There is a particular excitement that comes with booking an international flight. The passport, the airport, unfamiliar streets and the feeling that everything ahead of you will be new.
But sometimes we are so focused on seeing the world that we forget how much of our own country we have yet to discover.
South Africa is vast, with an extraordinary variety of landscapes, cultures and experiences. From the semi-desert Karoo and the lush Garden Route to the Drakensberg mountains and the subtropical KwaZulu-Natal coast, each region offers something different.
It is a little like being a child who asks for something to eat only to be told: “We have food back at home.”
The same logic applies to travel. Why rush beyond our borders when there is still so much to experience in our own backyard?
For South African content creator, travel influencer and group tour organiser Nelly Zwane, some of her most rewarding travel experiences have happened at home.
“As a South African, I have realised that some of my most rewarding travel experiences have happened right here at home.
Whether it is a road trip with friends, a quick flight to one of my favourite gems or even a spontaneous weekend getaway, there is something so special about discovering your own country.”
South Africa’s diversity means a traveller can experience mountains, waterfalls, beaches, forests, wildlife and cultural attractions without necessarily travelling far from home.
Zwane points to Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape as examples of provinces with beautiful places and hidden gems still waiting to be uncovered.
“You can find mountains, waterfalls, beaches, forests, wildlife, charming little towns and incredible cultural experiences, often without travelling too far.”
Local travel also offers something that can be harder to find on an international trip: flexibility.
A road trip can become the holiday itself, with scenic routes, spontaneous stops and the freedom to change plans.
A quick domestic flight can take you to another part of the country in a few hours, making it possible to enjoy a short break without the logistical demands of international travel.
“Sometimes the road trip is the adventure, with beautiful scenery, good music, unexpected stops and the freedom to take the scenic route,” Zwane says.
“Other times a quick flight gets you to your destination in a few hours and gives you that same feeling of excitement and discovery.”
There is also the financial consideration. Depending on the destination, travelling locally can eliminate some of the costs associated with international travel, including visas, foreign exchange fees and long-haul flights.
It can also make travel easier to fit around work and everyday commitments.
For Lee Marque Jansen, managing director and co-owner of Streamline Tourism Marketing and Events, South Africans sometimes overlook what international visitors travel thousands of kilometres to experience.
“South Africa has the kind of tourism offering that should make us incredibly proud yet somehow, we are often better at selling it to the rest of the world than we are at experiencing it ourselves.”
Between January and May 2026, more than 4.2 million international tourists visited South Africa, an increase of 12.8% compared with the same period last year.
That interest is a reminder of the country’s appeal to visitors from around the world.
Jansen believes South Africans should look beyond the destinations they already know.
“I love what happens when you move beyond the well-known tourist routes such as Cape Town and Kruger. Think about places like Oudtshoorn, Tsitsikamma, Mdantsane, Cape St Francis or Umlazi.”
These destinations can offer a different perspective of the country, from small towns and local food to community stories, cultural experiences and people who know their surroundings intimately.
South Africa also has an impressive range of adventure experiences. Travellers can move from beach to bush, forest to mountain and wildlife to adventure, often within the same country.
There is also a social and economic reason to travel locally. Choosing locally owned accommodation, restaurants, guides, tour operators and activities means more of your travel spend can support businesses and communities in the destinations you visit.
“When you travel locally, you have a say in where your hard-earned money goes,” Jansen says.
“You can choose the province, region, town, family-owned business or community you want to support.”
Her advice is to speak to people who know the destination beyond its most popular attractions.
“Speak to a local tour operator. They know the destination beyond the brochure and ChatGPT, the people, stories and experiences you may never find online.”
Zwane agrees that there is still plenty of South Africa left for her to discover, despite travelling extensively.
“While I absolutely love travelling overseas, I do not believe you need an international flight or a passport stamp to experience something extraordinary.
"There is still so much of South Africa that I have not seen and that is what makes local travel so exciting for me.”
International travel will always have its appeal. There is something valuable about crossing a border, experiencing another culture and seeing how people live elsewhere.
But a meaningful holiday does not require a passport stamp.
Sometimes the most rewarding trip is the one that makes you realise you did not know your own country as well as you thought you did.
“Sometimes we are so focused on seeing the world that we forget there is a whole world waiting to be discovered in our own backyard,” Zwane says. “And for me that is the beauty of travelling locally.”
As Jansen puts it: “For me, taking a Sho’t Left isn’t simply about travelling less. It is about discovering more of the country we are lucky enough to call home.”
zamandosi.cele@nationalmg.co.za