When it comes to holidays, summer often steals the spotlight. However, winter in South Africa deserves a standing ovation of its own.
Although many of us tend to retreat indoors clutching hot water bottles and dodging the cold like the tax man, winter is actually a lovely time for local travel.
Picture: iStock / Jacoblund
Think fewer crowds, wide open spaces and prices that won’t make your wallet weep. It’s the underrated season with serious main-character energy.
According to Nick Dickson, group custodian at Dream Hotels & Resorts, South African winters are some of the best times to travel as they come with a number of benefits.
Beyond finances, there are several other reasons why going on that dreamy bush getaway or popping into a beach cottage is way better in June than it is December. Here’s a look at a few of them:
A chance to fight the winter funk
Everyone goes through that mid-winter slump when the couch starts to feel like an emotional support companion.
However, research shows that taking a trip can help reset both your mood and sleep patterns. According to Forbes, almost 54% of people feel emotionally uplifted while travelling, and 73% return with improved sleep and energy levels. Therefore, winter holidays can be like therapy (well, almost), but with better scenery.
Nature’s best kept secret
Winter is also a standout season for animal lovers. The cooler temperatures make game drives more enjoyable, and the less dense bush makes wildlife spotting much easier.
Elephants, buffalo, rhinos, lions and leopards are more active during the day when it’s cooler, meaning you don’t also need to get up at the crack of dawn to tick them off your bucket list.
Just 90 minutes from Johannesburg, you can visit Finfoot Lake Reserve, where you can enjoy canoeing, game drives, a spa and the serene beauty of nature.
The iconic Kruger National Park also affords spectacular opportunities to view the Big 5, as well as other flora and fauna.
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Peace, quiet and fewer crowds
Winter is the perfect time for introverts and anyone who has experienced the chaos of a busy beach on Christmas Day.
There are no crowds, no long queues, no overbooked accommodations and no conflicts over beach umbrellas. Instead, you can enjoy the open road and the peace of not having to shout over a crowd of sunburned strangers just to place a cocktail order.
Why stay local? Because it makes sense
Domestic travel is not only convenient, but it is also more affordable and environmentally friendly.
‘Travelling locally allows you to take more breaks without straining your finances. This is beneficial for your wallet, your mental health and your carbon footprint,’ shared Dickson.
Ultimately, local travel also comes with the opportunity to feed money back into the communities that make certain travel experiences possible. This keeps the rands in the country, while also growing our economy from the ground up.
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