South Africa is often thought of as dangerous and unsafe, particularly for solo / single travellers. We’re here to dispel any negative press. You can visit South Africa safely and with no issues, just like many thousands of other travellers do every year. Of course, with any solo travel, it’s important to have a level of common sense. Remember to be respectful of the people and environments you encounter, that way you’ll get the most out of your experience and your time in this extraordinary country.
Here, we’ve compiled a list of some of our highlights for single / solo holidays to South Africa for over 50s.
Destination holidays to South Africa for solo / single travellers over 50
Garden Route
The Garden Route is an area of natural beauty that stretches for over 200km, from Mossel Bay in the west to Storms River in the east. The route hugs the coastline and it’s an ideal way to explore pristine bays and quaint towns. As a solo traveller, we recommend joining a small group tour or booking a self-drive tour from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth.
Kruger National Park
No solo adventure holiday to South Africa is complete without a safari. Covering 7,500 square miles, Kruger National Park is vast so as much as you might not cover the whole area in one trip, you certainly won’t be disappointed by the diversity of wildlife on display. Set your sights on the Big Five – lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalos – and soak up the tranquillity of the savannah. The best time to visit for game viewing tends to be from May to October.
The best cities for solo / singles holidays to South Africa:
Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch is wine territory. If you’re over 50 and planning a holiday to South Africa, a visit to Stellenbosch should definitely be an item on your itinerary. Here, you’ll have a chance to try some world-class wines while taking in breathtaking countryside. In the town itself, explore the Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian architecture along its oak-lined streets along with a clutch of museums, quality restaurants, hotels and bars.
Cape Town
It’s no understatement to say Cape Town is iconic. For solo travellers over 50, a holiday to South Africa is not complete without a few days exploring Cape Town. The city isn’t short on fantastic hotels – choose between ocean views in five-star luxury, laid-back resorts and cool boutiques in the centre of town. We recommend being within walking distance from all the action so you can easily access world-class restaurants, bars, cafés and shopping opportunities galore.
Hermanus
Known as the whale watching capital of South Africa, Hermanus sits on the windswept coast of Walker Bay. This stretch is a major spot for sighting southern right whales who migrate to these sheltered waters from Antarctica to breed and rear their calves. Book a boat tour for a closer glimpse of these gentle giants and spend an afternoon exploring the surrounding cliff paths that overlook the sea.
Trusted partners for over 50s solo / singles holidays in South Africa:
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South Africa Articles
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For more ideas, inspiration and advice traveling to South Africa you might also like to take a look at articles from our travel writers on their adventures:
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