South Africa Travel Advisory

Crime and violence are serious issues in South Africa. Armed criminals are known to target tourist areas such as the approaches to National Parks, including Kruger and Pilanesberg.

Crime rates are significantly higher after dark. Fatal road accidents are common, especially in wet conditions.

• Murder, rape, assault, and mugging — sometimes with weapons and violence
• Carjacking and "smash-and-grab" thefts from vehicles
• Theft from hotel rooms and guest houses, including within game parks
• Phones, bags and backpacks are targets in public places, including restaurants and bars
• Robberies involving violence at shopping centres, worsened during power cuts (load-shedding)

Criminals have robbed arriving passengers, following them from the airport to ATMs, foreign currency exchange facilities, and tourist accommodation.

Theft from luggage also occurs. Do not place valuables in checked-in luggage. Consider locking your bags or using baggage wrapping services.

Criminals may pose as police officers to extort or rob you. They use "flashing blue lights" on plain vehicles and fake IDs to stop you or force you out of the vehicle.

The South African Police Service does not have a "Tourist Police" force. Criminals have posed as "Tourist Police" to extort and rob tourists, including stopping tourist buses.

Do not get out of your vehicle and always carefully check identification. If suspicious, do not stop — continue to a place of safety.

"Smash and grab" thefts from vehicles and carjacking are common, particularly on major routes, at major intersections, during traffic congestion, and after dark.

Road spiking occurs on South African roads, where criminals place spikes to damage vehicles and force motorists to pull over.

• Keep doors locked and windows up, even when driving
• Keep valuables out of sight
• Avoid driving after dark
• If followed by a suspicious vehicle, go to a police station, petrol station, or alert a security company
• Maintain situational awareness and stop only at designated areas such as petrol stations

There have been attacks against hikers on hiking trails and in national parks and reserves. These include, but are not limited to, Lions Head, Signal Hill, and Table Mountain near Cape Town.

• Hike in groups
• Advise friends, family or your accommodation provider where you are hiking and for how long
• Be alert to your surroundings and circumstances

Avoid using public minibuses — tourists have been mugged and assaulted both onboard and in bus stations.

The following train services are considered safe and reliable: Gautrain, Blue Train, Rovos Rail, and Shosholoza Meyl. All other rail services should be avoided.

Due to ongoing violence between taxi associations and ridesharing drivers, passengers using ridesharing services have been mugged and assaulted near taxi stands. Avoid rideshare pickups or drop-offs near taxi stands.

• Use only licensed taxis from reputable hotels or restaurants
• Sit in the rear, keep windows closed and doors locked
• Never share a taxi with strangers
• Confirm the driver's identity and license plate before getting in a rideshare
• Use a security feature to share your ride status with a contact

Roads are generally in good condition in and around major cities but can be poorly maintained in remote areas due to potholes, insufficient lighting, pedestrians crossing highways, and stray animals.

Drivers do not always respect traffic laws, especially at night. Drinking and driving is common.

• Traffic drives on the left
• Always drive defensively
• Treat intersections with malfunctioning traffic lights as a four-way stop
• Plan your trip in advance, especially in rural areas
• Avoid travelling after dark
• Use a reliable rental company offering 24-hour emergency service

Drink spiking can happen anywhere. Be alert, don't leave food or drinks alone, and watch when your drink is being mixed. If you feel unwell, tell your friends immediately and get to a safe place.

Scams are common — online and in person. These include confidence scams, cyber scams, police impersonation, romance/dating scams, and business opportunity scams. Don't be fooled: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Never travel to South Africa to try to recover money lost to a scam. There is a high risk of being kidnapped, assaulted, or robbed.

Fraud and attempted fraud are common. Do not give your personal or financial information to anyone.

• Do not use ATMs that look damaged or defective
• Only use ATMs in controlled areas (banks, service stations, shopping centres)
• Refuse offers of help at ATMs
• Keep all payment slips secure and check for unauthorised transactions
• Only withdraw small amounts of cash
• Criminals use skimming devices to copy card details and spotters to identify victims