Makkah is a special city in Saudi Arabia. It is the holiest place for Muslims. Every year, millions of people visit Makkah to perform Umrah and Hajj. They come to pray at the Kaaba inside Masjid al-Haram. South Africans can visit Makkah easily. There are direct flights from Johannesburg. The new e-visa system is also simple to use.
In 2025 Makkah held a record breaking 25 million visitors visiting to perform Umrah in the first 10 days of Ramadan.
Travel Tips
Flights from South Africa
You can fly directly from Johannesburg to Jeddah. Prices start at about ZAR 8,762 for a round trip. Both Ethiopian Airlines and Saudi Arabian Airlines offer flights. From Jeddah, you can take a train, taxi or bus to Makkah.
Visa Information
South Africans need a visa to visit Saudi Arabia. The good news is you can now apply online for an e-Visa. It costs SAR 535 (about ZAR 2,700). This visa lets you stay for up to 90 days. It is good for one year with multiple entries. You can use it for Umrah but not for Hajj.
Weather in Makkah
Makkah is very hot most of the year. Summer temperatures can reach 45°C or higher. The best time to visit is from November to February. During these months, the weather is cooler and more comfortable.
What to Pack
- Loose, modest clothing
- Comfortable sandals or shoes
- Sunscreen and a hat
- Prayer mat
- Small bag for your shoes (Complementary shoe bags provided by Zahara Travel)
- Ihram clothing if you’re doing Umrah or Hajj
- Lip balm and moisturizer (the air is very dry)
- Medication if you need it
What People Say
“Visiting Makkah changed my life. Standing in front of the Kaaba made me cry. I felt so close to Allah.” – Ahmed from Cape Town
“The climb up Jabal al-Nour was hard but worth it. I will never forget seeing the cave where our Prophet received the Quran.” – Fatima from Durban
“I was worried about the crowds, but everything was well organized. The locals were very helpful when I got lost.” – Ibrahim from Johannesburg
Accommodation
Hotels
If you want to stay close to Masjid al-Haram, there is no shortage of hotels. The closest hotels offer great views of the Haram. They are expensive but are convenient and close to the Haram.
Budget Hotels
You can find cheaper hotels further away from the Masjid al-Haram, But they offer free shuttle buses to the mosque. Some good options cost as little as ZAR 800 per night.
Pilgrim Housing
During Hajj season, most people stay in the tent city of Mina. These tents have air conditioning. The government assigns these tents to Hajj groups.
Umrah
Umrah is a shorter pilgrimage to Makkah. Unlike Hajj, you can perform Umrah any time of the year. Many South Africans choose to do Umrah during Ramadan. The main parts of Umrah are:
- Entering the state of Ihram (wearing special white clothes)
- Performing Tawaf (circling the Kaaba seven times)
- Walking between Safa and Marwa hills seven times
- Cutting some hair to end the Umrah
Umrah takes a few hours to complete.
References
- Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah – https://www.haj.gov.sa/
- Saudi Arabia e-Visa Portal – https://visa.visitsaudi.com/
- South African Hajj and Umrah Council – https://sahuc.org.za/
- Saudi Arabian Airlines – https://www.saudia.com/
- Haramain High Speed Railway – https://www.hhr.sa/
- South African Embassy in Saudi Arabia – https://www.dirco.gov.za/riyadh/
- Saudi Arabia Tourism Board – https://www.visitsaudi.com/
- Makkah Record Numbers – https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/saudi/meccas-grand-mosque-sees-record-25-million-visitors-in-first-10-days-of-ramadan-1.500061588
