10 HOLIDAYS YOU CAN STILL AFFORD (EVEN ON THE RAND)

Has the travel bug bitten? We’ve rounded up a list of rand-friendly destinations – international and regional – that can still come in at under R20 000 per person.

Value-for-money getaways

SOUTH AFRICA & SURROUNDS 1. GAME PARK From R5 000 per person for a quick getaway

Some of the best holidays are

right on our doorstep. Take a weekend to enjoy your morning coffee with an unbroken view of the bush, dunk a crunchy rusk while on a sunrise drive; or take in the bushveld orchestra of beetles and creatures at dusk… THIS COULD BE YOUR TRIP: During August, Botlierskop Private Game Reserve has a special for R1530 per person per night, which includes a luxury tented suite with breakfast and dinner, plus a game drive or horseback safari per day. Spend four nights at Askari Game Lodge & Spa four-star hotel in the Magaliesburg for R4960 per person, including breakfast, dinner and one game drive per person per day.

2. VIC FALLS From R9900 per person for a week

The thunderous Victoria Falls is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. It is classic romance and high-speed adventure rolled into one. You could also combine it with a visit to Botswana. Kenya Airways recently launched a direct flight between Cape Town and Vic Falls, only two hours away – it’s great for a quick getaway.

THIS COULD BE YOUR TRIP: Getting there: SAA flies daily from JHB. Return flights cost about R4 300 Visa? Free; obtained on arrival at the airport

Your stay: From R1600 per night for a double room at a three-star hotel; from R2900 per night for a twin room including breakfast at a four-star hotel.

3. BOTSWANA From R12800 per person for a week

There’s no recharge quite like some time in the African bush. Chobe National Park boasts some of Africa’s most cherished wildlife and safari playgrounds. It’s not too far, but it’s remote enough for you to really retreat into the wild.

THIS COULD BE YOUR TRIP:

Getting there: SAA flies daily from JHB to Kasane. Return flights are about R5700 (two-hour flight). Visa? Not required.

Your stay: A three-star lodge costs about R2050 per night for a double room including breakfast; a four-star costs about R2800 for a twin room including breakfast.

FURTHER AFIELD 4, MAURITIUS From R13 500 per person for a week

Mauritius seems to burst dramatically from the Indian Ocean, and its beaches and culture make it a leisure paradise. From beaching (obv), hiking and mountain biking to kite surfing and diving, it’s an adventurer’s utopia and a great option for families.

THIS COULD BE YOUR TRIP:

Getting there: SAA and Air Mauritius fly daily from JHB. Return flights cost roughly R6450 (four-hour flight) Visa? Not required

Your stay? Three-star accommodation costs R1950 per night for a double room including breakfast; a four-star about R2480 per night on a half-board (breakfast and dinner) basis for a double room.

Insider tip: ‘Take a package to Mauritius, as you’ll get inclusions you wouldn’t usually get if you were booking only flights and hotels. For instance, many packages include half-board (breakfast and dinner) or full board (all your meals) as well as transfers to and from hotels to the airport. Packages are really well priced in Mauritius – you could get a package for seven nights at a three-star hotel for about R13000 per person or a four-star fully inclusive package for about R14000.’

5. GREECE From R16750 per person for a week

The Cyclades islands offer many options for affordable travel. Mykonos and Santorini are popular. Delish food, sweeping vistas and ancient ruins make Greece a holidaymaker’s paradise.

THIS COULD BE YOUR TRIP:

Getting there: Turkish Airlines flies daily from JHB to Athens via Istanbul: about R9600 return. You can then catch a plane to one of the islands: Athens to Mykonos is a 45-minute flight (R1800) and to Santorini it’s a 50-minute one (R1850). Or fly from Joburg via Istanbul on Turkish Airlines directly to Thessaloniki. Return flights cost roughly R10120. Visa? Greek Schengen; about R840

Your stay: A double room at a hotel including breakfast ranges from R1500 per night for a three-star hotel and R2100 per night for a four-star.

6. SRI LANKA From R12500 per person for a week

Contrasting landscapes, sandy beaches, timeless ruins and worldfamous tea plantations are some highlights of Sri Lanka. Look forward to famously friendly people, watching the odd game of cricket and seeing some wildlife, including elephants or other rare wild animals like leopards and sloth bears.

THIS COULD BE YOUR TRIP:

Getting there: Emirates flies daily from JHB to Colombo via Dubai (about 12 hours) Return flights are roughly R9000.

Visa? Required. Apply for an eTA online; it costs US$35 (R450)

Your stay: A double room including breakfast costs about R890 per night. A four-star option costs about R1320 per night. It’s even affordable at fivestar level, at R1956 per night.

7. PRAGUE From R14000 per person for a week

One of Europe’s best-preserved

cities, Prague enchants visitors with its Old Town charm, fairytale architecture, classical music and some of the world’s best beer. The food is good and the prices are great. There’s a rich variety of culture and natural beauty, from parks and gardens surrounding monasteries and castles to glamorous fashion shops in the cobblestone streets.

THIS COULD BE YOUR TRIP:

Getting there: Fly from JHB via Istanbul (12 hours) with Turkish Airlines (about R8700) or via Dubai (14 hours) with Emirates (about R8900).

Visa? Required; can be obtained in SA at the embassy for about R1000.

Your stay: A double room including breakfast costs R1400 per night for a three-star option, and R1800 for a four-star.

8. BALI From R10 000 per person for a week

Bali’s exquisite beaches, palm trees and warm water deliver on all the expectations of a tropical island holiday, but the island also draws people for the spiritual culture. Even with all the development, it has lost none of its magic.

THIS COULD BE YOUR TRIP:

Getting there: Qatar Airways flies daily from JHB to Bali via Doha (18 hours). Return flights cost about R7500.

Visa? Free. Can be obtained on arrival at the airport.

Your stay: A double room including breakfast costs about R500 per night for three-star accommodation and roughly R1200 per night for four-star hotel stays Insider tip: ‘Taking a package would also be advisable here.’

9. CROATIA From R11500 per person for a week

Immerse yourself in the beauty of the Croatian coastline by travelling by ship on the turquoise waters.

THIS COULD BE YOUR TRIP:

Getting there: Turkish Airlines flies daily from JHB to Dubrovnik via Istanbul (16 hours), and return flights cost roughly R8200.

Visa? A Croatian visa is required (R1600). You can also enter with a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa.

Your stay: If you don’t take the cruise option, a three-star double room including breakfast costs about R1700 per night, and a four-star hotel stay costs R2200 per night.

Insider tip: ‘A cruise is a great option (about R10 950 per person for seven nights’ half-board – breakfast and dinner) and you get to see a new port every day.’

10. PHUKET From R10000 per person for a week

You might think Thailand is the clichéd tourist trap, but it’s easy to avoid the dodgy areas, and the unbeatable prices make it a steal. From the delicious, affordable cuisine and fresh fruit year-round, to the impressive limestone karsts and movie scene beaches, there’s just so much to enjoy.

THIS COULD BE YOUR TRIP:

Getting there: Qatar Airways flies daily from JHB to Phuket via Doha (15 hours). Costs about R7500 return. Visa? Not required

Your stay: A double room including breakfast costs about R550 per night for three-star options in the city. The same at a beach resort-type four-star place costs about R800 per night and five-star options cost about R1250.

Insider tip: ‘Package deals are also a good option to consider price-wise.’