Become a digital nomad in South Africa and experience the local lifestyle first hand on a CoWorking Trip! Meet adventurous travelers, friendly locals and spot the ‘Big Five’ on safari!
This travel guide to South Africa is especially made for digital nomads! Here you can find helpful information about the top things to see and do in South Africa, how to get around, the cost of living, the best cities for digital nomads and tips on where to eat, meetup and do remote work on your next CoWorking trip!
Imagine traveling all the way to South Africa and not seeing any of its best attractions! Here are a few highlights you should see on your trip!
As a digital nomad, you have to make the most of your free time to get the perfect work-life balance! Check out these activities you can do on your lunch break, after work or in the mornings if you’re an early riser!
Local Activities and Adventures
Art - Goodman Gallery, MOMO Gallery, Art Eye Gallery, Everard Read
History - Apartheid Museum, Constitution Hill and Human Rights Precinct, Museum Africa
Landmarks - Mandela’s house, Hector Pieterson Memorial, the Soweto Towers
Lion and Safari Park
Cradle of Humankind (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
The Wilds Nature Reserve
If you’re thinking of moving to South Africa or staying for several months, it is important to consider how much you should budget for your trip. Here is an overview of the general living costs in South Africa, but living expenses can vary depending on your lifestyle.
Living expenses in South Africa - Average cost / Month
Rent (1 bedroom studio) ~ €320 to €580
Living expenses (1 person) ~ €1000
Living costs incl. rent (family of 4) ~ €1750 to €2400
CoWorking Space (1 person) ~ €52
There are three major airports to consider when taking an international flight to South Africa. Alternatively, you can fly to neighboring countries and drive down.
Johannesburg - OR Tambo Airport (JNB)
Cape Town - Cape Town Airport (CPT)
Durban - King Shaka Airport (DUR)
Plane
Domestic flights around South Africa will save you time if you want to make a quick transfer between the major cities. Affordable flight options are provided by several South African airlines such as Mango, Kulula, FlySafair and British Airways.
Train
Take the luxurious ‘Blue Train’ on a journey across the African bushveld. Starting in Pretoria, 1,600km (994 miles) and arriving in Cape Town 31 hours later.
Bus
There are a few safe and reliable bus operators that have routes between major cities, a few smaller locations and even destinations in neighboring countries. Consider using the services of InterCape, Translux and Greyhound buses for your travels.
Car
Hiring a car is an easy and affordable option to get around. South Africans drive on the left hand side of the road and signs are in English. Be mindful that not all roads are well maintained and try to avoid ‘‘rush hour’’ when everyone is driving home from work.
Taxi / Ridesharing
Private taxis for 3 to 4 people are available and a safe option, however a little pricier especially in tourist areas. Uber, Didi and Bolt are popular ridesharing apps used by locals.
Work remotely in the top digital nomad cities of South Africa and discover the best coworking spaces in Cape Town and Johannesburg!
You can also rent a nice villa in South Africa or easily work in cafes with free WiFi access. At cafes the internet speed can be around 100mbps compared to 550mbps at home.
Nothing beats a night out in South Africa! With clubs and bars open until the early morning, world-class DJs, musicians and music festivals - you will be partying and dancing the night away! Visit a rooftop bar in Cape Town or watch the sunset from a beach bar in Camps Bay.
Cape Town, Stellenbosh and Paarl boast fantastic wines that you can try at most restaurants but for an immersive experience with vineyards tours you should visit these wine estates. Groot Constantia Trust, Beau Constantia and Lourensford.
Influenced by Malaysian cooking heritage, the best places to indulge in this soul food are Bo-Kaap Kombuis, Against The Grains, and Gold Restaurant in Cape Town.
Mojo Market - open everyday from 8am to midnight
V&A Food Market - open everyday from 10am to 7pm
Oranjezicht City Farm Market - open on weekends from 9am to 2pm
NeighbourGoods - open from 9am on Saturdays and 10am on Sundays to 4pm
From street food to fine dining, South African kitchens will not disappoint you. Dine at these top-rated restaurants in Johannesburg: Zest Salad Bar, Esibayeni Shisanyama, the Fussy Vegan CityROCK which has an indoor rock-climbing gym.
NeighbourGoods Market - open every Saturday from 10am until 4pm
Rosebank Sunday Market - open from 9am until 4pm on Sundays
Fourways Farmers Market - open on weekends from 8am until 5pm
Check out these useful tips to help you prepare for your remote work and travel trip.
Beware of Load Shedding
Power cuts in South Africa are a daily issue. This is a common challenge for digital nomads when electricity suddenly switches off for several hours without warning or information about how long the power outage, known as ‘load shedding’ will last.
Tip! Get a UPS for your router to keep your connection running during power cuts.
Helpful Apps to Download in South Africa
EskomSePush - For reliable updates on planned load shedding times nationwide.
City of Cape Town - Detailed info about load shedding in each locality.
AllTrails: Hike, Bike & Run - Tips for hiking, biking, backpacking and running trails.
Safety Tips
Try to be aware of your surroundings in a new country. Don’t leave your backpack, phone or laptop somewhere unattended.
Visa Requirements
A visa is not required for UK and European citizens for short-term tourist trips to South Africa. Upon presentation of your return flight ticket you will be granted a 90-day visit permit. If you book a long term trip, you will need a visa from your nearest South African embassy.
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