What if your next island escape didn’t require using up all your annual leave?
With a little forward planning, South Africa’s 2027 public holidays could be your ticket to more time on the beach, longer mornings beside the ocean and a few extra days somewhere extraordinary.
From five-night escapes to Mauritius or Zanzibar to a longer getaway in the Maldives, we’ve rounded up some of the best opportunities to make your leave days go further in 2027.
In This Guide
The Best 2027 Dates to Maximise Your Leave
You don’t always need two weeks of annual leave to enjoy a proper holiday. Here are some of our favourite opportunities to turn South Africa’s public holidays into something worth looking forward to.
| Travel Dates | Leave Days Needed | Total Days Off |
|---|---|---|
| 20–29 March – Easter escape | 3 days | 10 days |
| 24–29 March – Easter short escape | 2 days | 6 days |
| 24 April–2 May – Freedom Day break | 4 days | 9 days |
| 11–16 June – Midyear reset | 2 days | 5 days |
| 7–15 August – Women’s Day escape | 4 days | 9 days |
| 24–3 October – Heritage Day break | 5 days | 10 days |
| 16–27 December – Festive escape | 6 days | 12 days |
Calculations assume a standard Monday-to-Friday working week and include weekends and South African public holidays. Total days off are inclusive of departure and return dates.
March: An Easter Escape Worth Planning
20–29 March | Take 3 days of leave for 10 days off
Easter 2027 presents one of the year’s best opportunities to get away. With Human Rights Day observed on Monday 22 March, Good Friday on 26 March and Family Day on 29 March, taking leave from 23–25 March gives you ten consecutive days away from work.
Prefer a shorter escape?
24–29 March | Take just 2 days of leave for 5 nights away
Take leave on 24 and 25 March and turn the Easter weekend into a five-night island holiday. Perfect for a quick reset in Mauritius or Zanzibar.
April: A Little More Time to Unwind
24 April–2 May | Take 4 days of leave for 9 days off
With Freedom Day falling on Tuesday 27 April, taking leave on 26 and 28–30 April creates nine consecutive days away from work.
It’s a wonderful opportunity to swap your everyday routine for beautiful beaches, exceptional dining and a little well-deserved downtime in Mauritius.
If you have a little flexibility, ask your travel consultant to compare a few departure and return dates around the public holiday. Sometimes shifting your holiday by a day or two can make a meaningful difference to flight availability and the overall package price.
June: Your Midyear Island Reset
11–16 June | Take 2 days of leave for 5 nights away
By June, a change of scenery might be exactly what you need.
With Youth Day falling on Wednesday 16 June, take leave on 14 and 15 June OR 17 and 18 June and enjoy a five-night escape. You could also combine them and take 4 days to have a 9 day holiday.
Think warm Zanzibar sunshine, turquoise waters and a few days with absolutely nowhere else to be.
August: Escape the Winter Routine
7–15 August | Take 4 days of leave for 9 days off
National Women’s Day falls on Monday 9 August, giving you a long weekend to build on.
Take leave from 10–13 August and enjoy nine consecutive days away. It’s an ideal opportunity to escape the South African winter and spend some quality time in the Maldives or Zanzibar.
September: A Spring Escape
24 September – 3 October | Take 5 days of leave for 10 nights away
Heritage Day falls on Friday 24 September, creating another opportunity for a ten-night island holiday with just five days of leave. If you don’t have enough leave then take 2 days to make a five night holiday instead.
Whether you’re dreaming of a romantic escape, a family holiday or simply a change of pace, Mauritius is a beautiful choice for a spring getaway.
December: Make the Festive Season Last Longer
16–27 December | Take 6 days of leave for 12 days off
December is the time of year when most of us are ready to switch off completely.
With the Day of Reconciliation on Thursday 16 December and the Christmas public holidays towards the end of the month, taking leave on 17 and 20–24 December gives you 12 consecutive days away from work or extend even further by taking 10 days leave and get an incredible 18 day holiday.
That’s plenty of time for a longer island holiday, with a few extra days to truly settle into holiday mode.
December is also one of the busiest travel periods, so planning well in advance is particularly important if you have a preferred resort, room category or travel dates in mind.
Where Could Your Extra Days Take You?
The beauty of planning around public holidays is that even a few extra days can open up wonderful travel opportunities.
Mauritius – A Little Bit of Everything
From beautiful beaches and exceptional dining to wellness experiences, golf and island adventures, Mauritius offers something for every kind of traveller.
A five-night stay is perfect for a quick escape, while a longer holiday gives you more time to explore and experience the island.
Discover the luxury of LUX* Resorts & Hotels, the adults-only charm of SALT of Palmar or the relaxed island atmosphere of Tamassa Bel Ombre.
Zanzibar – Your Tropical Reset
If you’re craving warm weather, beautiful beaches and a slower pace, Zanzibar is a wonderful choice for a shorter holiday.
At LUX* Marijani Zanzibar, days can be spent beside the Indian Ocean, enjoying delicious dining and making the most of the island’s laid-back atmosphere.
It’s the kind of place where five nights can feel like a proper escape from everyday life.
Maldives – When You Have a Little Longer
For those longer breaks, the Maldives is hard to resist.
At LUX* South Ari Atoll, discover pristine beaches, beautiful water villas, exceptional dining and unforgettable marine experiences.
With more time to enjoy your surroundings, there’s no need to rush. Simply settle into island life and enjoy every moment.
Why Booking Early Makes a Difference
Maximising your leave days is one thing. Making the most of your holiday budget is another.
Public holidays and school holiday periods are naturally popular travel dates, which means flights, room categories and special offers can become limited.
Booking early gives you a better choice of resorts, flight options and accommodation, with more opportunities to find an offer that suits your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I really enjoy Mauritius or Zanzibar in five nights?
Absolutely. Five nights is enough time to unwind, enjoy your resort and experience a little island life. If you’re looking for a shorter escape rather than an activity-packed holiday, both destinations are excellent options.
Is it more expensive to travel over public holidays?
It can be. Flights and resorts often experience higher demand around long weekends and school holidays. Booking early and being flexible with your travel dates can help you find better value.
When should I book my 2027 holiday?
The earlier you start planning, the better, particularly for Easter, school holidays and December. Popular resorts and preferred flight options can fill up well in advance.
Make More of Your 2027
A few carefully chosen leave days could be all that stands between you and your next extraordinary island escape.
Whether it’s five nights in Zanzibar, a romantic Mauritius getaway or a longer Maldives holiday, there’s plenty to look forward to in 2027.
Choose your dates, and let TLC Vacations take care of the rest. Contact our travel specialists to start planning your next island holiday.
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