KwaZulu-Natal is gearing up for a robust winter tourism season, with its warm climate and diverse tourism experiences. The Drakensberg is expecting a strong winter season. Located in the Northern Drakensberg, The Amphitheatre, pictured, is one of South Africa's most striking natural landmarks.
KwaZulu-Natal is gearing up for a robust winter tourism season, with projections showing that more than 920,000 visitors will travel to the province during the upcoming school holidays, contributing nearly R1.9 billion in tourism spending.
According to the Winter 2026 Tourism Forecast, an estimated 920,320 visitors are expected between June 26 and July 20, up from the 860,035 visitors recorded during the same period in 2025.
Domestic arrivals are forecast to reach 857,107, while international visitor numbers are expected to total 63,213. Tourism expenditure is projected to increase from R1.8 billion in 2025 to R1.9 billion this year.
The positive forecast reinforces KwaZulu-Natal’s status as South Africa’s premier winter holiday destination. The province’s warm climate, diverse tourism experiences, and year-round events calendar continue to attract travellers from across the country and internationally.
