Is It Safe to Travel to South Africa?

Where from?

Where to?

Dates

Passengers & Class

1 Adult, Economy/Coach

A pair of cheetahs in Kruger National Park, South Africa

How safe is South Africa?

South Africa is a country of diverse landscapes, incredible wildlife, beautiful beaches, and unrivalled hospitality. Despite this, South Africa is renowned as a country riddled with danger and crime.

That said, visitors who are alert to their surroundings and practice increased caution usually have a trouble-free trip.

In this guide, we’ll aim to answer the age-old question: Is it safe to travel to South Africa? We’ll provide tips for a smooth visit and explore the safety situations in tourist hotspots across the country.

Tourist in ranger vehicle in Kruger National Park

Is South Africa safe for tourists?

The most popular tourist route in South Africa, which includes the Garden Route, Kruger National Park, the Cape Winelands, and Cape Town, is generally safe for visitors.

As with any country, it’s important to take precautions. For example, don’t flaunt expensive jewellery, avoid carrying large quantities of cash, and keep valuables out of reach from pickpockets.

If you are travelling to Kruger National Park, do not enter or exit via Numbi Gate. The road leading to the gate is infamous for robberies and criminal gangs. Instead, we recommend travelling to Kruger National Park via the Paul Kruger, Malelane, or Phabeni Gates.

Cape Town with Table Mountain in the background

Is it safe to travel to Cape Town?

One of the most popular places to visit in South Africa, the city of Cape Town is a must on any itinerary. Surrounded by Table Mountain, Cape Town is famed for its outstanding natural beauty, vibrant city life, and nearby white-sand beaches. Trust us, it’s a must-visit!

We often get asked the question: is Cape Town safe for tourists? On the whole, the answer is yes - as long as you stay vigilant and exercise increased caution. It is a major destination for visitors to South Africa, and violent crime is rare in tourist hotspots.

As with any city, be alert at all times. Do not carry large sums of cash and avoid walking alone after dark. Instead of hailing metered taxis, use ride hailing services instead (such as Bolt and Uber). Make sure your driver is highly rated and that their profile picture is the same person that is picking you up. Do not rely on public transportation, such as buses. They are rarely on time and often do not run on the routes listed on Google Maps.

If you are planning on hiking up Table Mountain, stick to marked routes and trails. Try and stay near to a group of other tourists if you can. Whilst it is generally safe on the mountain, robberies can occur (although this is very rare).

Whilst tourists do not generally visit these neighbourhoods, we strongly advise avoiding these areas: Khayelitsha, Langa, Nyanga, Maneberg, Hanover Park, Philippi, and Gugulethu.

The safest areas in Cape Town include Sea Point, Camps Bay, the V&A Waterfront, and City Bowl.

Is it safe to travel to Johannesburg?

In contrast to Cape Town, Johannesburg is one of the more dangerous cities in South Africa. It is important to be vigilant at all times. We advise visitors not to go out alone in the early morning or after dark.

Johannesburg is not a pedestrian-friendly city. Use Uber or Bolt to get to where you need to go.

Luggage theft from Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport is common. We recommend packing valuables in your carry-on bags. Keep your hold luggage padlocked shut.

The safest and best places to visit in Johannesburg include Parkhurst, Linden, Melville, and Sandton. We also recommend a guided tour to the suburb of Soweto, where you can visit the Nelson Mandela National Museum.

Tourists should avoid the neighbourhoods of Hillbrow, Yeoville, Bertrams, Berea, and the Johannesburg CBD.

Tips for staying safe in South Africa

We’ve got some recommendations to help you stay safe when travelling in South Africa.

Avoid using public transport. Instead, use ride-hailing applications. The most popular taxi apps in South Africa are Bolt, Uber, and InDrive. Do not hail passing taxis.
Do not walk on the streets in major cities and suburbs after dark.
Be aware of pickpockets, especially when in cities and towns. Do not keep valuables, such as wallets and phones, in your back pockets.
Don’t take part in protests. They can often become violent.
If you are renting a car in South Africa, always keep the doors locked and windows closed when in traffic. Keep valuables hidden away. Do not leave items such as laptops or wallets in visible areas, such as the back seat or parcel shelf.

When driving, we recommend downloading an offline map on your phone as local reception can be poor. Make sure to bring a car charger.
Leave valuables such as passports, flight tickets, and jewellery in hotel/guesthouse safety deposit boxes where possible.
Keep your backpack on the front of your body, rather than your back.

So, is it safe to visit South Africa? Whilst the country does experience its fair share of crime, tourists who are vigilant and alert to their surroundings rarely encounter any trouble. Keep our South Africa travel tips in mind, stay alert, and enjoy the beautiful country of South Africa!

Book flights to South Africa with Alternative Airlines

Booking a flight to South Africa couldn’t be easier with Alternative Airlines. We offer 40+ payment options, including the South African Rand.

Rather than paying for your flights upfront, you can use Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) solutions to help you split the cost of your flights into more manageable instalments.

If you’re a South African resident, you can now take advantage of PayJustNow when booking flights through Alternative Airlines. This Buy Now, Pay Later service lets you split your payments into 3 equal parts. You won’t be charged interest, providing payments are made on time.

Trusted globally

Rated Excellent on Trustpilot

We’re super proud of our Trustpilot rating, but don’t just take it from us. See why millions of others love booking their flights through Alternative Airlines

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to travel to South Africa?

South Africa is generally considered safe for tourists, but exercise caution. The areas in which the majority of visitors stay, including Cape Town, the Garden Route, Stellenbosch, and Kruger National Park, are among the safest in South Africa. We advise taking extra precautions after dark in suburban areas. Use Uber to stay safe once nightfalls.

Can I book flights to South Africa using cryptocurrency?

Yes, you can. With Alternative Airlines, you can book flights to South Africa with 100+ cryptocurrencies. This includes Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Ripple (XRP), as well as many other altcoins.

When is the rainy season in South Africa?

South Africa is split in two climatic zones. In the northern, central, and eastern regions, which includes Kruger National Park, Maputo, and Johannesburg, the rainy season is between October and April. In contrast, the southern regions (including Cape Town and the Garden Route) receives the most rainfall between May and September.