A new SABC1 travel series hosted by Pearl Thusi and Lungile Radu explores destinations across all nine provinces, showing South Africans what they can experience on a budget, with more flexibility or with a little luxury.
Source: Supplied | From left to right: Lungile Radu and Pearl Thusi
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?
Premiering on SABC1 on Monday, 26 October 2026 at 6pm, Just Travel SA is a nine-part domestic tourism series produced by Black Brain Pictures. Hosted by broadcasters Pearl Thusi and Lungile Radu, it explores destinations, local experiences and lesser-known attractions across all nine provinces, with options for different budgets.
Each 24-minute episode sees the hosts explore a province alongside a local insider, experiencing the destination through three spending categories: Smart Budget, at up to R1,050 per day; Flexi Budget, at up to R1,250 per day; and Luxury Budget, at more than R1,250 per day.
From the Free State with Mapaseka Koetle to Limpopo with Clement Maosa and KwaZulu-Natal with Sweet Guluva, the series aims to introduce viewers to places, people and experiences they may not have discovered in their own country.
Local travel at different budgets
The series challenges the idea that exploring South Africa requires a large travel budget, showcasing experiences at different price points across the country.
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.
Domestic tourism and local jobs
The Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA), in partnership with Tourism Marketing South Africa (TOMSA), is bringing the series to audiences as part of efforts to encourage more South Africans to travel locally.
“Domestic travellers 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.
Where to watch the series
Just Travel SA premieres on SABC1 on Monday, 26 October 2026 at 6pm, with a repeat on SABC2 on Thursdays at 9.30pm. The series will also be available on SABC Plus.
