Top Experience Gifts On A Budget For Under R500: Updated For 2024

One of the main issues with saving money that puts people off is that, quite simply, living on a budget isn’t very fun. When it comes to gift-giving, you don’t really have a choice but to spend money. Whilst homemade gifts are incredibly thoughtful and can be very personal to the recipient, it can also tell them that you haven’t spent any money, and to some people that’s the most important thing!

So, how do you buy someone a gift that looks expensive but isn’t going to break the bank? Why, with one of our experience gift certificates under R500 of course! We’ve put together this article to help you find a unique and exciting low-cost gift that they’ll love, but will also keep your money saving on track so you can sleep a little better. Experience gifts come in all shapes and sizes, covering a range of locations and activities that will suit a variety of personalities – so you’re guaranteed to find something special! Read on for our top picks...

Sandboarding Experience Gifts

Learn a new skill and put your balance to the test during this 3 hour sandboarding experience in Port Elizabeth. Whether you're an experienced sandboarder or you've never stepped foot on a board, this experience is guaranteed fun. Ride down some of the largest and least degraded sand dunes in all of South Africa and get to grips with the board alongside an expert instructor. Your unique experience will start with a short, but scenic boat ride along Sundays River to the famous (not to mention glorious) Alexandria Dunes. Throughout your 3 hour adventure you'll learn all the tips and tricks to have you boarding like a pro by the end of your session. This experience makes the perfect gift on a budget for sport enthusiasts.

Featured Experience: Three Hour Sandboarding Experience in Port Elizabeth - From R 449

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Segway Tour Experience Gifts

Established in 1692, Spier Farm is home to stunning landscapes, delicious food, illustrious art, and above all, Segways! This thrilling one-hour tour is a chance to explore the farm in a rather unique way, all aboard your own off-road Segway. The perfect adventure for any age and any ability, to begin you’ll be taught the basic controls of how to move around. Once comfortable, you’ll work your way around an obstacle course and follow your guide onto the farm. This truly is the Segway tour with a difference, as you whizz along you’ll learn all about the farm’s ingenious biodynamic farming techniques. This fascinating activity is wonderful for anybody interested in wine, agriculture, sustainability and futuristic personal vehicles! At just R470 for an off road adventure and cultural experience all rolled into one, what are you waiting for?

Featured Experience: One Hour Spier Farm Segway Tour in Stellenbosch - From R 470

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Kayaking Experience Gifts

Perfect for those who love spending time on the water and interacting with marine life, this sea kayaking experience in Hermanus is a great afternoon adventure! Spend 1 hour 30 minutes on your yellow kayak as you and your group explore the Hermanus coastline, and the marine life that lives there. For R450, you'll learn a variety of kayaking techniques, explore the coastline and paddle into the Marine Reserve where you're likely to spot fur seals, penguins and cormorants! Alongside an expert guide, you'll have a great day out. This is the perfect experience for Marine life-lovers. 

Featured Experience: Sea Kayaking Experience in Hermanus - From R 450

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Archery Experience Gifts

If your gift recipient has a competitive streak, then this Archery Experience in Sun City will be just the thing to get them excited. For only R390 you’ll receive a one hour archery lesson from a professional instructor,  In fact, did you know that archaeologists found evidence of bows and arrows in a KwaZulu-Natal cave that date back nearly 64,000 years? Amazing! Throughout the experience guests will receive top quality tuition and a range of games and targets to test their skills, with instructors on hand to offer guidance and tips to improve accuracy. You’ll learn about the different names for each part of the bow and arrow, and be hitting a bullseye every time by the end! An archery lesson is a great gift for competitive personalities that they definitely won’t expect, and could turn into a fun new hobby.

Featured Experience: Archery Experience in Sun City - From R 390

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Wine Tasting Experience Gifts

Treat someone to a taste of luxury at a fraction of the cost with this wine tasting experience at Val Du Charron in Wellington. The winery is a sprawling estate set amongst mountains and rolling hills, renovated from a 17th century farmhouse into a modern but classic family friendly wine and olive farm that boasts a spa, two restaurants, and a number of outdoor activities. The ‘Theatre of Wine’ experience includes three of the wineries most popular blends; the Cape blend, New World white wine blend, and the Rhone-style blend, which a professional wine tutor will talk you through during this informative half hour session. Sharing an intimate wine tasting experience at a beautiful vineyard is a truly romantic experience, ideal for couples of all ages who enjoy the finer things in life. A wine tasting gift certificate would be hugely appreciated, and none are more glamorous or indulgent than the Theatre of Wine experience at Val Du Charron, a mere hour outside of Cape Town.

Featured Experience: Wine Tasting For Two at Val Du Charron in Wellington - From R 98

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Animal Encounter Experience Gifts

Get up close and personal with some of nature’s most incredible animals during this birds of prey experience in Stellenbosch, Western Cape. For only R150, guests can gain access to the conservation facility and marvel at the many owls, falcons, hawks, reptiles and eagles housed there, and learn about the amazing work the staff do to preserve endangered species and keep their residents happy and healthy. The star of the show, however, has to be their majestic Verreaux’s Eagle, named Leo. This gift certificate entitles the lucky recipient to a one-on-one encounter with Leo, supervised by one of the friendly staff members who will give a talk about Leo’s unique characteristics, feeding habits, and how he came to reside at the centre. The Stellenbosch Eagle Encounter Experience is the perfect gift for animal lovers, guaranteed to bring a smile to their face.

Featured Experience: Verreaux's Eagle Encounter in Stellenbosch - From R 150

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Rock Climbing Experience Gifts

This rock climbing experience in Cape Town is perfect for adrenaline junkies or fitness addicts! Enjoy unlimited access to a top rock climbing gym in Cape Town, with expert instructors on hand and a variety of challenging walls to try. Experience the joy of exercise without the typical workout grind! Whether you're a climbing enthusiast or a novice, the welcoming staff will ensure you feel at ease and confident, allowing you and a companion to support each other in reaching your fitness goals. With all equipment provided, all you need to bring is your adventurous spirit! The Cape Town Rock Climbing Day Pass for 2 offers an ideal opportunity for a fun day out with a loved one or friend, and serves as a distinctive experience gift that could spark the beginning of an exciting new hobby!

Featured Experience: Rock Climbing Day Pass For Two in Cape Town - From R 220

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Horse Riding Experience Gifts

This relaxed and enjoyable horse riding trail in Stellenbosch is fun for the whole family, and comes in at number 8 on our list of affordable experience gifts under R500. Starting at Wild Clover Farm, the trail begins with a warm welcome from the instructor, and a quick tutorial in how to saddle up, mount, and ride your noble steed. As soon as everyone is comfortable on horseback, you’ll set off as a group along the beautiful trail, heading to Pete's Place or the sprawling wine farm Villiera. What better way to witness the natural wonders of Stellenbosch than on a leisurely horse ride. This 30 minute ride makes a thoughtful gift for animal lovers and young families, and is ideal for getting the kids out of the house and enjoying the great outdoors.

Featured Experience: 30 Minute Horse Riding Trail in Stellenbosch - R 290

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Thanks for reading! Saving money can be stressful, but hopefully we’ve alleviated some of that anxiety with a number of top budget busting tips, and a list of fantastic experience gift ideas. Low-cost doesn’t always equate to bad, in fact, some of the most popular experiences on our site are at the lower end of the price scale, so don’t be put off! As the saying goes, it’s the thought that counts, and we can’t think of anything that’s more thoughtful than an experience you’ll remember forever.