The current trend gaining momentum with South African travellers? Off-season travel.
“As it turns out, travelling at the ‘wrong’ time of year may actually be the smartest way to go,” says Antoinette Turner, General Manager of Flight Centre South Africa.
With savings of between 20% and 50% when compared to peak season, local rand-wielders are starting to move away from the obvious, both in timing and destination.
“Watching your pennies, stressing over each rand spent, while being bumped and elbowed, is hardly a relaxing and joyful way to spend a hard-earned holiday,” Turner adds. “But more than that, low season travel often offers richer experiences when iconic places quieten down and lesser-known destinations really come into their own.”
If you’re looking ahead to the July or December holidays, now’s the time to chat to your travel advisor about the perfect low or shoulder-season destinations.
Off-peak affordable rates & fares
One of the major perks of travelling in the low season? Significantly lower price tags on airfares, accommodation, tours, and attraction entrance fees.
“The quieter months of the year often deliver tempting deals and irresistible upgrades,” Turner adds. “The ‘wrong season’ is actually the perfect time to enjoy five-star luxe at three-star prices.”
Some destinations go all out to lure visitors. Dubai, for instance, launches its “Dubai Summer Surprises” from June to September. Think massive sales in iconic malls and sky-high resorts with unbeatable room rates. Their “Kids Go Free” initiative for select attractions (including Legoland!) further incentivises South African families for 2025.
Even dining out becomes more affordable and pleasurable during off-peak travel. “Fewer diners equal easier restaurant reservations and service staff that aren’t spinning from table to table, compromising on service,” Turner adds.
Don’t shrug off the shoulder season
There’s no ignoring the fact that off-season travel can mean braving less than favourable weather… but that’s if you haven’t planned well or bucked your travel expert’s advice on when and where to go.
Turner notes how more South Africans are timing their holidays just right to avoid extreme conditions, whether it’s cold and wet or unbearably hot. Many opt for the shoulder season – the timeframe between changing seasons and the peak and off-peak travel periods.
She uses Japan as a prime example, noting its growing popularity with South African travellers this year due to the Yen’s recent slide.
“Japan’s shoulder seasons, from early April to mid-June and mid-September to early December, hit the sweet spot for budget-conscious travellers. Cherry blossom season is peak tourism time but travelling right before or after can mean welcome savings, fewer crowds, and decent enough weather.”
Tropical destinations also offer their own unique touch of magic during the low and shoulder seasons. Take the Maldives, for instance. Between May and November, during the rainy season, Hanifaru Bay in the Baa Atoll witnesses hundreds of manta rays somersaulting through the water in a mesmerising spectacle.
“And when it comes to cruising in the quieter seasons,” Turner adds, “the weather becomes less of a concern. There’s always something happening on board, come rain or shine.”
Low season sustainability
Off-peak travel doesn’t just stretch your budget. It eases the burden on the environment and local communities. In heavily visited high-season destinations such as Italy, Spain, and Greece, overtourism during high season often strains infrastructure, crowds heritage sites, and overwhelms resources.
“By spreading travel across the year, we can help reduce this pressure,” Turner explains. “Smaller crowds mean less impact on natural and cultural landmarks, and tourism revenue supports local economies more consistently.”
She further highlights the rise of ‘noctourism’, a growing travel trend centred around after-dark activities that offer a new perspective on travel. Think cultural festivals, starlit bush sleep-outs, and nocturnal wildlife encounters.
“It speaks to travellers wanting to make the most of their nights on holiday, while avoiding the busier daytime hours,” Turner explains. “Some of the most memorable noctourism experiences lie right on our doorstep, from winter stargazing in Namibia to sleepouts on Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Salt Pans.”
Low season travel in 2025
As we move through 2025, a quiet shift is reshaping the way South Africans want to explore the world. Turner explains it as “a quiet revolution” with more travellers turning their backs on peak-season chaos to embrace the slower, calmer rhythm of low season travel.
“This trend is gaining real momentum because we’re seeing a shift across the travel trade, too,” she notes. “More destinations are rolling out compelling off-season campaigns, complete with discounts and insider tips, encouraging travellers to rethink the traditional holiday calendar. And it’s working,” she concludes.
