Easy, sensible tips for staying safe in South Africa
South Africa safe to travel
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure for more information.

South Africa is an amazing country for world travelers! There is a lot to see, the weather is great (most of the year), the food is wonderful, the people are friendly, and it’s relatively cheap for travelers. However, South Africa has a really bad reputation when it comes to crime and violence. If you put all the benefits of traveling to this nation aside, is South Africa safe for travelers?

Here are the facts. When it comes to murders, Cape Town ranks 11th in the world (according to 2020 statistics), with 66 murders per 100,000 people. Astonishing! However, US Cities like St. Louis come in at 61, and Baltimore at 51  murders per 100,000. But if you take a closer look at the stats, there are 5 Mexican cities with even higher death rates in the top 10, yet Americans vacation in Mexico in large numbers every year. 

It is also very important to note that the murder rates in South Africa are high in gang-infested areas. If murder rates were high in touristy areas, South African tourism would come to a halt, but that is not happening. As fully vaccinated people are cleared to travel, many are choosing South Africa.

How to stay safe in South Africa

I grew up in South Africa, and I have had two incidents. Once I was on a commuter train (which I suggest tourists avoid), and my sunglasses were ripped off my face. The guy took it, jumped out of the train, and that was it. Then when I was living in Johannesburg, I parked my car in front of my house. An hour or so later I came out, and it was gone.  (Car highjackings were high in Johannesburg mid to late ’90s.)

In hindsight, I believe both those incidences could have been avoided. I shouldn’t have worn fancy sunglasses on a commuter train, and I should have taken the time to park the car in the garage. My point is, if you are street smart and you follow basic common sense, you will be fine.

When we travel to South Africa, we do not feel scared or anxious. I believe that’s because we follow the rules below.

How to protect your wallet and passport

Use common sense

If you are in a big city in the USA for example, you’re not going to be oblivious of your surroundings, and you’re not going to carry your wallet in your back pocket or unlocked backpack. The same safety rules that you would follow in other big cities apply in South Africa too. 

Don’t be flashy

If you have nice jewelry or an expensive purse, leave it at home. Do not travel with anything that you cannot replace—this advice applies to travel to any country in the world.

It is also important to be street smart. If you make it obvious that you’re a tourist, unscrupulous people will take advantage of that fact. 

Is South Africa safe to travel

Stick in tourist areas

Thieves and muggers want to get in and out without getting caught. They know that the security and police presence is heightened in touristy areas, so they either stay away, or they’re looking for easy targets.

No one is suggesting that tourist areas are 100% safe, but they are significantly safer than gang-infested areas. So while it may seem obvious, it is nonetheless worth mentioning—do not go to gang-infested areas. If you want to stay safe, do not even drive through them. When I was growing up, we were taught from a very early age never to go into certain areas. Even now when we visit, I make sure to drive miles out of the way to avoid certain areas. In fact, I have extended family who lives in some of these hot spots, but we do not visit them. Instead, I politely ask that they visit us.

Be aware

If it seems obvious that you’re aware of your surroundings, thieves are more likely to walk away. 

how to keep your passport safe

Don’t be an easy target

Thieves and muggers are like bullies—they’re looking for easy targets. Don’t be one. Don’t put yourself in a position where you can become a victim.

If your purse/bag is hanging off the back of a chair, you’re an easy target. If you leave your purse/bag on the chair while you go to the bathroom, you’re an easy target. If you seem oblivious to your surroundings, you are an easy target.

Do not walk at night

Even if you are in a group, it’s best not to walk around at night. Chances are you’ll be just fine, but why take chances.

Do not overtip

Honestly, most people in South Africa are wonderful, kind, decent people. If you overtip a car guard, I’m sure he would be eternally grateful and pray for the health of your family. However, there are people here and there who are perhaps not as nice. Just by looking at people, you cannot tell if someone is decent or if they mean you harm. Therefore, you have to play it safe.

When I took my husband to South Africa the first time, he would tip people R50 ($3.61 at the time of this writing) for watching the car. He meant well, but for an unscrupulous person, he could have been Mr. Moneybags and therefore made himself a target. 

Remove or hide valuables

If you are renting a car, do not put your purse on the passenger seat—someone will grab it, even if you’re in the car. Instead, hide it where it is not visible.

Do not drive with valuables. When you’re stopping at a traffic light (or a robot, as South Africans call it), someone may grab that fancy necklace.

If you are parking the car, remove your valuable. If someone is looking and sees something worth stealing, they will break the window to get it. Don’t even leave a $5 pair of sunglasses—whoever is looking doesn’t know it’s only $5.

Some people say to lock your car. I do not disagree. However, while I was living in Johannesburg, I had a different strategy. A neighbor told me that he keeps his car unlocked because, in his opinion, if they want to get in, they can just open the door instead of breaking the window. I did that for a long time. However, now when we visit, we lock the car. There is nothing of value visible—not even a can of soda.

Here’s an important side-note: In the USA, people throw away or donate clothes. In South Africa, poor people wear tattered clothes because they simply don’t have clothes and they don’t earn enough money to buy more. In other words—what a poor South African and a tourist values are two vastly different things. Therefore, do not underestimate the value of the things you leave in plain sight.

Listen to your instincts

If the little voice inside your head says to not walk down that dark, quiet road, don’t do it. Turn around and go to safety.

Blend in

Dress like the locals. South Africa is like any Western country. If you are from a Western country, you will fit right in. However, if you are not or you don’t dress like most westerners, consider changing your clothes to blend in.  

Consider a dummy wallet

Add a few cancelled or expired credit cards and a small amount of cash to an old wallet. (Keep your actual cash and credit cards hidden in a safety belt or somewhere similar). If you are ever in a situation where someone asks for your wallet, simply hand over the dummy wallet. By doing this, you avoid confrontation and the thief would be none the wiser until much later. 

I do not have a dummy wallet. I’ve never been in a situation where someone in South Africa asked me to hand over my wallet. I think that’s because we strictly follow all the above-mentioned safety tips. However, if it will help you feel more comfortable, it’s a strategy you can use.

A note from the author

If you live in a town where nothing bad ever happens, the above may feel intimidating and scary. You may be rethinking your plans of visiting South Africa. That’s not my intention. It’s a great country which we visit as often as we possibly can.

Rather, my intention is to empower you!

Since I’ve been traveling to South African with my family, nothing bad has ever happened to us because we follow the above rules. I think if you do the same, you’re going to have an amazing time. Who knows, you may want to go again!

Safe travels!

LOVE THIS POST? SHARE IT...
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest

RELATED POSTS

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

About The Author

Hi! We’re the Cheltens’. We visit South Africa 1-2 times per year. We want to share our experiences with you so that you may make educated decisions when you plan your next trip to the rainbow nation.

Time now at South Africa (GMT+2)

6:42 pm
Monday, December 31, 2023

Upcoming festivities/holidays in South Africa

December 2023

MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
SU
27
28
29
30
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Day Of Reconcilliation (National Holiday)
All Day
During the apartheid era, 16 December was known as the Day of the Vow. This was the day that the (white) Voortrekkers vowed before God that if they were to be victorious against the (black) Zulus, they and their descendants would observe the day as a day of thanksgiving. While 16 December is still celebrated in South A , ...
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
Day Of Goodwill (Public Holiday)
All Day
Previously Boxing Day. , ...
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Want to have your business or product featured?
We’re always looking for awesome places, products, activities, restaurants, travel accessories, or anything else that promotes the rich and colorful culture of South Africa.
Travel Categories
Best Travel Products
Sale
Ceptics South Africa Travel Plug Adapter (Type M) - 3 Pack [Grounded & Universal] (GP-10L-3PK)
  • Small Travel Size - 3 Pack
  • Standard: Type M plug, South Africa CEE 7/16. Grounded 3-Prong plug.
  • Accepts plugs from all countries including USA.
  • New conductivity design - internal metal interfaces provides better Conductivity
  • Grounded 3 Round Prong plug. Max Capacity Up to 3000 Watt (max 250 Volt, 13 A)
Sale
Money Belt for Men Travel Security Belt with Hidden Money Compartment Pocket, Cashsafe Anti-Theft Wallet Non-Metal Buckle
  • PATENT PENDING ; (🔥 KEEP YOUR CASH HIDDEN FROM YOUR WIFE / GF!🔥 ) Travel Security Money Belt
  • 🔒 BYE BYE PICKPOCKETS 💵 - DESIGNED FOR TRAVEL TSA 🧳 - keep your cash safe from pickpockets; equipped with an easy-to-use hidden zippered...
  • 💪 DURABLE - Made with Premium YKK Zipper with reinforced non-slip buckle, Adjustable wear-resisting nylon materia for waist sizes 26 to 42 inches....
  • ✅ Easy access and storage; quickly stash and remove your bills, coins, and keys with ease
  • ✅ NOT JUST A NORMAL BELT - It is a Long-lasting companion; made of premium quality top-grade webbing, YKK zipper, and a reinforced buckle; this...
TRAVELREST Nest Memory Foam Travel Pillow/Neck Pillow - Advanced Neck Support for Long Flights - Patented Design for Optimal Relaxation - Long Travel - Unmatched Sleep - Machine Washable - Blue
  • OPTIMAL SLEEP IN THE SKIES - TOP AIRPLANE NECK PILLOW FOR 2018 - 2023: ENDORSED BY THE NEW YORK TIMES WIRECUTTER. After undergoing multiple...
  • SLEEP INNOVATION: The Travelrest Ultimate shines with its distinctively angled back that stays flat against the seat, ensuring impeccable...
  • REVITALIZE YOUR TRAVEL EXPERIENCE: Engineered with thermo-sensitive memory foam, our flight pillow delivers optimal support for neck, shoulder, and...
  • EFFORTLESS RELAXATION EVERYWHERE YOU GO: Our neck pillow is your ultimate companion for long flights, car trips, train journeys, buses, couch...
  • SEAMLESS TRAVEL CONVENIENCE, STYLISH CHOICES: Explore our flight pillow, featuring sophisticated gray and vibrant blue options. This package includes...
Sale
INIU Portable Charger, Slimmest 10000mAh 5V/3A Power Bank, USB C in&out High-Speed Charging Battery Pack, External Phone Powerbank Compatible with iPhone 15 14 13 12 11 Samsung S22 S21 Google iPad etc
  • ✅【From INIU--the SAFE Fast Charge Pro】Experience the safest charging with over 38 million global users. At INIU, we use only the highest-grade...
  • ✅【Market's Thinnest 10000mAh】 The market’s one and only 0.5-inch power bank that breaks the limit of 10000mAh, easily slipped into any travel...
  • ✅【Only 5% Got USB-C IN&OUT】INIU is the only 5% of power banks got a USB-C IN&OUT port. Unlike others only recharge via USB-C port, INIU can...
  • ✅【3A High-Speed Charging】3A fast charging fuels iPhone up to 78% in just one hour. INIU's AutoFit identifies and meets your device's ideal...
  • ✅【15-Layer SAFE Charging】INIU's unique 15-Layer SmartProtect system shrugs off any unusual charging at the start. Take overheating risk and...
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @YEBOSOUTHAFRICA