Embassy of South Africa in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; address 7184 Mohammad Al Abdary Street, Al Khuzama District, Riyadh; phone +966114828515. Head of mission…
Head of mission: H.E. Mr. Mogobo David Magabe, Ambassador (as of 2025)
South Africa offers a diverse and vibrant cultural experience, making it an appealing destination for some Saudi visitors. With 4.8 million Saudis traveling abroad annually, there is potential for a segment of this population to explore South Africa, despite recent fluctuations in foreign visitor arrivals.
South Africa presents certain safety concerns for tourists, including those from Saudi Arabia. According to the Global Peace Index, South Africa is ranked 125th out of 160 countries, which indicates a lower level of safety compared to Saudi Arabia, ranked 100th. Crime statistics reveal significant differences in safety: the murder rate in South Africa is notably high at 41.9 per 100,000 people, compared to just 0.8 in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the female murder rate is 9.5 in South Africa versus 0.3 in Saudi Arabia. The Global Organized Crime Index also highlights challenges in South Africa, with higher indices for various crime categories, such as mafia groups (7.0 in South Africa vs. 3.0 in Saudi Arabia) and crime networks (7.0 in both countries). While South Africa has a more favorable score for human trafficking (4.5) compared to Saudi Arabia (8.5), other areas like arms trafficking and environmental crimes show similar levels of concern. Overall, while South Africa offers rich cultural experiences, tourists should remain vigilant and informed about safety risks.