Why queue for Europe when staying local is ‘lekker’?
· The South African
Europe is having its busiest, most crowded summer yet.
Visit freshyourfeel.org for more information.
July and August alone accounted for 31% of all annual accommodation nights booked across the EU, according to Eurostat’s data.
For South Africans specifically, getting there in the first place adds another layer entirely.
The hidden cost of a European holiday, before you even land
South African passport holders need a Schengen visa for any short stay in Europe.
It’s neither quick nor cheap.
The visa itself costs €90 (around R1 800) per adult, following an increase from €80 in June 2024.
Once you add VFS service fees, the real cost climbs to roughly R2 300 to R2 600 per person. That amount is non-refundable even if you’re turned down.
A family of four, for example, could spend more than R9 000 on visa and service fees alone, before flights, accommodation, travel insurance and spending money are taken into account.
Processing officially takes 15 days, but can stretch to 45 days during busy periods.
Applicants are advised to apply 6 to 12 weeks ahead of travel.
On top of the paperwork, cost, and waiting, South African applicants face a real chance of rejection.
Estimates range from roughly 5% to 15% depending on the source, hardly a sure thing after all that effort and expense.
READ | No visa, no problem: 31 African countries South Africans can visit
Why South Africa and Zimbabwe are winning instead
While Europe deals with overtourism, South Africa and Zimbabwe are being positioned as the smarter 2026 summer alternative, offering wide open space, wildlife, whale-watching, and private stays without a single visa application standing in the way for local travellers.
Private, exclusive-use lodges in the Greater Kruger region are leaning directly into this shift, offering families and groups their own rhythm rather than a fixed lodge schedule shared with strangers.
Spending upwards of R2 500 and waiting six weeks just to maybe get into Europe makes a private Kruger villa look like the easy choice, hey.
South Africa also has plenty to offer beyond safari tourism, from the beaches of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape to the Garden Route, Cape Winelands and whale-watching destinations.
Neighbouring Zimbabwe also offers South African travellers an opportunity to experience an international holiday without the long-haul journey to Europe.
Victoria Falls remains one of the region’s standout attractions, while Zimbabwe’s national parks and safari destinations provide another option for travellers seeking wildlife and nature.
Sometimes the grass really is greener right where you are. As a frequent traveller, every time I land back home, I’m reminded just how true that is.
Would you rather deal with the Schengen visa process for a European holiday, or stay closer to home this year?
Let us know in the comments below …