How much of South Africa can you experience on R1,050 a day? What changes when you have R1,250 to spend? And what can you discover when you have room to splurge?
A new domestic tourism series, Just Travel SA, invites South Africans to see their country through a fresh lens, uncovering remarkable destinations, local experiences and hidden gems across all nine provinces, with travel options designed for different budgets.
Premiering on SABC1 on Monday, 26 October 2026 at 18:00, the nine-part series is produced by Black Brain Pictures and will be hosted by two renowned broadcasters Pearl Thusi and Lungile Radu.
Each 24-minute episode sees the hosts explore a province alongside a local insider, experiencing the destination through three spending categories: Smart Budget of up to R1,050 per day, Flexi Budget of up to R1,250 per day and Luxury Budget of more than R1,250 per day.
From the Free State with Mapaseka Koetle, to Limpopo with Clement Maosa and KwaZulu Natal with Sweet Guluva, SABC 1 viewers get to uncover places, people and experiences that South Africans may not know exist in their own backyard.
The message is simple: Whatever your budget. Wherever you are. Just Travel SA.
Pearl Thusi says the experience changed how she thinks about travelling at home – “I think we underestimate what we have in South Africa. What surprised me was just how much you can experience locally, and how affordable it can be. People travel from all over the world to experience this country, yet there is still so much of it that we as South Africans haven’t seen ourselves.”
For Lungile Radu, the experience highlighted the value of connecting with local communities – “But what really surprised me was the value of the experience itself. You’re not just paying for a bed, a meal or an activity. You’re meeting people, hearing their stories and experiencing a place through the people who actually live there.” He adds.
The series is brought to audiences by the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA), in partnership with Tourism Marketing South Africa (TOMSA).
“Domestic travelers are the bedrock of South Africa’s tourism industry,” says TBCSA CEO Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa. “We want to show South Africans that experiencing their own country does not have to be out of reach. Every trip taken at home also supports businesses, communities and jobs while contributing to the growth of our tourism economy.”
“For SABC1, Just Travel SA offers viewers an opportunity to reconnect with South Africa through authentic storytelling, local discovery and accessible travel inspiration. By showcasing the country across a range of price points, the series encourages audiences to look closer to home and recognise that adventure, culture and unforgettable experiences can be found in every province,” comments Thulisile Nhlapo, Acting SABC1 Channel Head.
Watch the Just Travel SA teasers here:
Rediscover South Africa with Pearl Thusi: https://youtu.be/5pES7xotE6w
How much of South Africa have you really explored? https://youtu.be/8yOWFK1jMwU
Pictures: https://www.flickr.com/photos/196503396@N02/albums/72177720336116643
Just Travel SA premieres on SABC1 on Monday, 26 October 2026 at 18:00, with a repeat on SABC2 on Thursdays at 21:30. Just Travel SA is also available on SABC Plus.
Whatever your budget. Wherever you are. Just Travel SA.
