Safety and Security
South Africa is generally a safe country to visit as a tourist. As long as you take few basic global safety precautions, your visit should be incident free.
- Do not leave any valuables or cash in an easily accessible place – put them in a locked safe in your hotel room or a safety deposit box at the hotel.
- It is preferable, when walking in the city, not to walk around with any exposed expensive jewellery or watches. Either leave them at home or in your safe in the hotel room.
- When walking around in the city, be discreet with your jewellery, watches, and electronic items like cameras etc. Do not draw attention to yourself by flaunting them.
- Keep your passport, plane ticket and other important documentation in a safe place such as the safe in your hotel room. It is advisable to make certified copies of all important documentation.
- Do not carry large amounts of cash on you.
- Avoid poorly lit, isolated areas at night.
- Avoid isolated areas and isolated beaches.
- When making use of an ATM, always be aware of who is around you. It is advisable not to go alone to an ATM as a person alone, is easily distracted. Do not accept offers of help from strangers. As nice, friendly and helpful as they may seem, they could be fraudsters.
- Don’t use ATM’s that are in isolated areas.
- If you would like to visit a township, make use of a reliable, registered tour guide.
- If you plan to hire a vehicle, make use of a map or GPS in order that your routes are planned to avoid getting lost in isolated areas. GPS’s are also available to hire at airports on arrival.
- Keep windows closed and doors locked. Make sure your valuables are not visible. You should rather place them in the trunk or in a compartment in the vehicle.
