Solo Travel in South Africa: What I Wish I Knew Sooner

I’d read the warnings. The forums. The travel blogs that opened with “Is South Africa safe for solo travelers?” followed by long paragraphs that sounded more like disclaimers than advice. But something about the country kept pulling me in.

So I went. Alone.

And here’s what I wish someone had told me before I boarded that plane — the good, the weird, the nerve-wracking, and the moments that made it completely worth it.

First: South Africa is not just one place. It’s cities and deserts, mountains and oceans, safaris and suburbs, and everything in between. Traveling solo here doesn’t mean one experience — it means a dozen, all rolled into one unpredictable, eye-opening adventure.

I started in Cape Town, which might be the most naturally beautiful city I’ve ever seen. Table Mountain towers above neighborhoods like a protective older sibling. The city feels like a mash-up of San Francisco, Rio, and nowhere else on earth.

My hostel was filled with travelers, digital nomads, and long-term backpackers. I was never alone unless I wanted to be. I joined a group hike up Lion’s Head my first morning and ended the day eating bobotie and drinking local wine with six strangers-turned-friends.

Cape Town felt safe — mostly. But you learn fast: don’t walk around at night alone. Don’t flash your phone. Don’t assume everyone has your best intentions. It’s a place of contrast — wealth and poverty often on the same street. The kindness I experienced was real, but so was the need to stay alert.

When I rented a car and drove the Garden Route, things changed.

This stretch of coastal highway was the solo travel dream: winding roads, empty beaches, small towns like Knysna and Wilderness that felt like movie sets. I stayed in a treehouse hostel one night, a farm cottage the next. I went hiking in Tsitsikamma National Park, swam under a waterfall, and ate biltong from a gas station that tasted better than anything I’d bought in a grocery store.

Driving solo in South Africa is a thrill — and sometimes a stress test. You drive on the left. The roads range from perfect to “where did the road go?” Google Maps is mostly reliable, but don’t count on signal in remote areas. Get a SIM card early, and always download offline maps.

I had one flat tire in the middle of nowhere. A passing farmer helped me change it while his kid fed me dried mango. We barely spoke the same language, but I’ve never felt more looked after.

And yes — I went on safari. Solo.

I stayed in a tented camp in Addo Elephant Park. It wasn’t fancy, but it didn’t need to be. At dusk, I watched elephants cross the horizon like a slow-moving parade. I joined a group game drive and saw lions from a distance that made me question my camera’s zoom capabilities. At night, I sat by the fire with a couple from Sweden and a retiree from Joburg who told me ghost stories and gave me career advice.

There’s something surreal about sitting in silence while giraffes eat just a few feet away.

I didn’t feel alone on safari — I felt small, in the best way.

But not every moment was perfect. I got sick once in Durban and had to navigate a local clinic solo. I had a cab driver in Johannesburg try to overcharge me (lesson: always use Bolt or Uber if you can). I once got completely lost in a township after a miscommunication and had to rely on a group of schoolkids to walk me back to the main road.

And yet, every “oh no” moment turned into a memory. A story. A reminder that traveling solo isn’t always about being fearless — it’s about learning to keep going, even when things feel unfamiliar.

Here’s what I learned that I wish someone had told me earlier:

1. You don’t have to see everything. South Africa is huge. Choose quality over quantity.

2. Don’t let fear stop you. Be smart, stay aware, but go anyway.

3. Locals will often go out of their way to help you — let them.

4. Hostels here are underrated. They’re social, cheap, and often come with epic views.

5. Night buses exist, but flights are sometimes cheaper — and faster.

6. You don’t need to join a tour to see the country, but some day tours (like the Soweto cycle tour or Cape Peninsula drive) are worth every rand.

7. Wildlife isn’t just in the parks. I saw monkeys steal a guy’s lunch in a parking lot.

8. Get travel insurance. Just do it.

I came to South Africa thinking I’d be ticking off bucket list items. What I found was something deeper — a place that challenged me, surprised me, and reminded me that solo travel isn’t about being brave. It’s about being open.

Would I go back? In a heartbeat. But next time, I’ll pack warmer clothes for the chilly Cape Town nights and bring more time to explore the Eastern Cape.

Solo travel in South Africa isn’t for everyone. But if you’re thinking about it — really thinking about it — take this as your sign.

Go. Learn. Adjust. Get lost. Be found. And let South Africa show you what it’s made of.

Because what I found there wasn’t just wildlife or mountains or great food.

What I found was me.

And I wouldn’t trade that for anything.