Undoubtedly one of the more high profile, and sensitive subjects that constantly arises when a potential visit to South Africa is being considered, is that of “personal safety”.

Whilst this is totally understandable, we do believe that any conclusions, should be arrived at after a careful assessment, and reasoned evaluation of as many relevant factors as possible. Regretfully, in our experience via interaction built up with international visitors over many years, this does not necessarily appear to be the case, except with the people who have actually decided to “take the plunge”, and enjoy our vibrant country.

Feedback from visitors in our care has invariably related instances of friends, family, expressing severe misgivings regarding a visit to a country where, inter alia:-
- your bags will have been stolen by baggage handlers inside the airport
- you will be mugged of what you have left on leaving the airport building
- you will be murdered at least once during the course of your visit
- rape is a mandatory “occupation” for the majority of citizens


However, a few salient points should first be considered before condemning the country as a “no go” area, and worse, actually believing some of the negative media reporting that so often surrounds “African” headlines.

Firstly, let us not be under the illusion that South Africa doesn’t have crime. Of course it does, and it would be irresponsible, and naïve, to give the impression that it doesn’t. However, please take a few moments to consider the following:

• Potential “high risk” areas are not adjacent to mainstream visitor areas
• Visitors are invariably travelling in areas that, in some instances, are safer than comparative areas in their home countries
• Recorded instances of crime against international visitors are extremely low, and certainly no higher than in a good proportion of so called “sophisticated nations”
• South Africa’s infrastructure is very well developed, and working within this need give no cause for unnecessary alarm
• Seeking advice, and getting sound local knowledge is basically all that is necessary
• Realistically there can be no “guarantees”, which is no different to the rest of the world

For the unwary, the probability is higher of being “mugged” by an errant Baboon at Cape Point, than there is of becoming a tourist crime statistic.

In summary...

Common sense is essentially all that is required.

Merely taking the normal sensible precautions, one would usually take when visiting any unfamiliar country is all that is needed to enjoy the many benefits that a holiday to South Africa has to offer.