Coping with Homesickness in South Africa: Our Tips

Published on October 1, 2025 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Living Far From Home

Living far from home can be an enriching experience, but for many, homesickness becomes a constant companion, even in a vibrant place like South Africa. This country, known for its breathtaking landscapes and exceptional biodiversity, can still feel foreign and disorienting when nostalgia strikes. Through this article, we will explore effective strategies to ease this feeling, allowing everyone to fully enjoy this fascinating country while still feeling connected to their roots.

How to Create a Fulfilling Routine in South Africa

Creating a fulfilling routine in South Africa involves actively immersing yourself in the local culture to better understand and appreciate South African society. Cultural immersion promotes open-mindedness, authentic learning, and adaptation, while helping to build a sense of belonging and alleviate homesickness.

Local Activities to Integrate Into Your Daily Routine:

• Visit local markets to discover crafts, culinary specialties, and interact with residents.
• Enroll in South African cooking classes to master typical dishes like bobotie or chakalaka.
• Join sports clubs, cultural associations, or craft workshops (traditional dance, weaving, street art).
• Attend local festivals: Cape Town Minstrel Carnival, National Arts Festival, Knysna Oyster Festival, Hermanus Whale Festival.
• Explore iconic neighborhoods (Soweto, Langa) through guided tours, cultural workshops, or historical walks.

Role of Sports and Outdoor Activities:

• Go surfing or swimming at the beaches of Cape Town and Durban.
• Hike in the Drakensberg Mountains or on Table Mountain.
• Explore national parks (Kruger, Pilanesberg) on safaris or nature excursions.
• Participate in local sporting events, like rugby or soccer matches, to share in the popular enthusiasm.

Activity	Location/Recommendation	Main Benefits
Local markets	Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban	Discovery, cultural exchanges
Cooking classes	Local culinary schools	Integration, skills
Clubs/associations	Residential neighborhoods/cities	Networking, sense of belonging
Beaches/mountains	Cape Town, Drakensberg, Durban	Well-being, sports, scenery
National parks	Kruger, Pilanesberg	Nature, safaris, adventure
Festivals	Throughout the country	Immersion, celebration

How These Activities Promote Integration and Ease Homesickness:

• They facilitate building social connections with locals and other expatriates.
• They allow for a deep understanding of South African customs, history, and traditions.
• Engaging in collective or community activities creates a stable and enriching routine, essential for feeling “at home.”

Practical Tips for Planning These Activities:

• Respect local schedules: many markets and activities start early in the morning and end in the early afternoon.
• Check public holidays and major events to enjoy festivals and avoid unexpected closures.
• Use public transportation or shuttle services for travel in large cities or to national parks.
• Observe local etiquette and customs, especially regarding greetings, bargaining, or attire in certain neighborhoods or during cultural visits.
• Vary activities each week to maintain enthusiasm and increase opportunities for encounters.

Immersing yourself in South African culture opens the door to discovery, learning, and exchange, while building a daily routine that promotes well-being and integration.

Maintaining Connections With Loved Ones From Afar

To preserve strong bonds with loved ones despite the distance, it’s essential to adopt a proactive and creative approach daily. Modern technology offers numerous solutions for maintaining regular and sincere connections.

Practical Tips for Staying in Touch From a Distance:

Using Modern Technology:

• Prioritize video calls (Zoom, WhatsApp, FaceTime) to see expressions and enhance emotional connection.
• Send regular messages via instant messaging apps (WhatsApp, Messenger) or on social media.
• Vary communication methods to avoid monotony: voice messages, daily photos, GIFs, or personalized stickers.

Organizing Shared Moments Remotely:

• Schedule a weekly phone or video call to establish a regular appointment.
• Organize online game nights (virtual board games, interactive quizzes).
• Watch a series or movie together using tools like Teleparty or share a common music playlist.

Small Gestures That Make a Difference:

• Send handwritten letters that bring warmth and authenticity.
• Prepare and send care packages filled with local souvenirs or personalized items.
• Give a surprise gift for a special occasion (birthday, family celebration).

Integrating Family Traditions Into Expat Daily Life:

Family Traditions	Method of Remote Integration
Family recipes	Cooking together via video call
Religious holidays	Share photos/videos of home rituals
Passed-down stories	Read together via video call
Traditional games	Adapt to digital versions

Frequently talking to children about distant relatives (“Grandma always makes her salad like this,” “Aunt Jeanne always gave me cookies”) also helps anchor these references in their daily lives. Displaying a few visible photos at home helps keep these family memories alive.

The key lies in regularity and attention to small details, as they are what durably weave the sense of belonging despite geographical distance. In South Africa as elsewhere, integrating cultural roots daily significantly helps ease the feeling of longing while keeping emotional bonds alive.

Immersing Yourself in Local Culture for Optimal Well-Being

Cultural immersion is an essential way to overcome homesickness, as it allows for authentic connections and fosters a sense of belonging. By actively participating in local events and celebrations, everyone discovers the diversity and warmth of South Africa.

List of Cultural Activities Promoting Integration:

• Share a braai, the traditional South African barbecue, a key moment to interact with locals in a warm atmosphere.
• Learn local dances, like the gumboot dance, emblematic of mining communities and a true symbol of popular expression.
• Visit museums (e.g., Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg) to better understand the country’s complex history and the struggles that shaped its modern identity.
• Stroll through markets dedicated to local cultures where crafts, music, and gastronomy blend.

Discovering South African Cuisine Brings Emotional Comfort:

Typical Dish	Description	Perceived Effect
Bobotie	Spiced minced meat casserole	Homely flavors, comfort
Biltong	Spiced dried meat	Reassuring and social snack

Savoring these traditional dishes not only helps anchor you in the local culture but also improves well-being through shared culinary pleasure.

The importance of interacting with locals should not be underestimated: these exchanges allow for a better understanding of the multiple cultures in South Africa (Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans…), facilitate social integration, and help everyone move beyond their own references to fully embrace the country’s human richness.

By actively involving yourself in local life – whether through community celebrations or simply informal conversations – you strengthen your sense of belonging while transforming your stay into a deeply enriching experience.