Safety in South Africa: How Dangerous is South Africa Really?

Since I receive many messages asking, "Is South Africa dangerous?" or "How do you manage in South Africa when you read so much about muggings?" I have written a separate post. According to statistics, South Africa (especially Johannesburg) is one of the most dangerous countries in the world; in practice, nothing has ever happened to me during my nine trips to South Africa.

Status Quo 2025: In the last 3-4 years, South Africa has changed significantly. Unemployment has increased dramatically, along with crime rates. You can see poverty even in the center of Cape Town. However, unlike last year, the tent cities, like those you know from the USA, have been removed from around the Waterfront and the Castle of Good Hope. By 2025, nothing remained of that.

There is no more load shedding. So only sporadically, when political changes occur (which is quite strange).

If you haven't been to South Africa yet: until March 2024, the power was cut off for several hours across the country (Load-Shedding). The times varied throughout the day depending on the area. Fortunately, that time is over.

Cash is being phased out permanently, which is supposed to enhance the safety of citizens. So you should have a good travel credit card for South Africa (my tips). Dissatisfaction with the government is growing. This leads to ongoing demonstrations. As a tourist, I haven't encountered anything yet; many South African whites are increasingly leaving the country.

Still, do not let this deter you from visiting this stunning country and the wonderful people. They deserve it.

I was back in South Africa for 2 months in 2025. Even though I constantly read about muggings during hikes up Table Mountain, Lion's Head, or in the gentrified neighborhood of Sea Point in Cape Town, nothing happened to me or my friends during 10 trips to South Africa and many long-term stays.

In 2025, I even went on a road trip alone from Durban (allegedly very criminal and unsafe) through the Midlands Meander and the Drakensberg. I hiked alone and never felt unsafe. I was alone in Johannesburg and out walking as well. Of course, you have to watch which neighborhood you can be in, but that's what I'm here for.

Check out my tips and experiences for solo travelers in South Africa (as a woman) here

In general, South Africa is a very poor country. But compared to African standards, it is rich. More and more asylum seekers from African countries want to come to South Africa. This means that there is extreme poverty in some areas (not just in townships).

Nevertheless, South Africa itself is not dangerous. You just need to know which areas to avoid.

The Garden Route, Winelands, and Cape Town are generally safe (except for certain areas in Cape Town - more on that later).

Johannesburg and Durban are classified as dangerous.

As a general rule, if you're with locals, you're safe. This means: Go to townships only with locals as part of tours. This way, you are safe and will have the best time in South Africa. I swear, because we've experienced this multiple times.

General safety rules also apply in South Africa: Don't wear expensive jewelry, don't walk alone at night, and prefer to take an UBER - especially in Maboneng (Johannesburg) or Cape Town.

Don't drive at night through Cape Town, Durban, or Johannesburg if you are unfamiliar with the area.

Don't leave valuables in plain sight in your car.

Have your phone charged, with data, or better yet, a South African SIM card. Save emergency numbers in your phone (Tips for SIM cards in South Africa).

Keep copies of important documents in a safe or online (Dropbox).

In Johannesburg, make sure windows are closed and doors are locked.

If you follow these rules, you will have the best time of your life. I have never felt unsafe.

I only felt unsafe once when we were in a taxi at night in Cape Town and an oncoming car suddenly lost a tire. You read that right: A rear wheel suddenly rolled off the car and past ours. The driver jumped out and ran away. The passenger remained dumbfounded in his seat.

At that moment, the best thing to do is to keep driving.

Here are my tips for driving in South Africa

My experience as a solo traveler in South Africa on a road trip

We were repeatedly advised against driving at night. By now, I know where you can drive at night. For example, I have no problem driving in Cape Town at night.

Avoid the 'dark corners' of Woodstock, District Six, and townships on your own in the areas where there is nothing touristic. You should also avoid driving outside cities after dark. The reason is often different: Drunk people (unfortunately, alcohol is a huge problem), who suddenly cross the road. At the coast (St. Lucia), hippos are added.

In general, a vacation in South Africa is not dangerous. The areas you visit as a tourist - primarily the highlights of the Garden Route, Cape Town, Winelands, and Kruger National Park, Drakensberg, or the Panorama Route - are essentially not unsafe.

It's important to follow these rules and to inform yourself precisely about which areas you should avoid without locals.

Statements on other websites that you should avoid townships are nonsense.

You should NEVER visit townships alone without locals. That's true. But with a guide, whom you pay and who shares this with township residents, you are completely safe.

And believe me: A visit to a township is enriching for life. I love visiting townships because they are authentic. The people are so creative, friendly, and curious that it would be a shame to miss out on it. We had the best experiences (except with animals in national parks), with township residents.

You should note the following safety tips, especially if you are traveling in the country for the first time and are not familiar with the culture and local circumstances. Thanks to these behavioral rules, you can safely navigate South Africa. I repeat myself, but after eight trips to South Africa (with many visits to townships, even to their bars), nothing has ever happened. I have neither been robbed nor has my car been stolen.

Compared to Africa, South Africa is considered a safe travel destination. Nevertheless, crime rates have risen since Covid and are significantly higher than in Germany, especially in large cities. Therefore, you should definitely heed the following safety tips to stay safe.

Trust your instincts

Let someone know where you're going

Especially in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, and Pretoria: Avoid inner-city areas after business hours and on Sundays. Pickpockets are active during these times.

Don't hike alone on the Table Mountain. Especially not before sunrise. That's when muggers look for opportunities to strike. This also applies to other national parks and more remote hiking trails. For the Lion's Head hike at sunrise, I have rarely heard negative reports. The starting point is also more isolated, and currently, two police cars are stationed at the start of the trail until sunrise.

Check with rental owners or at hotels about areas to avoid. Even during the day, there are areas in Cape Town that have a high crime rate and are adjacent to the hipster neighborhood of Woodstock and the popular Neighbourgoods Market.

Never walk at night, even if distances (hipster district Maboneng Johannesburg) are often only 300 meters and it may feel silly to call an UBER for that. If hotel receptionists strongly advise you to do so, then you should heed their warning.

Do you feel insecure? Trust your gut feeling and keep your camera and smartphone hidden. During guided tours in townships, you will be advised to pack away your camera and phone if it might be unsafe. Your guides are locals who know the area.

Don't leave your handbag or backpack on the floor

Don't leave phones on tables

Keep track of your credit card (ideally, keep it in your phone's wallet and never carry it with you)

Don't leave drinks unattended.

Establish eye contact and say "NO."

Ask a security guard for help

If you're being followed, enter a shop or business

Give them coupons, not cash

Crime around ATMs is widespread.

Don't let anyone distract you

Only use ATMs in well-lit areas (banks or shopping centers)

Hide your PIN when withdrawing cash.

When withdrawing cash at an ATM, you should always be two people.

Don't withdraw too much cash and never carry large amounts of cash with you.

"Card Skimming" is very popular at ATMs.

Be wary of scams, such as strangers offering "help" when your card doesn't work, or trying to lure you to an ATM.

Exchange larger amounts of money at banks or secure shopping centers - not in busy public areas. The same applies to withdrawing cash.

Don't flaunt your cash.

Don't leave valuables in plain sight in your car. Pack your luggage in the trunk when traveling from A to B, so that it's not visible. Book a rental car that is spacious enough. I have recently observed that many ignore this tip.

Park your car in secured parking lots (if available). Caution: Even locals who want money to watch your car often attract thieves. Public parking lots are great, but use UBER, wherever available. It's really cheap and much less stressful.

Always keep your windows closed and lock the doors when in the city. Especially at red lights in Johannesburg, there are instances of this kind of break-ins (often heard from South African friends living in Johannesburg. I myself have never experienced this).

There are "Car Guards" who offer to watch your car for a fee. The important thing is to only pay once you return and the car is still intact. Officially, most of these watchers are not authorized. Cities are gradually starting to employ people for this, charging a uniform price for parking.

New scam (in Stellenbosch and Cape Town): Parking is not paid at the ATM. Pay at parking meters or with authorized ones equipped with a credit card reader that have fixed prices.

Keep your keys ready when approaching your car

Manually lock and check the handles

Don't accept rides from strangers

Check the area when entering a driveway

The most important thing is: Don't leave objects in plain sight in your car. We recently saw so-called 'spotters' even on busy streets and parking lots near beaches (Muizenberg). They do nothing but look into cars. If it seems worth it, the "spotter" notifies his buddies.

These spotters often have transmitters in hand and walk along parked cars. They check which ones they can open with these transmitters. We have seen this in Cape Town on a busy street.

Outside of cities, it is safe. In some regions, you should avoid driving at night. Not because you could be robbed, but because obviously drunken (white) South Africans drive around aggressively (our landlord in St. Lucia warned us about this).

Otherwise, I advise you: Don't be afraid; one doesn't simply get 'shot' here. Dare to venture into townships. I had the best encounters in Soweto and Khayelitsha (Cape Town).

Stay calm, don't panic

Don't resist, follow all instructions

Remember as many details as possible

Report to the police station (SAPS): SAPS emergency number: 10111; Crime Stop: 08600 10111

In the worst case: Don't resist during a robbery. Ideally, have an expired, invalid credit card ready or one that you can quickly block via an app, along with a bit of cash. That's usually enough to satisfy most offenders. See tips for the best credit card in South Africa.

Finally: Always listen to your gut feeling. If you feel uneasy, pay attention to that.

In nearly ten trips, I have visited all regions of South Africa. Is there a difference in safety in different cities? Yes. There are neighborhoods within the cities that you should definitely avoid as a tourist or only enter with locals. This is why it is not possible to compare Cape Town or Johannesburg with all of South Africa. However, there are regions in South Africa that are less safe or safer than others.

Johannesburg is considered one of the most dangerous cities in the world according to the crime index (Source: Numbeo). Crime rates are high. I have been to Johannesburg five times - even in Soweto - and I do not think of Johannesburg as one of the most dangerous places in the world. Of course, there are nicer cities, but I haven't had bad experiences to date. Because I stick to the safety rules mentioned above, nothing has happened to me so far.

South Africans currently claim that Cape Town is more dangerous and that it's 'getting worse.' I haven't experienced this. Because as a tourist, there are indeed neighborhoods in both cities that you should avoid.

Since the end of apartheid, crime in Johannesburg has increased. Many businesses have therefore moved out of the CBD (Central Business District) to Rosebank and Sandton. However, in 2002, the CBD was equipped with a comprehensive camera surveillance system. Since then, crime in the city center has dropped significantly.

Despite the decrease, carjacking, especially in residential areas, remains a serious threat. At traffic lights, you will often see signs warning you; I have had no problems in Johannesburg. However, visitors should take the safety advice of their hotels seriously and be cautious. If they recommend avoiding certain areas, you should heed this. Use an UBER after dark instead of walking, even if it's only a few meters.

It is widely reported that Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, and Durban are the most dangerous places in the country. I cannot affirm that. In Soweto (Johannesburg), I had an amazing time twice with locals. I learned so much about life there, and we often forget how good we have it back home. The only strange atmosphere I felt in Durban was at some sections of the beach. However, that is just my own perception and instinct.

In general, one can say that the West Coast is less dangerous than the East Coast. The Garden Route and Route 62, as well as the northwestern regions, are among the safe places in South Africa. I have often traveled here alone, with and without a car. In Cape Town, we walked a lot. If it gets weird, then just order an UBER.

There is an official warning from the South African National Parks Administration (SAN Park) to travelers.

I cannot deny that the South African National Parks Administration advises against using the Numbi Gate as an entrance to the Kruger National Park. Alternatives should be used.

Additionally, a warning on the Panorama Route has been issued for the access road between White River and Hazyview (R538), stating that one should be particularly vigilant regarding potential robbery attempts on vehicles. I have traveled this route 3-4 times and never had that experience, but just want to make you aware.

Also, when heading to the Addo Elephant Park, you should be cautious not to take the wrong road through an informal settlement (so-called township) which has recently made negative headlines due to unrest and burning tires. This is the route from Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) via the R335 through Motherwell. Use the N2 via Colchester to access Addo Elephant Park, even if it's a detour. Isa informed me about this when she was at Addo Elephant Park, as her accommodation specifically told her about it.

When leaving Durban and heading towards the Midlands Meander and the Drakensberg, it gets more authentic. You will encounter many schoolchildren and people walking along the streets who will look at you with curiosity. I was alone in the Drakensberg as a woman. I never felt unsafe, even during hikes (alone). At least not threatened by people, rather from the risk of slipping down a slope. The roads are in good condition, and here, you really don't need to worry. I found the Drakensberg and Midlands Meander to be very cozy regions and also safe.

I have collected questions from comments and emails and will answer them regarding warnings from the Foreign Office, safety, and how dangerous South Africa really is.

Hello Katrin,

Thank you very much for this sensational blog and all the information. I still have a question about traveling with children. My wife and I wanted to spend 5 weekends in April in South Africa with our two children (3 years and 10 months) and just casually travel by rental car along the Garden Route from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth. However, we are somewhat unsettled by the warnings from the Foreign Office regarding safety. We have read several times that this region of South Africa can be traveled without concerns with children.

We have backpacked everywhere in the world, but when traveling with kids, one plans differently. Additionally, an emergency situation was declared yesterday due to energy supply issues. How would you assess the situation with two young children?

As a general recommendation for all trips, do not look at the Foreign Office's website, but the British counterpart's "Foreign Travel Advice". Here, more detail is provided and it's assessed more realistically. Under "Safety and Security", you can read the recommendations.

Don't let it unsettle you. Stick to my tips above and read through the warnings, but enjoy your time. Don't wear jewelry openly and don't handle cash openly. Then nothing will go wrong. South Africans love children. They will open many doors for you. Have fun!

I am going to South Africa for the second time in two weeks, but I have traveled through Africa in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, Malawi, and Namibia. Your information about Kruger Park is very interesting and aligns with my observations. However, I am a bit skeptical that you describe South Africa as malaria-free. This holds true for Cape Town and the Garden Route region but not for Kruger Park and other regions. The Foreign Office also warns about this.

Generally, the following parks are considered malaria-free: Pilanesberg National Park near Johannesburg and Addo Park near Port Elizabeth on the Garden Route. The Kruger National Park is considered a high-risk area for malaria from October to May. However, I haven't heard of any cases in recent years (I'm friends with many rangers). I would never take prophylaxis. What happens much more often is African tick-borne fever. A fellow traveler also got this, as he didn't protect himself with mosquito spray. But it's not that serious. Each person should decide for themselves and consult a doctor regarding malaria. In five visits to the (Greater) Kruger National Park, I or accompanying travelers have never had a problem with it.

Hello, we are going to South Africa in mid-October and traveling the Garden Route by rental car. How about stopovers along the route? Can we stop and enjoy the scenery? Can we leave the car there without worry? Are the parking lots guarded? Best regards

Since many attractions along the Garden Route are in nature and many tourists are around, you can park your car without worries. However, it applies here too: Do not leave valuables in plain sight in your car. Make sure that valuables are packed in the trunk so that they are not visible from the outside.

Hey Katrin, we are flying to South Africa on Friday night and I am a bit scared. Because everyone says how dangerous it is there and that we will get robbed. That South Africans would kill for an iPhone. One should not stop at red traffic lights, etc. My eagerness has really diminished. Please tell me the opposite. Best regards, Michelle.

Dear Michelle,

Make your own judgment and don't believe friends who probably haven't been there themselves. I have been to South Africa eight times and will be flying back soon. Nothing has ever happened to me. But as I mention in my other article: One should be aware that most people are very poor, so don't flaunt jewelry.

I feel that General Travel Safety: South Africa is Much Safer than portrayed

Hello Katrin,

Great reports and tips from you, fantastic. This is a great preparation for our trip to South Africa. We want to drive from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, originally wanted to rent an SUV, but are now considering a car with a non-visible trunk (maybe a Toyota Corolla or something similar?).

The reason is, when we travel from accommodation to accommodation, we always have our luggage with us and we want to see some sights along the Garden Route on the way. With an SUV, everything can be seen in the car; with a smaller vehicle, we would like to stow everything in the trunk so that it is not seen. There are three of us, so three suitcases and some hand luggage. Which car would you recommend in this case, or would you not recommend stopping with all the luggage at all?

Kind regards, Christian

On the Garden Route, you actually don't need an SUV. With the SUVs we've had in South Africa, we always had a cover over the trunk. So, in reality, it doesn't matter. We have stopped and have never had problems. Usually, especially along the Garden Route, there are these car guards who watch over your car for a few rand. Therefore, it should not be a problem.

Best of luck, I'm also in Cape Town in August, but heading north and to the Karoo.

We land in Johannesburg and head to our first accommodation in Emgwhenya. We are only using it as a stopover to the Kruger. Is it generally not too dangerous for two girls to travel together? Now I'm feeling a bit doubtful.

In principle, it's good to be at least two people in the car. Whether you are two women or just men does not really matter. If you meet a situation at a red light and are robbed, just give the thieves what they want. Have (see tips above) an old credit card (alternatively one that you can block in the app on your phone) and some cash with you to satisfy the carjackers. However, I can only reiterate:

During 10 trips (4 times Johannesburg and 2 times Soweto by car. Once through Hillbrow and Alexandra - really rough). However, I would not drive through Hillbrow or Alexandra without locals. There, people are openly walking between cars, filled with drugs and alcohol. I felt like I was in a bad scene from Walking Dead.

Keep in mind my tips for the most important safety rules. I was in South Africa for the 10th time in early 2025. The country can be traveled well with friends, alone, or as a family. Don't let the myth of "South Africa being too dangerous" and news about people simply being shot deter you. If you note my tips and travel attentively through the country, your safety will not be compromised.

Leave your valuable jewelry at home, stow your valuables (phone, camera) when not in use, and always carry only small amounts of cash with you. You can pay almost anywhere with a credit card now (see my tips for good credit cards in South Africa).

However, you will need cash for the gas station or parking attendants. Read my tips for hikes on Table Mountain or Lion's Head as well for safety. The security situation has significantly worsened here from 2023 to 2025.

I hope you found this article helpful in answering your questions. If you have any more ideas or questions, we would love to hear your comments here on the travel blog.

If you have no questions: We still appreciate your feedback and hope you share this with your friends! Here you will find an overview of all travel reports on South Africa on the Travel Blog (over 20).

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