20 Rules for Safe Travel in South Africa

20 Common Sense Safety Rules when Traveling in South Africa

If you heed the following 20 important rules, you will greatly minimize the risks of becoming a victim of crime in South Africa and instead be able to experience fully all that this warmly welcoming, African country has to offer:

1. In large cities, avoid the central business districts at night.
   
   
2. Never walk around any city at night, even if you are part of a group. If you need to go anywhere after dark, ask your hotel or guesthouse to order a reliable taxi for you. Do not just hail any passing taxi on the street!
   
   
3. When out walking anywhere, avoid wearing flashy, expensive watches and jewelry and carrying large amounts of cash. Carry your camera unobtrusively in a bag, rather than slung over your shoulder. Walk purposefully as if you know where you are going and are not a “lost tourist.” Hold your bag close to your body and beware of pickpockets and other confidence tricksters on the streets and in crowded stores. Be aware of ATM theft—never be distracted by a stranger asking for assistance at an ATM!
   
   
4. If driving in a car, keep the doors locked at all times in city traffic. Do not drive with the windows down. Disregard any stranger who tries to confront you at a red traffic light or stop street. 
   
   
5. When parking your vehicle anywhere, do not leave any valuables or any other possessions at all in sight. Put everything in the trunk. Use a good steering-lock at all times when leaving your car unattended. A lock on the fuel tank cap is also an essential and is fitted to nearly all vehicles. Use only a removable car radio and lock it in the trunk when leaving your car.
   
   
6. You will find “car guards” on duty in many city streets, but they cannot guarantee the safety of your car. You will be expected to tip the guard when you return to your car—he is at least a buffer of some kind against car theft or robbery. Only use the services of a person wearing an official “bib” stating that he is a recognized car guard.
   
   
7. Distances between cities in South Africa are large and gas stations not all that plentiful, so be sure to fill your tank whenever possible and ensure that your car is in a good mechanical condition before you set out on any journey.
   
   
8. Travel with a good, detailed, up-to-date map (available at most gas stations) and plan your route in advance. Note that many cities, towns and streets in South Africa have undergone—or are still undergoing—name changes, so it is essential to get the most recent road and city maps available.
   
   
9. Do not stop for any hitch-hiker or other person seemingly in trouble on the open road, in the street or at motorway off-ramps. Drive on and report the incident to the Police. Only stop at official Police-manned roadblocks. Criminal gangs have been known to set up “roadblocks” to lure motorists—either drive on past or around these or turn back and report the incident to the Police.
   
   
10. Always travel with a cell phone. The emergency number to call for the Police is 10111. A functioning cell phone is essential to carry with you at ALL times. Find out before leaving home if your phone will work in South Africa. If not, hire a cell phone when you arrive.
    
    
11. Before travelling to remote areas such as the Wild Coast, check with the locals as to the best route and the security situation in the area. In general, the country people are most welcoming and hospitable and crime less common than in cities—but it is wise to obtain recent local information before venturing out on your own to remote areas. The National Tourism Information and Safety number to call is 083 123 2345—they will give you up-to-date information on safety in any particular area.
    
    
12. If staying in a hotel or guesthouse, leave your passport, air tickets and other valuables in a safety deposit box at the reception. Carry copies of your passport on you at all times. Keep photocopies of your credit and debit cards in a safe place.
    
    
13. Keep your hotel room locked at all times and only open the door if you are certain who is on the other side.
    
    
14. Park only in areas which are well-lit at night.
    
    
15. Do not walk by yourself in any lonely area such as a stretch of beach, river bank, forest or the countryside without keeping other people in sight at all times. It is best to walk in a group at any time of the day. Avoid walking in lonely areas (even in groups) after dark.
    
    
16. If you wish to visit one of the African townships, only do so on an organized tour, recommended by locals or by your hotel or guesthouse.
    
    
17. Be especially watchful at airports or bus stations, where criminal gangs are known to operate.
    
    
18. Wildlife is plentiful in South Africa—confined to the numerous game parks and reserves within the country. It is not safe to alight from your vehicle when driving through a game park—except at designated rest camps and picnic spots. Remember, these are wild animals and you are a guest in their territory! Do not attempt to approach any animal too closely—if one crosses your path, stop your car immediately and remain silent. Avoid loud noises, playing the radio or other music, shouting, hanging out of the windows, pointing etc. and simply enjoy observing Nature at her best.
    
    
19. Always carry on you at all times the essential numbers of your travel and health insurance and important local phone numbers to call in case of emergency.
    
    
20. If you are a member of the AAA, find out about affiliation to the AA (Automobile Association) of South Africa—an invaluable organization for the motorist, providing all types of travel information and assistance, route maps, weather, road information, and breakdown services throughout the country.

For More Info

Accommodations

South Africa has a wealth of excellent accommodations for all price ranges, and in all areas. The visitor is spoiled with the wealth of choices, so it is wise to consult the knowledgeable Automobile Association of South Africa, unless you have contact with local people, who would be able to recommend suitable accommodations for you.

This comprehensive AA database includes all types of recommended accommodations from luxury hotels, B&Bs, guesthouses, self-catering chalets and apartments, game and nature reserves, lodges, caravan and camping sites throughout South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Malawi, Seychelles, Zambia, Mozambique, Lesotho, and Swaziland.

Accommodations in South Africa. ©Tanya Linnegar Photography.

Transportation

The International Airports in South Africa are Johannesburg (OR Tambo International), Durban and Cape Town. Many other cities have smaller airports e.g. Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein, Pietermaritzburg, East London, George etc. SAA (South African Airways) is the major domestic and international carrier.

Travel Within South Africa 

The traveler has various options of getting around the country:

1) Organized Tours

Many companies organize tours, either custom-made or on various tourist routes: www.intrepidtravel.com or www.gadventures.com.

2) Inter-City Coach Travel

Greyhound

3) Car Rentals  

Car rentals are the best bet for the independent traveler. It is also the ideal means of seeing as much as possible of the scenic beauty and wildlife in South Africa’s game parks. It is wise to shop around. Numerous car hire companies operate in South Africa, for example:

• Hertz South Africa
• Avis

Worth noting when driving in South Africa:

• Drive on the left
• All road signs are in English
• Roads are generally in a good condition and a 4x4 vehicle is not necessary, even on unpaved country roads
• Beware of some erratic driving, especially from mini-bus taxi drivers, who are a  law unto themselves!  There are also unfortunately many unlicensed drivers and un-roadworthy vehicles on the roads. Expect the unexpected and drive defensively.
• Automatic transmissions are not the rule of the day, the majority of cars having manual transmission, so do request an automatic if you require it from the car hire company.
• Any valid foreign driver’s license which contains an identity photograph is acceptable. If yours does not conform to this, it is best to get an IDP.
• When asking for directions, do not be surprised when told to “go to the next robot.” No, you are not in outer space, a “robot” is the unique South Africanism for a traffic light!

4) Domestic Air Travel

Considering the vast distances between cities, this is probably the most convenient option for the traveler on a tight schedule, with the possibility of picking up a rental car at any airport.

Apart from South African Airlines, the following airlines operate in and around South Africa. Shop around for the best fares:

• Mango
  
• British Airways
  
• KLM
  
• Air France
  
• Air Mauritius
  

5) Rail Travel 

Spoornet is the South African rail travel provider. However, it is not advisable for the foreign visitor to travel long distances by normal passenger train, due to the criminal element. However, for train-travel fundis, Spoornet has introduced its Premiere Classe with 11 coaches accommodating only 84 passengers, for travel between Johannesburg and Cape Town (and return) twice weekly. The trip between Johannesburg and Cape Town takes 25 hours and the route passes some of South Africa’s premier tourist destinations, but stops do not allow time for excursions from the train.

The famous Blue Train is for the traveler able to afford real luxury train travel. There is a one-way fare from Cape Town to Pretoria per person. This includes accommodation, all meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and off-the-train excursions. For exact fares, routes, and other information visit www.bluetrain.co.za.

Rovos Rail is another exclusive train, known as “the most luxurious train in the world.” offering many different routes and traveling as far as the Victoria Falls. For full details visit www.rovos.com.

6) Local Public Transport

The visitor to South Africa is not advised to use any local buses or commuter trains. These are generally jam-packed with commuters and not a good place for the average traveler.The urban public transport infrastructure is not to be compared to that of Europe or the USA, and serves mainly the huge workforce and local population, so is best avoided by the overseas visitor.

Unless you are driving yourself, in towns and cities, use only recommended taxis—which have been ordered for or recommended to you by your hotel or guesthouse. Thousands of mini-bus taxis (usually white in color) operate in and out of urban areas—these are generally not safe for the foreign traveler to use.

Important Facts About South Africa

• Population: 57,000,000
• Currency: South African Rand—at the time of writing approximately R14 = US$1.00. One Rand = 100 cents. 
• Code: ZAR
• Electricity: 220/230V 50Hz
• 11 Official Languages: Afrikaans, English, Nedebele, Northern Sotho, Sotho, Tswati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu. English is generally understood everywhere.
• 9 Provinces: Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North-West, Western Cape.
• Administrative Capital: Pretoria
• Legislative Capital: Cape Town 
• Judicial Capital: Bloemfontein
• Time Zone: GMT + 2
• Country dialing code: +27
• Weights and Measures: Metric

Other Useful Websites and Phone Numbers

• Emergency Services: 10111 (the equivalent of  911)
• Hotline for American Travelers: +1  202-647-5225
• USA Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa: +27 12 431 4000
• The South African National Tourism Information and Safety: +27 083 123 2345
• The AA (Automobile Association) of South Africa

Please note: Due to regular fluctuations in the Rand-$ exchange rate, all the above prices should be checked at the time of travel using a currency calculator of choice.