as well.
Dawn recommends using a dedicated bank account to keep track of all your spending while on holiday.
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Plan wisely to save money
If you’re doing your own bookings, select accommodation that will limit commuting costs. If you pre-book activities, see if there are any bulk discounts for booking multiple activities. Prepare as many of your own meals as possible, pack your own snacks and bring a refillable water bottle. You can also be your own tour guide or join a group tour instead of a private tour. Lastly, avoid spontaneous shopping, particularly the temptation to buy endless souvenirs.
This article was originally published in the October 2024 issue of Woman&Home SA.
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