Women who wander: Girl Grouping fuelling female travel

The days of waiting for “the right time” or “the right person” to travel with, are long gone. Across South Africa women are packing their bags, for shorter, more frequent escapes with their besties, and they’re doing it their way.

A new travel trend called Girl Grouping is redefining the way women travel.  Recent research reveals that 14% of female travellers are planning a women-only trip this year drawn by the friendship, freedom and fun the trip promises.

Regardless of whether they are married or have children, the intention of these “babecations” includes a deliberate travel plan that shifts toward transformative, ‘life‑moment’ travels, merging learning, luxury and sisterhood along with new travel experiences and destinations. Picture a Pilates session surrounded by the Drakensberg Mountains in Newcastle, horseback riding in the Midlands Meander or a cultural and heritage interactive Zulu dancing experiencing in Hluhluwe.

Corné Alberts, National Marketing Manager at ANEW Hotels & Resorts, says “this new trend is about joining your tribe and purposely seeking out travel destinations that will result in creating ultimate memories, with space to connect and catch-up.”

Here’s why women are embracing Girl Grouping:

1. Power in the pack
Safety still matters, but so does solidarity. Women are choosing to travel in close-knit, trusted groups of friends, family or colleagues.  These aren’t huge squad tours but smaller group of four to six women sharing laughs, playlists and petrol cost.  The right accommodation can make all the difference – look for spacious multi-bed suites, small villas or hotel groups that cater for flexible room configurations.

2. Enter the 2-night reset
Women are taking more frequent but shorter breaks.  Think two to three-night stays, often within driving distance, or a quick local flight, that offer just enough to break the routine, reconnect and return recharged. Hotels within two hours of major cities are great options. Look out for winter specials or mid-week packages with perks such as spa treatments, excursions or a complimentary game of Padel or putt-putt.

3. Get ready for some down time…and hard laughs
These trips are not about rigid, over-scheduled itineraries or luxury just for show.  Women are choosing soul-healing breaks that mix downtime with deep chats. It’s within the simplicity of a wine-tasting, a sunrise hike or dinner in a pretty courtyard where the connection becomes far more significant than the destination or activities.

4. Insta-worthy, moments, but not to share on the Gram
The modern girl group getaway is definitely planned and curated, but not for Instagram. Women are travelling for the experience, not to publicise it.  Yes, they’ll take the photos, but it’s the spontaneous moments like a shared morning coffee or a surprise birthday cake at check-out, captured for the group not for the Instagram feed. 

5. Local is lekker!
These girl group travels do not require passports. Embrace local with truly unique experiences such as a two-hour shisanyama at a resort, a private beach escape along the North Coast or stargazing in Newcastle.  These experiences are familiar yet meaningful

Image Credit: Freepik