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How to Plan a Trip to South Africa on a Budget

By U.S. News & World Report

Iconic Hollywood films, from the 1985 classic “Out of Africa” to the 1951 drama “The African Queen” inspire us to pack our bags and explore South Africa’s natural and urban splendors. Located at the southernmost part of the continent, South Africa offers thriving cultures, flourishing arts, food and wine scenes and a wealth of can’t-miss attractions to experience beyond unforgettable safaris. Even better, South Africa is accessible to visitors with high and low budgets and caters to versatile traveler tastes and interests. So, if you’re ready to embark on a vacation to remember, use these tactics to trim costs without compromising on experience.

[See: 10 Bucket-List Destinations That Don’t Cost a Fortune.]

Find Low-Cost Flights

One of the highest costs of any trip to Cape Town is flights. Always consider traveling during the off-season to get the cheapest fare. That said, during the off-season (currently, it’s winter in South Africa), the cheapest flights cost around $700, about a $100 price difference than the high season. Consider booking directly through South African Airways, the official airline of the country, to get the best prices. And while, most travelers pick Johannesburg as their initial entry into the country, comparing prices with major hubs in popular cities such as Cape Town or even Durban is another great way to scale back costs.

Visit Little-Known Destinations and World-Class Cities

South Africa offers a diverse range of places to explore. While Johannesburg and Cape Town remain the two most popular cities to visit — and they are certainly worth visiting — consider making the pilgrimage to the adorable town of Stellenbosch. Just a quick 40-minute drive from Johannesburg, Stellenbosch has a longstanding Dutch heritage and a vibrant town square filled with charming boutiques, as well as excellent food and wine. Keep your wallet happy by eating breakfast at Schoon, a bakery with delicious coffee. And don’t skip dining at Oude Werf Hotel’s dining room, where you can delight in delectable and cheap eats. Also consider staying at this unique hotel for a high-end experience at a low price tag.

Seek Out Affordable Hotel Options

Across South Africa, you’ll find a mix of eclectic boutiques and high-end properties offering affordable nightly rates. Take the Marriott-owned property, The Maslow Hotel, in Johannesburg, which charges $200 a night. Boutique hotel operators also offer economical rates. The Protea Hotel chain, which is fairly ubiquitous across the area with outposts in Cape Town, Johannesburg and other areas, maximizes comfort with upscale amenities and offers nightly rates starting at around $100.

[See: 7 Off-the-Beaten-Track Honeymoon Destinations That Won’t Break the Bank.]

Cut Meal Costs

Cape Town offers a diverse selection of high-quality, globally inspired cuisine at a low price. The Kitchen, which is located in the heart of Cape Town’s art district, for example, offers a variety of flavorful salad variations all under $10. Affordable and memorable meal options abound in Jo’burg as well. In the Maboneng Arts District, you’ll find plenty of pop-up food vendors, where for $5 dollars, you can sample a variety of authentic eats. Other top places for quality meals include Sandton, Greenside and Melrose Arch.

Visit Amazingly Affordable Attractions

Believe it or not, it’s possible to plan a trip to South Africa without draining your wallet. Thanks to a wealth of free and cost-effective attractions in lesser-known places as well as cosmopolitan destinations like Cape Town, there is plenty to experience on a shoestring budget. For instance, Table Mountain, one of Cape Town’s most legendary sites, only requires a small fee to ride on the Aerial Cableway. Plus, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can hike to the top of the mountain along scenic trails to discover unparalleled city views free of charge. What’s more, there are plenty of other free natural allures to explore in Cape Town, such as Clifton Beach, Greenmarket Square and Camps Bay, enabling you to efficiently trim vacation costs without missing out on must-see attractions and experiences.

[See: 10 Romantic Getaways to Cross off Your Bucket List.]

And if you’re itching to go on a safari, you can enjoy spending time at a rustic camp or safari lodge in South Africa without bursting your budget. For instance, at Tangala Safari Camp, which borders Kruger National Park, you can see the game at Thornybush Big 5 Game Reserve and enjoy all meals and lodging for around $300 nightly.

More from U.S. News

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Planning the Ultimate South African Honeymoon Safari

How to Plan a Trip to South Africa on a Budget originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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