Is it dangerous to go to South Africa right now? What are the areas to avoid, the cities and regions that are dangerous for tourists?
These are the first questions asked by tourists who wish to visit this beautiful country.
Indeed, South Africa is a magnificent country rich in culture, history and spectacular landscapes. But travelers considering a trip to South Africa often have concerns about their personal safety.
And it's true that before booking your plane tickets, it is important to learn about the current situation in South Africa. To do this, you should always stay informed of the latest security updates and consult official travel advice before leaving.
In this article, we will see if it is dangerous or not to go to South Africa in 2024, what areas to avoid and the necessary precautions to travel without taking too many risks.
This is a guide to travel safety in South Africa which summarizes web data published in 2024 (government recommendations, rankings, statistics, press articles).
Is it dangerous to travel to South Africa in 2024?
Yes, when you read newspaper articles or websites, you can see that it is dangerous to travel to South Africa in 2024.
See for example the following articles which explain that tourists are increasingly targeted and attacked:
This is what it says France Diplomacy in 2024: “Attacks against tourists, mainly motivated by theft, can be accompanied by serious violence (robbery at gunpoint, car hijacking, rape, murder, etc.). A sharp increase in thefts and attacks against our compatriots (tourists or residents) has been noted in the Johannesburg region and in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape provinces. »
The threat of kidnapping across South Africa is also increasing. In recent years, several foreign nationals, particularly British ones, have been kidnapped.
So it is true that South Africa has relatively high crime rates but it is also important to note that most crime is concentrated in certain specific areas. Large cities, particularly Johannesburg and Cape Town, are considered the most dangerous. However, this does not mean that the entire country should be avoided (see the list of areas to avoid in South Africa below).
How dangerous is South Africa?
To know how dangerous South Africa is, you have to compare its crime levels with those of other countries in the world.
When we study the Numbeo world ranking, South Africa appears to be the 5th most criminal country in the world. Indeed, with a very high crime index (75.37), South Africa is much more dangerous than the Jamaica, Peru, Brazil, Mexico (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) and the Egypt.
Dangerous areas to avoid in South Africa
South Africa is often perceived as having a high crime rate but it is important to note that the situation can vary considerably from region to region. Large cities, particularly Johannesburg, can be more dangerous due to urban crime, while rural areas and tourist destinations are generally safer.
According to government recommendations in many Western countries, certain areas are very dangerous and should therefore be avoided in South Africa:
- In and around airports. In Cape Town for example, there are attacks and violent crimes on the secondary roads near the airport. When traveling to and from Cape Town International Airport you should stick to the M3 and N2 where possible, avoid taking routes that use the R300, stay on Airport Road (exit 16 on the N2) and avoid Borcherd's Quarry Road leading to Nyanga.
- In Johannesburg : Neighborhoods of Melville, Hillbrow, Berea, Alexandra, Yeoville, the old city center except around Newtown, the bus station area and Soweto. See more details on my article: Most dangerous neighborhoods in Johannesburg
- In Pretoria : Although the city is considered a safer city than Johannesburg, it is important to remain extra cautious and follow general safety guidelines while staying there.
- In Nelspruit : In and around the botanical garden. On the road to Kruger National Park, avoid stopping on the side of the road and be very careful at gas stations.
- In Durban : Victoria Wharf, Shopping Centre, Victoria Pier, Point Road, on the harbor and near the Wheel Shopping Complex.
- Au Postcode : Woodstock districts, Observatory, Bokaap, Noordhoek beach, Kakapo wreck area, Long Street district, the townships of Khayelitsha, Delft, Mitchell's Plain, Langa, Nyanga, Gugulethu, Manenberg. There have been several violent attacks on hikers and foreign tourists in Table Mountain National Park recently, including at Lion's Head and Signal Hill.
- In the Stellenbosch wine region, it is better not to go out at night.
- In the Jonkershoek nature reserve, even during the day, it is preferable to stay in groups.
- In the Eastern Cape : Townships of Port Elizabeth, East London, Port St Johns, Coffee Bay on the Wild Coast.
Tips and recommendations
Although most crimes occur in townships or areas far from usual tourist destinations, no place in the country is completely safe. If you still want to travel to South Africa, you must exercise great caution:
- Be very careful when passing through airports on your way to and from the airport.
- Do not carry your credit card, travel documents and cash in the same wallet (separate them in several places);
- Leave your money and valuables in a safe place.
- Only carry your passport if absolutely necessary and leave a copy of your passport, travel and insurance documents in a safe place.
- Avoid ATMs especially after dark, especially if you are alone. Make sure no one followed you after you conducted your business.
- Do not change large amounts of money or give information about your personal accounts to people you do not know.
- Avoid dark, unlit or isolated places.
- Ask to be picked up or dropped off (by safe means of transportation) as close as possible to the entrance of your hotel or apartment.
- Driving at night is not recommended and many tourists consider public transport unsafe.
- In hotels, lock your door and do not open it to strangers.
- Always check with hoteliers and local travel agencies about places to avoid and routes to take.
- In town, when driving by car, lock the doors and close the windows and do not leave your bags, luggage or other items visible.
Whatever your travel plans in South Africa, it is recommended to check the official recommendations of your country up to date as on: gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-africa/safety-and-security ou diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/conseils-aux-voyageurs/ ou travel.gc.ca/destinations/south-africa
Emergency numbers
Here are some numbers you can call if you have a problem in South Africa:
- Emergency police: 10111
- Ambulances: 10177
- Emergency number on smartphone: 112
- Emergency number in Cape Town: 107 or +27 (0)21 480 7700