Discover the best local destinations for your 2026 travel plans.
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All eyes are on KZN this year as Club Med gets ready to open its much-anticipated ‘Beach & Safari’ Resort just north of Ballito, along KwaZulu-Natal’s spectacular Dolphin Coast.
But while KZN might be piquing the interest of international markets, South Africans have always loved this stretch of coastline – and for good reason.
If you’re already planning long weekends, mid-term breaks, or Easter holidays (and you should be), 2026 is all about local favourites and the places you’ve heard whispers about, bookmarked once, and never quite made time to explore.
We asked Flight Centre’s Travel Experts for their 2026 tips, specials, and advice. Top of the list? The Dolphin Coast’s iconic Zimbali Estate. Flight Centre’s 5-star Capital Zimbali escape offers an indulgent coastal break complete with daily breakfast, optional return flights and a tempting ‘Stay 3, Pay 2’ bonus.
Think Indian Ocean views, fine dining, multiple pools, and a spa experience rooted in African wellness, complete with couples’ suites, Himalayan salt rooms, and poolside pampering.
The South Coast always delivers if you’re after the kind of buzzy, easy-going vibe that makes Easter holidays feel properly festive.
And thanks to real-time beach updates from locals and creators like @pvtguy_sa, swimmers have been rediscovering stretches from Shelly Beach to Southbroom that remain calm, uncrowded, and safe. Better still, the South Coast is dotted with charming stops many South Africans have never visited – for example, Sunwich Port, which is well worth adding to your route!
If you’re already heading south, it’s a short hop to the Wild Coast Sun near Port Edward, a firm favourite for families. Flight Centre’s family-focused packages include daily breakfast for two adults and two kids, as well as complimentary access to the Wild Waves Water Park.
Maybe your original plan was the Cape’s West Coast, with Yzerfontein, Langebaan, and Paternoster calling. But if what you’re really craving is quiet (like so many other South Africans are in 2026, according to Flight Centre’s Year In Travel 2025 report), let us whisper this:
St Helena Bay. Just over 30 minutes north of Langebaan, this sleepy West Coast village is ideal for travellers who want to properly disconnect. Expect wide skies, gentle seaside walks, and days dictated by the sun instead of the clock. It’s perfect for romantic escapes or low-key family stays.
The scenic drive up the West Coast is road-trip worthy in its own right, with seasonal wildflowers and farm stalls turning the journey itself into a highlight of the holiday.
Little Switzerland in the Northern Drakensberg.
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Flight Centre’s inland deals are just as compelling if the coast isn’t your thing. There’s no shortage of options, from cosy Clarens weekends filled with craft beer and mountain air to four-star family getaways near the Pilanesberg that deliver equal parts safari thrills and comfort.
For travellers determined to dodge the crowds entirely (according to Flight Centre’s recent global survey, 8 in 10 travellers would consider less crowded destinations over popular ones), April is a great time to visit Little Switzerland in the Northern Drakensberg.
Visiting outside the busy winter season means quieter trails, crisp air, clear Lesotho views, and hiking conditions that show off the region at its best, all with Flight Centre deals that make it accessible.
Now's the time to start planning your local - and international – breaks. Flight Centre’s travel experts can answer all your questions, help safeguard your plans, find the best value, and make 2026 the year you finally tick those destinations off your list!