South Africa welcomed an impressive 1,133,533 overnight visitors in January 2026, as reported by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). The total traveler movements, encompassing arrivals, departures, and transit passengers, reached a remarkable 3,373,931, with international travelers accounting for 73.6% of the overall figures.
A significant portion of the visitors, about 77.8%, hailed from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. Among these, the largest contributions came from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Lesotho, collectively representing 80.8% of SADC tourists. Meanwhile, nations outside the SADC, primarily Kenya, Ghana, and Nigeria, contributed a modest 1.4%.
In terms of overseas visitors, South Africa attracted 235,058 tourists, with the top three originating countries being the UK, Germany, and the USA. Notably, the top ten countries alone accounted for nearly 74% of all international tourists.
The primary reason for travel was leisure, with a staggering 97.7% of visitors indicating vacationing, shopping, or visiting friends and relatives as their main activities. Business, educational, and medical travel represented a small fraction of the total.
Travel preferences varied significantly by region. Most SADC tourists chose to arrive by road (93.5%), while the majority of overseas visitors opted for flying (92.7%). Key entry points included OR Tambo and Cape Town International Airports for air traffic, alongside Beit Bridge and Lebombo for travelers arriving by road.
Demographically, the most represented age group was 35 to 44 years, with overseas tourists having a median age of 48 and SADC tourists at 38. A slight majority of the visitors were male, tallying to 56.1% compared to 43.9% female.
This influx of tourists marks an 11.8% increase from January 2025, with notable growth in visitors from Mozambique (22.1%), Russia (38.8%), and Nigeria (36.8%). This trend underscores South Africa’s enduring status as a premier destination for both regional and international travelers, reflecting a strengthening tourism sector poised for further growth.