South Africans will once again have the opportunity to book discounted holidays during Sho’t Left Travel Week 2026, which runs from 7 to 13 September 2026. The annual campaign offers travellers access to accommodation, attractions, transport and holiday packages at discounts of up to 50% across South Africa.
The campaign forms part of Tourism Month and aims to encourage domestic travel by making holidays more affordable. Travellers can browse deals online and book experiences across all nine provinces, including Gauteng, during the seven day sale.
Whether planning a family getaway, a romantic escape, an adventure holiday or a weekend road trip, the campaign provides discounted options for a range of budgets and travel styles.
What Is Sho’t Left Travel Week?
Sho’t Left Travel Week is South African Tourism’s annual domestic travel campaign designed to encourage more South Africans to explore destinations within the country.
The campaign promotes limited time travel deals from tourism businesses across South Africa, giving travellers access to discounted accommodation, attractions, tours, transport and holiday packages.
According to South African Tourism, affordability remains one of the biggest barriers preventing many people from travelling locally. Travel Week aims to address that challenge by making domestic travel more accessible through exclusive offers available for one week only.
This year’s campaign runs from Monday, 7 September, until Sunday, 13 September 2026.
What Travel Deals Can You Expect?
Travellers can expect discounts of up to 50% on selected tourism products throughout the campaign.
Deals are expected to include:
- Hotels and guest houses
- Self catering accommodation
- Luxury lodges
- Family holidays
- City breaks
- Bush experiences
- Adventure activities
- Beach holidays
- Cultural attractions
- Guided tours
- Car hire and selected transport offers
The available offers vary by destination and tourism partner, with bookings subject to each provider’s terms and availability.
Discover More of Gauteng
For Gauteng residents, Sho’t Left Travel Week offers an opportunity to explore attractions closer to home while taking advantage of discounted accommodation and experiences.
Visitors can plan weekends away or overnight stays while exploring destinations such as:
- The Cradle of Humankind
- Magaliesberg
- Hartbeespoort
- Soweto
- Johannesburg’s inner city
- Pretoria’s heritage attractions
- Dinokeng Game Reserve
- Cullinan
- Vaal River destinations
The campaign also supports shorter breaks that allow residents to experience Gauteng differently without travelling long distances.
Tourism Month Encourages South Africans to Explore Locally
Travel Week takes place during Tourism Month, when South Africans are encouraged to become tourists in their own country.
September marks the arrival of spring, with warmer weather encouraging outdoor travel, festivals and road trips.
According to South African Tourism, the campaign encourages travellers to extend trips around events and festivals by including overnight stays, supporting local accommodation providers and tourism businesses.
Travellers are also encouraged to plan responsibly through the #TravelWiseMzansi campaign by booking ahead and travelling sustainably.
Supporting Local Tourism Businesses
Beyond discounted holidays, Sho’t Left Travel Week also aims to support tourism businesses across South Africa.
South African Tourism works with provincial tourism authorities and tourism operators to showcase accommodation providers, attractions, tour operators, restaurants and local experiences.
The campaign creates opportunities for travellers to discover lesser known destinations while helping tourism businesses reach new customers during one of the country’s busiest travel periods.
How to Access the Deals
Travellers can browse and book offers through the Sho’t Left website once the campaign begins.
Visitors can:
- Search holiday packages
- Compare accommodation
- Browse attractions
- Find road trip ideas
- Explore province specific offers
- Book discounted experiences
Many deals are expected to be available while stocks last, making early booking advisable.
What This Means for Gauteng Residents
Sho’t Left Travel Week gives Gauteng residents an opportunity to explore more of South Africa without paying peak season prices.
The campaign arrives ahead of the busy spring and year end travel period, allowing families, couples and solo travellers to secure discounted holidays before demand increases.
Residents who prefer shorter breaks can also use the campaign to discover more destinations within Gauteng while supporting local tourism businesses.
FAQs
When is Sho’t Left Travel Week 2026?
The campaign runs from 7 September to 13 September 2026.
How much can travellers save?
Selected travel deals offer discounts of up to 50%, depending on the participating tourism business and package.
What types of deals are included?
Offers include accommodation, attractions, tours, adventure experiences, family holidays, city breaks, transport and selected tourism packages.
Where can I book the deals?
Deals can be viewed and booked through the official Sho’t Left website during the campaign period.
Are the deals available across South Africa?
Yes. Participating tourism businesses from across South Africa, including Gauteng, will offer discounted experiences and holiday packages.
Plan Your Spring Getaway Early
Sho’t Left Travel Week returns for seven days this September, giving South Africans another opportunity to explore more of the country while saving on travel costs.
Whether you are planning a quick Gauteng escape, a family holiday, a coastal break or a bush getaway, the campaign offers discounted options across a wide range of destinations and experiences. Travellers are encouraged to compare deals, book early and take advantage of the limited time offers available between 7 and 13 September 2026.
