Is South Africa safe to visit? Everything you need to know

Let’s answer the first question on everyone’s lips.

Is it safe to travel to South Africa?

Yes. Yeah. Oui. Ja. Si. Hai. Da. It is safe to visit South Africa. Sure, there is crime. We’re not denying it. There will be that pickpocket on the lookout for dangling cameras.

The golden rule of safety in South Africa is to be informed, be aware, use your common sense and act on your gut feeling. Also, listen to and follow your tour leader, guide or host’s advice. They have dealt with many holidaymakers and will tell you exactly which way the wind blows, what to do and what not to do. Trust their experience. It will help you to keep safe in South Africa.

Safety in South Africa

We’re safari specialists, not preachers but we want to land this piece of advice right here and now: let your safety take precedence. Do your research and ask your travel agent or tour operator for their input on each leg of your journey. Chat with friends or family that have travelled to South Africa. Being prepared doesn’t take the thrill out of your trip. Instead, you won’t waste time worrying and instead, spend more time soaking up the sunshine.

As born and bred South Africans, which affords us true local status, we’ve observed many a tourist casually strolling around town, caught up in the surrounding vibrancy whilst an expensive-looking and recently-purchased camera dangles from their neck. In fact, a lack of streetwise awareness (combine this with an infra-red sunburn as a direct and painful result of underestimating South Africa’s sunny rays) make for dry commentary: “He’s a walking target” and “Ouch, that’s got to hurt” or a simple, “Yoh, bru …” as we shake our heads in sympathy.

We’ve got your back

Of course, it’s every tourist, safari-goer, backpacker and global traveller’s passport-carrying right to capture the sights of a new country but do so with the knowledge and the peace of mind that you’ve brushed up on your safety tips and concerns – whether you travel by yourself, in a group, with your partner or the family. Our team here at African Budget Safaris considers your well-being as a guest in our beautiful country just as important as offering you unforgettable safari adventures.

Simply put, we’ve got your back. Some of the safety tips might seem elementary or plain obvious, but we believe in giving you a thorough guide to safety in South Africa – including valuable local input that won’t pop up in a general Google search.

Medical Safety in South Africa & What to Do Before You Leave

Preparing for your trip to South Africa is one of the first ways of pre-empting any unfortunate experiences. We’ve gone into detail on vaccinations, malaria precautions and other health-related considerations in our blogs, Safety on African Safaris and Malaria Made Simple, so head over there to get the full low-down on everything related to medical safety.

Also, make sure you get full medical insurance. South Africa has good medical facilities in its urban areas but, should something go awry in the bush, you may need to be airlifted out, so good medical cover is a non-negotiable must-have.

Staying safe in South Africa while travelling

Safety tip number one: book your flight so you land during the daytime and not some obscure hour at night. The only deep end you want to find yourself in is the sparkling pool at the safari camp; not trying to negotiate with a rogue taxi driver on your arrival at 02:00 in the morning. If it’s unavoidable, organize for a known shuttle to collect you from arrivals and deliver you to the door of your first hotel or guesthouse.

The good old days of figuring out which way to go by trying to make sense of a gigantic map that folds in funny ways are long gone. Should you be one of a handful of navigators who loves charting your course, there are indeed maps aplenty. If you’d rather rent a vehicle, then Google Maps is your backseat driver for directions; or your app of preference. Know that you might be cruising along a double-lane highway, sipping on roadside coffee, when suddenly, a winding dirt road peppered with potholes looms in front of you. But then a 4x4 will do the trick.

That said, the national roads are generally in good condition. They’re tarred with all the road signs along the way in English. You’re in for a treat … try to pronounce place names like Putsonderwater, Ixopo, Riemvasmaak, Hluhluwe, Aggeneys, Boipatong, Pniel, Phuthaditjhaba, Kalbaskraal!

Important safety tip: place your belongings in the glovebox (we call it a ‘cubby-hole’) or lock them away in the trunk (locally known as a ‘boot’). Don’t leave any items lying around even if your car is locked. Stick to the rules of the road, especially the speed limit. On arrival at your destination, ask your host about local safety and secure parking.

To keep safe, make sure your car doors are locked and the windows up when you stop at traffic lights (we call them ‘robots’ in South Africa). There are many beggars who walk between the rows of cars. Instead of giving them money, rather purchase an online voucher from one of many NGOs such as U-turn – they provide food, clothing and support services for people living on the street.

Uber, of course, is ridiculously convenient and operates in the following South African cities: Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth. Johannesburg and Cape Town, especially, are equipped to deal with international visitors’ transportation requirements – especially when it comes to shared minibuses and shuttles.

All aboard the Gautrain or a MiCiti bus

This 80-km (50-mi) mass rapid transit railway system links Johannesburg, Pretoria, Ekurhuleni and OR Tambo International Airport. Safety and security are top priorities with CCTV camera surveillance, both on trains and in stations, a 24-hour security presence at all stations and secure fencing along the Gautrain route. There is also a Gautrain bus service monitored via satellite tracking to ensure a safe and secure environment for passengers.

This brings us to the popular and oh-so-convenient MiCiti – Cape Town’s version of bus rapid transit. Consider your public transport sorted in this neck of the woods! 

Both the Gautrain and MiCiti accept reloadable travel cards. And since we’re talking travelling, bring along certified copies of all your travel documents.

Is taking taxis safe?

Millions of locals use taxis (minivans) as their mode of public transportation. These taxis are notorious for several reasons: they are usually packed to capacity and even then, a few more will be squeezed in. The drivers are heavy on the accelerator – dodging in and out of traffic like alpine skiers gunning for gold.

The use of flicker lights is as rare as chicken dentures. Your best bet is to let them pass and have a ‘predictive’ mindset when driving. You can bet your visa the taxi will swerve in front of you. Just keep your cool behind the wheel.

South Africa’s infamous car guards

The enthusiasm with which some car guards direct you into an empty parking space is something to behold. There’s whistling, grand motioning and very audible directions. This is followed by a solemn promise to look after your car that resembles a frenzied confession to a priest.

Here again, don’t flash and flaunt your belongings before locking your car. Tip them on your return. Spare change will do the trick. Some will offer to wash your car on the spot. It’s your call whether you take up the offer.

Is it safe to walk?

Even if you’re a night owl, don’t walk in the dark. It’s just too risky. Rather head out in the morning after a slap-up breakfast. Here again, tap your host for info on where it’s safe to walk. They know their neighbourhoods inside out and will tell you which areas are safe with wonderful markets, sidewalk cafés, intriguing shops and street scenes, sounds, aromas and vibes galore.

Cape Town and Durban have wonderfully scenic promenades to walk, jog or cycle along. If you’re in Johannesburg head for the urban precincts such as Maboneng and Melrose Arch.

Leave the jewellery box at home

That cluster of a diamond ring you inherited from your great-great-grandma? Rather leave it at home. If sporting golden chains are your thing, leave that next to the ring. The same goes for expensive watches. Rather get a cheapie at a flea market over here. You’d be a walking magnet for preying eyes otherwise.

By the same token, South Africa has a mix of wonderful contemporary jewellery designers with a flair for the unique. There’ll be more than one piece you’ll eye to add to your collection. That said, your choice of accommodation, be it a hotel, a safari lodge, a guesthouse or a B&B will have a safe to store your valuables. Just remember your code! Rather opt for your date of birth rather than your buddy’s wedding date.

Staying safe when you go out on the town

Keep your belongings close when venturing out. That means closed zips, locked bags and the like. When you tuck into a mouth-watering meal with a distinct South African twist, don’t let your bag hang from the back of your chair. The same goes for when you try a locally-made craft beer at a bar. Keep your belongings where you can see them. As simple as that.

South Africans like to kuier. That’s ‘socialize’ for general vocabulary. The vibe over here is a lively one. And with the African sun making a draft or a cocktail that much more enticing, take care not to over-indulge. You do not want to lose control and, once you come to your senses, find yourself in an unknown place with a bunch of strangers.

The urban fable that, ‘elephants roam the streets’ is not true; unfortunately, criminal elements do. Again, we’re not preaching from a dizzy height. Simply a word of caution to keep you safe and ensure your safari adventure is an awesome experience without a nasty incident. The huge number of repeat visitors to our shores and game reserves is a testament that you can indeed enjoy a carefree visit from arrival until departure.

Here’s another street-smarts safety tip: do not offer, negotiate or accept a bribe from a policeman or a traffic official. You may find yourself in even deeper trouble should you choose to tweak the law.

Your next step in an emergency

Save this trio of numbers on speed dial and/or memorize them, should the paw-paw strike the fan. Keep your phone charged. Seriously, in the event of an emergency or any other traumatic situation, the last thing you want to worry about is a call failure.

10111 – Nationwide Emergency Response

This is for any emergency that would require a response from the South African Police (SAP). Dial it from anywhere in the country. Call center operators will take the incoming call, gather all necessary info then assign the emergency to the right response team.

This may be a Flying Squad patrol vehicle or the nearest police station. Calls to this number on a landline are free. Cellphone calls are charged at the standard cellphone rates.

112 – Cellphone Emergency

Call this number from any cellphone in South Africa. A call centre will then route you to the emergency service closest to you. Note that when you dial this number, it is followed by an automated menu. This call is free (or ‘mahala’ in the local tongue) and even possible on a cellphone that doesn’t have airtime.

10177 – Ambulance Response

This is the number you need in case of a medical emergency – both the fire and police departments will be on alert, depending on casualties.

Money, money, money

Is it safe to draw cash at ATMs? Here again, make sure that it’s situated in a safe location. Rather withdraw cash at the hotel if you’re staying in one or opt for an ATM (cash machine) in a shopping mall. Be wide awake when you use an ATM on the street and rather don't withdraw cash after sunset.

Is it safe to visit a township in South Africa?

South Africa’s townships have a rich and ever-evolving vibe – be it the area’s political history, its inhabitants, then there’s the delicious (and unusual!) food and beverages, the sport played, and the art created. They’re essentially informal settlements and yes, a high level of poverty exists. So, is it safe?

Dependable and reputable tour operators have characterful guides who grew up in the township and therefore have strong ties to the community. They know their onions – all the places that are safe to visit and they know those to avoid.

The upshot is that these tours directly benefit the township residents – either with donations to community entrepreneurship or by bringing business to the plethora of shops, restaurants and taverns.

Have fun! Do check out the ever-popular Mzoli’s braai (barbeque) restaurant in Gugulethu close to Cape Town. It’s hands down the best hangout spot on a Sunday afternoon. Visitors wax lyrical about its meat, ambience and location. Crowds file through the entrance and local DJs keep the mood funky until late in the afternoon. This local institution is a meat lover’s idea of paradise. You heard it here first!

#savelikealocal

Water restrictions are the norm in several of South Africa’s provinces. From households to farms, people are doing their utmost to not waste this vital resource.

We urge you to use water sparingly, even if you’re visiting an area that seemingly has a great deal of water. Dam levels have recently risen, but it’s not the case for all of them. Know that there are areas experiencing heavy drought. We say, fill your boot with bottles of mineral water (when travelling to those parts).

South Africa’s tap water is safe to drink, but in certain places the quality of water is inconsistent – it depends on the location really. The best advice we can give you is to do a bit of research beforehand. Or go ahead and simply ask the locals if it’s safe to drink the tap water.

We don’t advise you to drink water directly from rivers and streams.

Dinner by candlelight anyone?

Load shedding … don’t even get (some) locals started on it. From time to time certain areas in the country will experience "scheduled" power outages.

But hey, you’ve chosen South Africa for your safari. Simply see it as a welcome slice of off-the-grid vacationing! Who cares if the lights work when, on a clear night in the bush, you can turn your gaze upwards and marvel at the Milky Way in all its clarity? Then there’s the magical Southern Cross ... In countless African myths, it represents the journey of giraffes in the sky.

In others, they symbolize lions. Then there are the myths that depict the Cross as one gigantic head of a great giraffe. We digress.

Note that safari camps, hotels, restaurants, shopping malls and popular tourist attractions know the drill and are prepared and well-equipped with generators – for your convenience.

A quick lowdown on political stability in South Africa

The country has a leader at the national centre in President Cyril Ramaphosa who promotes the idea of a fully South African identity. His use of many of the country’s languages while speaking – he strives to unite people rather than divide them – and his mission to combat corruption in politics has an ever-increasing impact.

Nelson Mandela made sure that South Africa drew up an exemplary constitution. The rights of individuals and groups are at times a contentious issue. So, there are large and smaller protests, on occasion – most are peaceful though. We suggest you avoid areas where protesting takes place. Again, ask the locals and watch the local news to keep updated.

Gender-based violence in South Africa makes headlines

Unfortunately, the country has one of the world’s highest gender-based violence rates. SA’s history of brutality is still entrenched to a degree with hypermasculinity, the fallout. By the same token, there is a countrywide drive to teach nonviolence and respect for women and children. The ideal is to create a safer society for marginalized identities.

Safety Tips (especially for women):

• Single female visitors have a ‘curiosity value’ that makes them conspicuous; then again it may also bring forth sincere offers of assistance and hospitality. Despite the risk of assault, many women travel alone safely in South Africa but do your homework first.
• There is a risk involved depending on where you go and what you do: don’t hike on your own, get behind the wheel after dark, hitch-hike or give hitch-hikers a lift.
• The risk is less if two women travel together or if a woman travels with a mixed-sex couple or group.
• In the interior and in more traditional communities, it's best to conduct yourself in a conservative manner. Along the coast, get as casual with your clothing as you want to be.
• Always keep common sense top of mind and have your wits about you – especially at night.
• Even if the sun is out, avoid isolated places, roadsides, and remote beaches.
• Take your cell phone along – especially if you drive alone.

Safety while on safari in the bush

We’ve previously featured safety when going on a safari adventure – remember the animals are in their own territory, you're on their turf! – in our blog Safety on African Safaris. Make sure to have a read of all our safari safety tips and hints, before you head out into the bush!

Again, just to recap:

Is South Africa safe to visit?

Yes.

Ask us for safety advice, we’re here to help

So, that’s us – listing the do’s and don’ts for a memorable and safe holiday in South Africa. 

Other than this, be aware that if you’re a visitor from the shores of England, you’ll be a sitting duck for chirps and commentary regarding your team’s performance during the recent Rugby World Cup final against the mighty Springboks. All in good spirits though!

Our friendly travel consultants are a fountain of local knowledge and are more than happy to answer any questions you might have and help you book your dream South African safari. You can get hold of them through our contact page or send us an e-mail.