News
South Africa Arrivals Up 12.8% as Brazil Surges 40%
South Africa recorded a 12.8% rise in tourist arrivals for January to May 2026. Brazil led all source markets with 40.6% growth, the strongest of any.
Travel News
Staying up to date on South Africa travel — visa changes, new flight routes, upcoming events, and anything that affects your trip.
Disruption
Weekly Johannesburg Protests Escalate; Canada Updates Travel Advisory
Canada updated its South Africa travel advisory on 13 July as weekly anti-migrant Thursday marches cause transport disruption in Johannesburg.
News
Hermanus Whale Season 2026: First Southern Right Whales Arrive at Walker Bay
Southern right whales have returned to Walker Bay at Hermanus, opening South Africa's 2026 whale watching season. Peak months: July–October.
Visa
South Africa Plans Biggest Visa Overhaul in More Than 20 Years
South Africa is introducing a remote work visa, start-up visa, and points-based system in its most ambitious visa reform since 2002.
News
South Africa Introduces Mandatory Online Entry Declaration
South Africa's new online traveller declaration launched 1 July 2026. All visitors must complete it before arriving — here's what to know.
Flights
LATAM Launches Nonstop Cape Town to São Paulo Flights
LATAM Airlines opens the first direct Cape Town–São Paulo service since 1998, with three weekly A321XLR flights starting 2 July 2026.
News
South Africa Posts Record April Arrivals as Winter Safari Season Opens
South Africa saw 989,329 international arrivals in April 2026 — a 19.5% year-on-year rise as the winter safari and whale-watching season opens.
Flights
Air Europa Launches Madrid–Johannesburg Flights on 24 June
Air Europa will begin three weekly Boeing 787-8 flights between Madrid and Johannesburg from 24 June 2026, its first ever route to sub-Saharan Africa.
Disruption
June 30 Shutdown Planned in South Africa: What Travellers Must Know
Anti-immigration groups have called a nationwide shutdown in South Africa on 30 June 2026 with potential transport blockades and civil disruption.
Disruption
UK Updates South Africa Travel Advice: New Crime and Taxi Warnings
The UK FCDO updated its South Africa travel advice on 11 June with new warnings on e-hailing app safety, crime hotspots and Kruger National Park risks.
Flights
Airlink Begins Direct Johannesburg–Zanzibar Flights
Airlink launched weekly direct Johannesburg–Zanzibar flights on 3 June 2026, making Zanzibar an easy extension for visitors already exploring South Africa.
News
New Border Rule: Foreign Vehicles Must Be Declared Before Entering South Africa
From 1 June 2026, all foreign-registered vehicles must be declared on the SARS Traveller Management System before crossing into or out of South Africa.
Event
South Africa Youth Day 16 June 2026: What Travellers Should Know
Youth Day on 16 June is one of South Africa's most significant public holidays. Here is what to expect across Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.
Event
Kruger National Park Turns 100 on 31 May 2026
Kruger marks its centenary on 31 May with post-flood safari conditions delivering exceptional game viewing and lush vegetation across the park.
Flights
Airlink Launches First Direct Cape Town–Zanzibar Flights from October
Airlink launches once-weekly Cape Town–Zanzibar nonstop from 3 October 2026 on the E195-E2, removing the need for a Johannesburg connection.
Event
Africa's Travel Indaba 2026 Wraps Up With 9,800 Visitors and Durban's Five-Year Deal Sealed
Africa's Travel Indaba 2026 closed in Durban with 9,800 visitors attended, and the ICC confirmed a five-year hosting agreement through 2030.
News
Durban Launches R4.3m Tourism Policing Unit to Secure Beachfront Visitors
Durban's new R4.3m coastal tourism policing unit deploys quad bikes and hi-tech vehicles to safeguard visitors on the city's famous beachfront.
News
Club Med South Africa Opens Its First Beach & Safari Resort in July 2026
South Africa's most expensive resort ever — a R2 billion Club Med on KwaZulu-Natal's North Coast — opens 4 July 2026, combining beach and Big Five safari.
Visa
Ramaphosa Backs SADC Tourism UNIVISA for Seamless Southern Africa Travel
At Africa Travel Indaba 2026, Ramaphosa backed a SADC Tourism UNIVISA allowing seamless multi-country southern Africa travel on a single authorisation.
Event
Africa's Travel Indaba 2026 Opens in Durban with 600 Exhibitors and Record Buyer Attendance
Africa's Travel Indaba 2026 is underway in Durban this week, with 600 exhibitors from 22 African nations and over 700 buyers from 71 countries.
Flights
CemAir Launches Direct George–Hoedspruit Route from 17 May 2026
CemAir launches a direct domestic route between George and Hoedspruit from 17 May 2026, linking the Garden Route to Kruger in a single hop.
Flights
Virgin Atlantic to Run Record 21 Weekly South Africa Flights from October 2026
Virgin Atlantic will fly 21 times weekly between London Heathrow and South Africa from October 2026, its biggest SA programme in nearly three decades.
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