Staying Safe In South Africa

POSTED ON JULY 22, 2017

As we’ve mentioned in our previous blogs, being safe when traveling is our number one priority, we can’t stress that enough! We love exploring, adventuring, and having fun. However, our lives are valuable and therefore we must take precautions to ensure our safety.

 

People warned us about safety concerns and high crime rates in South Africa before we even arrived. As soon as we landed in Cape Town, our hosts immediately warned us about the dangerous townships and their “violent inhabitants.”

 

In reality, we felt pretty safe during the month that we spent traveling throughout South Africa, including visiting the townships. We know big cities like Johannesburg can be dangerous and tend to have high crime rates, but it is no different than traveling to other big cities in other parts of the world. Always be wise and alert to avoid putting yourself in danger.

 

Here are a few tips to make sure you’re safe when traveling in South Africa:

 

Get Vaccinated Prior To Your trip

Plan at least six months in advance to allow yourself to get all your vaccinations before traveling. Your health is important and having your vaccinations will prevent you from potential illnesses and diseases you may be exposed to. It’s better to use preventative measures, so get your shots!

 

Avoid Being Flashy

Dressing up with expensive clothes or using jewelry attracts thieves and lets them know you have valuables. Try not to be flashy by dressing casual.

 

Hide Your Electronics

Avoid flashing your expensive phones or ipads. We advise you carry a backpack to put your camera away when you’re not using it. It helps hide your electronics and it’s a very practical way of carrying them too.

 

Don’t Carry Large Sums Of Cash

You should never carry all your cash with you. We recommend using a money belt or shoulder wallet that you can carry under your clothes. You can also hide money in your shoes and only keep short change accessible.

 

Visit Townships During The Day

When visiting townships, make sure to go during the day as many townships are not very well lit and may not have clear road signs. It’s easy to get lost too so avoid staying late.

 

Trust Your Gut

If something does not feel right, it’s probably not right. Trust your instincts and act accordingly. In addition, using common sense will help you stay safe.