Visa-Free & Visa-on-Arrival Holiday Packages from South Africa (2026)

Overview: This page brings together Travelwings' holiday packages from South Africa to destinations that are widely understood to offer visa-free entry or a visa on arrival to South African passport holders — 34 trips across Mauritius, the Seychelles, the Maldives, Zanzibar, Thailand, Bali, Namibia and Saudi Arabia. Trips run from two to ten nights, from beach resorts and island retreats to a Namibia safari and a Saudi heritage tour, and lead-in prices currently start from ZAR 10,000 per person on a double-sharing basis. Entry rules change from time to time and depend on your exact nationality, so treat the guidance below as a starting point and confirm the current requirements for your passport before booking. To book, call +27 12 006 0003 or email sa.care@travelwings.com.

Why choose a visa-free or visa-on-arrival holiday from South Africa?

For many travellers, the simplest holiday is the one that asks least of your passport — no embassy appointment, no long wait, just a smoother arrival. The destinations on this page are popular precisely because entry tends to be straightforward for South African passport holders, while still covering some of the most rewarding island, beach, safari and heritage trips Travelwings offers.

• Simpler entry: Each destination here is generally understood to offer visa-free entry or a visa on arrival to South African passport holders, subject to confirmation.
• A genuine range of trips: Indian Ocean islands, Far East beaches, a Namibia safari and a Saudi heritage tour all sit on one page.
• Flights on many packages: The Mauritius, Seychelles, Maldives, Thailand, Bali and Saudi Arabia trips include return economy airfare.
• Every budget: Lead-in prices run from ZAR 10,000 for a week in Zanzibar to ZAR 65,000 for a flagship Maldives stay.
• Always confirmed: The team can talk you through the latest entry position for your nationality before you book.

Which visa-free and visa-on-arrival destinations can you book?

Travelwings runs 34 packages from South Africa to these easier-entry destinations, grouped here by country. At a glance:

• Mauritius — 7 beach and resort packages, flights included, from ZAR 23,500
• Seychelles — 4 island resorts, flights included, from ZAR 27,250
• Maldives — 4 island resorts, flights included, from ZAR 44,000
• Zanzibar — 10 beach resorts, land-only, from ZAR 10,000
• Thailand — 3 beach and tour packages, flights included, from ZAR 20,099
• Bali (Indonesia) — 2 culture-and-beach packages, flights included, from ZAR 22,299
• Namibia — 2 safari tours, land-only, from ZAR 10,750
• Saudi Arabia — 2 heritage tours, flights included, from ZAR 42,999

The sections below set out the general entry position for each destination — always to be confirmed for your passport — and the packages available. All prices are per person on a double-sharing basis and reflect the current offer. Most of these are island and beach trips, so for the full coastal range our beach and island holidays from South Africa gather every beach and island package in one place.

Mauritius — generally visa-free for South African passport holders

Mauritius is widely understood to allow visa-free entry to South African passport holders for tourism, which makes it one of the easiest Indian Ocean islands to arrange. The seven packages here — Veranda Grand Baie (from ZAR 23,500), Mauricia Beachcomber, Shandrani Beachcomber, the Honeymoon at Victoria Beachcomber, Radisson Blu Azuri, Preskil Island Resort and Long Beach (up to ZAR 41,500) — all include return economy airfare. Confirm the current entry conditions for your nationality before you travel.

Seychelles — visitor's permit issued on arrival

The Seychelles does not require a visa in advance; instead it is generally understood to issue a visitor's permit on arrival to travellers who meet the conditions, including a valid passport, onward travel and accommodation. The four island resorts here — Kempinski (from ZAR 27,250), Savoy Resort & Spa, Coco de Mer & Black Parrot Suites and the five-star Story Seychelles (up to ZAR 46,000) — all include flights. Check the latest requirements before booking.

Maldives — free visa on arrival for visitors

The Maldives is widely understood to grant a free visa on arrival to visitors who hold a valid passport, onward travel and a confirmed booking. The four resorts here — Sun Siyam Olhuveli (from ZAR 44,000), Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma, the Hard Rock Hotel and the five-star Grand Park Kodhipparu (up to ZAR 65,000) — all include flights and resort transfers. Confirm the current position for your nationality before you travel.

Zanzibar — visa on arrival typically available

Zanzibar, part of Tanzania, is generally understood to offer a visa on arrival to many visitors, though some travellers prefer to arrange entry in advance, so it is worth confirming the latest position. The ten beach resorts here are land-only, ranging from the Zanzibar Bay Resort (from ZAR 10,000) and Fumba Beach Lodge through Karafuu, Bluebay, Diamonds Mapenzi, Sea Cliff, Meliá and Dream of Zanzibar to Gold Zanzibar Beach House and Hotel Riu Jambo (up to ZAR 24,000) — and these pair naturally with a mainland safari for a combined beach-and-bush trip. Visa fees, where they apply, are not included in the package price.

Thailand — visa-free entry often available for short stays

Thailand is generally understood to allow visa-free entry to South African passport holders for short tourist stays, though the permitted length and conditions can change, so confirm before you travel. The three packages here all include flights: A Trip to Phuket (from ZAR 20,099), the ten-night Beautiful Thailand tour and Best of Phuket & Krabi (up to ZAR 28,599).

Bali (Indonesia) — visa on arrival commonly available

Indonesia is widely understood to offer a visa on arrival to many visitors travelling to Bali for tourism, subject to the usual conditions. The two packages here include flights: A Balinese Retreat (from ZAR 22,299) and A Balinese Getaway. Confirm the current entry and any visa-on-arrival fee before you travel, as these are not included in the package.

Namibia — generally visa-free for South African passport holders

Namibia is widely understood to allow visa-free entry to South African passport holders for tourism, which makes it one of the simplest regional trips to organise. The two land-only safari tours here — the two-night Namibia Etosha Safari from Windhoek (from ZAR 10,750) and the nine-night Namibia Desert, Coast & Etosha Tour (ZAR 30,500) — focus on Etosha's wildlife and the desert scenery. Confirm the latest requirements for your passport before travelling.

Saudi Arabia — e-visa or visa on arrival for eligible nationalities

Saudi Arabia is generally understood to offer an e-visa or a visa on arrival to eligible nationalities for tourism, so it is worth checking your eligibility in advance. The two flights-included heritage tours here — Gems of Saudi Arabia (from ZAR 42,999) and Tales of Arabia (ZAR 52,999) — explore AlUla, Riyadh and the kingdom's history alongside its wider heritage attractions. Any visa fee is not included in the package price.

Do these packages include flights?

Flight inclusion depends on the destination. The Mauritius, Seychelles, Maldives, Thailand, Bali and Saudi Arabia packages include return economy airfare, while the ten Zanzibar resorts and the two Namibia tours are land-only, with flights arranged separately. On the land-only trips the team can quote and book flights alongside the package so the whole holiday is organised in one place.

What's included in these packages?

Inclusions vary by package, but most cover a consistent core:

✅ Resort, hotel, lodge or tour accommodation for the nights shown

✅ Daily breakfast, with half-board, full-board or all-inclusive plans on several resorts

✅ Airport, speedboat or seaplane transfers as the destination requires

✅ Return economy airfare on the flights-included packages above

✅ Guided touring and game viewing on the tour and safari packages

❌ International flights on the land-only Zanzibar and Namibia packages

❌ Visa fees or visa-on-arrival charges, where they apply

❌ Lunches and dinners where only breakfast is specified

❌ Optional excursions, activities and personal expenses

The exact inclusions and exclusions are listed on each package, so check the detail before booking.

A note on visa requirements

The destinations on this page are grouped here because they are generally understood to offer visa-free entry or a visa on arrival to South African passport holders. However, entry rules can and do change, they depend on your exact nationality and passport, and they may carry conditions such as a minimum passport validity, proof of onward travel, confirmed accommodation or an arrival fee. This page is a starting point, not formal immigration advice. Always confirm the current requirements with the relevant embassy or official source before you book, and the Travelwings team can talk you through the latest position for your nationality.

When is the best time to travel?

The ideal months differ by destination. Mauritius, the Seychelles and Zanzibar are warm year-round with drier, sunnier windows; the Maldives is at its best from about November to April; Thailand and Bali have their own dry seasons; Namibia's game viewing peaks in the dry months of roughly May to October; and Saudi Arabia is most comfortable in the cooler season. Because every package is privately arranged, you can travel on the dates that suit you, and the team will flag any peak-season surcharges before you book.

Can you add a safari to a visa-free island holiday?

Several of these easier-entry destinations pair naturally with time in the bush. Zanzibar sits a short hop from Tanzania's game reserves, and Namibia is a safari in its own right, so an island or beach week combines easily with a game-drive itinerary. If wildlife is part of what you are after, our safari and wildlife packages from South Africa gather the safari options, and the team can build a combined trip.

Prefer a heritage trip with easy entry?

Not every easier-entry holiday is about the beach. Saudi Arabia's AlUla and Riyadh and Bali's temples bring history and culture into the mix, and if landmarks and guided touring appeal more than a resort, our culture and heritage holidays from South Africa gather the landmark-led tours, several of which also sit in easier-entry destinations.

More holiday ideas from South Africa

Easier entry is just one way to choose a holiday. When you are ready to compare these destinations side by side or plan something different next time, our South Africa holidays collection brings together dozens of destinations as all-inclusive packages with hotels, transfers and guided touring — and the team can tailor any of them with extra nights, room upgrades or added stops.

Disclaimer: All prices are lead-in fares per person on a double-sharing basis, shown in South African rand, and reflect the offers available at the time of writing. Fares, inclusions, hotels and itineraries are subject to availability and change, and rates may differ during peak periods, festive dates and special events. Flight inclusion varies by package as noted above. Visa-free and visa-on-arrival status is indicative only, depends on your nationality and passport, and can change at any time; any visa or arrival fees are not included. Entry requirements remain the traveller's responsibility and should be confirmed with the relevant authority before booking.

Frequently asked questions

1. What does visa-free or visa-on-arrival mean on this page?

It means each destination here is generally understood to let South African passport holders enter without arranging a visa in advance — either with no visa for short tourist stays, or with a visa issued on arrival. It is indicative guidance, not a guarantee, so confirm for your nationality before booking.

2. How many packages are on this page?

There are 34 packages from South Africa to easier-entry destinations, across Mauritius, the Seychelles, the Maldives, Zanzibar, Thailand, Bali, Namibia and Saudi Arabia.

3. Which destinations are usually visa-free for South African passport holders?

Mauritius and Namibia are widely understood to offer visa-free entry for tourism, while the Seychelles issues a visitor's permit on arrival and the Maldives grants a free visa on arrival — all subject to confirmation.

4. Which destinations offer a visa on arrival?

The Maldives, Zanzibar (Tanzania), Bali (Indonesia) and, for eligible nationalities, Saudi Arabia are generally understood to offer a visa on arrival or an e-visa, while Thailand often allows visa-free entry for short stays.

5. Do the packages include flights?

The Mauritius, Seychelles, Maldives, Thailand, Bali and Saudi Arabia packages include return economy airfare, while the Zanzibar and Namibia packages are land-only with flights arranged separately.

6. Are visa fees included in the price?

No. Where a visa-on-arrival or e-visa fee applies, it is not included in the package price and is paid separately.

7. What is the cheapest package here?

The Zanzibar Bay Resort is the lowest-priced, with a seven-night land-only stay from ZAR 10,000 per person on a double-sharing basis.

8. Can the visa position change?

Yes. Entry rules can change at any time and depend on your exact nationality and passport, so always confirm the current requirements with an official source before you book.

9. Can I combine two of these destinations?

Yes. A Zanzibar beach week pairs well with a Namibia safari, and an island stay can be combined with a Saudi or Thailand trip — the team can build a combined itinerary.

10. Do I still need a passport?

Yes. A valid passport is required for every destination, usually with several months' validity beyond your travel dates, along with any onward-travel or accommodation proof the destination asks for.

11. Can the packages be customised?

Yes. Nights, hotels, meal plans, flights and added stops can all be tailored — contact the team with what you have in mind and they will adjust the package.

12. How do I book one of these holidays from South Africa?

Call +27 12 006 0003 or email sa.care@travelwings.com, and the team will confirm the current price, inclusions, flight position and latest entry guidance for your chosen dates.