This rise in experiential travel has been so impactful that from 2019 to the first half of 2023 Mabrian Technologies, a travel intelligence company, has found that there have been over 400 million tourism-related interactions on social media platforms relating to this travel trend. Further illustrating the demand for experiential travel, Research and Markets has projected that the tours and activities reservations market (which makes up a big part of experiential travel) is projected to be worth US$264.4 billion by 2030!

Different parts of South Africa already cater to travel trends like slow travel, bleisure trips and multigenerational travel – with experiential travel being no different. Below are some examples of Mzansi’s best experiential travel experiences that are sure to be a hit with local and international visitors alike.

The eclectic flavours of SA

Culinary tourism is a burgeoning trend within experiential travel as it’s a great way to have an authentic, cultural experience. Food is a universal language and every country or region has its own customs, flavours and connections to specific meals, and the rituals associated with savouring them. This form of experiential travel is even expected to be worth over $1,796.5 billion globally by 2027!

“Without a doubt one of the best ways to get to know a culture is to try their food. South Africa is an ideal destination to have culinary related experiential adventures as we have such a heterogeneous mix of culture. A tourist can try things like koeksisters, mopane worms, bunny chow or malva pudding with locals and learn as much about SA as they would in a museum or at a historical monument. Having the chance to try different culinary offerings on a guided tour is a great way to immerse yourself in others’ ways of life,” says Anton Gillis, CEO at Kruger Gate Hotel, a hotel that offers upmarket and family friendly Kruger National Park accommodation.

In Cape Town visitors can embark on a thrilling gourmet adventure in culturally significant areas such as Bo-Kaap and De Waterkant with Cape Town Essentials Tour, who offer participants four exciting food tastings that weave a tapestry of the Cape’s distinctive roots from the 1760s until present day. There’s even a 3.5-hour immersive social cooking class with Bo-Kaap’s Zainie Misbach, where attendees can connect to Cape Malay traditions by learning to mix masala and make rotis, samoosas, dhaltjies (chilli bites) and chicken curry from scratch.

Spend time learning how to cook a traditional potjiekos meal using fresh vegetables and herbs grown at Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers, all while listening to stories about the history of Soweto township in Johannesburg. The potjie (meaning small pot) is a three-legged cauldron that originated in the Netherlands and was brought to South Africa in the 17th century. It’s used to make potjiekos, which is a stew consisting of meat and vegetables cooked over an open fire.

In Durban, indulge in a gastronomic expedition into Zulu culture by trying dishes of Inhloko (beef brain), beef curry, Usu (beef tripe, Inkhukhu (Zulu chicken), Isistambu and chakalaka and cream spinach and uPhuthu (pap) with Africonnection’s authentic Zulu food tour.

One-of-a-kind wildlife experiences

The magnificent Kruger National Park is a haven of natural wonders. Home to magnificent wildlife and some of the most spectacular rare birds of South Africa, the park also offers thrilling experiential adventure activities. It is an idyllic destination for explorers of any age, and time spent here will leave visitors spellbound, with many family holiday packages available.

The jaunt begins as you head eastwards into Mpumalanga from Johannesburg where panoramic views, rugged cliffs and the lush vegetation of the Panorama Route will welcome you. It’s especially convenient that the distance from Johannesburg to Kruger Park is approximately five hours, which makes it suitable for a long weekend getaway, though a longer stay is always recommended.

A visit to this part of the world wouldn’t be complete without stopping off at the iconic Blyde River Canyon, which is the largest green canyon in the world and third largest canyon globally. This 26-kilometre long stretch of serenity attracts avid bird lovers as it’s the only site in South Africa where the rare Taita Falcon breeds. And, it’s only a 2.5 hour drive via the R40 and R536 to get from the canyon to Kruger Gate to the park.

“Kruger National Park is the epitome of an experiential travel destination, offering an ideal blend of adventure, education, and unparalleled natural beauty. It’s a place where travellers can create cherished memories and fully immerse themselves in meaningful experiences on thrilling guided safaris in our open-air vehicles. In this way guests can connect with awe-inspiring African wildlife while their guides reveal the secrets and history of the bush. Those who prefer self-drive safaris in their own vehicles can discover the park’s beauty at their leisure, too,” Gillis explains.

What’s more, the Kruger National Park weather is almost always pleasant, with summer temperatures (wet season) reaching up to 40 degrees celsius, while the winter temperatures (dry season) tend to peak at around 26 degrees celsius in the afternoons, making it the ideal experiential travel destination virtually year-round.