CELEB Q & A
CELEB WISH-LIST DESTINATIONS
BY VENECIA VALENTINE
FROM HIDDEN COASTAL GEMS TO CULTURE-RICH SMALL TOWNS, SOME OF SOUTH AFRICA’ S FAVOURITE CELEBRITIES REVEALED THEIR TRAVEL DREAMS FOR 2026.
BRIDGETTE JONES, MISS SA 2025 FINALIST
“ My hidden gem for 2026 must be Kraalbaai in the West Coast National Park. It’ s the kind of place that encourages you to slow down. Turquoise water, white sand, and a stillness that feels like therapy. It’ s not overly commercial, and that’ s what makes it so magical. It’ s the perfect escape to recharge, reconnect, and just breathe before life picks up again.”
GERSHWIN MIAS, ACTOR
“ One of many hidden holiday destination gems is definitely the Cederberg, particularly Prince Alfred. A few years ago, I and a handful of friends went on a road trip along the West Coast, and the drive itself was breathtaking and tranquil. Driving up to the chalets on a gravel road, passing trees and dense forestry, it felt like we were in a completely different country. We stayed in bungalowstyle chalets, each equipped with a jacuzzi on the patio that offered a stunning view of the dam in front of us. This trip is perfect for a group of friends on a bachelor’ s trip or even for a family of 6-8 members.”
AYANDA DLAMINI, RADIO PERSONALITY
“ It’ s definitely the West Coast National Park Lagoons. The festive season is a fantastic time to bond and enjoy joyful chaos with loved ones. However, if you’ re seeking a more relaxed way to unwind, then the West Coast National Park is the hidden gem you must explore. Imagine bright blue, crystal-clear waters where you can sit and soak in the view all day. Birdlife flourishes here, from flamingos to oyster catchers. It’ s the kind of place where time seems to slow down, but the good times keep rolling. Perfect for the young and the young at heart.”
HUNTER PLAATJIES, ACTRESS
“ Summer in SA calls for something outdoor and refreshing! Tsitsikamma National Park along the Garden Route offers breathtaking views and exciting water activities. It’ s definitely an adventurous outing. I enjoyed a guided kayaking tour and jumping from the cliffs into the water. Not too far away, there is also something for those who prefer not to get wet. You can explore a guided Segway ride through nature’ s beauty. It’ s the best of both worlds!”
STEPHANIE B, RADIO PERSONALITY
“ The Cederberg in the Western Cape is one of the places that shaped my love for the outdoors when I was young, and somehow it still feels new every time I visit. The Stadsaal Caves are almost like a natural archive, the Wolfberg Cracks are beyond impressive, and the observatory makes the universe feel impossibly close. You can spend a morning on a trail, an afternoon tasting wine from vineyards that somehow thrive in that rugged landscape, and an evening stargazing. I also met my first puff adder there and saw spiders so big they looked like they should be paying rent! So, if you’ re looking for a place that reminds you how beautiful South Africa is when you slow down, the Cederberg will do it every time.”
18 INBOUND SA / JANUARY 2026