I'm a Celebrity South Africa Season 2 Start Date
It’s confirmed: Season 2 lands in 2026, returning to ITV, STV, and ITVX, with filming kicking off in Kruger National Park. Unlike the usual November launches of the UK series, this South African spin-off doesn't stick to tradition, stretching the suspense just long enough for us to scan the cast list twice and debate which former star is secretly built for survival. There’s something kind of joyful about that — the anticipation lingers, the speculation simmers, your group chat fills with “Is Gemma Collins really going in?” whispers.
But here’s a fun twist for old and new fans: This time, the grand finale will be live, beamed straight from London, and the viewers get to pick the winner. No more passive “Oh well, they won” grumbling. Now, everyone is in the jungle — or at least holds the power to crown its king/queen from the comfort of the sofa.
Who’s Coming Back?
Details on the cast are hush-hush — ITV seems to enjoy torturing us with speculation. Rumors swirl around familiar faces; Gemma Collins’ name pops up a lot (which is fitting, because South Africa surely deserves more dramatic sighs). If you’re a fan of a particularly wild series from years past, cross your fingers. ITV promised “memorable campmates from series gone by,” which is code for: expect a lot of B-list reunions, questionable outdoor skills, and solid meme potential.
Thinking back, the first season in 2023 saw Myleene Klass crowned as “legend” after she beat out the likes of Amir Khan, Carol Vorderman, and Fatima Whitbread. I remember watching Fatima tackle those challenges and thinking, “She’s got the nerves of a ninja; I panic when Deliveroo is late.” There’s something genuinely endearing about seeing celebrities — some you vaguely remember, some you absolutely don’t — band together over shared misery and an acute fear of scuttling insects.
Bushtucker Trials: Chaotic, Honest Fun
First sentence, direct answer: Yup, expect new trials this time, and Ant & Dec insist they're “truly epic, even by I’m A Celeb standards”. If you’ve ever tried camping and thought, “This would be more fun with snakes,” then you’re pretty much imagining the pitch that ITV probably gave. There’s a weird comfort in these trials — messy, unpredictable, and often hilarious in ways that scripted drama rarely is.
I’ll never forget that one trial — can't even recall which year — when a celeb attempted the dreaded eating challenge and quietly whispered just before tasting the dish, “I had sushi once. How different could it be?” Reader…it was different.
What's New for Season 2? The Live Finale Twist
Here's why this season might be especially spicy: the live finale, coming straight from London, is a series first for South Africa. Instead of the pre-recorded format of last time, the tension and drama will unfurl in real time. The public votes for the winner — so get ready to argue about tactics, alliances, and who deserves legendary status.
- Viewers decide the winner (hello, democracy…in reality TV!)
- The final showdown airs live in London — not pre-recorded
- Ant & Dec promise “epic new trials”
- Returning campmates, some beloved, some you forgot were famous
Honestly, I love the idea of the power being in our hands. (I mean, unless we collectively sabotage it and crown someone who’s mostly napped in camp; stranger things have happened.)
Why South Africa? Why All Stars?
Kruger National Park: Where the bugs are bigger, the scenery is grander, and the celebrities seem even more out of their depth. The location adds a wild, unpredictable flavor to proceedings; it’s not the wet-and-windy UK jungle, but dry, dramatic vistas where you can almost hear the wildlife root for the underdog.
The “All-Star” pitch means that we get a mishmash of personalities, some still fuming from Twitter spats years after their original appearance. It’s reunion TV with stakes — if your favorite was robbed last time, this is their second shot. Who knows, maybe that underdog from 2019 comes back and steals the legend crown. Wouldn’t be mad about it.
What Fans Are Wondering (And Waiting For)
Curiosity is high, nerves are tingling — will it be as fun as last time? Will ITV deliver on “epic, extreme trials”? Will Ant & Dec resist making bug jokes for more than five minutes? These are valid questions. Also, as someone with a soft spot for celebrity meltdowns and unlikely friendships, I can’t wait.
- Will the format changes spice things up?
- Who’ll be the dark horse of the series?
- Can anyone top Myleene’s drama and grit from last season?
