Homegrown Adventures: The Joy of Being a Tourist in Your Country

Slow travel is having its moment, and we’re totally here for it. This Heritage Month, we’re all about rediscovering local gems and supporting local. The glam of international travel? Great, until you hit the airport drama and the insane exchange rate.

While we dream of sipping wine in Tuscany or taking selfies at the Eiffel Tower, travellers from around the globe are heading to our shores, to experience the beauty we have right here. And spoiler alert: Local doesn’t mean boring – or basic. These escapes pack in luxury, charm and hospitality.

From exploring ancient caves in Oudtshoorn to sipping mocktails poolside as zebras stroll past in Rustenburg, South Africa serves up world-class travel moments that overseas tourists would give their left flip-flop to experience. Even better? With SA-friendly prices and no airfare to blow the budget, there’s more to splurge on the fun stuff like dining, spa treatments or guided tours.

This Heritage Month, we’re hitting pause on wanderlust and turning closer to home. Here’s why being a tourist in your own country is more rewarding than ever:

Environmental Benefits

If you love the planet but also love jetting off on holiday, local travel is a no-brainer. Skipping long-haul flights reduces your carbon footprint – and there’s something satisfying about swapping air miles for actual miles on a road trip.

Over in Durban, The Riverside Hotel boasts a myriad of attractions all within a 10km radius. Think Umhlanga’s golden beaches and Kings Park Stadium – all close enough to ditch the car (or at least give it a rest). Contact us for details to this brand-new addition to the BON family.

Nature lovers can practically walk to Umgeni River Bird Park, the Japanese Gardens and Beachwood Mangroves. Trees, birds, sunshine galore – all this without racking up a single air mile.

Insta moment: With its sculptural whale-bone design and ocean views, it’s no wonder uMhlanga Pier ranks among the world’s best – especially when it glows at sunset.

Support the Locals, Be a Travel Hero

Every time you book close-to-home, your rands stay in South Africa, which means local communities win – and so do you. Supporting neighbourhood restaurants, locally owned hotels and small markets means your travel spend goes straight into the hands of farmers, artists, guides and entrepreneurs.

Take BON Hotel Bloemfontein Central. It’s more than a convenient city stay – it’s a direct contribution to the local economy. With a location that keeps you connected to everything buzzing in central Bloem, it’s kind of like staying in the heart of the action, with heart.

Insta moment: A walk through the Anglo-Boer War Museum Precinct is a moving journey through South Africa’s history; the Women’s Memorial and British blockhouse echo the past.

More Peace, Less Panic

We love a good getaway – but airports? Tight connections? The dreaded middle seat? No, thanks. Local travel means you can forget about travel stress and just show up. Think detours turned discoveries, and check-ins that don’t involve customs officers.

About an hour outside Jo’burg is the proof: BON Hotel Rustenburg. Close enough for a spontaneous escape, but far enough to feel like you’ve dropped off the grid. Mornings start with antelope, not emails. Walks become wildlife encounters. And casual strolls turn into “did-that-monkey-just-wave-at-me?” moments. It’s the safari-lite experience you didn’t know you needed.

Insta moment: Take the scenic route and stop at the Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the world-famous Sterkfontein Caves (where the “Little Foot” fossil was discovered).

Rediscovering What’s Right Under Your Nose

It’s kind of wild how many South Africans haven’t explored what’s just a few hours’ drive away. From forest trails and ocean views to cultural treasures and foodie hotspots, there’s a whole world nearby waiting to be discovered.

At BON Hotel Empangeni, you’re right between Durban and Eswatini, smack dab in the middle of Zululand’s cultural playground. Think birdwatching at Lake Mzingazi, digging into local craft markets and witnessing incredible conservation in action at the Zululand Rhino Reserve.

Insta moment: Just 11 km from Empangeni, Ongoye Forest Reserve is a rare gem of an ancient scarp forest, where biodiversity thrives and every trail feels like a journey back in time.

Ready to rediscover home?

Turns out, “holiday mode” doesn’t always need to happen in far-flung locations – and sometimes the magic’s even better when it’s just down the road. It’s affordable. It’s sustainable. And it’s easier on your sanity. So, this Heritage Month (and every month really), return to your roots, slow it way down and rediscover why home is the hottest destination you forgot about.

With BON Hotels, your next getaway is just around the corner. Book a stay, relax, and enjoy the best of local travel.

Start your journey today. BON Voyage!