Are you looking for fun and exciting things to do with your friends that don’t cost a fortune? Then you’ve come to the right place! We’ve gathered a list of things to do in South Africa on a student budget.
Whether you’re on school holiday, planning to travel or taking a gap year, there are quite a few things to do on a student budget in South Africa’s 3 major cities.
Read on to discover the fun things you can do on a student budget in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban.
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Things to Do in Cape Town on a Student Budget
Cape Town is the capital city of the Western Cape and has been entertaining both local and international students for years.
There are plenty of things to do in Cape Town—such as taking a trip to the beach, going for a walk or even having a picnic.
However, if you’re looking for something a bit more adventurous, then take a look at our list of things to do in Cape town on a student budget.
Ride the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway
As far as things to do in Cape Town go, viewing Table Mountain is an absolute must. This popular landmark is a popular destination in Cape Town, and students can ride an aerial cableway straight to the top of Table Mountain at a discounted price.
The cost of taking the aerial cableway up Table Mountain varies and depends on the type of ticket you’d like to purchase. Students who would like to ride the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway can purchase a return ticket or a one-way ticket.
If you’d like to ride the aerial cableway up Table Mountain and back down again, you would need to buy a return ticket, which would require you to budget R230 for the trip.
Students who want a more budget-friendly alternative can opt for a one-way ticket ride on the Table Mountain aerial cableway at a discounted rate of R130. This means you’ll have to put on your hiking shoes and hike your way up Table Mountain, meaning you may need to budget for provisions, such as water, food and an emergency medical aid kit.
What’s great about buying a one-way ticket for the Table Mountain aerial cableway is that you’ll be able to take in the scenery of Cape Town while you hike up Table Mountain. You can then relax on the way down by riding the Table Mountain aerial cableway.
Take a Hike Up Lion's Head
If you enjoy hiking and are eager to get in touch with nature, then taking a hike up Lion’s Head is an ideal thing to do in Cape Town. The best part is that you and your friends can hike, park and enter the Lion’s Head trails—for free. The only thing you have to worry about paying for is your transport.
Once you’re at Lion’s Head, there are two hiking trails that you can take—the spiral trail and the ladders trail—and the routes on these hiking trails range from moderate to difficult.
The spiral hiking trail is recommended for beginners and takes you around the mountain, with the option of a gentler hiking route that’s safer for dogs. The ladders trail takes you straight to the top of Lion’s Head. The ladders trail contains more ladders, chains, rocks and steep hills that you have to climb, which is why the ladders trail is recommended for intermediate to advanced hikers.
No matter which hiking trail you choose to take, safety is of the utmost importance when hiking up Lion’s Head, so be sure to take note of the following safety tips before you hike:
- Hike in a group to avoid being targeted for any robberies or muggings.
- Have a buddy system to ensure you don’t lose track of any of your friends during your hike.
- Map out your trip to avoid getting lost or losing the trail.
- Always put on sunblock when going for a hike.
- Drink plenty of water during your hike and bring food and beverages with you while you hike.
- Wear comfortable hiking shoes and long pants to avoid injury.
- Have a first-aid kit with you in case of emergencies and contact details
Go On a City Sightseeing Tour
If hiking isn’t for you, but you’d still like to see all the wonderful sights Cape Town has to offer, then you may enjoy hopping on a red bus to go on a City Sightseeing Tour.
Going on a City Sightseeing Tour is a budget-friendly way to experience Cape Town’s most popular sights and destinations, such as Table Mountain, the 12 Apostles Mountain Range and the V&A Waterfront.
There are three City Sightseeing Tour packages available to students in Cape Town, which are outlined below:
Student: Canal & Breakfast
Cost: R125
Features and activities:
- Canal Cruise ticket (valid for 1 day)
- Free breakfast served at venues along the canal or at V&A Food Market
- Canal cruise from the V&A Waterfront (occurs at 9 am)
- Hop-on, hop-off tour between the Cape Town CBD and V&A Waterfront
Student: Classic Hop On, Hop Off Ticket
Cost: R195
Features and activities:
- 1-day bus ticket
- City walking tour
- Can only be bought at the City Sightseeing Tour office in Cape Town
Student: Bus and Burger
Cost: R270
Features and activities:
- 1-day ticket
- Official hop-on, hop-off tour
- Hard Rock Cafe burger and chips
- Walking tour
Each one of the above packages for the City Sightseeing Tour has its own set of benefits; it all just depends on how you’d like to spend your day touring the city of Cape Town.
Be sure to read through each option carefully, and the City Sightseeing Tour website for any additional information you need.
Things to Do in Johannesburg on a Student Budget
Located in the Gauteng province, Johannesburg is a bustling South African city with loads of things to do and sights to see. However, although, there are a plethora of fun things to do in Johannesburg, not all of them can be done on a student budget.
That’s why we’ve come up with a list of things you can do in Johannesburg without having to break the bank.
Go to Gold Reef City Theme Park
Students who are self-proclaimed thrill-seekers will enjoy checking off “Gold Reef City Theme Park” on their list of things to do in Johannesburg.
As one of the more exciting things to do in Johannesburg, Gold Reef City Theme Park is not for the faint of heart and contains an abundance of exhilarating rides that will get your adrenaline pumping. However, there are more tame rides for students who prefer something light and fun.
The cost of buying a ticket to Gold Reef City Theme Park is R250, and there are unfortunately no student discounts available.
With that said, R250 gives you a full-day pass to the entire Gold Reef City Theme Park and you’ll be able to access all of the rides. Whether you prefer the wildest of rides or something tamer, Gold Reef City Theme Park has a ride for every student.
Experience the Cradle of Humankind and Sterkfontein Caves
If you’re looking for things to do in Johannesburg that are educational and adventurous, then a trip to Cradle of Humankind and Sterkfontein Caves could be ideal for you.
The Cradle of Humankind is a historical site and exhibition that is renowned for its famous fossils, “Mrs. Ples” and “Little Foot”. At the Cradle of Humankind, you’ll have the chance to view these fossils, learn more about them and discover the caves in which they were found—otherwise known as the Sterkfontein Caves.
The Sterkfontein Caves are home to human fossils that date back over 4 million years! If you choose to visit the Sterkfontein Caves, you’ll be given an educational, guided tour through the caves. Be sure to wear comfortable clothing, as you’ll also not only be viewing the Sterkfontein Caves but also crawling and manoeuvring around them.
The cost for both the Cradle of Human Kind exhibition and the Sterkfontein Caves together is R200. However, you do have the option of booking the tickets separately if you would prefer to just experience one or the other.
You can view a quick breakdown of the costs for both the Cradle of Humankind and the Sterkfontein Caves below:
- Cradle of Humankind: R100 per person
- Sterkfontein Caves: R100 per person
- Cradle of Humankind and Sterkfontein Caves: R200 per person
Visit the Johannesburg Zoo
Students who enjoy learning more about animals may have fun at the Johannesburg Zoo. If you have to visit the Johannesburg Zoo on your list of things to do, then you won’t be disappointed.
Known for its enclosure of white lions, the Johannesburg Zoo has over 320 different species and 2 000 animals that you can see and learn more about.
Animals that you’ll find at the Johannesburg Zoo include, but are not limited to, the below:
All you have to pay in order to see the animals at the Johannesburg Zoo is a discounted rate of R68.
Things to Do in Durban on a Student Budget
Based in KwaZulu-Natal, Durban is a coastal city in South Africa that is known for its incredible water parks and exciting marine life.
If you have a passion for aquatic animals and enjoy spending time at the beach, then there’s no better place to find things to do on a student budget than in Durban.
Go to uShaka Marine World
uShaka Marine World is a world-renowned water park located in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Although there are plenty of exciting things to do at uShaka Marine World, the water park has three main attractions: Sea World, Wet n Wild and uShaka Shipwreck Aquarium.
Sea World
- Cost: R202
- Activity: See dolphins, penguins and other marine animals at uShaka Sea World.
Wet n Wild:
- Cost: R192
- Activity: Get a full day’s pass to the UShaka Marine World water park and experience their exciting slides and swimming pools.
uShaka Shipwreck Aquarium:
- Cost: R104
- Activity: Explore uShaka Marine World’s Shipwreck Aquarium.
On top of the exciting attractions listed above, there are other things to do at uShaka Marine World, such as visiting the uShaka Beach going on a uShaka Village Walk, viewing dangerous creatures at the reptile exhibit and ziplining across the Rocky Reef!
Experience the Golden Mile
Experiencing the Golden Mile may be at the top of your list of things to do in Durban if you’re looking for a day of relaxation and fun at some of Durban’s best beaches.
The cost of exploring the stretch of beaches located at the Golden Mile in Durban is zero, as the public space is freely available to all students and individuals.
This makes visiting the Golden Mile an ideal thing to do on a student budget, as the only thing you may have to pay for is the activities of your choosing.
Budget-friendly things students can do while visiting the Golden Mile coastline may include any one of the following:
- Going for a swim at the beach
- Having a picnic with friends
- Sunbathing
- Taking a walk
- Eating ice cream
- Cycling, roller-blading or skateboarding
Doing any one of the activities above may come with smaller accompanying fees, such as travel costs, sunscreen and food bills.
However, if you budget your trip to the beach wisely and get all of your friends to contribute, you can go visit the Golden Mile coastline without needing to break the bank.
Visit the Natal Sharks Board
If you’re looking for something entertaining and educational to do on a student budget, then be sure to check out the Natal Sharks Board in Durban.
The Natal Sharks Board in Durban is known for its contribution towards keeping bathers (that’s ordinary people) away from sharks in the hopes of preventing them from being attacked.
Although bather protection is the Natal Sharks Board’s primary goal, its main attraction is the audio and visual shark dissections.
All students have to do to attend the audio and visual shark dissection is pay an upfront payment of R60. Once you’ve paid, you’ll be shown a 26-minute educational presentation about sharks, after which you’ll be allowed to watch a real-life shark dissection take place.
To book tickets, visit the Natal Sharks Board in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Unfortunately, no online bookings are available.
Get Funding in South Africa with Fundi
With all these fun things to do in South Africa, we’re sure you’ll feel relaxed and refreshed for the next academic year. However, starting the next academic year can be stressful if you don’t have the funds to pay for the costs that come with being a student.
If you’re worried about acquiring funding for your next academic year, then allow Fundi to help! Fundi gives you the funding you need to pay off all your tuition fees, accommodation, technical devices and more!
Eager to find out if you qualify for a Fundi study loan? Then be sure to try out the Fundi Loan Calculator and start your educational journey today.
