In a world saturated with heavily filtered travel feeds and predictable tourist hotspots, discerning travellers are shifting their focus toward something far more rewarding, authentic, and lesser-known destinations that seamlessly blend luxury with an unmistakable sense of place.
Also see: Discover South Africa’s secrets with brand-new travel format ‘Hidden Gems South Africa’
BBC Lifestyle’s Hidden Gems: South Africa continues to redefine how we view local travel. The executive producers, Nico and Trevor, unpack what it really takes to discover an authentic hidden gem, why the ‘eco-pod’ trend is booming, and how luxury travel in South Africa has evolved to become accessible for every pocket.
Defining the modern ‘Hidden Gem’
Everyone has a personal definition of the perfect escape, but the team behind Hidden Gems SA cracked a specific code when curating this season’s lineup.
“For the show, we focused on three specific pillars: the food, the activities, and the accommodation,” Nico explains. “It’s the combination of those three that makes a destination truly special. We are incredibly fortunate in this country that, regardless of where you live, you can find a hidden gem that fits your pocket.”
Trevor notes that a destination’s value extends far beyond its physical amenities. It’s also about the narrative you bring home with you.
“A major part of it is the ‘talkability.’ We’ve alluded to bragging rights before, but it’s really about uniqueness. When you spend a weekend somewhere, you need to come home with an interesting story to tell. What turned out to be most interesting for us were the local stories we experienced while on the hunt for these gems.”
The Eco-Pod Boom: Luxury Dropped in the Middle of Nowhere
A defining trend of post-COVID travel and a prominent feature throughout Hidden Gems SA is the rapid rise of exclusive, architectural hideaways tucked into the country’s most isolated landscapes.
“Variety was our guiding principle,” says Nico. “Being South African, we know there is a wide demographic and economic profile of travellers. We didn’t want to just showcase high-opulence places that no one can afford; there is a gem in this series for every budget. Sometimes that means driving five hours ‘out into the sticks,’ opening your car door, and finding yourself in total luxury.”
This desire for remote isolation has fuelled the massive ‘eco-pod’ phenomenon. Travellers are increasingly choosing sleek, minimalist structures that offer an immersive nature experience without sacrificing high-end comfort.
“It’s become popular to put an exclusive, Instagrammable pod in the middle of nowhere,” Nico adds. “When you’re surrounded by nature but still have a luxury bed, an outdoor shower, and a hot tub, you know you’ve truly made it.”
Disconnecting to reconnect
Even for seasoned travel professionals who have spent years traversing the continent, filming the series proved that South Africa still holds countless secrets just waiting to be mapped.
“Your budget often determines what you see as a gem,” Trevor admits. “But even with all the travel we’ve done for previous shows, we were still surprised to find places we never knew existed.”
The ultimate luxury in the modern world might just be the ability to go completely off the grid, provided the amenities are up to par.
“There is a real luxury in being able to switch off for five days to search for these spots,” Nico concludes. “Often, the best destinations are the ones where you don’t even have cell phone coverage. It feels super remote and exclusive, but you still want that clean bed and a good shower. Finding that balance, being far removed from the world while maintaining those essential luxuries, is what makes a destination a great gem.”
Tune in and vote
Catch the latest episode of Hidden Gems: South Africa this Wednesday at 8pm on BBC Lifestyle (DStv Channel 174) or stream it via DStv Stream. Don’t forget to visit bbcafricachannels.com/hiddengems after the show to vote for your favourite destination. Your vote puts you in line to win a R10,000 LekkeSlaap voucher, or the grand prize of R25,000 cash at the end of the season!
Hidden Gems SA is proudly sponsored by LekkeSlaap, in association with Toyota.
Also see: Hidden Gems in South Africa Worth Adding to Your Bucket List in 2026
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