Unnamed sources have said the purpose of the visit is to persuade Col Gaddafi to step down South African President Jacob Zuma is expected in Libya shortly for what is being seen as a last attempt to find a peaceful solution to the conflict.
It is unclear if the visit, Mr Zuma's second since April, will focus on exit strategies for Col Muammar Gaddafi.One of Col Gaddafi's advisers has told the BBC there is no prospect of him stepping down, as the rebels demand.
On Sunday, Mr Zuma's ruling African National Congress condemned Nato's air and missile strikes in Libya.
"We... join the continent and all peace-loving people of the world in condemning the continuing aerial bombardments of Libya by Western forces," the party said after a two-day meeting of its executive council.
Nato imposed a no-fly zone in Libya and began bombing Col Gaddafi's forces in March as they threatened to overrun rebel-held parts of the country, a month after nationwide anti-government protests began.
International pressure on Col Gaddafi continues to grow, with the G8 calling for his departure on Friday and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev saying on Saturday he no longer had the right to lead Libya.
The chairman of the Benghazi-based rebel Transitional National Council, Mustafa Abdul Jalil, welcomed the statements, saying: "The entire world has reached a consensus that Col Gaddafi and his regime have not only lost their legitimacy but also their credibility."
But the Libyan government said it was not concerned by the G8's decisions, saying it was merely an economic summit.
"We are an African country. Any initiative outside the AU framework will be rejected," Deputy Foreign Minister Khalid Kaim said.
Attack helicopters Mr Zuma's office said the main objective of his visit was to discuss with Col Gaddafi an immediate ceasefire, the delivery of humanitarian aid and the implementation of reforms needed to end the crisis.
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One of Col Gaddafi's advisers admits the South African president's visit may be their last chance of a diplomatic way out, but says there's no possibility of the man they call the Brother Leader stepping aside - as both Nato and the rebels are demanding.
There is support for the alliance though on the streets of Tripoli, even as life gets tougher. Petrol shortages are now so severe people report queuing for up to five days.
No-one likes being bombed, said one resident and anti Gaddafi campaigner, but we need Nato to get rid of him.
But his opponents are still too scared to protest openly in Tripoli.
Analysis
There is support for the alliance though on the streets of Tripoli, even as life gets tougher. Petrol shortages are now so severe people report queuing for up to five days.
No-one likes being bombed, said one resident and anti Gaddafi campaigner, but we need Nato to get rid of him.
But his opponents are still too scared to protest openly in Tripoli.
It also rejected as "misleading" reports that their talks would focus on agreeing an exit strategy for Col Gaddafi.
Unnamed South African government sources said last week that the purpose of the visit was to persuade the Libyan leader to step down.Libyan state television meanwhile said Mr Zuma was going to discuss the implementation of the AU "roadmap", which was drawn up in February and called for an immediate ceasefire.
South Africa voted for the UN Security Council resolution 1973 authorising the use of force to protect civilians in Libya despite the AU's concerns. Since then, Mr Zuma has joined other African leaders in accusing Nato of overstepping its mandate and calling for an end to the bombardment.
However, the rebel Transitional National Council has refused to begin negotiations to end the crisis until Col Gaddafi steps down.
On Saturday evening, Mr Abdul Jalil accused government forces of attacking rebel-held towns in the western Nafusa mountains "with heavy artillery, tanks and rocket launchers.
"They continue to shell and besiege the city of Misrata, and also impose arbitrary measures that include random arrests, torture, and raids of homes in the city of Tripoli, Zawiya, Zwara, and many other cities.
"We witness how Col Gaddafi presents initiatives to fool the world and create the illusion that he is in search of peace.
"It is with this in mind that we would like to reconfirm that the basis of any consideration for the resolution of the Libyan crisis is the removal of the main reason for this crisis, Col Gaddafi. As such, there is no room for negotiation until his departure and the departure of his regime."
Jacob Zuma travelled to Tripoli in April to discuss a ceasefire with Col Gaddafi "The people around him and the aides and people who are fighting for him are diminishing, some are deserting," he added.
Mr Zuma's visit comes days after the UK and France announced they were sending attack helicopters to join the Nato effort, as the alliance attempts to break the deadlock which has left the rebels in control of eastern Libya and the government running most of the west.
The UK has also said it could use "bunker busting" bombs, capable of penetrating reinforced buildings, in a matter of hours in Libya.
"We are not trying to physically target individuals in Gaddafi's inner circle on whom he relies but we are certainly sending them increasingly loud messages," said Defence Secretary Liam Fox.
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