Saudi Arabia

Do South Africans need a visa for Saudi Arabia?

Yes — but it’s straightforward and the country has opened up fast to tourism. South Africans are eligible for the tourist Visitor e-visa (applied for online) or a visa on arrival at the main ports of entry. It’s a multi-entry visa valid for a year, allowing stays of up to 90 days, and approvals usually land within 24–48 hours. The e-visa bundles mandatory travel insurance into the fee. It also permits Umrah outside the Hajj season, not just tourism. Use a passport valid six-plus months; you can check requirements and apply online here.

A couple of important notes: non-Muslims are welcome to visit, but Mecca and central Medina remain off-limits to non-Muslims; and it’s a conservative, dry country (no alcohol).

What it costs (in rand)

Saudi is at the pricier end — budget roughly R800–1,400 a day. Hotels and organised desert/heritage tours are the main costs, and tourism infrastructure in the headline spots (like AlUla) is premium. That said, local food is cheap and excellent, domestic flights are reasonable, and there are no alcohol or nightlife costs to blow the budget. It rewards a focused trip over a long one.

When to go

Go in the cooler months, November to March — summers are extreme (regularly 45°C+). Winter is comfortable for the desert, the heritage sites and the cities, and lines up with AlUla’s main events season. Factor in Ramadan (dates shift yearly), when daytime hours and dining change and the pace of everything slows.

Getting around

It’s a big country best linked by cheap, frequent domestic flights between Riyadh, Jeddah and AlUla. Car hire and ride-hailing (Uber, Careem) are the norm on the ground; there’s little tourist public transport, though Riyadh now has a metro. For the desert and heritage sites, organised tours or a hired driver are the practical options. Confirm your tours and tickets for AlUla and Diriyah ahead, as capacity is managed.

What to actually do

The jewel is AlUla — the Nabataean tombs of Hegra (a quieter, crowd-free cousin of Petra), dramatic desert rockscapes and Elephant Rock. Add the restored mud-brick old town of Diriyah near Riyadh, the coral-stone alleys of historic Jeddah (Al-Balad), the cliff-edge Edge of the World, and Red Sea diving. It’s a destination for ancient history and raw desert landscapes rather than nightlife.

Honest take

Saudi is one of the most interesting “new” destinations on an SA passport — an easy e-visa, remarkable heritage, and far fewer crowds than the regional norm. Go in winter, respect the conservative local rules, and budget for a shorter, focused trip. Land with a data eSIM so maps and ride apps work on arrival.