Umrah packages from South Africa
A simple eVisa, no direct flights, and an operator check that happens on the Saudi side.
South Africa is one of only three African countries on the Saudi tourist eVisa list, so the visa is simple. Most packages run 10 to 14 days with flights from Johannesburg, Cape Town or Durban, connecting through Doha, Dubai, Addis Ababa, Istanbul or Cairo.
The licence question is less simple. The South African Hajj and Umrah Council (SAHUC) accredits Hajj operators, but has said it does not accredit Umrah operators. That is the Saudi Ministry's job.
- Currency
- South African rand (R)
- Airports
- Johannesburg O.R. Tambo (JNB), Cape Town (CPT), Durban King Shaka (DUR)
- Non-stop to Saudi Arabia
- None in 2026
- Visa route
- Tourist eVisa or Umrah visa; Nusuk Umrah
- Licensing
- Saudi Ministry approval; SAHUC accredits Hajj only
- Typical price
- R24,000 to R42,000 per person with flights, four per room
Umrah visa for South African citizens
SAHUC confirmed in September 2026 that South Africa is on the list of countries whose citizens can apply for the Saudi electronic tourist visa. It can be used for Umrah outside Hajj, is valid for a year with multiple entries, allows stays of up to 90 days and cannot be extended. Your passport needs at least six months' validity.
SAHUC also describes a dedicated Umrah visa through the official Saudi visa system: single entry with 90 days' validity and stay, or multiple entry valid for a year with stays of up to 90 days. South Africa is on Nusuk Umrah's list of serviced countries, so you can book there directly.
All pilgrims need the meningitis ACYW vaccine at least 10 days before arrival. South Africa is not on the Saudi lists that require a certificate, polio or yellow fever vaccination.
Who may sell Umrah in South Africa
SAHUC accredits operators for Hajj. For Umrah, SAHUC has said the opposite: "SAHUC does not accredit Umrah companies nor its principals... The (Saudi) Ministry of Hajj and Umrah accredits operators in the umrah space." In December 2023 its president urged people not to use operators that are not accredited by the Ministry for Umrah. SAHUC's website publishes no Umrah operator list.
Sources differ on this: a 2018 news report quoted a SAHUC regional representative saying all Hajj and Umrah operators must be SAHUC-accredited. The more recent statements say Umrah accreditation comes from Saudi Arabia, and that is the check we recommend.
Search Nusuk Masar's public list, Inquiry About Qualified External Agents: choose Umrah services, South Africa and your city. Or book on Nusuk Umrah or with the eVisa yourself. SAHUC accepts complaints through sahuc.co.za. See how to check an operator.
Umrah prices from South Africa
| Package seen | Published from | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| 10 nights, December peak, four per room | R24,999 | EgyptAir flights, hotels; triple R26,999, double R28,999 |
| 13 nights, November, four per room, from Cape Town | R32,900 | Ethiopian Airlines flights, hotels; triple R35,000, double R38,900 |
| 14 days, after Ramadan 2027, four per room, from Johannesburg | R33,000 | Qatar Airways flights, hotels |
| December, four per room, from Cape Town / Durban | R38,500 / R42,000 | Flights and hotels; the Durban trip is not guided and has no transport |
| Premium or multi-country | Up to about R60,000 to R66,000 | Varies |
Prices published by agencies serving South Africa, checked 29 October 2026. They are examples, not offers, and change with season and availability.
Flights
There were no direct flights from South Africa to Jeddah or Madinah when we checked on 29 October 2026. Saudia relaunched a Johannesburg to Jeddah non-stop in December 2023, but schedule sites list its last flight in October 2024.
- Johannesburg: most connections via Doha, Dubai and Addis Ababa, plus Istanbul, Abu Dhabi and Cairo. Fastest about 9 hours 55 minutes.
- Cape Town: via Doha, Dubai, Addis Ababa or Istanbul. Fastest about 10 hours 30 minutes.
- Durban: via Doha, Dubai or Istanbul. Fastest about 11 hours 25 minutes.
Check whether a package flies from your city: one Durban-based operator's general terms mention flights from Johannesburg although some of its packages fly from Durban. After the October 2026 attacks on Saudi airports, check flight status close to departure.
We do not sell packages. The prices on this page were published by agencies and checked by us on 29 October 2026. They are examples to help you judge the quotes you receive, not offers.
What to ask before you pay
- The licence or registration number, and where to check it.
- Both hotel names and the walking distance to the Haram.
- Room sharing, and whether flights, visa, transfers and meals are included.
- Cancellation and refund rules in writing.
Questions pilgrims ask
Can South Africans get an Umrah visa online?
Yes. South Africa is on the tourist eVisa list, which allows Umrah outside Hajj. A dedicated Umrah visa is also available.
Does SAHUC accredit Umrah operators?
No. SAHUC accredits Hajj operators and has said the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah accredits Umrah operators. Check the operator on Nusuk Masar.
Are there direct flights from South Africa to Saudi Arabia?
Not in 2026. Pilgrims connect via Doha, Dubai, Addis Ababa, Istanbul or Cairo.
How much is Umrah from South Africa?
Packages with flights were published at about R24,000 to R42,000 per person, four to a room, for November 2026 to April 2027.
Get quotes from licensed operators
Tell us where you travel from and when. A licensed operator in your country replies on WhatsApp.