Joburgers have never been known for their patience. We move fast, change plans mid-sentence, and we think nothing of deciding on a Friday afternoon that we’re leaving town by sunset (I can personally attest to this). So, it tracks that spontaneous travel is having a moment.
There was a time when holidays required military-level planning, but now, that energy feels exhausting. According to Time Out South Africa’s Joy Revolution study, Joburgers appreciate a little planning, but they also value the freedom to be spontaneous. As this shift sets in, more Joburgers are asking a simpler question: What if we just went?
According to Antoinette Turner, GM of Flight Centre South Africa, people are booking closer to their departure dates than ever before, particularly solo travellers.
The era of urgency
A big reason for this shift? Our phones do the heavy lifting now. One device handles inspiration, bookings, boarding passes, maps, restaurant reservations and the inevitable arrival post.
Technology aside, our work lives are shifting too. With fewer full-time office mandates, slipping out of Joburg midweek has become surprisingly doable. All you really need is a strong WiFi connection, and suddenly, Clarens or the Magaliesberg is your temporary office.
Deals are also moving faster. Flash sales and short booking windows reward people who are ready to say yes first and check their diary later. “We see huge spikes when time-sensitive offers land,” says Turner. “Mobile booking has made everything move quicker.”
Adding fuel to the fire, social media also plays its part. Inspiration is constant, and travel FOMO doesn’t take days to kick in anymore; it takes one sunset photo and a quick distance check.
How to make it work
While younger travellers are leading the charge (what South African Tourism calls Spontaneous Budget Explorers), this way of travelling isn’t limited to one age group. The carefully planned, once-a-year holiday still exists, but now it coexists comfortably alongside the micro-escape: a two-night break that begins with a weather search and concludes with a booked sea-view room.
To make spontaneous travel work, a small amount of admin goes a long way:
- Make sure you have a valid passport,
- Sign up for deal alerts that do the hunting for you, and
- Have a rough idea of when long weekends occur.
- Be willing to travel midweek, when crowds tend to ease off, and prices drop.
That being said, planning hasn’t been cancelled. In fact, most South Africans still enjoy it. Pinterest boards, saved TikToks, Google Maps screenshots of places you’ll definitely eat noodles, that’s all part of the experience. The shift is about balance, not abandonment.
Where are we going?
Local travel still dominates, and for good reason. It’s easier, cheaper, and South Africa remains unfairly scenic. The Garden Route, the Drakensberg, West Coast wildflowers and easy Gauteng escapes continue to deliver without the long lead time.
Internationally, nearby destinations like Mozambique, Mauritius and Namibia offer just enough distance to feel like a proper holiday, without complicated entry requirements.
Spontaneous travel isn’t careless, it’s practical and responsive. And in a city that runs on momentum, it makes sense.
So if a flash deal pops up and your first instinct is to overthink it, maybe don’t. Submit the leave form, hit “book now”, and figure out the rest later.
ICYMI: Slow travel is trending — Here’s how to do it in Joburg
Also read: The best safari escapes close to Johannesburg
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