Meet the local influencers dishing out travel inspiration
From the crashing waves of Coffee Bay to the cobbled streets of Paris, a new generation of travel influencers is proving that the photos, it’s their commitment to sharing real, relatable and empowering stories. They represent different cultures, love languages and ways of experiencing the world, proving that the South African travel scene is rich with talent and soul. So, if you’re looking for a reason to renew your passport or simply find new corners of Mzansi to explore, start with their feeds. Your next adventure might just be a scroll away.
Farirai Sanyika @gophari
Farirai started the Gophari travel blog in 2017, which propelled her towards finding success as a full-time travel entrepreneur. After obtaining her UCT chemical engineering degree, a trip to Mauritius ignited the travel bug in Farirai. While living and working in Secunda, Farirai fell in love with the natural beauty of Mpumalanga, which sparked her deeper appreciation for SA’s diverse landscapes. Previously nominated for Best Travel & Lifestyle Creator at the DSTV Content Creator Awards and recognised on the Mail & Guardian Top 200 Young South Africans list, she now celebrates the country’s hidden gems and inspires others to discover the magic of local travel.
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With a natural knack for storytelling and an eye for capturing soul-stirring landscapes, Farirai’s content is empowering Black women to explore the world on their own terms. From luxe staycations in Limpopo to road trips across Namibia, she makes adventure feel inclusive and deeply personal.
Jen and Rudolph Raath @themarriedwanderers
He said “hello” (2009), she said “yes” (2014), they said “I do” (2015) and the rest is history! Jen and Rudolph Raath are #couplegoals in every sense as they jet set, while raising adventurous children. Travel is a “fixed expense” in their budget, and it shows! Based in Cape Town, but always on the move, The Married Wanderers mix romance with rugged adventure, sharing stunning imagery from their travels across Southern Africa and abroad. For this couple and their family, it’s incredibly important to occasionally escape from their routines, work and any of the daily factors that impact their mood. Whether they’re road-tripping through the Karoo, lounging in a beach cabana in Mauritius or sipping wine in the Cape Winelands, their content is a beautiful reminder that love and wanderlust go hand-in-hand. And their audience cannot get enough of living vicariously through their video content, which is why they’ve been nominated for a Liebster Award and the Versatile Bloggers Award.
Tebogo Kgethe @tebogo_pinpin
Colourful, daring and always fun, Tebogo is the vibrant voice your travel feed needs. As a solo traveller and lifestyle content creator, he brings the heat with bold outfits, captivating reels and honest reflections from his adventures. Whether he’s partying in Lagos, road-tripping through Mpumalanga or snapping shots in the Drakensberg, Tebogo is all about living life to the fullest, and doing it with flair. His content is a quirky mix of travel inspo, fashion-forward looks and raw, relatable storytelling that celebrates joy, culture and queer identity. Tebogo’s approach is real and refreshing, from dance videos in unexpected places to candid moments that show the highs and lows of solo travel. If you’re looking for a content creator who breaks the mould, pushes boundaries and does it all with a killer smile, Tebogo is the one to follow.
Senzelwe Mthembu @senz_m
A social researcher, avid traveller, photography enthusiast and digital storyteller, Senzelwe is known for her powerful solo travel experiences and smart travel tips for navigating the world as a young African woman. She’s also been named one of South Africa’s top travel influencers. The Johannesburg-born jet setter’s posts are equal parts aspirational and practical, often exploring secret, hidden spots across South Africa, while also venturing into international cities with flair. Senzelwe brings cultural awareness, natural beauty and an empowering voice to every destination she touches down in. She’s quite the academic, too – with a BA (Politics, Philosophy and Economics) and Honours in Philosophy from the University of Johannesburg, as well as a master’s degree in philosophy from Wits University. All of this informs her content, as does her work as a researcher at the Centre for Social Development in Africa (CSDA), where she focuses on youth transitions into adulthood, and unemployment.
Carlinn Meyer @campsbaygirl
Carlinn is a Cape Town-based travel and lifestyle creator whose dreamy aesthetic captures the heart and spirit of coastal living. Against a backdrop of turquoise waters, white sands and mountain views, her content feels like a sun-drenched escape. Carlinn effortlessly blends wanderlust with luxury, often seen exploring the Cape’s hidden beaches or sipping cocktails at trendy rooftop bars. Her travel stories extend beyond our borders, too, with romantic snapshots from boutique hotels across Europe and in snowy climates. Each post on her feed feels like a page from a travel magazine: soft, serene and filled with inspiration. Camps Bay Girl serves up escapism with elegance, but she’s not just showing what destinations look like — she’s creating an aspirational lifestyle that invites her followers to slow down, explore and appreciate the beauty in every moment.
@campsbaygirl Okay listen — if Madagascar is on your bucket list, this is the dream trip ⬇️ 📍Nosy Be Archipelago edition ✈️ Fly direct from Joburg with Airlink 🏝️ Stay 6 nights at a beachfront hotel (like Exora or Ravintsara) 🐒 See wild lemurs on Nosy Komba 🐠 Snorkel a marine reserve at Nosy Tanikely 🐢 Swim with giant turtles at Nosy Sakatia 🏖️ Island-hop to Nosy Iranja – the sandbar will ruin other beaches forever 🌿 Visit a ylang-ylang distillery, take a cooking class, hike Mont Passot 🍽️ Fresh seafood, sunsets, and zero stress ✨Private driver, boat trips, flights, meals — it’s all in. 💸 From R30 000 pp all-inclusive depending on your hotel vibe Trust me, Madagascar is WILDLY underrated. #madagascar #nosybe #africatravel #bucketlisttrip #beachparadise #travelsouthernafrica #islandlife ♬ original sound – Carlinn | travel
Keith & Lizaan Henderson @doingittogether
Looking for heartwarming travel vlogs with serious bucket-list inspo? The couple behind Doing It Together are all about capturing genuine moments while exploring near and far. Their YouTube channel is a treasure trove of scenic drone footage, honest reviews and fun-loving, feel-good content that proves travel is better when shared. From romantic weekends in the Cape Winelands to off-the-grid adventures in wilderness bush camps, their content blends wanderlust with warmth. And their relaxed, down-to-earth style makes every destination feel accessible and inviting, whether they’re hiking to waterfalls, trying local cuisine or cooking on a campfire under the stars. Beyond the destinations, it’s their chemistry, humour and relatability that keep viewers coming back for more. If you’re dreaming of road trips, local gems and love-fuelled escapades across South Africa and beyond, Keith and Lizaan’s adventures should be on your binge-watch list.
By: Charlton Knight
Photography by: Pexels, Supplied
Text courtesy of Club magazine
