Is South Africa safe to visit?

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TravelbuddiesLifestyle
December 1, 2022

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Is South Africa a safe country?

South Africa was ranked as the 17^th most-watched country for travel on TikTok out of 193 countries in 2021. Interestingly, South Africa received 40 million views, more than popular destinations like Greece, which received 37,8 million, and Turkey, which received 37.6 million. Unfortunately, South Africa is also regularly in the news for its high crime rate and tourists are often alarmed by these headlines. We often get asked how safe is South Africa.

Bernie lives in Johannesburg and has a holiday home in Cape Town. I have recently also purchased a property in Cape Town due to my love for South Africa and its people. I hope to spend much more time in this beautiful country as I grow older. I have only had good experiences in South Africa, and in the 15 years I have been visiting this country, I have never been a victim of any crime. Together, we have prepared this article for you to answer some of your questions about safety in South Africa.

Click here to see the general safety measures that you should follow.

Is it safe to visit Cape Town?

Cape Town is often perceived as being safer than Johannesburg. However, according to the 2022 report released by Statista, Cape Town is ranked high among the most dangerous cities in the world, followed by Nelson Mandela Bay and Durban. Noteworthy is that Johannesburg doesn’t appear in the top 50. Nevertheless, you can be relatively safe on the streets during the day. The safest areas are major shopping streets and tourist areas.

There is a high-security presence in the following areas of Cape Town:

V&A Waterfront
Bo-Kaap
Sea Point
Green Point
Clifton
Camps Bay

You should be especially careful on Longstreet, Cape Town’s party street. Petty theft is on the order of the day here. If you would like to visit a township, we recommend that you do this with a reputable tour company. Don’t feel brave walking around alone on Table Mountain. There are often crime incidents.

Another word of caution is when you land at Cape Town International Airport and you do not want to take a rental car, rather order an official Uber or taxi. Do not accept transport offers from drivers waiting outside the airport building. We always advise travelers to take night flights to ensure they arrive before sunset at the airport.

Safety tips for Cape Town central city

Watch out for ATM fraud

SCAM ALERT! You don't need a permit to walk on any street in Cape Town. Ignore fraudsters who insist on selling you one.
ATMs and vending machines inside food outlets do NOT issue permits of any kind.
Do not accept help from anyone when using an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM)! Keep your pin hidden.
If your credit card gets suck in a bank ATM machine do not walk away. Follow the instructions as fraudsters jam the machine to access your card.
Avoid walking alone in District Six and Woodstock.

Avoid being pick-pocketed or robbed

Do not walk in streets jewelry, or cameras on display. Avoid looking like a tourist. Handbags and laptops should be carried with caution.
When making a call from your cellphone in public be aware of your surroundings. Rather make a call when you are safe in a building.
Do not leave handbags unattended in restaurants. For example, hanging on the back of a chair.
Do not leave your cellphone unattened on a table in a resturant or bar.

Emergency numbers in Cape Town

Cape Town central city is patrolled by 300 public safety officers 24/7 to ensure your safety.

Here are some emergency numbers you can use:

Is it safe to visit Johannesburg?

It is highly recommended in Johannesburg to take guided tours and never to walk alone at night. Guided tours have the advantage of learning a lot about the country and its people without worrying about your safety.

Like in most metro areas, there are parts of Johannesburg that you should be a bit more cautious about than in other places.

These include:

Maboneng
Braamfontein
Constitution Hill

If you are traveling by car, you should be especially alert at intersections, as these are often the scene of high-jacking and smash-and-grab incidents. Criminals target the car or its.

Johannesburg airport is fairly safe, although we recommend landing here during daylight. Follow the same rules regarding Uber and taxis as for Cape Town International Airport.

Is it safe to visit Durban?

The same safety measures apply to Durban as to Johannesburg and Cape Town. The only difference for Durban is that you should be particularly cautious when visiting the Durban Marine Parade and the harbour area. Ushaka Marine World is safe and provides a great day‘s outing. The beaches are regarded as very unsafe, particularly during high season, although police presence has increased over the last couple of years. You can safely visit the neighbouring towns of Umhlanga, Umdloti, Zimbali and Balito. Most of the North coast towns are fabulous and safe.

Is it safe to travel on the roads in South Africa?

Driving in South Africa is much easier than you think. In contrast to Europe, there is traffic on the left, but you get used to this quickly. South Africans do not always obey the rules of the road, so you must be vigilant while driving and always expect anything to happen. You cannot depend on your right of way. Be extra vigilant when driving at night! It isn’t easy to spot people or animals walking on the streets.

Also, avoid stopping unnecessarily for long periods at stop streets and look around you at traffic lights. Keep your distance from the car in front of you so you can step on the gas and drive away if you need to.

Safety in your car

Keep any valuables out of sight. Put them in your boot before you start your trip.
Always lock your doors. Park in well-lit areas at night
Make sure your car is locked before leaving. Fraudsters use jamming devises to avoid you from locking the car.
Always have your keys ready in your hand when approaching your car.
Park in well-lit areas at night
Do not give strangers lifts.
Keep your windows closed at traffic lights and stop streets.
Do not pay attention to people at traffic lights pointing to something being faulty on your car. This is just to get you attention to open your window.

General safety tip for South Africa

Never leave your drink unattended in a bar.
Never carry large amounts of cash on you.
Leave your passport in the hotel's safe.
Ubers are generally safe to use. Do not travel with unaccredited cabs or taxis.
Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.
Never attempt hiking routes on your own.

Conclusion

Although South Africa has a high crime rate, it is still the most beautiful country, offering you experiences like no other. From pristine soft sandy beaches to an exquisite game lodge in unprecedented locations.

These safety tips ensure you can enjoy South Africa without becoming a victim of petty crimes. By just being street smart, you can avoid most of the unpleasant experiences and enjoy an unforgettable time in South Africa.

We encourage you to come and enjoy this wonderful country with its friendly and helpful people. Even though we have not fallen victim to any major crimes in South Africa, we are always alert and take precautions where possible.

These recommendations should be followed in South Africa and in most countries and metropolises

Please check the website of the Foreign Office of your country for the latest safety information before you travel.

We hope to hear about your amazing trip to South Africa and that this article helped you prepare for an unforgettable South African holiday. We wish you a wonderful time.

Your travel buddies

Petra and Bernie

Last updated 30/06/2023