South Africa recorded 2,988,099 travellers passing through its ports of entry and exit in September 2025, according to Statistics South Africa’s latest tourism report. Of these, 1,156,606 were foreign arrivals, comprising 1,129,845 visitors and 26,761 non-visitors. Visitor arrivals included 283,478 same-day visitors and 846,367 overnight tourists.
Tourists were mainly from the SADC region (645,745), followed by overseas markets (181,802) and other African countries (17,676), with 1,144 unspecified.
1. Highlights of the results
In September 2025, 2 988 099 travellers (arrivals, departures and transits) entered and exited South Africa. They were made up of 777 281 (26,0%) South African residents and 2 210 818 (74,0%) foreign travellers. Foreign arrivals were made up of 26 761 (2,3%) non-visitors and 1 129 845 (97,7%) visitors. Visitors consisted of 283 478 (25,1%) same-day visitors and 846 367 (74,9%) overnight visitors (tourists).
The routine data collected by the DHA immigration officers at the ports of entry into and out of South Africa shows that a total of 2 988 099 travellers (arrivals, departures and transits) passed through South African ports in September 2025. As presented in Table 1 below, these travellers were made up of 777 281 South African residents and 2 210 818 foreign travellers. A further breakdown of the figures for South African residents indicates that there were 381 185 arrivals, 395 448 departures and 648 travellers in transit. The corresponding volumes for foreign arrivals,
departures and travellers in transit were 1 156 606, 1 001 265 and 52 947 respectively.
- Monthly Performance (September 2025): South Africa recorded 846,367 international visitors in September 2025. This is a 26.9% increase compared to September 2024.
- Year-to-Date Performance (January-September 2025): Total international arrivals for the first nine months of 2025 reached 7,634,261. This represents an increase of 1,108,222 visitors compared to the same period in 2024.
Purpose of visit
‘Holiday’ continues to be the main purpose of visit. About 97,1% of all the tourists were in South Africa for holiday purposes
This incredible statistic highlights the country’s allure as a top vacation destination, offering breathtaking landscapes, vibrant culture, and unforgettable experiences. Whether it’s the stunning beaches, majestic wildlife, or rich heritage, South Africa has something for everyone.
Adapted from StatsSA
