South Africa for 55+ travellers
Why you can go, why you should go, what you need to think about before you go
I still remember the first moment South Africa won me over. I had barely looked outside the window of our hotel in Cape Town when the mountains rose up in front of me like some dramatic opening act, and I thought, “Ah. So this is how it’s going to be.” And truly, that set the tone for the entire trip — the scenery always arriving with a touch of swagger, as if the country knew it had the goods.
For a middle-aged traveller like me — someone who likes adventure but also appreciates a comfortable mattress and a decent cup of coffee — South Africa felt like the perfect balance.
Whether you’re planning your first trip to the Rainbow Nation or looking to return for the sequel, this guide will walk you through everything — where to go, when to go, how to stay safe, how to get around, and what to pack (spoiler: layers). Think of it as your friendly, well-travelled companion pointing out the highlights and occasionally whispering, “Trust me, you’ll love this.”
Why is South Africa perfect for 55+ travellers?
The pace suits you — as relaxed or adventurous as you like.
Comfort is easy to find — boutique hotels, guesthouses, private reserves.
Food and wine are heavenly — and reasonably priced.
The scenery is outrageous — mountains, oceans, savanna, all in one trip.
It’s easy to customise — whether you prefer leisurely strolls or guided hikes.
Where to go
All I’ve seen in South Africa is beautiful, but I haven’t seen it all. Because I want this to be a post based on personal experience, I’m only including the places I visited. But I’ve heard the area around St. Lucia and eSwatini are also beautiful, as is the Western Cape, as is the Great Escarpment. I’m going to have to go back. Below, find my personal favourites.
Cape Town: the show-off of the family.
Cape Town is the country’s showstopper — mountains, beaches, vineyards, architecture, and a laid-back vibe that makes it dangerously easy to imagine living there. You can fill your days with gentle adventures or simply enjoy the scenery over a cappuccino.
Don’t miss:
Riding the Table Mountain cable car (no heroics required)
Strolling the V&A Waterfront
Wandering Kirstenbosch Gardens, especially if your knees prefer “soft gradients”
Eating your way through the city’s incredible food scene
A guided walk in BoKaap
The Cape Peninsula: the perfect day out.
If Cape Town is the main event, the Cape Peninsula is the scenic encore. I had no idea one drive could make me gasp so many times.
Don’t miss:
- Chapman’s Peak Drive: the “Are you kidding me?” coastal route
- Cape Point: dramatic cliffs, grand views, a lighthouse worth the climb (or take the funicular – check if it’s not out of order if uphill walking is not your thing).
- Boulders Beach: penguins waddling around like old men in tuxedos
If you only have one spare day in Cape Town, make it this one.
The Cape Winelands
For 55+ travellers, this region is pure joy. Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl offer rolling vineyards, elegant tasting rooms, world-class restaurants, and luxurious guesthouses.
My personal favourites?
Quoin Rock near Stellenbosch. Lovely wines, beautiful views, and the Knorhoek guesthouse within crawling distance.
Lanzerac Wine Estate: great wines in a cosy atmosphere.
Spier Wine Estate: chocolate and wine pairings were a pleasant surprise. If you could do with a little less wine and a little more exercise, they also have a beautiful garden walk through proteas (the national flower), and art installations.
Pro tip if you don’t want to have to spit out all the wine: the Franschhoek Wine Tram, the most civilised invention ever created — a charming hop-on, hop-off tram through the vineyards, allowing you to sip to your heart’s content without worrying about driving.
The Garden Route: a spectacular roadtrip
The Garden Route is one of South Africa’s most relaxed and scenic road trips — perfect for travellers who like beautiful views without too much fuss. While driving it we saw calm beaches and rugged shorelines, we stopped at lovely cafes, took hikes that were just the right amount of challenging, jumped on suspension bridges, outran waves and enjoyed spectacular views.
Best stops for 55+ travellers:
- Knysna (gentle, scenic, relaxed)
- Robberg Nature Reserve near Plettenberg Bay (beautiful coastline and nature reserves)
- Tsitsikamma (forests and easy-access suspension bridges)
- Hermanus: Although officially not part of the Garden Route it’s close enough for me. Hermanus is one of the best places in the world for whale watching.
Private Game Reserves: safari without roughing it
Although I loved our self drives through Kruger, where wildlife could cross your path at any given moment, the most amazing safari experience we had was in Umlani Bushcamp, in Timbavati Private Game Reserve.
South Africa’s private game reserves (especially those near Kruger) offer safari experiences that feel both thrilling and wonderfully comfortable — perfect for travellers who no longer want to sleep on the ground or eat out of tin cups. There are a lot of different resorts where you could enjoy your safari, from small and rustic to extremely luxury resorts. Which one you choose depends on your preferences – and your budget.
Why choose a private reserve?
- Expert guides who make every sighting meaningful
- Smaller safari vehicles, fewer people
- Exceptional comfort: excellent beds, gourmet meals, hot water bottles on early drives
- Guaranteed sightings: leopards, lions, elephants, giraffes, rhinos — it’s all possible and your guides will make sure you see whatever there is to be seen.
- Meeting new people: if you stay in one of the smallers lodges, chances are you will eat with all the guests at one table. We enjoyed this a lot.
I became a morning person here for the first time in my adult life. A 5 a.m. wakeup somehow feels reasonable when lions are involved – although it did take quite a few cups of coffee in the boma to see it that way.
When to go: South Africa’s climate
We didn’t have many options. As a teacher, the only time I can take more than a couple of weeks off is during our summer break—which happens to be winter in South Africa. The upside is that winter there is nothing like the winters back home at 52 degrees north.
If you do have the choice to go whenever you want, take this into consideration:
Cape Town and the coast are best from November to March: the days are warm, sunny and breezy. There are also fewer crouds. Still, there isn’t really a bad time. Just bring layers.
Kruger and Safari regions: May – september are best for wildlife. This is the dry season, it’s cooler and animals will come to the waterholes. To give you an idea: we were there in August and temperatures during the day were 25 – 28 degrees Celsius. If lush vegetation and warmer days are more your thing, consider visiting between October and April.
Winelands: delightful year-round, but especially beautiful in Autumn.
Safety concerns
South Africa often gets talked about like it’s incredibly dangerous to set foot outside your hotel room. But most 55+ travellers have excellent, trouble-free trips. The key is sensible awareness, not fear. So pretty much like everywhere else in the world. I followed these rules and felt perfectly at ease:
- Stick to well-frequented areas after dark
- Use Ubers or reputable taxis at night, don’t go walking around, especially not alone.
- Keep your bag zipped and close to you
- Leave flashy jewellery at home
- Don’t wave your phone around
- Ask your hotel which neighbourhoods are best for walking
- In safari areas, follow ranger instructions — especially about wandering off.
- If you’re driving a rental and the doors don’t lock automatically, lock them yourself.
- Don’t leave valuables unattended, and make sure they aren’t visible from outside your car.
- When driving, mind the potholes. They’re hard to see in the dark. Best to avoid driving in the dark altogether if you can.
- A lot of tourist places have parking attendants who keep an eye on your car for a tip. The parking attendant will be recognisable by their yellow or orange vest.
- Make sure you have the phone number of your travel insurance and your assurance policy number.
- Don’t freak out if all the electricity is turned off at the same time. It’s load shedding and it can be a nuisance if you’re unprepared. Your hotel will likely have an overview of when electricity will be off in your area.
I for one never felt unsafe during my entire stay and I am prone to worrying, so that’s saying something.
Money and costs
South Africa is a fantastic-value destination for 55+ travellers.
- Dining: Excellent meals at sensible prices
- Wine: Outstanding and affordable
- Safaris: Pricier, but worth it and often all-inclusive
- Accommodation: Boutique guesthouses are a sweet spot
Cash is rarely needed; cards are accepted almost everywhere.
What to pack
You don’t need to bring the entire contents of your wardrobe, you won’t need most of it. If you do, South Africa has shops. The things you should definitely pack:
- Layers for shifting weather
- A warm jacket for early game drives
- Light, breathable clothing in neutral colours for safari
- Comfortable walking shoes
- A nicer outfit for Winelands dinners
- A wrap-around scarf
- Essential medication
- Passport, credit cards and/or debit cards. No need to bring cash from home, there are cash machines everywhere.
- Sun hat and sunscreen
- Insect repellent (especially in summer)
- A lightweight day bag
- Camera or phone with a good zoom
- Binoculars (you’ll thank yourself on safari)
- A swimsuit
- A portable phone charger
Why South Africa stays with you
There’s some awe-inspiring and magical about South Africa. One moment you’re watching penguins on a beach, the next you’re sipping Chardonnay under an old oak tree, and before you know it you’re bumping along a savanna at dawn watching elephants wander across the horizon. It’s a country that you can enjoy at any age, at your own pace.
Every traveller I’ve met who’s been to South Africa has said the same thing, and I wholeheartedly agree:
“I’m so glad I went — and I’m already planning to go back.”