IN PICS: Jonathan Boynton-Lee and Zanele Potelwa Explore the Magic of Mombasa

The search for Tropika Island of Treasure’s next filming destination is officially underway — and this week, the journey takes viewers to the breathtaking coastal city of Mombasa, Kenya.

As auditions open for Season 12, host Zanele Potelwa is travelling to seven spectacular island locations around the world as part of the new companion series, Tropika Island Search.

Alongside Zanele is Jonathan Boynton-Lee, who has experienced the Tropika Island of Treasure franchise from every angle — first as the Games Master in Season 7 and later as a competitive All-Star contestant. His unique journey gives him a seasoned eye when it comes to evaluating the next island setting.

From white sandy beaches and turquoise waters to historic landmarks and rich Swahili culture, the duo explored what makes Mombasa a serious contender for the upcoming season — while soaking up the city’s unmistakable coastal rhythm.

Here’s what Jonathan had to say about the experience…

1. Jonathan, you visited Mombasa, Kenya on the search for the next Tropika Island of Treasure location. What surprised you most about the destination?

“Honestly, how layered it is. You have got African, Arab and Indian influences all woven together, and you feel it everywhere: in the architecture, the music, the food, even the pace of life. Also the heat and humidity humbled me very quickly. I realised within about five minutes that Mombasa operates on a slightly slower, cooler coastal rhythm, and once you surrender to that, it’s magic,” said Jonathan.

2. Mombasa has an incredible coastline, a vibrant energy, rich history and an incredible culinary and coffee scene. Have you discovered any hidden gems in Mombasa you’d recommend to others?

“I loved exploring Old Town. It’s one of those places where you are constantly stopping to look at something: carved wooden doors, little spice shops, colourful buildings. Fort Jesus is my favourite, mainly because it reminds me of the worlds in my favourite PlayStation game Uncharted 4, but also because it’s built from coral and steeped in centuries of history,” said Jonathan.

3. Did you try any local cuisine?

“Absolutely. One thing about me: if there’s food, I’m trying it. The coastal cuisine is amazing because there’s a big Swahili influence with lots of coconut, spices and fresh seafood. I had some incredible fish curries,” said Jonathan.

4. If you had 24 hours to show a friend around Mombasa, what would you include?

“First thing: sunrise walk on the beach. The coastline there is beautiful and starting the day with the ocean just puts you in the right mood. Then I would head to Old Town and Fort Jesus to soak up the history. Lunch would have to be fresh seafood somewhere by the water and the day ends with a sunset sail on the ocean, followed by a swim,” said Jonathan.

5. Why do you think it’s important for us as South Africans to explore more of our own continent?

“I think sometimes we forget how extraordinary our continent is. People dream about travelling across the world, but some of the most incredible places are right here in Africa. Travelling within Africa also reminds you how connected we are culturally. The music, the food, the warmth of people, it feels both different and familiar at the same time,” said Jonathan.

6. Your Tropika Island of Treasure journey was interesting. You were the Games Master on the seventh season and returned as a contestant for the all-stars season. How different was it stepping into the ring and competing in the games rather than holding down the fort?

“Completely different. As the Games Master I was standing there with FOMO thinking, “I really want to be a part of that.” Then when you become a contestant you realise those challenges are no joke. Suddenly the pressure is real, the competition is intense, and you are trying to look calm while your brain is doing a million things at once. So being Games Master was actually so awesome, because I had a front row seat to all the action, without the stress of maybe being eliminated,” said Jonathan.

7. As a former contestant and Games Master, what tips do you have for those looking to enter the upcoming 12th season?

“Be adaptable. You can plan all the strategy you want, but the moment you are there everything changes. Alliances shift, challenges surprise you, and sometimes survival just means keeping a cool head. Most importantly though, have fun with it. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime adventure and one of the most unique experiences you will ever have. It was definitely a career highlight for me, both times round,” said Jonathan.

Auditions for Tropika Island of Treasure Season 12 Now Open

As the hunt for the ideal island location continues, Tropika is also casting eight members of the public to join the Season 12 celebrity lineup. Aspiring contestants can enter by uploading their audition videos to TikTok, Facebook, X or Instagram, tagging @MyTropika and including the hashtag #Tropika. The selected finalists will compete for a shared R1 million grand prize and each receive a R10,000 Pep shopping voucher to help them prepare in style for island life.

Auditions close on 5 May 2026.

With Tropika Island Search now in full swing, audiences can look forward to more stunning destinations, travel inspiration and exclusive behind-the-scenes moments as the team works to secure the next filming location for Tropika Island of Treasure. After the unforgettable experience in Mombasa, the upcoming season is already promising to be something special.

Tropika Island Search airs every Monday at 18:00 on S3, with a repeat broadcast on Fridays at 16:00 on SABC 1.

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