Is South Africa Safe? My Honest Experience (and What I Learned from a Local)
When I first told people I was flying to South Africa alone, the reactions got caught me off guard. I do admit some nerves had started to mix with my excitement, especially since it was my first big solo trip since having my kids.
When I arrived in Cape Town I definitely had a bit of a naive "it'll be fine" attitude, but that changed when I met up with my brother and his girlfriend, Rigan. Rigan is a Cape Town loca and she brought the reality of the situation to life through the small little things that she did (which she probably doesn’t even realise she was doing!) It wasn’t something she was doing because she was scared or on edge, I think it was just habits she had learnt growing up there and that were second nature to her, but things I wouldn’t think to do at home. An example being immediately locking the car doors once you got inside or also getting a taxi over walking to certain places, even if it wasn’t a long walk.
Having that local insight really help and it made me become a lot more aware. I stopped guessing and actually learned the 'dos and don’ts' of the city. Here is my honest take on how to navigate the country safely without overworrying the entire trip.
Learning the "Rules of the Road"
The biggest thing I learned is that South Africa isn't necessarily unsafe, but it just requires a different kind of awareness. It’s not like the UK, where you can wander the streets with your phone out, scrolling through Google Maps (okay, maybe not in London, but definitely in my small North Wales town!) One of the first things I noticed was the Phone Out rule: locals just don’t do it. If you need to check your route, you go into a shop or a café to do it or just be really aware when getting it out. I actually saw someone having their phone stolen (although it was actually from inside a shop, so even there isn’t fully safe) and it made it come to life a lot more.
It was the same with car safety, the doors stayed locked, and bags were always hidden out of sight. If people approach you at traffic lights (which happens a lot), do not open your window more than a couple of inches. It’s just about not allowing yourself to become an easy target and essentially using common sense! I saw Rigan doing it as part of her second nature and it just became instinct to me too.
The Uber vs. Driving Debate
I did a bit of both, and honestly, Uber is a non-negotiable at night. Even if you’re in a group and your destination is only around the corner, just use Uber. It’s really cheap, and the peace of mind it gives you is worth it.
We did rent a car for our time there and used it often. The roads are great to drive and hiring a car is really reasonable, but as with everything, just use common sense. The main thing is to never leave a single thing visible on the seats when you park. I am not just talking about bags, literally leave nothing. Break-ins happen too often!
The Day vs. Night Shift
During the day, I felt completely fine on my own, especially in populated areas like local markets or food places. The people are so warm and chatty, and they’re actually very protective of tourists. We went to one market and there were security guards on the gate who would not let us leave until our pre-ordered Uber arrived, for our own safety, so they definitely care and help out as much as they can.
However, once the sun sets, the walking stops. The streets empty out quickly, and the city’s energy definitely shifts. I was in a sketchy situation but I also did not put myself in one by walking anywhere alone, so, again, just be aware and careful with where you put yourself.
The Verdict: Is it worth the flight?
So, is South Africa safe? I’d call it smart-traveller safe. It’s not a place where you can completely switch off your brain, but if you follow the local rules (staying in the right areas and being mindful of your things) the rewards are worth it. The country is incredible and Cape Town is one of the best places (if not the best place) I have ever been to. I cannot wait to go back!
Having that local perspective really took the guesswork out of it for me (which I am so grateful for) and it definitely allowed me to feel safer. Rigan also helped me know which areas were safe or not, but if you are unsure, just check online before you head anywhere. If I had gone there completely on my own, I could have easily ended up in an uncomfortable situation just from assuming I would be fine and that nothing would happen to me. It made me realise that as long as you aren't complacent, South Africa is definitely manageable.
My advice? Don't let the scary stories talk you out of a bucket-list trip. Just be a savvy traveller, listen to the people who live there, and keep your wits about you. It’s a 10/10 destination and worth every bit of the extra planning.
