South Africa’s small towns are a small slice of paradise in the rural countryside. They have loads of charm and beauty, and many of these destinations offer guests plenty of things to do.
And as spending gets a little tighter, more and more South Africans are looking for ways to still enjoy a holiday break, and these small towns are looking really attractive.
When you are looking for a budget friendly holiday, there are a few things to keep in mind. Budget friendly doesn’t need to be cheap in quality. You can still travel to beautiful places and have a one of a kind holiday, without having to worry about it feeling cheap.
The first thing to consider when planning your break to a budget friendly town is the accommodation. Many budget friendly small towns have fantastic accommodation options, and generally, the kind of accommodation you will find is going to be rustic and made to feel like home. The next thing to think about is what you are going to eat. Self-catered accommodation is always going to be your more budget friendly option, as you will be able to prepare your own meals, but most budget friendly towns will also have reasonably priced places to eat. Finally, you need to think about proximity. We all know petrol is expensive, so finding a small town closer to home for your holiday is going to save you quite a bit of money.
5 Budget Friendly Small Towns for your next Holiday
- White River
The village of White River, just on the outside of Nelspruit, is a stunning place with equally stunning accommodation and plenty of things to do. White River accommodation ranges from hotels to guest houses and many are the perfect place to stay if you intend to travel to the Kruger National Park during your holiday.
- Sabie
A few kilometres from White River is the charming village of Sabie. Surrounded by huge mountains and both manmade and natural forests, Sabie is an oasis of calm and the perfect place for a quiet holiday. Sabie accommodation mostly consists of guesthouses, and most of the places to eat are locally owned.
- Haenertsberg
Up in Limpopo lies a magical place that will take your breath away, but won’t do harm to your budget. Haenertsberg is built between two mountains up on the Great Escarpment and has fabulous places to stay. With its immense natural scenery and indigenous forests, it is the perfect place for those who want an outdoor holiday. What’s more is that only 350 families live here.
- Kaapsehoop
Another magical village, Kaapsehoop is utterly beautiful and a place worth spending some time visiting, even if you don’t stay overnight. But if you do feel drawn to an overnight stay, you will find a selection of affordable accommodation in the most comfortable settings. Kaapsehoop doesn’t have any shops, for things like groceries, but it does have a few popular locally owned restaurants.
- St Lucia
The quaint seaside town of St Lucia is a beautiful place for a holiday. The vibe is laidback and the people are warm and friendly. When considering St Lucia for your holiday, you will be able to find all of the usual kinds of accommodation, as well as a few great places to have a meal. The town is just about on the beach, something that makes a holiday here quite unforgettable.
