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1. Ask the locals
The people who live in a place always have the best advice on which restaurants are the most popular, where the most vibrant nightlife is and the most unusual things to do are. You want to know about the places that don''t make it into the guide books! Before your trip, try to tap into the local knowledge of friends who have visited before, join an online forum or search on social media. For instance following the hashtag #LoveCapeTown on Twitter will provide you with endless options when exploring this cosmopolitan city.
2. Learn the lingo
Although English is widely spoken in South Africa, it can help to have a few key phrases in Afrikaans, Xhosa or Zulu, in your back pocket. These will certainly go a long way to connect you to the people around you. Learn the local greetings and how to say "thank you", "excuse me", some numbers, and directions. Locals will appreciate the effort and will respond positively... most likely in English!
3. Experiences are king
Focus on enjoying experiences, rather than ticking off places from a "must-see" list. Every country and city you visit will have a list of top things to see and do, but although you might experience some of what a destination is known for, racing around checking these spots off your list will ensure you miss out on a lot too! Rather allow yourself the time and space to go with the flow and take make discoveries of your own, outside of someone else’s top 10 list. Sticking to a rigid plan might restrict you from experiencing something serendipitous... like an invite to join a local family for their Sunday "braai" or an open-air concert where you can sit back and enjoy local life unfold around you.
4. Explore neighborhoods
Some of the best travel experiences can be had by simply wandering through a neighborhood that’s slightly outside the main tourist area. For an authentic experience of life as a local, pop into random shops, art galleries and restaurants that grab your attention. Visiting a market is also a great way to enjoy local life and The Neighbourgoods Market which has brances in both Woodstock, Cape Town and Braamfontein, Johannesburg is a great option.
Photo: Lindie Meyer Photography
5. Eat like a local
If you want to feel, act, and look like a local, you’ve got to eat like one. Research in advance which dishes your destination is known for and then ask the locals to give you the best insider tips on where to try them. A good tip is to join a queue where you see locals lining up for food. Seek out markets for food on the run or if you''re staying self-catering and have cooking facilities available, wander into a grocery store and buy a few things to whip up a "local" lunch. If you have more time, take a food based tour or sign up for a cooking class, such as a Cape Malay Cooking Class, to get even more of an insider’s perspective on local cuisine
6. Slow down
One of the best ways to travel like a local is to slow down. If you slow down and look around you''ll be better able to suss out experiences that are more local than tourist-oriented. Observe what the locals are eating and drinking, and where they are shopping and partying?
7. Turn off the tech
Come out from behind your camera or phone. Yes the perfect Instagram shot is valuable to prove you’re having the best time of your life, but by only experiencing a place through a lens you''ll miss out on so much... and definitely not look like a local! Put your phone down and your camera away to really get the most out of the moment!
Photo: Pixabay
Main Photo: Derryn Schmidt Photography