South Africa Travel Update: What the recent protests mean for visitors

If you've been following international news, you may have seen reports about anti-immigration protests and rising tensions in South Africa over the past few weeks. Understandably, many travellers are now wondering whether it's still safe to visit the country.

The short answer is yes.

While the protests attracted significant media attention and prompted a major security response, South Africa's tourism industry has continued to operate normally. Tourism services, including airports, flights, hotels and major attractions, have remained open and available to visitors.

Here's what travellers should know before they go.

What happened?

In recent weeks, anti-immigration protests took place in several parts of South Africa, fuelled by concerns over illegal immigration, unemployment and crime. Authorities deployed thousands of police officers and members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) ahead of planned nationwide demonstrations at the end of June.

Although there were isolated incidents of violence, looting and intimidation—mainly affecting foreign-owned businesses in some communities—the widespread unrest that many had feared did not materialise.

Law enforcement maintained a visible presence throughout the demonstrations, and hundreds of arrests were made in connection with public violence, looting and immigration-related offences.

What is the situation now?

As things stand, the situation has largely stabilised.

Most visitors travelling to South Africa are unlikely to notice any difference to their holiday. Tourism infrastructure continues to function normally, including:

• International and domestic airports
• Scheduled airline services
• Hotels, guesthouses and lodges
• National parks and private game reserves
• Guided tours and safari operators
• Popular attractions across the country

The protests have primarily been concentrated in certain townships and urban communities rather than areas frequented by international tourists.

Will my trip be affected?

For most travellers, probably not.

Whether you're planning to explore Cape Town, Johannesburg or Durban, drive the Garden Route, enjoy a safari in the Kruger National Park, visit the Cape Winelands or discover the Drakensberg, your itinerary is unlikely to be affected.

You may notice:

• Increased police visibility in some cities
• Occasional demonstrations or marches
• Temporary road closures around protest areas
• Continued media coverage of the situation

However, these are not expected to impact the vast majority of tourism activities.

What should travellers do?

As with any destination, it's sensible to stay informed and use common sense.

Before and during your trip:

• Keep an eye on local news and official travel advice.
• Avoid demonstrations or large public gatherings.
• Follow guidance from your accommodation or tour operator.
• Allow a little extra travel time if you're driving through major cities.
• Stick to the usual personal safety precautions that apply when travelling anywhere in South Africa.

If you're visiting townships as part of a guided cultural experience, continue to do so with reputable operators who monitor local conditions.

Could the situation change?

It's possible that further localised protests could take place over the coming weeks.

The issues behind the demonstrations—such as unemployment, economic pressures and immigration policy—have not disappeared overnight. However, there is currently no indication that widespread disruption to tourism is expected.

Authorities have demonstrated that they are prepared to respond quickly to maintain public order, and the tourism industry continues to operate normally.

Should you cancel your trip?

Based on the current situation, there is no reason for most travellers to cancel or postpone their visit to South Africa solely because of the recent protests.

Millions of South Africans continue with daily life, and visitors are still enjoying everything the country has to offer—from spectacular wildlife and world-class wine estates to dramatic coastlines and vibrant cities.

As always, staying informed and exercising normal travel awareness is the best approach.

The bottom line

South Africa remains one of Africa's most rewarding travel destinations, and the recent anti-immigration protests have had only limited impact on the country's tourism sector.

Travellers should remain aware of developments, avoid protest areas and follow local advice, but for most visitors, holidays and business trips can continue as planned.

If you're planning a visit in the coming weeks, expect open attractions, operating flights, unforgettable wildlife experiences and the warm hospitality for which South Africa is known.

Cape Point Funicular to close for maintenance from 20 July 2026

If you're planning a visit to Cape Point this winter, be aware that the iconic Flying Dutchman Funicular will be out of service for six weeks.

The Motsamayi Tourism Group, which manages the visitor facilities at Cape Point in the Cape of Good Hope section of Table Mountain National Park, Cape Town, has confirmed that the Flying Dutchman Funicular will close from 20 July to 31 August 2026 for essential maintenance and upgrade work.

The Flying Dutchman Funicular connects the main Cape Point parking area with the scenic viewpoint below the historic lighthouse. The 585-metre track climbs 87 metres in elevation, carrying visitors from 127 metres above sea level to 214 metres. As Africa's first commercial funicular, it has become one of Cape Point's best-known attractions, with the short ride offering spectacular views across the dramatic Cape Peninsula

The temporary closure is intended to ensure the long-term reliability of Africa's only commercial funicular, which transports visitors from the main visitor area to the lighthouse precinct.

Shuttle service available

During the closure, visitors will still be able to reach the upper viewing area by shuttle bus. The shuttle will operate on a load-and-go basis, with departures approximately every 10 minutes.

The following fares apply:

• Adult return: R80
• Adult single: R70
• Scholar/Pensioner return: R40
• Scholar/Pensioner single: R35

Visitors should note that the shuttle is not wheelchair accessible.

Cape Point remains open

Apart from the funicular, Cape Point remains fully open. Visitors can still enjoy the spectacular coastal scenery, hiking trails, beaches, the historic lighthouse area, the Two Oceans Restaurant, food outlets and shops.

If you're reasonably fit, you can also walk up to the lighthouse via the well-maintained footpath, which offers excellent views along the way.

If your itinerary includes Cape Point between late July and the end of August, allow a little extra time for your visit and budget for the shuttle if you don't plan to make the walk.

 

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Turkish Airlines adds more Cape Town flights from October 2026

If you're planning a trip to Cape Town later this year, you'll soon have a few more flight options.

From 26 October 2026, Turkish Airlines will increase its direct service between Istanbul and Cape Town from seven to ten flights per week, adding three extra weekly flights for the Northern Winter 2026/27 schedule.

For travellers, that's good news. More flights generally mean greater flexibility when choosing travel dates, improved connections and, in some cases, more competitive fares.

Why this matters

Turkish Airlines has become one of the most convenient ways to reach South Africa from many parts of Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Instead of connecting through one of the traditional European hubs, many travellers now route via Istanbul, where Turkish Airlines offers onward connections to hundreds of destinations.

The additional Cape Town flights should make those connections even easier, especially during South Africa's busy summer tourism season.

If you're travelling from Cape Town, the expanded schedule also opens up more options for exploring Türkiye or continuing onwards to destinations across Europe, Asia, North America and Africa on a single ticket.

More seats during the busy season

The timing is no coincidence.

Late October marks the start of South Africa's peak summer travel season, when international visitor numbers begin to rise and flights into Cape Town become increasingly busy.

Adding three extra weekly services means more seats are available during one of the most popular times of the year to visit the city.

While the extra capacity may help ease demand, travellers planning to visit over December or January should still book well in advance, particularly if they're looking for the best fares.

Cape Town's growing international connectivity

The announcement is another sign of Cape Town's growing appeal as an international destination.

Over the past few years, several airlines have increased services to the city or introduced additional seasonal flights, giving travellers more choice than ever before. Improved air connectivity not only benefits tourists, but also makes business travel easier and strengthens links between South Africa and the rest of the world.

For visitors, however, the biggest advantage is simple: getting to Cape Town is becoming easier.

Bottom line

An increase from seven to ten weekly flights may not sound dramatic, but it gives travellers more flexibility and makes it easier to find flights that fit their itinerary.

If Cape Town or Türkiye is on your travel plans for the 2026/27 summer season, it's worth checking Turkish Airlines' updated schedule when comparing flight options. 

 

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Kruger National Park: Letaba Rest Camp campsite reopens after flood damage

Visitors planning a trip to the Kruger National Park have received some welcome news. South African National Parks (SANParks) has confirmed that the camping site at Letaba Rest Camp will officially reopen for bookings from Monday, 06 July 2026, marking another important milestone in the camp's recovery following the severe floods that struck the park in January 2026.

The reopening gives campers another accommodation option in the central Kruger National Park, although restoration work at the rest camp is still continuing.

Camping returns from 06 July

The Letaba campsite had been closed since January after flood damage affected several facilities throughout the camp.

According to SANParks, extensive restoration work has been carried out over the past few months to enable a phased reopening. Contractors are currently completing their final inspections of the campsite, including the public ablution facilities and perimeter fencing, ahead of welcoming guests.

Tourist accommodation to follow

While camping resumes this week, visitors planning to stay in chalets or huts will need to wait a little longer.

SANParks expects the tourist accommodation units that suffered less severe flood damage to reopen gradually from mid-August 2026, subject to the completion of the remaining restoration work.

What's currently open at Letaba Rest Camp?

Visitors can already make use of several key facilities, including:

• Reception (07:00–18:00)
• Shop (07:00–19:00)
• Filling station (06:00–18:00)
• Letaba Elephant Museum (08:00–16:00)
• Guided game activities

Although the main restaurant remains closed, visitors can still purchase meals and refreshments from the Tindlovu on the Go Takeaway Restaurant, which operates daily from 07:00 to 18:00.

What's still closed?

A few facilities remain unavailable while repairs continue:

• Day Visitor Area
• Swimming pools
• Main restaurant

Travellers should therefore plan accordingly, especially if visiting Letaba on a day trip or expecting access to the swimming facilities.

Good news for Kruger visitors

The reopening of the campsite is another positive step in Kruger National Park's ongoing recovery from the January floods, which temporarily affected several camps and roads across the park.

If you're planning a camping trip to the Kruger National Park this winter or spring, Letaba once again becomes an attractive option. Located on the banks of the Letaba River, the camp is renowned for its tranquil atmosphere, excellent elephant sightings and the fascinating Elephant Museum, making it one of the park's favourite camps for wildlife enthusiasts.

As restoration work continues, visitors should expect some facilities to remain unavailable for the time being, but the return of camping means another popular Kruger National Park experience is once again available for booking.

 

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South Africa makes online Traveller Declarations mandatory from 01 July 2026

If you're travelling into or out of South Africa from 01 July 2026, there's an important new requirement you need to factor into your pre-travel planning.

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has introduced a mandatory online Traveller Declaration for most international travellers. The declaration forms part of the Customs process and must be submitted electronically before departure or arrival, unless you qualify for limited paper-based exemptions.

What is the Traveller Declaration?

The online Traveller Declaration is a digital Customs form used to declare goods, currency, and other items that fall under South African Customs regulations.

You may need to declare:

• Goods purchased abroad or taken out of South Africa
• Cash and monetary instruments above the legal threshold
• High-value personal items
• Any goods subject to Customs duties or restrictions

The system is designed to streamline Customs clearance while improving compliance and reducing delays at airports.

Submission process

Travellers can complete the Traveller Declaration online via the SARS Traveller Management System on the official website, or through the South African Traveller Management System (SATMS) mobile app, available from major app stores.
The form can also be submitted by scanning a QR code and completing it on any internet-enabled device. At selected ports of entry and departure, self-service kiosks will be available for added convenience. 

When must it be completed?

From 01 July 2026, most travellers must complete the declaration within 24 hours before departure or arrival, depending on their journey.

If your details change after submission, you must update your declaration before proceeding through Customs.

A small number of travellers may still qualify for paper-based declarations under specific exemptions.

Who needs to complete it?

The requirement applies to:

• Travellers entering South Africa by air, land, sea or rail
• Travellers leaving South Africa by air, land, sea or rail
• Returning residents and visitors by air, land, sea or rail
• Families travelling with children (a separate declaration is required for each traveller, including minors) by air, land, sea or rail

Air or sea travellers who are only transiting through South Africa and do not leave the designated transit area are not required to submit a traveller declaration.   

Before you start: what you’ll need

To avoid delays when completing the form, make sure you have the following ready:

• Passport or travel document
• Flight or travel itinerary
• Contact details (email and phone number)
• Details of goods or currency to be declared
• Information for each accompanying traveller (including children)

Watch: How to complete your online Traveller Declaration

Not sure how the system works in practice? The video below walks you through the process step by step, showing how to complete and submit your declaration online before travelling.



It provides a practical overview of what information is required, how the submission works, and what travellers can expect when arriving at or departing from South African airports.

Why this matters

Failure to complete the declaration where required could result in:

• Delays at Customs
• Additional questioning or inspection
• Potential penalties for non-declaration of goods or currency

Submitting your declaration in advance should help speed up your passage through Customs and make airport processing more efficient.

Final thoughts

For most travellers, this simply adds one more step to the pre-departure checklist—but an important one. Treat it like checking in online or completing a visa form: quick, mandatory, and best done well before you reach the airport.

As with all Customs-related requirements, planning ahead will make the travel experience significantly smoother.

 

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Planning a South Africa trip? Lufthansa Group adds more flights for Summer 2026/27

Travellers planning a South African summer holiday will soon have even more options to reach Cape Town and Johannesburg.

Lufthansa Group has announced its largest-ever South African northern winter schedule, increasing capacity to 38 weekly long-haul flights between Europe and South Africa from the end of October 2026. The expanded schedule introduces additional flights, better connections and upgraded onboard products across Lufthansa, SWISS and Edelweiss.

For travellers from Germany, Switzerland and the rest of Europe, the announcement means greater flexibility when planning holidays to South Africa during the country's peak tourism season.

Cape Town becomes a daily Lufthansa destination

One of the biggest winners is Cape Town.

Lufthansa will add a new Monday non-stop flight between Frankfurt and Cape Town, turning the popular route into a daily service throughout the main northern winter season.

Daily flights offer travellers much greater flexibility, making it easier to build customised itineraries, whether you're heading to the Cape Winelands, the Garden Route, the West Coast or embarking on a self-drive adventure through South Africa.

The additional capacity also supports South Africa's growing tourism industry by making one of Africa's most popular destinations more accessible to European visitors.

Johannesburg gains more flights—and better connections

Johannesburg will also benefit from significant improvements.

Lufthansa is increasing its Munich–Johannesburg service from three to five weekly flights, operating every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

From 27 October 2026, the Johannesburg departure will also become a night flight, leaving OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) at 19:55 and arriving in Munich early the following morning.

For travellers, this means smoother onward connections to destinations across Germany and Europe, reducing layover times and making multi-city itineraries easier to plan.

Premium cabins receive major upgrades

The expanded schedule isn't only about additional seats.

Passengers flying between South Africa and Europe will also benefit from Lufthansa Group's latest premium cabin products.

Highlights include:

• Lufthansa Allegris cabins on selected South African services, including Munich–Cape Town.
• SWISS Senses debuting on the daily Zurich–Johannesburg route aboard the Airbus A350.
• Edelweiss continuing to serve Zurich-Cape Town up to five times per week, also using Airbus A350 aircraft.

These next-generation cabins feature improved seating, enhanced privacy, upgraded inflight entertainment and a more comfortable travel experience, particularly for long-haul travellers.

Why this matters for South African tourism

International air capacity remains one of the biggest drivers of tourism growth.

Additional flights not only make South Africa easier to reach, but they also help keep fares competitive, improve availability during peak travel periods and encourage longer stays by giving visitors more arrival and departure choices.

Cape Town, in particular, has worked for years to attract additional long-haul capacity, and Lufthansa's daily Frankfurt service represents another important milestone in improving connectivity with Europe.

The expansion is also good news for South Africa's tourism sector, as stronger air connectivity supports visitor growth from key European source markets such as Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

Lufthansa Group's South Africa Winter 2026/27 schedule at a glance

• 38 weekly long-haul flights between South Africa and Europe.
• Daily Frankfurt–Cape Town service during the main winter season.
• Munich–Johannesburg increases from 3 to 5 weekly flights.
• Johannesburg departures become convenient overnight services.
• Daily Zurich–Johannesburg flights with SWISS.
• Up to five weekly Zurich–Cape Town flights with Edelweiss.
• Introduction of Lufthansa Allegris and SWISS Senses premium cabins on selected routes.
• Expanded winter schedule begins in late October 2026.

The bottom line

Lufthansa Group's Winter 2026/27 schedule is excellent news for anyone planning a South African holiday.

Whether you're chasing summer sunshine in Cape Town, exploring the Kruger region via Johannesburg or connecting onwards to neighbouring countries, the additional services provide more choice, improved connectivity and access to some of the newest long-haul cabin products in the sky.

With a record 38 weekly flights between Europe and South Africa, travellers will have more flexibility than ever before to discover one of the world's most rewarding destinations. 

 

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Planning a Namibia trip? Here's what the latest tourism figures reveal

If you're planning a self-drive holiday through Namibia, a safari in Namibia or an epic road trip through southern Africa, the country's newly released Tourist Arrivals Statistical Report 2025 offers valuable insights into who is visiting, when they travel and how to plan your own adventure.

While international visitor numbers dipped slightly compared to 2024, Namibia remains one of Africa's premier travel destinations. Even better for travellers, slightly lower visitor numbers mean many of the country's iconic attractions may feel a little less crowded than during the post-pandemic tourism boom.

Here's what the latest figures reveal—and what they mean for anyone planning a trip to Namibia.

International arrivals decline slightly

Namibia welcomed 1,345,168 international visitor arrivals in 2025, of which 90.5% were tourists, 8.5% were same-day visitors, 0.7% returning residents and 0.3% other categories. This represented a decline of about 6.9% compared to 1,444,174 arrivals in 2024. International tourist arrivals also declined by 3.2%, from 1,257,093 in 2024 to 1,217,108 in 2025.

For visitors, the figures suggest that Namibia continues to attract healthy numbers without becoming overcrowded—a welcome balance for those seeking wide open landscapes, spectacular wildlife and unforgettable road trips.

South Africa remains the biggest market

Most visitors continue to come from neighbouring African countries, which accounted for more than three-quarters of all international tourist arrivals.

The ten largest source markets were:

1. South Africa
2. Angola
3. Botswana
4. Zambia
5. Zimbabwe
6. Germany
7. United States
8. United Kingdom
9. Netherlands
10. France

Germany remained Namibia's largest overseas market (35.6% of tourist arrivals from Europe) despite recording fewer arrivals than in 2024. Meanwhile, the United States (increased by 8.4%) continued its steady growth, while China and Russia (increase of 149.3% compared to 2024, contributing 4.2% of tourist arrivals from Europe) emerged among Namibia's leading overseas source markets, highlighting the country's increasingly diverse international appeal.

Holidaymakers now dominate African travel

One of the report's most notable findings is that, for the first time, most visitors from Africa travelled to Namibia for holidays rather than to visit friends and relatives.

Holiday travel accounted for 48.4% of all international tourist arrivals, while business travel also continued to grow, representing 18.5% of all visitors.

This reflects Namibia's growing reputation as a world-class leisure destination offering everything from spectacular desert scenery and exceptional wildlife viewing to luxury lodges and unforgettable self-drive adventures.

Visitors spend around two weeks in Namibia

International tourists spent an average of 13 nights in Namibia during 2025.

European tourists tended to stay longer, mainly within the 8–14 nights range, making the most of classic self-drive itineraries covering destinations such as Etosha National Park, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Damaraland and the Skeleton Coast.

Travellers from neighbouring African countries concentrated in the 4–7 nights category, while visitors from the Americas often visited Namibia as part of a broader southern African itinerary for just for 2–3 nights.

Who is visiting Namibia?

The latest tourism statistics reveal that Namibia's international visitors tend to be experienced, mature travellers. Almost two-thirds (62.1%) of all international tourists were aged 40 and older in 2025, with the largest single age group being travellers aged 60 and above (22.2%), followed by those aged 40–49 (21.9%) and 30–39 (20.3%).

The report also found that 64.1% of international visitors were male, compared with 35.9% female.

For prospective visitors, this reflects Namibia's strong appeal among well-travelled nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts and self-drive adventurers. At the same time, it highlights an opportunity for younger travellers, with Namibia offering everything from adrenaline-filled adventure activities and camping to luxury lodges, hiking trails and world-class landscape photography.

Self-drive holidays remain king

Namibia continues to be one of the world's great road trip destinations.

Nearly 77.9% of all international visitors entered the country by road, underlining the popularity of self-drive holidays. Air travel accounted for almost 17.7% of arrivals and water for 4.4%.

Among airlines, Airlink remained the largest carrier into Namibia with 61.5% of air arrivals, followed by South African Airways with 9.0%, while Discover brought in 7.7%.

For many international travellers, flying into Windhoek via Johannesburg continues to offer the widest range of convenient connections before collecting a rental vehicle and exploring the country independently.

When is the best time to visit Namibia?

The report confirms what many experienced travellers already know: Namibia's busiest tourism season runs from May to August, with with additional peaks in December.

For national parks specifically, the dry winter months of July, August and September have the highest arrivals, with August recording the highest. Those seeking quieter conditions might consider the shoulder months of April–May or October–November.

Travellers looking for fewer crowds should consider the excellent shoulder seasons of April and May or October and November, when weather conditions remain favourable while visitor numbers are generally lower.

German travellers in particular tend to arrive in March, May and October; Americans peak in February, April and June — useful intelligence for anyone planning group or lodge bookings.

Etosha remains Namibia's most popular national park

Namibia's national parks welcomed almost 995,000 visitors during 2025—an increase over the previous year (943,408 in 2024) despite the overall decline in international arrivals.

The top three parks by visitor numbers were:
Etosha National Park with 387,663 visitors, Namib-Naukluft National Park with 296,788 and Dorob National Park with 222,272.

At the other end of the scale, Tsau //Khaeb (Sperrgebiet) and Mangetti National Parks registered the least number of vehicles — 195 and 99 respectively — highlighting their more limited visitor reach. These would be worth exploring for travellers seeking genuine off-the-beaten-path experiences.

What the statistics mean for your Namibia trip

The latest tourism figures paint an encouraging picture for travellers.

Although international arrivals softened slightly during 2025, Namibia remains one of Africa's safest, easiest and most rewarding countries for independent travel. The combination of excellent roads, spectacular scenery, outstanding national parks and relatively low visitor densities continues to make it one of the continent's finest self-drive destinations.

If you're planning a Namibia holiday:

• Book accommodation well in advance if travelling during July and August.
• Consider visiting in April, May, October or November for pleasant weather and fewer visitors.
• A self-drive itinerary remains the best way to experience the country.
• Flying via Johannesburg offers the widest range of international flight connections.
• Don't limit yourself to Etosha National Park—Namibia's lesser-known national parks offer exceptional off-the-beaten-track experiences.

Looking ahead, Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism forecasts international arrivals to rebound strongly in 2026 to around 1.69 million visitors. If that recovery materialises, the coming months could offer an ideal opportunity to experience one of Africa's most spectacular destinations before visitor numbers increase again.

 

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