BBC Lifestyle is gearing up to launch an exhilarating travel series titled Hidden Gems: South Africa in 2026. This innovative six-part series promises to guide viewers off the traditional tourist path, revealing some of South Africa’s most luxurious yet lesser-known destinations. Merging influencer-driven storytelling with audience engagement, the show aims to celebrate the nation’s stunning natural beauty.
Each episode of Hidden Gems: South Africa will feature five prominent South African travel influencers, who will explore and reveal two enticing hidden gems per episode, accompanied by a guest. Throughout the series, influencers will receive mystery envelopes containing the names of the gems they must visit, review, and showcase. Viewers will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite hidden gem and win exciting prizes. The final episode will unveil the most compelling review and the audience’s favourite gem, along with a special award for the winning influencer.
The series promises a curated exploration of luxury destinations, intertwined with authenticity, that highlights South Africa’s diverse and breathtaking landscapes. Each episode will follow a unique theme, showcasing the rich character of the country’s hidden treasures.
Produced by PD Production, the team behind successful BBC Lifestyle shows like Listing Jozi, Listing Cape Town, Listing Mauritius, and Listing Coastal South Africa (currently airing every Wednesday at 8 PM with repeat broadcasts on Thursdays at 5 PM), Hidden Gems: South Africa aims to take viewers on an unforgettable journey.
Pierre Cloete, Vice President for Africa at BBC Studios, expressed his enthusiasm: “We’re thrilled to introduce Hidden Gems: South Africa to BBC Lifestyle in 2026. This innovative format celebrates the diversity and richness of the country’s hidden destinations, bringing authentic local stories and personalities to life for audiences across the continent. For the first time, we’re inviting BBC Lifestyle viewers to vote for their favourite gem, adding an exciting interactive element to the series.”
Nico Nel and Trevor Kaplan from PD Production shared their vision, stating, “With Hidden Gems: South Africa, we aim to transcend conventional travel show formats. By empowering local influencers to showcase South Africa’s hidden treasures, we’re creating a visually stunning, one-of-a-kind series for BBC Lifestyle. Filming has just begun, and we can’t wait for viewers to experience the magic we’ve captured.”
Hidden Gems: South Africa is proudly sponsored by LekkeSlaap, South Africa’s leading accommodation app. Gerriline Fouché, Chief Marketing Officer of LekkeSlaap, remarked, “Hidden Gems: South Africa beautifully embodies our passion for local travel: discovering fantastic places and the dedicated individuals behind them. We’re honoured to help highlight these unique accommodations across the nation.”
