1

how would you consider safe?
traveling alone is always a risk taking activities.

i dunno abt south africa, but from my experience in east africa nearly a year by now. it varies on what "color" you are, which location you are, what time you are and what news you've got from local ppl. therefore, your language skills and temper control are very impt too.
things can be very differnt for a rural village and nairobi or even nai and dar.
crisis u may face big things including armed robbery, pickpocketing, fraud from local ppl or even police or customs, small things like running out of cash, traffics schedule and route changes etc

more reseaech u do, lesser problem u may get, yet and u will need a good contigency plan in mind, but in real life, plan is sth to be changed. problems are unavoidable and problems are problems, complaints are useless. keep your mind open and be ready to change things
i would say it is generally safe in rural if u go to the wilderness and in cities and tourist area, u need to play smart.

2

I have a travel philosophy. Start with backpacking at the age of 18 or 19. Then backpack at least 2 years in Europe in several countries at least a month per year (Interrail, if you are European).

Then backpack a few years in South America. Then do Africa.

And do USA trips and England trips already before the age of 18. Here no backpacking required.

(I already went to Morocco my first time at the age of 19. But it was rough. And I had heavy scenarios. Extreme scenarios. Scenarios I don't wish anybody else. The problem was I actually was not experienced in backpacking. And I realized I need more experience.)

TassYu, you need a travel philosophy.

3

Sorry, Jaycob1304, you need a travel philosophy. Eh, Lonely Planet, where is my edit feature? And I want a spell check. To have a good feeling. :-)

4

Jaycob, where are you from? As you want to start in SA and head up to Kenya and Zanzibar, I suspect that you are South African? If that is so I would suggest that you first do some travelling around your own and neighbouring countries and spread your wings once you have done a two or three shorter (3 weeks - 1 month) trips in your comfort zone. If you are from Europe, I would agree with CWO's (#2 above) first paragraph. Never having been to South America, I cannot comment on the rest of his philosophy.

5

RudiK, we are a heart & a soul.

6

Hi Jaycob,

I haven't done much traveling in East Africa, but South Africa is absolutely fine and safe for backpacking as long as you observe the usual safety protocol ... i.e research where you are going, don't wander into the less safe areas by yourself, don't hitchhike (the Hop on hop off baz bus is a good option) etc.

Re: Tanzania and Kenya, I imagine the situation is similar.

Good luck, and I hope you have a good time!

Jem
http://rentalsincapetown.com/

7

I like that travel philosophy clockwork orange ;-)

8

I did pretty much the same for my long solo trips...Interrailing in Europe at 16-17..SE Asia and Australia at 21...China,India etc. mid 20s.....Central and South America late 20s and early 30s..Africa in my 30s.

Now I'm a bit older,I'm going back to places I liked or looking for places i missed the first time ;-)

I'm saving Somalia for a few more years though........

9

Anyway Jaycob....as above,travelling in SA is safe,if you take some obvious precautions.The route up to Kenya is pretty safe too,as Africa goes...there are some problems with petty theft of course (like anywhere)but nothing really drastic.

The most dangerous thing is probably the transport....scary bus drivers ;-)

10

You'll be fine if you use common sense. Plenty of other backpackers to hook up with if you want to on the way up.
Did a similar trip in 2011, and probably not the only one here. Ask for details.

11

Africa is the safest continent...