New data has shown that more international tourists are visiting South Africa in 2026 and this is where they're heading.
South Africa is enjoying a strong tourism comeback, with international visitor numbers continuing to rise in 2026.
The latest figures from the Department of Tourism show that 6.58 million international tourists visited South Africa between January and July 2026 – 12.4% more than during the same period in 2025.
July alone saw almost 1 million international tourists arrive in the country, with 991 696 visitors recorded.
The increase is coming from both Africa and overseas, with arrivals from the rest of Africa rising by 14.3% and overseas arrivals increasing by 5.7% during the first seven months of the year.
So where are all these visitors going?
Cape Town continues to be one of South Africa’s biggest international tourism winners.
Cape Town Tourism says the city welcomed 1.44 million foreign overnight visitors in 2025, who spent an estimated R19 billion directly in the city.
The city’s major attractions are also seeing strong demand. Table Mountain recorded 1.19 million visits in 2025, while Chapman’s Peak Drive recorded 1.05 million.
International connections are helping too. Cape Town gained a direct São Paulo route with LATAM in July 2026, opening the city to an even larger South American market.
South Africa’s wildlife remains one of its biggest international selling points.
Kruger National Park recorded 1.87 million visitors during the 2024/25 financial year, up from 1.82 million the previous year.
It accounted for around 30% of all visits across SANParks during the period, making it one of the country’s most important individual tourism attractions.
The benefits extend beyond the park itself, with safari operators, lodges, restaurants and other businesses in surrounding areas relying heavily on tourism.
The Garden Route offers something slightly different, combining beaches, forests, mountains and small towns.
Garden Route National Park recorded 476 452 visitors** in 2024/25**, up from 446 501 the previous year. Its location also makes it an easy addition to a longer road trip between Cape Town and the Eastern Cape.
The Eastern Cape is another province benefiting from interest in South Africa’s wildlife and heritage.
Addo Elephant National Park recorded 230 351 visitors in 2024/25, compared with 223 812 the year before.
The province is also investing in tourism infrastructure and promoting its cultural and historical attractions, giving international visitors more reasons to venture beyond the country’s traditional hotspots.
Johannesburg may not be the first place international tourists think of when planning a South African holiday, but it plays a crucial role in bringing them into the country.
OR Tambo International Airport remains South Africa’s busiest international gateway.
Stats SA recorded 163 255 tourist arrivals through OR Tambo by air in April 2026, compared with 81 978 through Cape Town International Airport and 1 600 through King Shaka International Airport.
Many visitors therefore pass through Johannesburg before continuing to safari destinations, Cape Town or other parts of the country.
There isn’t one single reason, although improved air connectivity is helping, with new and expanded routes making South Africa easier to reach. The country is also working to streamline immigration through its new Electronic Travel Authorisation system.
South Africa’s variety is another major advantage. Visitors can combine beaches, mountains, wildlife, wine regions, cities and cultural attractions in a single trip.
And the numbers suggest the strategy is working.
South Africa welcomed a record 10.48 million international arrivals in 2025, up 17.6% from 2024. With arrivals already 12.4% higher in the first seven months of 2026, another strong year is taking shape.
For South Africans, the tourism boom could mean more than just crowded attractions.
More international visitors mean increased demand for hotels, restaurants, tour operators, transport, attractions and local businesses – potentially creating more jobs and bringing more money into communities.
Follow the story
