Travel 2024: Thuso Mbedu’s guide to a stress-free trip

Award-winning South African actress Thuso Mbedu is sharing some of her travel secrets. 

'The Underground Railroad' star travelled to France, Italy, Thailand, South Korea, Croatia, and Austria in 2023. 

"I wanted my last post for the year to be one that appreciates this year for allowing me to travel as much as I did. Most of us would love to travel but don’t have the means to. This year I was able to visit 6 countries and multiple cities - four of those countries were out of pocket and the other two I was hosted by brands," she wrote on Instagram. 

Thuso, who was born in Pietermaritzburg, added that she enjoyed every single trip. Her travels have seen her mingling with stars such as Zendaya, Charlize Theron, Michael B. Jordan, and Ava DuVernay. 

Ghana is at the top of her list in 2024. Regardless of where she ends up in the new year, she has a few tricks up her sleeve to ensure stress-free planning. 

Book in advance

Thuso revealed that she likes to plan her trips months in advance. 

"Generally, I’m the type of person to book flights waaaaaay in advance because they are more affordable then - ask my friends: I book July flights in Feb and December flights in May," she said. 

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Bargain hunting 

Despite being a Hollywood actress, Thuso is always on the hunt for a good travel bargain.

Thuso, who has starred in movies such as 'The Woman King' alongside Viola Davis, loves affordable travel. 

"I have a friend who absolutely loves hunting for discounts when finding accommodation. She leaves NO stone unturned. She also has fancy taste so it’s always exciting when fancy meets affordable," she said. 

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Rsearch visa-free countries

South African passport holders can travel to more than 70 countries visa-free. However, popular destinations like France, Denmark, Italy, Luxembourg, and Switzerland require a valid visa before entry. 

Thuso said travelling with a South African passport makes things a little tricky, especially when she needs to travel last minute.  

"However, there are tons of countries that don’t give our passport-holders visa issues and most of those countries are affordable when it comes to exploring them - look it up, you won’t regret it." 

ALSO READ: What if you don't get your visa? Wendy Knowler investigates

Group trips with friends

How often have your friends started a WhatsApp group with plans to travel abroad? Those plans rarely materialise. Thuso has a tip for that as well. 

"You know this thing of trying to organize group trips and they fall on their face because people are always giving the runaround? Yeah. That. What I do with my friends now is when we agree on a location, I book my flight and leave it on the group chat. Whoever shows up, shows up. Outside of that, they’ll catch all the action on the stories," she said.

ALSO READ: Most shocking celebrity stories of 2023

Main image credit: Instagram/@thuso.mbedu

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