Home
»
AFRICA
»
Zimbabwe Steams Ahead Of Namibia, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, And Numerous Other African Nations In Pushing South Africa Tourism To Unmatched Growth In 2025
Published on
January 3, 2026
In 2025, Zimbabwe has overtaken Namibia, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, and numerous other African countries in driving South Africa’s tourism boom, due to a combination of strong regional ties, increased air and road travel, and the growing desire of Zimbabwean travelers to experience South Africa’s cultural, natural, and urban attractions. This surge in visitors from Zimbabwe, along with continued growth from other African nations, has significantly contributed to the record-breaking increases in South Africa’s international tourist arrivals, reflecting the broader momentum of tourism recovery across the continent.
South Africa’s tourism sector has experienced a remarkable recovery in 2025, with international visitor arrivals surging beyond expectations, driven by robust growth from regional markets, especially within Africa. The country’s tourism boom in 2025 marks a pivotal moment in its post-pandemic recovery, with neighboring countries and select overseas markets significantly contributing to the surge in arrivals. Leading the charge in driving these numbers higher is Zimbabwe, which has overtaken several African nations, becoming one of the largest sources of tourism growth for South Africa in 2025.
A Record Year for South African Tourism
From January to September 2025, South Africa welcomed 7,634,261 international tourists, a 17% increase compared to the previous year. This represents an impressive 1.1 million additional visitors, showcasing the accelerating pace of recovery from the pandemic’s disruptions. The month of October continued the trend, with 927,426 arrivals, marking a 32% increase over the previous month and bringing the total for the first ten months of the year to a staggering 8.56 million.
South Africa’s overall growth rate in 2025 surpassed the modest 5.1% recorded in 2024. With a year-to-date growth of around 18% in the months from January to October, the tourism industry in South Africa is on track to break records, possibly exceeding the 8.92 million visitors achieved in 2024. The 2025 tourism surge marks not only a recovery but also an expansion of South Africa’s tourism market, demonstrating its increasing appeal to international visitors.
The Role of African Markets in South Africa’s Tourism Growth
A significant portion of South Africa’s 2025 tourism surge can be attributed to African markets, which have been the backbone of regional growth. African visitors accounted for a dominant 76% of South Africa’s total tourist arrivals. This trend highlights the importance of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries and other key African nations in driving the boom.
Among these, Zimbabwe has stood out, emerging as one of the leading contributors to South Africa’s tourism growth. With strong road connections and well-established trade and travel relations, Zimbabwe has consistently been a major source of visitors to South Africa. Despite minor fluctuations, such as a slight decrease in visitor numbers in January, Zimbabwe has remained a cornerstone of South Africa’s tourism flow.
However, Zimbabwe’s growth in 2025 has eclipsed the performance of several other countries in the region, including Namibia, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, and Botswana. Zimbabwe’s presence at the top of the list for African visitors is a testament to the increasing desire of Zimbabweans to explore South Africa’s cultural and natural attractions, including wildlife safaris, vibrant cities, and heritage sites.
Key African Contributors to South Africa’s Tourism Boom in 2025
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the African countries that have contributed to South Africa’s tourism surge in 2025, from Zimbabwe’s leadership role to other key players across the continent.
1. Zimbabwe: A Major Contributor
Zimbabwe’s position as South Africa’s largest African source market in 2025 has been cemented by its geographic proximity and strong ties with neighboring South Africa. Visitors from Zimbabwe have been flooding into South Africa through road routes, with a marked increase in arrivals by air as well. The country’s stable performance in tourism arrivals, despite slight fluctuations early in the year, has made it an indispensable part of South Africa’s tourism landscape.
2. Mozambique: Rising as a Key Growth Driver
Mozambique has also seen substantial growth in visitor numbers to South Africa, contributing significantly to the increase in regional tourism. With its well-established road links and proximity to South Africa’s major tourism hubs, Mozambique remains an essential source of visitors. This consistent rise in visitors demonstrates the strength of the relationship between the two countries in terms of tourism and trade.
3. Lesotho: Steady Increases in Visitor Numbers
Lesotho, a small landlocked country surrounded by South Africa, has continued to show growth in its contribution to South Africa’s tourism sector. The scenic beauty of Lesotho, with its highlands and unique landscapes, has encouraged many Basotho travelers to visit South Africa, particularly in areas like Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban.
4. Eswatini: Significant Regional Contribution
Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) has experienced growth in both road and air arrivals. With its close cultural ties to South Africa and geographic proximity, Eswatini has consistently contributed to regional tourism, making it another key player in driving South Africa’s growth.
5. Botswana: Top Five Consistency
Botswana continues to be a regular contributor to South Africa’s tourism numbers. While the country’s fluctuations in visitor numbers are smaller compared to others, its position in the top five African source markets is maintained through steady traffic flows, particularly driven by tourism activities centered around nature and wildlife experiences.
6. Namibia: Steady, if Not Exceptional, Growth
Namibia’s performance has been solid, though it lags behind the leading countries like Zimbabwe and Mozambique. The country remains an important source market for South Africa, especially in the context of visitors seeking cultural exchange, adventure travel, and access to the Southern African safari circuit. However, Namibia’s tourism growth in 2025 has been relatively slower than that of other African nations.
7. Malawi and Zambia: Strong Contributions from East and Southern Africa
Both Malawi and Zambia have contributed to South Africa’s tourism growth in 2025. These countries have seen notable increases in arrivals, particularly from business travelers, academics, and tourists seeking cultural and leisure experiences. Zambia’s proximity to major wildlife areas like Kruger National Park further drives its contribution to South Africa’s tourism industry.
8. Tanzania: Expanding Tourist Traffic
Tanzania has continued to benefit from its growing tourism profile in Southern Africa. As one of the most important African source markets, Tanzania has made significant strides in boosting travel numbers to South Africa, with many visitors drawn to South Africa’s safari and beach destinations.
9. Nigeria: Leading West African Growth
Nigeria stands as a regional leader in terms of tourism traffic to South Africa, particularly for the West African market. The country’s fast-growing middle class and increasing interest in South Africa’s diverse offerings—ranging from business tourism to leisure activities—have contributed to the sharp growth in visitor numbers from Nigeria. In early 2025, Nigeria reported a 42% increase in visitor numbers to South Africa, further solidifying its role as a key tourism partner.
10. Kenya: Top Contributor from East Africa
Kenya, with its booming tourism industry, continues to show strong growth as a source market for South African tourism. Visitors from Kenya are attracted to South Africa’s wildlife, cosmopolitan cities, and cultural offerings. The country saw a 27% increase in tourist arrivals in 2025, marking Kenya as one of the most important contributors to South Africa’s tourism boom.
11. Egypt: Rapid Growth from North Africa
Egypt has also seen a surge in visitor numbers to South Africa, with a notable 53.4% increase in the early months of 2025. The growth is driven by Egypt’s increasing appetite for outbound tourism and South Africa’s rising profile as a tourist destination, especially among Egyptians seeking nature, culture, and adventure.
12. Ghana, Uganda, Angola: Additional Growth Drivers
Other African countries such as Ghana, Uganda, and Angola have also contributed to South Africa’s tourism surge. Ghana, with its rapidly growing economy and increasing outbound travel, saw a 39.9% increase in tourist numbers, while Uganda experienced a 38.6% rise in visitors. Angola, too, reported a 20.4% increase, highlighting the wider regional interest in South Africa’s tourism offerings.
The Role of Regional and Overseas Markets
While African countries have been the primary drivers of South Africa’s tourism recovery, overseas markets such as the UK, Australia, and other international destinations have played a pivotal role in enhancing South Africa’s appeal to global travelers. These markets have experienced double-digit growth, indicating strong international interest in South Africa’s tourism offerings.
In 2025, Zimbabwe has surpassed Namibia, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, and numerous other African countries in driving South Africa’s tourism boom, fueled by strong regional connections and a surge in both air and road travel. This significant growth highlights Zimbabwe’s increasing role as a key contributor to South Africa’s expanding tourism sector.
2025 has been a breakthrough year for South African tourism, with Zimbabwe and other African nations playing crucial roles in fueling the sector’s remarkable growth. As the tourism landscape evolves, South Africa’s close relationships with its African neighbors, combined with strategic marketing and regional travel incentives, will continue to be key to maintaining this growth trajectory. With a strong regional base, increasing international arrivals, and a focus on quality tourism experiences, South Africa’s tourism sector looks poised for sustained success in the years to come.
