January 17, 2019 admin Comments 0 Comment. One thing to watch out for is our police are partial to bribes not all but a significant amount, they will usually be pretty up front about what they want in case you are ever in that situation but its not like they target random people, normally drunk drivers and the like etc.. As for political issues it is the same as above, use common sense, don't go around saying apartheid was a good idea, some hardcore verkrampte Afrikaaners might give you a smile and a nod but it won't be accepted well in the general population. We have reviews of the best places to see in South Africa. best. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. I'll be on my own for part of the trip but hoping to be part of a group most of the time… Half of my trip will be Northern and include safaris, the other half will be Cape Town and the Southern Coast. I'm a Yank who is planning to come over to SA (Joburg/Sandton) over the next few weeks with the family. The weather is warm, and although there may still be some rainfall in the north, it is easing off. Just research the areas you plan to visit. Of course like any country there are areas you avoid, however to do a self-drive holiday from Cape Town up the Garden Route or including Kruger, Swaziland and Natal, you will be fine and have a super time. The list ranks violence by murders per 100,000 people and does not include war zones. However if you're not an idiot & remain alert then you should be fine. I did a great deal of research before I bought the tickets and everyone raved about the Garden Route. Regional travel If you leave and re-enter South Africa, even for a short time, you will not automatically be given an additional 90-day visitor’s visa. 99.9% of the time you will be fine no matter what but we do have a high crime rate here but most of it happens in the poor areas and by most I don't mean 51% I mean a lot more than that, the tourist areas are normally well protected if you stay in the tourist areas. So while I’m not saying that you won’t experience any crime while in South Africa, I am trying to say do not let your unfounded, media-driven fears of South Africa put you off from a visit just because you think it might be so much more dangerous than other places. Europeans and Americans generally, and most seemed oblivious to the events playing out. I travel a lot for business and pleasure and this is always the best live up to date of what's happening in any given area. Is Johannesburg Safe To Visit? Don't know if you are the type but if you end up having sex here with a local remember HIV affects roughly 1 in 10 South Africans. Airlines must check all travellers have travel insurance before boarding. There is at least 15 reason why South Africa is so popular with tourists from around the globe.Le Mal D’afrique is a term many seasoned travelers are familiar with because once you visit it, you will realize why it’s so hard to leave. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, https://www.reddit.com/r/southafrica/search?q=visit&restrict_sr=on&sort=relevance&t=all, https://www.reddit.com/r/southafrica/comments/3jybuz/for_your_monday_morning_blues_i_made_a_video_of/. Some have even been killed. Avoid all travel to Turkana and Marsabit counties, within 110 km of the borders with South Sudan and Ethiopia, due to armed banditry and cross-border violence. With 3.5 million tourists visiting the country each year, South Africa is widely considered one of the easiest and “safest” third-world destinations to get to and explore. So telling prospective travelers to South Africa that just a few precautions will make them safe simply flies in the face of reality. I've been to Joburg/Sandton before and am aware of the area but given your country's recent situation, is it still safe to visit? Then there comes the eternal question of Is South Africa Safe which I have diligently answered here. This means visitors should "exercise increased caution," in this case due to "crime, civil unrest, and drought." The Union Buildings are quite a sight, and the view from them is incredible... that is, if the student protests aren't still causing trouble there. Safety and security situation. Avoid the inner cities at night. Just be cautious driving around them. 8. Home ; Travel Status; Health; Safety; Blog; Contact Us; GET IN A GOOD SPACE . Destinations in Africa where we advise caution. That is EXACTLY why I wanted to check here. All of them, kinda*. South Africa’s gotten a pretty bad rap for the recent rise in violence with four of our cities making it into the top 50 most violent in the world, according to the Mexican Council for Public Security and Criminal Justice. Is Johannesburg Safe To Visit? Based on this, Cape Town scored a whopping 65.5. Sup Folks? I've never been there, but have you checked WikiTravel's South Africa page yet? Violent crime, such as armed robbery, rape, carjacking, mugging, and "smash-and-grab" attacks on vehicles, is common. In some areas—especially large cities—poverty is rife, and as a result, muggings, break-ins, and petty theft are common. South Africa is the southernmost country in Africa. Countless tourists visit South Africa every year and enjoy a rich and fulfilling experience without the threat of danger. Maybe if anyone has been there and can give me some info. 1. 5 comments. The country is considered the gem of West Africa, with incredible coastal cities, bustling cities, and breathtaking landscapes. In particular, the advisory warns about the higher risk of violent crime in the central business districts of major cities after dark. Other than that I guess stay away from striking workers.the rubber bullets are used fast and loose here to disperse crowds. This page is one big exaggeration, south Africa is generally very safe to visit but try and avoid walking in the night, do not show any indication of high wealth. The risk of violent crime to visitors travelling to the main tourist destinations is generally low. We have our issues but it is rare for tourists to get caught up in them. Is South Africa safe to travel to? Just use some common sense and you will be fine here. And if not, then why are you insane? South Africa has a crime rate about 8 times higher than the USA, which is itself about 10 times higher than most EU countries. So, you can be really assured of a great safari experience. I posted this in r/travel but I wasn't getting any feedback. Plan a successful business event Improve your business outcomes in Africa's top meetings and events destination. Don't display wealth to much. If you are wondering whether South Africa is safe to visit considering the recent hitch, I’m proud to tell you that South Africa can be a very safe place for you to be as long as you're properly prepared. This little, mountainous country is land-locked within South Africa. Your pictures, questions, stories, or any good content is welcome. Violent crimes including armed robbery, rape, and smash-and-grab attacks on vehicles are common in South Africa, especially in the CBDs of major cities after dark. How long should it be so that it is relaxed and not hurried (so that I don't have to drive long distances like 500 km a day - maybe 3-4 stops would be good, between Grahamstown and Cape Town), and what places are nice to stop at and explore? Thanks! Moreover, many people seem to think that South Africa is rarely visited due to all the crime and that few people opt to go there. Knysna and Wilderness are your two "must stops". Let me preface this by saying South Africa is a safe and great place to be for those who have money, being a potential tourist this includes you. Then I saw the thread today about the riots (along with the wide array of comments) and was taken aback. While most of these incidents take place late at night, and mainly in Johannesburg, you can be at risk anywhere so better to be safe than sorry. The recent protests were by college students against initially their colleges and over the last few days the government. share. 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