Disruption has become a standard feature of modern travel rather than an exception.

“55% of South African travel intenders cited flight delays and cancellations as their biggest frustration in Flight Centre’s 2025 global PR survey, and checked baggage can often make the situation worse,” says Zay Ferguson-Nair, Flight Centre South Africa’s Customer Experience Manager.

“The financial incentives to check a bag are disappearing fast, too – airlines globally raked in $148.4 billion in ancillary revenue last year, a 26% year-on-year surge, with checked luggage fees doing a significant share of that heavy lifting. Never mind the fact that over 24 million checked bags were either lost, damaged, or delayed in 2025.”

Carry-on only used to be something backpackers did, but travel experts now agree it’s the smartest thing any traveller can do. Here’s everything you need to know to get it right.

First, the rules that changed in 2026

Here’s what’s new:

Power banks and spare batteries

You are now limited to a maximum of two spare power banks or loose lithium batteries per person. They are strictly banned in checked luggage and must be kept in the seat pocket or in a bag under the seat in front of you to prevent hidden fire risks in overhead bins. And critically, you are no longer permitted to recharge your power bank or charge a device using a power bank while on board the aircraft.

The watt-hour rules

This is where most travellers get caught out. Check the watt-hour (Wh) rating on your devices before you pack:

• Under 100Wh: No restrictions. This covers most phones, tablets, and standard laptop batteries.
• 101Wh to 160Wh: You’ll need express approval from your airline before you travel. This typically applies to larger professional camera batteries and some medical devices.
• Over 160Wh: Banned on passenger aircraft entirely. No exceptions.

How to actually pack two weeks into a carry-on

Instead of planning by day – Monday’s outfit, Tuesday’s outfit – plan by item.

“Every piece you pack should work with at least three other pieces. That single discipline eliminates more dead weight than any compression cube ever will,” advises Ferguson-Nair.

The formula that works

For a two-week trip, a carry-on capsule wardrobe looks roughly like this:

• 4–5 tops
• 2–3 bottoms
• 1 dress or smart outfit if the trip requires it
• 1 light jacket or cardigan
• 2–3 pairs of shoes maximum
• 7–10 pairs of underwear and socks
• Sleepwear, swimwear, and workout gear only if you will actually use them

The key to making this work for two weeks rather than one is a mid-trip laundry wash. Pack a few lightweight laundry detergent sheets (they weigh almost nothing and dissolve in a hotel sink) and plan to wash clothes once around day seven. You’re effectively packing for seven days and wearing everything twice.

And remember, what’s on your body doesn’t count toward your bag weight, so wear your heaviest pair of shoes on the plane, along with your bulkiest jacket and any heavy layers.

The colour palette rule

Stick to three primary colours that all work together. When every top matches every bottom, you multiply your outfit combinations without adding a single item to your bag. A navy, white, and khaki palette, for example, gives you more combinations than a suitcase full of pieces that only work with specific partners.

The gear that makes it possible

Compression packing cubes are worth every cent. They organise your bag while reducing the volume of clothing by squeezing out excess air. Keep one cube strictly for electronics, cables, and documents so you can pull it out at security without unpacking everything else.

“One thing I always tell clients is to pack your backpack or handbag as if it’s the only bag you have. Essentials, one change of clothes, your valuables, your documents. That way, if your carry-on gets gate-checked, you still have everything you need under the seat in front of you,” advises Ferguson-Nair.

Travel light. Move fast. Stay in control.

Packing light used to be a compromise, but in 2026, it truly is a competitive advantage. Thankfully, none of the above is complicated – it just requires intention rather than defaulting to the large suitcase out of habit.

The battery regulations are a five-minute read before your next trip. The capsule wardrobe takes one afternoon to build properly and works indefinitely. The airline allowance research takes ten minutes and can save you a great deal of money.

“The travellers who feel most in control at airports are the ones who made a decision before they left home to not let their luggage make decisions for them. That’s it. That’s the whole secret to stress-free travel,” Ferguson-Nair concludes.

According to Zay Ferguson-Nair, Customer Experience Leader at Flight Centre South Africa, the Spanish capital delivers everything its more famous counterparts do, at a comparatively lower price point.

“With its lived-in, breathed-in authenticity, Madrid offers a fresh direction for local travellers seeking an international trip that won’t break the bank. From affordable, multi-course menú del día meals at local restaurants to free entry at various landmarks and museums like the Prado and Reina Sofía during selected hours, there are plenty of ways to experience this city without overspending.”

Add to that world-class festivals, football fever and the Spanish Grand Prix, and it’s easy to see why Madrid deserves the top spot on your European travel wish list.

Eat like a local Madrileño

When King Philip II moved his court to the then sleepy town of Madrid in 1561, the city had to be fed. Vast supply routes across the provinces shaped Madrid into the heart of the Spanish Empire and laid the foundation for its gastronomic heritage.

“Spain’s five-meal-a-day culture is deeply rooted in Madrid, where seasonal ingredients and communal dining remain central traditions that resonate with South Africans,” says Ferguson-Nair.

The city’s markets near Plaza Mayor remain the best way to experience its culinary soul. Start with bocadillo de calamares, Madrid’s iconic fried squid sandwich, then head to Chocolatería San Ginés, the city’s oldest churrería, serving churros and decadent hot chocolate since 1894.

Insider tip: Recognised by Guinness World Records, Madrid’s Sobrino de Botín is the world’s oldest continuously operating restaurant, serving wood-fired suckling pig and classic Castilian flavours since 1725.

Something for the football fans

Madrid is a city of beautiful contradictions, home to three acclaimed art institutions (the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofía, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza), yet equally magnetic for football fans.

“It’s a place where footballs fly off stone walls as children swarm church squares. Madrid’s sports culture captures our South African imagination and love of outdoor games,” says Ferguson-Nair.

La Liga season officially concluded in May, but there are plenty of open parks across the city featuring caged pitches (pistas) where you can catch local games happening organically.

Insider tip: The Santiago Bernabéu’s Real Madrid Museum showcases the club’s sporting legacy year-round.

A rewarding events calendar

Other than football, Madrid’s events calendar delivers the Spanish Grand Prix, running 11–13 September, and JAZZMADRID26, an international jazz festival running through October and November.

“For surf-minded travellers, September to November marks peak swell season along the Basque Country and Cantabria coastlines. It’s just a four-to-five-hour drive or a short domestic flight from Madrid.”

Insider tip: Build an itinerary around one anchor festival and use Madrid’s central location to explore outward from there. The city centre is compact and pedestrian-friendly, making it easy to bypass paid transport for short distances.

Book early; travel smart

With the rand remaining sensitive to global currency fluctuations, locking in flights and accommodation early is one of the smartest decisions a South African traveller can make.

“We always encourage travellers to book ahead,” says Ferguson-Nair. “Currency movements can significantly affect what a holiday costs by the time you travel. Getting in early protects your budget and your peace of mind.”

Madrid is ready. The only question is how soon you can get there.

That shift in mindset – more value-conscious and more willing to ask whether the obvious choice is actually the best one – is exactly the right lens through which to look at Time Out’s 2026 Best Cities ranking. Built on the responses of more than 24,000 locals across 150 cities worldwide, it is the most resident-informed ranking of its kind. And what it reveals, for South African travellers open to looking beyond their usual itineraries, is a set of destinations that deliver extraordinary experiences at a fraction of the cost of the cities that typically dominate South African booking patterns.

Cape Town’s sixth-place ranking (above Tokyo, Seoul, Paris, and Singapore) is proof that South Africans already know what world-class looks like. The question is whether they’re finding it when they travel.

“Right now, South Africans are asking better questions before booking,” says Antoinette Turner, GM of Flight Centre South Africa. “They want to know that their money is really working for them – not just that a destination is popular, but that it will actually deliver value. The cities that come up again and again in that conversation are often not the ones people expected to be considering.”

Porto, ranked 17^th in the world, is one of them. 80% of its residents describe it as “welcoming” and “friendly”. 99% say it’s “cheap to grab a coffee”. Portugal remains one of the most affordable destinations in Western Europe, and the city rewards exactly the kind of unhurried, exploratory travel that South Africans are increasingly drawn to. It is also, for those who have already done Lisbon, a revelation: smaller and considerably more characterful.

Edinburgh, ranked 3^rd globally, is the city that consistently surprises South Africans who expected to love London more. It scored the joint-highest walkability rating of any city surveyed, a 94% approval rating for its food scene, and 91% of its residents report finding genuine joy in their everyday lives there. It is also accessible on existing routes through London or Amsterdam without adding significant travel time or cost.

Kraków, ranked 16^th, is the most compelling value proposition in Europe for South African travellers right now. Retaining its own currency (the Polish złoty) rather than using the Euro, it provides a high-standard, UNESCO-protected historic experience at a fraction of the cost of Western Europe or Eurozone hotspots. Plus, its 87% food scene approval rating and its extraordinary walkability make it a destination that delivers on every measure that matters.

Marrakech, ranked 24^th, is rated by 82% of its residents as a city with a strong sense of community and offers an exciting cultural shift without having to cross into a totally unfamiliar time zone. Just an hour behind South African time, it delivers the immersion of a genuinely different culture with almost no adjustment on arrival, making it a rewarding choice for anyone after a proper change of scene. Just plan ahead, because if you don’t hold one of the pre-qualifying visas (for example, US, UK, Schengen Area, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Japan, or the UAE) you will need to apply directly to the Embassy of Morocco in Pretoria.

None of these cities are obscure. They’re simply underleveraged, chosen less frequently than their quality and affordability warrants. In a year when South African travellers are being more intentional about every rand they spend on travel, that gap between what’s popular and what’s truly worth it is worth closing.

“When budgets are tighter and the world feels less predictable, the instinct is often to book what you know. But the real value in travel right now isn’t necessarily where it always used to be,” says Turner.

“The lesser-known cities on Time Out’s list are not consolation prizes for travellers who couldn’t afford somewhere better. They are, by the measure of the people who live in them, among the most rewarding places on earth. They simply require someone who knows that… and knows how to get you there,” she concludes.

Here are the non-negotiables for 2026 holiday travel:

1. Buy comprehensive travel insurance. Then actually read the Ts&Cs. “Honestly, it’s the best booking decision you’ll make,” says Zay Ferguson-Nair, Customer Experience Leader at Flight Centre South Africa. “Unspecified event cover is often included if you purchase cover within 24-72 hours of your trip being booked. Talk to your travel advisor about the right cover for your trip at the point of booking, and don’t leave it for later. It shouldn’t be an afterthought.”
2. Lock in your fare now, even if you’re travelling next year. “Our advice at the moment is simple: Book early, pay now, stay flexible,” says Ferguson-Nair. “You can book today’s prices for travel up to 12 months out, which means you can snap up the deals Middle Eastern carriers are offering right now and worry about packing later.”
3. Ask about an airline’s date-change policy. Change fees and flexibility can shift, and in some cases paying a once-off change fee works out cheaper than booking a fully flexible fare from the start. Always ask – and compare – before you book.
4. Always compare the total ticket cost, not the headline price. Fuel surcharges, flexibility and ancillaries can quietly pile up, so always compare apples with apples, says Ferguson-Nair. “In the current climate, we recommend paying a little more for flexibility. It can save you money in the long run.”
5. Quote and ticket on the same day. Fares are moving really quickly right now, and a quote held overnight can vanish by breakfast, so if you’re happy with the price, secure it.
6. Check your passport before you do anything else. Most destinations require at least six months’ validity (from your return date) and two blank pages, so check your passport first, then book. Ditto for visa requirements.
7. Travel “carry-on only” wherever possible. With some airlines raising checked baggage fees to offset rising fuel costs, a cabin-ready wheelie bag at your side saves money, time at the carousel, and a great deal of stress if your flight is suddenly delayed or rerouted. And if you do find yourself sprinting to a service desk to sort out a grounded flight, at least your bag is coming with you.
8. Pack light. Really light. Sudoku, packing cubes, or military rolls – pick your weapon. We all know we’ll be wearing the same two outfits on rotation, so why are we pretending otherwise?
9. Wear your bulkiest items onto the plane. Boots, puffers, and your heaviest jersey all count as free luggage when they’re on your body, and the cabin gets cold enough that you’ll thank yourself later.
10. Remember an in-flight essentials kit. A spare pair of undies, a toothbrush, contact lens solution, phone charger, a change of top, and any prescription medication should always travel on your person, not in the hold.
11. Bring an empty, refillable water bottle. Fill it past security at any refill station and you’ll skip the airport mark-up entirely, plus you’ll stay properly hydrated on the flight.
12. Download the airline app before you leave home. If your flight is delayed or cancelled, the app will keep you up to speed and in the know.
13. Better still: save your Travel Expert’s 24-hour support number to your phone. If things go awry, you want a friendly, efficient human on the other end of the line. Same goes for your travel insurance and your hotel.
14. Know the new power bank rules before you fly. Since 27 March 2026, ICAO rules limit passengers to two power banks in the cabin and ban charging them during the flight, with some carriers (Emirates among them) capping it at one. Never put a power bank in checked luggage or the overhead bin. These devices belong under the seat in front of you, where cabin crew can reach them fast if needed.
15. Ignore “airport theory” no matter how convincing the TikTok. The trend that challenges travellers to get from the airport entrance to the departure gate in 15 minutes or less is a great way to miss your flight, especially with current security wait times.

A bit of homework at the booking stage, a sense of humour at the airport, and a wheelie bag you can actually lift, and festive season travel is yours for the taking!

“Be it Bafana Bafana, the Proteas, or the Springboks, our sheer love of the game and unyielding appetite for gees continues to mobilise us,” says Antoinette Turner, GM at Flight Centre South Africa.

That sentiment applies to the upcoming Emirates Dubai Sevens, taking place from the 27^th to the 29^th of November 2026. With interest building ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, this event, combining elite rugby, cricket, netball, and padel in a destination that does it all, is firmly on the radar. For anyone who has been saying they will get to Dubai eventually, this is the reason to finally go.

According to Flight Centre data, Dubai bookings amongst South African travellers jumped 83% between March and April, rose a further 31% in May, and grew another 14% in June. By the end of June, bookings had recovered to almost three times March levels. In short, the city’s revival is most certainly underway.

With local sports fans frothing for their next fix and confidence in Dubai travel officially climbing, here’s everything you need to know to time your trip with the Emirates Dubai Sevens.

More than just rugby

The Emirates Dubai Sevens has evolved into one of the Middle East’s largest multi-sport festivals, with fan villages, entertainment zones, and live concerts extending the experience well beyond the pitch. More importantly, for savvy South African travellers, it’s the centrepiece of a broader holiday opportunity.

“This is a chance to build an entire trip around a world-class sporting event during the best time of year to be in Dubai,” says Turner. “November brings warm days, comfortable evenings, and ideal conditions for exploring TopGolf, Deep Dive Dubai, and Danube Sports World.”

For those eager to lace up, the Dubai Run, the world’s largest free community run, takes place on 22 November. This annual mass-participation event, which welcomed over 307,000 participants last year, transforms Sheikh Zayed Road into a car-free running track, taking runners past iconic landmarks like the Museum of the Future, Emirates Towers, and the Burj Khalifa.

The booking window matters

One of the most common mistakes sports tourists make is assuming they can organise everything closer to departure.

“Large-scale sporting events create concentrated demand, and the Dubai Sevens is no different,” says Turner. “Thousands of people are heading to the same destination on the same dates, so travellers who book early get more choice, better pricing, and accommodation closer to the event.”

For South Africans, Dubai appears deceptively easy to organise independently. The city is well developed, and information is widely available online. However, Turner highlights that major events are one of the areas where booking online independently can leave you exposed.

“Flights, hotels, transfers, travel insurance, and visa requirements all need to align around fixed dates, and if something goes awry, having an expert in your corner matters.”

She offers this specific note on visas: “South African passport holders are still required to obtain a pre-approved United Arab Emirates (UAE) tourist visa, usually processed within 3 – 5 working days. Recent reports about UAE visa-on-arrival arrangements apply only to South African nationals residing abroad who meet specific qualifying requirements, not to those travelling directly from South Africa for leisure.”

Preparing for potential travel shifts

Considering recent disruptions, the Emirates Dubai Sevens organisers are continuously monitoring the regional situation in consultation with local authorities. A formal review takes place during the week of 12 October 2026. Full refunds are available if the event is cancelled entirely, or if a participating team’s country issues official travel advice between 12 and 16 October 2026.

“What’s encouraging is travellers showing a willingness to book ahead,” says Turner. “Flight Centre’s share of Dubai bookings for 2027 departures increased from just 1.5% in March and April to 5.4% in May and 3.4% in June. Still a relatively small portion of overall bookings, but people committing more than a year out tells us something real about where confidence sits right now.”

Turner highlights Flight Centre’s Dubai holiday packages carrying a Moneyback Guarantee. Should plans change, travellers can cancel more than 24 hours before check-in for a full refund, no questions asked.

“The Dubai Sevens has evolved into a complete travel experience, and the key to making the most of it really is to cover all your bases and start planning sooner than you may think,” says Turner. “As the FIFA World Cup recently proved, you’ve got to be ‘Rassie-level’ organised to execute a holiday centred around a major sporting event. Book too late, and you pay for it. Flights dry up. Accommodation prices climb. Securing event tickets is only one part of the puzzle,” she concludes.

In 2026, that feeling is increasingly hard to find. Bali is getting busier by the day, Santorini is feeling the pressure of the summer cruise ship calendar, and even Lisbon – once considered Portugal’s hidden gem – now has snaking queues for a decent pastéis de nata.

Look a little closer, though, and you’ll find alternative destinations that deliver everything that draws travellers to the Mediterranean and beyond: warm water, exceptional food, and real adventure – usually at a fraction of the cost and without the crowds. And increasingly, it’s becoming even easier to reach these destinations.

Take Airlink’s new Johannesburg–Nacala service (launched February 2026), which opens up northern Mozambique, for example. As well as LATAM’s new non-stop route between Cape Town and São Paulo (launching July 2026), suddenly putting South America firmly on the Saffa radar.

“We’re seeing a real shift in what our clients are asking for,” says Sue Garrett, GM Supply, Pricing & Marketing at Flight Centre South Africa. “They still want an unforgettable, bucket-list experience – but they want it without the crowds. They want to feel like they found something special. And right now, there’s genuine opportunity to do exactly that.”

Fancy an out-of-the-ordinary travel experience? Here are five destinations worth a serious look.

Kefalonia, Greece

On the Ionian side of Greece, Kefalonia offers everything the Cyclades promise without the crowds: turquoise coves like Myrtos and Antisamos, sleepy harbour towns, and vineyards producing crisp Robola whites found nowhere else. While Santorini and Mykonos strain under the weight of their own popularity, Kefalonia feels more relaxed even at the height of summer.

“Kefalonia does have a summer peak, but since it’s the largest of the Ionian Islands, its size and varied terrain help absorb the crowds, allowing visitors to find quieter spots, enchanting beaches, and friendly, local tavernas,” says Garrett. “It’s still part of the Schengen zone, but for South Africans already budgeting for that admin, it delivers a beautiful Greek island experience.”

Top tip: Kefalonia is a big island, so hire a car and spend a few days both on the north and south sides of the island. Staying in both regions drastically cuts down on long, winding drives and allows you to explore different sites and beaches in the most relaxed way possible. Pack water shoes for the pebbly beaches and ask locals where to find the best swimming spots – as some of the more famous beaches have strong currents and undertows.

Albania’s Riviera

A short, high-speed ferry trip from Corfu gets you to Sarandë, and from there, it’s just a twelve-kilometre drive south to Ksamil, where some of Albania’s most beautiful beaches rival anything in the region. Inland, the Roman ruins of Butrint and the impossibly blue spring known as the “Blue Eye” add a bit of interest and adventure to beach time.

Yes, Albania still feels basic – bus timetables are informal and cash is king, but that’s exactly what makes it feel genuinely undiscovered. Albania sits outside the Schengen zone (South Africans will need an e-Visa via the government portal) and is following almost exactly the same trajectory Croatia took a decade ago, then Montenegro more recently. In other words, it won’t stay this quiet for much longer.

Top tip: Bring Euros. While the local currency is the Albanian lek, most tourist businesses and accommodations readily accept Euros at a set rate. Keep a few handy as many of Ksamil’s beaches are private, so you’ll need to pay for access, a lounger, and beach umbrella.

Georgia’s wine country

Tucked between the Caucasus Mountains and the Black Sea, Georgia is the birthplace of wine, with an 8,000-year-old qvevri winemaking tradition in the Kakheti region. Tbilisi mixes cobbled old-town streets and sulphur bathhouses with a restaurant scene that has earned serious international attention, while the Alazani Valley delivers vineyards, medieval watchtowers, and near total quiet. The rand goes a long way here, covering excellent guesthouses and meals that would cost considerably more with a French label attached, and South Africans can enter visa-free for up to a year.

Top tip: Book lunch or dinner a couple of days in advance, especially at smaller, family-run estates, as independent winemakers often only prepare meals for those who book ahead. Oh, and pay a visit to Sighnaghi, Georgia’s own “City of Love”!

Uzbekistan’s Silk Road cities

Samarkand’s Registan Square, with its turquoise domes and towering gateways, is one of those sights that photographs simply cannot prepare you for, yet it remains filed under “someday” for most South African travellers. The Silk Road triangle of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva now forms a manageable, well-supported itinerary, with Bukhara’s old city still functioning as a living town of carpet workshops and spice bazaars, not a museum piece. Costs on the ground remain low, and the region’s high-speed bullet trains save you from long, bumpy car rides.

Top tip: Uzbekistan’s high-speed rail tickets go on sale exactly 45 days before departure and sell out within minutes, so create an account on the official Uzbekistan Railways website or app in advance and be ready to book the moment your travel dates open.

Argentina: Buenos Aires

Argentina slipped off the radar when SAA discontinued its direct flights to Buenos Aires back in 2014. But with the LATAM São Paulo–Cape Town route launching in September, the magic of Buenos Aires – tango, literature, grand European-style architecture, an outstanding café and steakhouse culture – is back within easy reach. Unfortunately, says Garrett, Argentina is not as affordable as it once was.

“South Africans feel right at home in Buenos Aires’ legendary parillas (steakhouses), especially with a glass of Malbec in hand! The architectural beauty of the city, complete with grand boulevards and bustling sidewalk cafés, really is something special,” says Garrett. “But if you’re looking for more value for money, consider Colombia – both Medellín and Cartagena offer extraordinary experiences, and both are also back in play thanks to LATAM’s new route.”

Top tip: Buenos Aires – a three-hour flight from São Paulo – is packed with personality. The best way to experience it? On a private city tour or local-led food tour. You’ll get a sense of the city’s best neighbourhoods and quickly fall in love with everything on offer.

“The travellers who come back from a holiday feeling the most energised are usually the ones who took a chance on somewhere they had to explain to their friends and family… and returned with stories they’ll be telling those same loved ones about for years,” Garrett concludes.  

In 2026, those places still exist. The question is simply whether you find them before everyone else does.

The timing is no accident. With global airfares up more than 20% over the past year, South Africans are relooking their holiday budgets, and micro-luxuries offer a happy solution: trim the base costs, then spend deliberately on a few premium touches that lift the whole experience.

“A handful of moments decide how you’ll remember a holiday,” says Zay Ferguson-Nair, Customer Experience Leader at Flight Centre South Africa. “Very few of us can afford 10 days of blanket luxury right now, so micro-luxuries make a real difference. Choose them deliberately, put your money there, and a modest trip starts to feel like something really special.”

So, where should your rands go?

A transfer waiting for you

Thailand remains one of Flight Centre’s top destinations. But it’s a long way away. By the time you land in Bangkok, you’ll have been travelling for around 22 hours. Working out taxis in an unfamiliar city – especially while you’re tired and desperate for a shower – is no way to start a holiday.

A pre-booked transfer, with a driver holding your name in arrivals and delivering you straight to your hotel, is a small splurge when you look at the big picture. The same logic applies in Istanbul, Athens, or Rome: the first few hours of a trip set the mood for everything that follows.

In fact, as Ferguson-Nair explains, many packages will include transfers as standard.

“Always ask your travel advisor about transfers – it’ll completely change the tone of day one,” she says.

A guide who really knows their stuff

A private or small-group guide for a single morning will teach you more than a week of aimless wandering. Visit Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque or join a local-led food walk in Athens (coffee, pastries, and a delicious selection of mezes and dips) before you catch a ferry out to the islands.

Three hours with the right person condenses 20 years of local knowledge into an unforgettable outing, and it changes how you see everything else on the trip.

One table worth booking

Self-catering helps keep holiday costs down, and there’s real pleasure in shopping in local grocery stores and farmers’ markets. Just build in one exception: a special meal, booked before you leave home. If you’re in London, consider lunch at the River Café in Hammersmith, afternoon tea at The Savoy, or dinner at The Ivy (the original, located right in the heart of the West End). Or keep it even simpler. In Mauritius, a sundowner at a beautiful west coast beach bar, cocktail in hand as the sky catches fire, can be the entire evening’s plan, and one of the best moments of the trip.

One experience to anchor it all

Every trip deserves a centrepiece: a traditional Creole cooking class in Seychelles where you shop Mahé’s markets in the morning and enjoy the spoils at lunch, a catamaran cruise off Mauritius’ north coast, or a boat across the Bosphorus Strait at golden hour with Europe on one bank and Asia on the other. Pre-book one anchor experience per destination. The good ones fill up fast, and they become the stories you tell when you get home.

The one extraordinary night

Then there’s the bigger version of the idea. Marriott Bonvoy coined the phrase “lux-scaping” in its 2026 EMEA Ticket to Travel Report: booking a single night of unapologetic luxury at the very start or very end of your trip, then spending modestly in between. Arrive and recover from a long flight in style – or end your holiday on an unforgettable high before boarding for home.

“The first and last nights are special,” says Ferguson-Nair. “Spend it somewhere extraordinary and the whole holiday borrows its glow. It’s one of the easiest upgrades in travel, and right now it’s also one of the most affordable.”

The maths of memory

The trips we describe for years afterwards tend to be the ones where the money landed in the right places.

“In 2026, spending less overall while spending better on a few chosen indulgences is a smart strategy. And it’s well within reach,” concludes Ferguson-Nair.

Kenya has long produced the best distance runners on earth. Eliud Kipchoge alone makes the case. But elite athletics is only one layer of what this dopamine-inducing destination offers.

“Let’s put it this way, it’s a good place for travellers who don’t want to sit still,” says Antoinette Turner, GM of Flight Centre South Africa. “Sure, you can run and hike there, but it has plenty more to offer outdoor enthusiasts across the board. What surprises most people is just how much is packed into one destination, and how accessible it all is.”

Here’s what makes Kenya a compelling destination for active South African travellers, according to Flight Centre’s team of Travel Experts.

Iten: Where the best runners train

Known as the Home of Champions, the town of Iten sits at 2,400 metres above sea level in the Rift Valley, offering the perfect elevation for endurance training. Unsurprisingly, it has produced more elite marathon runners than anywhere else on the planet. More and more serious amateur runners are heading there to train at altitude alongside Kenyan athletes, eat simply, sleep well, and come home in better shape than they left.

“Active travellers who go to Iten expecting a challenging training camp often come back talking about how peaceful it was,” Turner adds. “Morning runs on red dirt roads through highland mist. Afternoon rest. Nutritious, whole foods. No distractions.”

A testament to the earth’s raw sculpting forces, Kenya’s Great Rift Valley is flanked by sloping escarpments, lake shores, and volcanic terrain that get trail runners excited. Routes around Lake Naivasha and Hell’s Gate National Park offer technical, scenic running at altitudes that will test your fitness and reward your effort.

“Hell’s Gate is also one of the few parks in East Africa where you can move at nature’s pace on foot or by mountain bike without a fence between you and the local wildlife,” Turner says. For mountaineers seeking a new frontier, she nudges towards Mount Kenya, topping out at 5,199 metres.

Cycling the highlands

The road from Nairobi into the Aberdare Range delivers a high-altitude adventure through tea plantations (Kenya is the world’s largest exporter of black tea), spectacular waterfalls, and cedar forests.

According to Turner, Kenya’s highlands suit multi-day safari cycling well – there’s enough gradient to make it interesting and enough scenery to justify stopping often. “The roads here are far quieter than anything comparable in Europe, and guided cycling routes are particularly well-established,” she says.

Walking safaris in the Maasai Mara

A walking safari provides an immersive alternative to 4×4 safaris, with all senses engaged. You read animal scat and spoor and move at a slower pace, allowing you to notice things you might miss from a vehicle seat.

“Active travellers opting for walking safaris are often the ones who’ve already done a conventional safari and want something different and more intimate,” Turner says. “This experience requires your full attention combined with physical movement, which is exactly why active and adventurous travellers love it.”

Water sports and kitesurfing

Diani Beach, on Kenya’s south coast near Mombasa, is a world-class kitesurfing destination, promising reliable trade winds, protected coral reefs, deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, and more. It is also, frankly, a fine place to do absolutely nothing for a few days, according to Turner.

“Downtime near the ocean delivers what most of us need to reset,” she adds. “The beach delivers on both ends of the activity spectrum: wading through the shallows or deep-sea fishing, depending on what kind of day you’re after. It’s worth the flight to Mombasa via Nairobi from Johannesburg.”

Yes, Kenya. But why now?

The country welcomed about 2.7 million international visitors and 5.2 million intra-African travellers in 2025 (including South Africans, who can enter Kenya visa-free for a period of up to 90 days), demonstrating the depth and diversity of its travel market.

The exchange rate works in South Africans’ favour, too. R1 buys approximately 8.00* Kenyan shillings, so accommodation, guides, and experiences that would stretch a budget in Europe sit comfortably within reach in Kenya.

“Kenya is not a budget destination in the rough-travel sense,” Turner says. “But South Africans get genuine purchasing power there, and that changes what kind of trip is actually possible.”

In short, when it comes to booking a trip to Kenya, don’t walk. Run.

*According to the exchange rate on 15 June 2026

“Just over 23,000 South Africans travelled to Mauritius in the first quarter of 2026 alone – an increase on 2025’s Q1 arrivals – making SA the island nation’s fifth largest source market, right behind France, Germany, Reunion Island, and the UK. Mauritius’s status as our country’s leading cruise destination also continues to grow,” says Antoinette Turner, General Manager of Flight Centre South Africa.

“SAA’s recently launched direct Cape Town–Mauritius service, operating three times weekly year-round, combined with Air Mauritius’s equally frequent direct flights, has made the island more accessible from the Western Cape than ever. Johannesburg travellers, meanwhile, also continue to enjoy a wealth of direct flight options from both carriers,” she adds.

Turner believes that Mauritius will always be South Africa’s most-booked international destination, but she reports that Flight Centre is beginning to see an appetite among well-travelled Saffas for something that pushes their boundaries a little further. “They’re looking for something more unexpected,” she explains.

The good news is that the islands surrounding Mauritius offer some of the most compelling travel experiences in the world. Here are a few to consider, hand-picked by Flight Centre’s Travel Experts.

Réunion: For the traveller who wants their island wild

Just 200 kilometres southwest of Mauritius, Réunion is French territory, which means European infrastructure, exceptional cuisine, and a standard of hiking trail maintenance that would make most destinations envious. But what makes Réunion genuinely unmissable right now is Piton de la Fournaise, one of the world’s most active shield volcanoes, which is currently in the midst of a spectacular eruptive cycle.

“2026 began with a smaller eruption in January, followed by a highly significant sustained eruption on February 13^th, generating massive basaltic lava flows down the volcano’s south-southeast flank. By mid-March, those flows had travelled approximately seven kilometres, cutting across the island’s coastal highway and pouring into the Indian Ocean for the first time in nearly two decades,” Turner explains.

Piton de la Fournaise is one of the most active volcanoes on earth, and because the underground system is still showing seismic activity, scientists expect new eruptive phases to happen before the year ends.

To stand at a safe viewing distance and watch molten rock meet the sea is one of the most extraordinary natural spectacles available to travellers anywhere on the planet right now. Add to this Réunion’s three UNESCO-listed calderas (covering over 40% of the island), its network of world-class hiking trails, and its Creole culinary culture, and the picture that emerges is of an island that delivers something Mauritius, for all its considerable charms, was never designed to offer.

South African arrivals to Réunion have grown between 10 – 13% annually, with over 5,000 South African tourists visiting last year. So, word is getting out.

Seychelles: For the traveller who wants to island-hop in style

If Mauritius is the reliable favourite, Seychelles is its more enigmatic, architecturally dramatic cousin. An archipelago of 115 islands scattered across the western Indian Ocean, it promises the pleasure of moving between entirely distinct worlds, each with its own its own beaches and its own pace.

2026 is a particularly meaningful year to visit, according to Turner. “The Seychelles celebrates its Golden Jubilee in June – 50 years of independence from the United Kingdom. Furthermore, the archipelago has entered the year with a significant accolade: the US News & World Report has named it the world’s number one destination for eco-tourism in its 2026 Best Countries rankings,” she says.

According to Christine Vel, Tourism Seychelles’ Market Manager for South Africa:

“The Seychelles has always delivered a wilderness experience wrapped in world-class luxury. Our Golden Jubilee year feels like a natural moment for the world to rediscover what makes these islands so extraordinary. The eco-tourism recognition reflects something our islands have always embodied: that the most memorable travel experiences are the ones where the natural environment is the centrepiece. For South African travellers looking to experience island-hopping at its finest, there has never been a better time to explore the archipelago.”

Zanzibar and Tanzania: For the traveller who wants beach and wilderness in a single trip

Zanzibar recorded 100,739 international tourist arrivals in December 2025 alone – a 10% increase on the previous year. These numbers reflect a destination that has matured into one of Africa’s most compelling propositions: a spice-scented, historically layered island with turquoise water and white sand, currently more accessible from South Africa than it has ever been.

“Airlink’s newly launched twice-weekly direct service from Johannesburg to Zanzibar, operated on its flagship Embraer E195-E2 jets with complimentary meals, a generous baggage allowance, and no middle seats, removes the last remaining friction from the journey. A Cape Town to Zanzibar route follows in October, opening the island to the Western Cape market without a Johannesburg connection,” comments Turner.

What elevates Zanzibar beyond a beautiful beach destination, however, is what lies on the mainland. A Zanzibar beach stay combined with a Tanzania safari (the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, or the Selous) creates a two-part itinerary that delivers the full spectrum of what travel can offer.

Your next favourite destination is probably one you haven’t considered yet

Mauritius will always deserve its place at the top of the list, but the most interesting thing about South African travellers right now is that they’re asking more questions – not just “where can I go?” but “what do I actually want from this trip?” That shift in thinking opens up an ocean of possibility. “Once a traveller starts thinking in terms of experiences rather than destinations, the whole map changes,” says Turner. “Réunion, the Seychelles, Zanzibar – these aren’t consolation prizes for when Mauritius is fully booked. They’re world-class destinations in their own right, each delivering something very different. The Indian Ocean rewards the curious. It always has,” she concludes.

But here’s what the improving global picture hasn’t changed: Africa in July is exceptional. And South Africans who turn their attention to exploring the broader continent this winter will find themselves richly rewarded.

“The irony is that while everyone was watching Europe and waiting for the world to settle down, Africa was delivering some of the most extraordinary travel experiences on the planet,” says Antoinette Turner, GM of Flight Centre South Africa. “June–August is genuinely one of the best months to be on this continent. The wildlife viewing is at its peak, the skies are clear, and there are plenty of opportunities to create those cosy forever-memories with those you love most. Our Travel Experts have been saying this for years. The data is finally catching up.”

Regional African travel surged in 2025 and is a confirmed growth trend for 2026, according to Flight Centre’s Year in Travel 2025 report. Two thirds of South Africans travelled specifically for nature last year, 65% travelled to recharge and escape burnout, and 83% say travel is essential for their mental health. Africa, it turns out, is not a compromise destination. For an overwhelming majority of South Africans, it is precisely the kind of travel that matters most.

Where to go – and why winter is the perfect moment

Kafue National Park, Zambia

Kafue is Africa’s second-largest national park (roughly the size of Wales) and, remarkably, one of its least visited. In winter, the Busanga Plains in Kafue’s remote north flood with game, including lion prides, massive eland herds, and the elusive sitatunga.

“Kafue is the destination I find myself recommending more and more to travellers who’ve done the Kruger and who are ready for something that feels truly undiscovered,” comments Turner. “Clients who go invariably say it’s the trip that changed their benchmark for what a safari can be.”

One of the most compelling reasons to base a winter itinerary around Kafue is what becomes possible immediately afterwards. Proflight Zambia currently operates direct flights from both Lusaka and Livingstone to Maun (the primary gateway to Botswana’s Okavango Delta), running on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays through to the end of October, covering the entirety of peak season. In practical terms, that means a seamless two-country wilderness itinerary is not only possible; it’s straightforward.

Josias Walubita, Director of Flight Operations at Proflight Zambia, explains:

“The Lusaka–Maun and Livingstone–Maun routes open up an incredible opportunity for travellers who want to experience the very best of southern and central Africa in a single trip. Zambia and Botswana together offer a wilderness combination that is genuinely world-class, and having a reliable, scheduled connection between the two means travellers no longer have to choose between them. We’re proud to be making that journey easier during what is arguably the finest wildlife season on the continent.”

The Okavango Delta, Botswana

The Delta is at its annual flood peak in winter, transformed by waters that have travelled thousands of kilometres from the Angolan highlands to fan out across the Kalahari in one of nature’s most extraordinary spectacles. Islands emerge, channels multiply, wildlife concentrates on elevated ground, and the game viewing becomes almost implausibly good. A mokoro gliding silently through papyrus-lined waterways at dawn is one of the great travel experiences available anywhere on earth right now.

“There’s something about being that immersed in a functioning wilderness, with no signal and no schedule, that does what no European city break can. We’re seeing strong demand for Delta camps this winter, and for good reason,” Turner says.

Walvis Bay, Namibia

Namibia’s desert-meets-ocean landscape is one of the most visually arresting on the continent, and Walvis Bay places you at the heart of it without the crowds that increasingly follow Swakopmund’s rising profile. The lagoon here is one of Africa’s most important wetland sites, home to vast flocks of flamingos that turn the shallows pink at dusk. Dune 7, among the highest sand dunes in Namibia, looms just outside town, and the seal colony at Cape Cross is close enough for a day trip. This is a destination that rewards the traveller who prefers to discover rather than follow.

Zanzibar, Tanzania

Zanzibar has long deserved a direct connection from South Africa, and Airlink has just delivered one – a twice-weekly year-round service from Johannesburg that removes the layover and the guesswork from what was previously a more complicated journey. The island needs little introduction: turquoise waters, powder-white beaches, Stone Town’s labyrinthine spice-scented streets. With frequency increasing to three weekly flights over the peak December period and a Cape Town route launching in October, access to Zanzibar from South Africa has never been simpler.

The global travel conversation is slowly returning to normal. Long-haul routes are reopening, and the familiar pull of European summers is reasserting itself. All of that is excellent news, but it does raise a question worth pondering: when the rest of the world was grounded, distracted, and recalibrating, Africa never stopped being extraordinary.

The travellers who noticed that first are already booked.