Shoestring travellers prepared to camp or stay in hostels and self-cater could just about scrape by on less than US$15.00 per day. Travelling, other than hitching, will bump this up considerably as the road is long and public transport can be expensive. Most backpackers spend between US$20.00 and US$30.00 per day. Safaris, bungee jumps and surfing are all additional costs.
Those who prefer to stay in hotels with private facilities, eat restaurant meals a couple of times a day and travel freely by bus or train are looking at US$40.00 - US$60.00 per person.
South Africa has introduced new coins and notes, but old coins are still common so it's hard to become familiar with what you're jangling. The R200 note looks a lot like the R20 note, so take care.
Currency
Name South African Rand
Symbol R
Sample Price Guide
small bottle of beer
7.30
36 exposure film
43.00
hamburger and chips
25.00
bottle of wine
60.00
car hire per day
from 200.00
kilo of mangoes
6.00
Kruger NP entry
120.00
surfboard
1400.00
litre of petrol
6.40
litre of bottled water
5.00
can of Black Label beer
7.00
souvenir t-shirt
60.00
street snack (roasted mealie)
2.00
Average Room Prices
Low Mid High Deluxe
R40-150 R150-250 R250-300 R300+
Average Meal Prices
Low Mid High Deluxe
R20-50 R50-80 R80-120 R120+
