South Africa expressed optimism regarding the growing number of Portuguese tourists, and despite not having yet surpassed pre-pandemic numbers, Paloma Telle, representative of South African Tourism for the South of Europe, believes it could occur this year or the next.

“In 2023 the number of Portuguese tourists in South Africa increased. We predict that this number could return to pre-pandemic levels by 2025”, stated the person responsible.

Paloma Telle considers these numbers are “very optimistic”, adding that many Portuguese people continue to visit South Africa to meet friends and family, as the country has a vast Portuguese community, and increasingly there are more tourists visiting the country just for tourism.

Safaris in Kruger Park, as well as in the large cities of South Africa, such as Cape Town, continue to be the country’s main attractions, particularly for the Portuguese who visit the country for the first time.


“It all depends on whether tourists are visiting South Africa for the first time, or whether they are repeat visitors. Those who visit the country for the first time tend to explore Cape Town and Kruger Park.

Repeat visitors tend to extend their visits to the Garden Route, which connects the provinces of Eastern Cape with Western Cape, and some also visit the province of KwaZulu Natal”, she summarised.