Cape Town · Plan your visit
Staying safe in Cape Town
An honest, locally-grounded take.
The dangers of travelling in South Africa are often overstated in the international press. We live here — we walk our dogs, run trails, and raise our kids here — and Cape Town isn't a war zone.
That said, it's not Switzerland either. A few sensible precautions, the same ones a savvy local follows, will keep you safe and let you enjoy your stay.
Sensible precautions while travelling in Cape Town
- Be cautious of wearing flashy jewellery and carrying electronics by hand when walking around
- When travelling by car, always keep it locked
- It's common to park cars on the roads. Please take care to not leave anything visible inside the car when you lock your car.
- Charge your phone before any drive, and keep a car charger and battery pack handy
- Plan your journey so that you travel during daylight
- Arrange your accommodation in advance
- If the fuel gauge drops to half, start looking for a place to refuel — petrol stations are sparse in less populated areas and the distances can be long
- In remote places, move in groups (at least 2, preferably 4)
- In national parks, you generally cannot get out of the car — predators are real
- Before entering any inland water, check there are no crocodiles or hippos
- Visit townships only with an organised group and a local guide
- After dark, stay only in tourist-frequented areas
- Politely decline help or services from strangers you didn't ask
- Be cautious when withdrawing from ATMs
- Don't swim on deserted beaches
Travelling with us, you don't have to think about most of this
When you're with us, the planning, routing, parking, and pacing are all handled. Most of these precautions become irrelevant — we know which roads to use, where to stop, where to park, and which areas to avoid. The list above is for the times you're exploring on your own