Africa
Is South Africa safe?
L2Exercise increased caution
Is South Africa safe?
High violent crime, but most visitors have trouble-free trips by following local advice: drive or use Uber after dark, avoid isolated spots and keep valuables out of sight.
Key facts
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2025-05-26.
- Homicide rate: 43.7 per 100,000 people (2022, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths: 22.2 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 10111 · Ambulance 10177 · All emergencies 112.
- Solo women: Many solo women travel here, but sexual violence rates are high: avoid walking alone after dark, meet dating-app matches in public, watch drinks.
Risks, scams and laws
Main risks
- Armed muggings, including on quiet Table Mountain trails
- Smash-and-grab and carjacking at intersections; keep windows up
- Long-distance road crashes, drunk drivers and animals at night
- Occasional power cuts and water outages in some cities
Common scams
- ATM 'helpers' who swap your card or watch your PIN
- Dating-app meetups used to set up robberies
- Fake police in unmarked cars with blue lights
Laws visitors break by accident
- Drinking alcohol in public places, including most beaches, is illegal and fined.
- Cannabis is legal only for private use at home; buying, selling and public use are not.
- Drink-driving limit is 0.05%; roadblocks are frequent, especially on weekends and holidays.
Safety by place in South Africa
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Kruger National Park | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Stellenbosch | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Hermanus | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Knysna | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Plettenberg Bay | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Franschhoek | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Umhlanga | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Jeffreys Bay | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Cape Town | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Durban | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Pretoria | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Port Elizabeth | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Johannesburg | 2/5 · High risk |
Quick answers
Is South Africa safe for tourists?
High violent crime, but most visitors have trouble-free trips by following local advice: drive or use Uber after dark, avoid isolated spots and keep valuables out of sight.
Is South Africa safe for solo female travelers?
Many solo women travel here, but sexual violence rates are high: avoid walking alone after dark, meet dating-app matches in public, watch drinks.
What is the emergency number in South Africa?
Police 10111 · Ambulance 10177 · All emergencies 112.
Safety by place
Sources
- World Bank: intentional homicides
- US State Department travel advisory
- UK FCDO travel advice: South Africa
- SARS Customs online traveller declaration
- Department of Home Affairs: Remote Work Visa requirements
- Speedtest Global Index: South Africa
- World Bank open data
Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.