Black Friday falls on 27 November next year, but Travelstart is getting in early: its sale runs 25-27 November 2026, with Cyber Monday deals following on the 30th. If your instinct is to spend the weekend booking a trip rather than a discounted airfryer, the South African travel site has already posted a set of current packages to five very different destinations — and while these aren't confirmed Black Friday specials, they give a solid idea of what rand-friendly holidays are costing right now.
The cheapest of the bunch is Thailand. Seven nights at the Kata Palm Resort in Phuket starts at R17,235 per person sharing, with a wide travel window from 1 April to 31 October 2027 and bookings open until 31 January 2027. Phuket delivers the usual mix of beaches, night markets and street food, plus enough humidity to justify packing light and buying a second suitcase of bargains on the spot.
Beach purists have two island options. Mauritius — five nights at Solana Beach Resort from R19,370 per person sharing, travelling between 13 and 31 January 2027 — needs to be booked by 30 November 2026, making it the package most likely to benefit from a Black Friday weekend decision. Zanzibar's Diamonds Mapenzi offering runs five nights from R26,795 per person sharing for March 2027 travel, with until 31 January 2027 to book, and pairs the beach with Stone Town's old-town streets.
If you want maximum trip for your money, the India itinerary is the standout: 11 nights covering the Golden Triangle, Goa and Mumbai from R25,740 per person sharing, including monument entrance fees worth USD68 per person. It's valid for travel from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, though the festive stretch of 20 December to 5 January is blocked out. And for a splurge, Dubai's five nights at the Grand Hyatt start at R33,750 per person sharing for travel between 5 January and 30 April 2027.
A few practical notes before you get excited. Prices are per person sharing and subject to availability, and what's actually included — flights, meals, transfers — varies by package, so check the fine print on each one. The deals shown are existing offers rather than confirmed sale prices, which means the real Black Friday discounts could be better. Travelling in 2027 is possible as long as your dates fall within the package's travel period and you book before its deadline.
Who is this useful for? South Africans planning an international getaway next year who'd rather lock in a number now than gamble on last-minute fares. Comparing on price alone, Phuket wins on cost per night; India wins on sheer content; Mauritius wins if you want a short-haul island escape in January. Mark the sale dates — 25-27 November 2026, then Cyber Monday on the 30th — and have your shortlist ready.
