important tips

Hi Pingu5
Of course you have to use common sense like everywhere in the world, and you can be unlucky (again, this can happen everywhere in the world), but I honestly dont think that South Africa is a dangerous destination to visit. I have been there 6 times (as a female, mostly travelling alone), and I never had any problems. There a no tourist scams (or a least none that I know of), prices are fix (and if a taxi driver doesnt want to put on the metre, get out and take another taxi) and there is nothing I wouldnt eat or drink out of safety reasons. In big cities (this is especially true in Joburg and Durban), there are areas to avoid. If in doubt, ask at your accommodation.

As for things to bring for safaris / National Parks: the most important is "onion layer clothing". During the day, it will be very sunny and warm, and you are fine with T-Shirts, but as soon as the sun is down (or before it rises), if you sit in an open vehicle, it can get very fresh. So I would bring a fleece, scarf and wollen hat. And if you have Binoculars (or can borrow some from somebody), you want to bring them.

Hi pingu5,

I agree with nathalie2, South Africa is often portrayed as much more dangerous than it really is, but there are definitely areas that one should avoid. I've lived here my whole life (except 1 year) and I've never been the victim of a crime. The people that I know who have been victims of crime here were either in a place that is specifically unsafe, left doors unlocked or displayed valuables openly e.g. in their car that were smash-and-grabbed.

If you want to walk around make sure about the safety of the area first, walk with confidence, know where you're going, don't carry valuables openly and never walk around alone in the streets after dark. Areas in Johannesburg that can potentially be dangerous are the CBD and townships among others, so just be extra vigilant if you go there. I would also advise you to always use reputable private taxis instead of public minibus taxis. The Gautrain is safe to use.

I don't think there is anything that you shouldn't eat or drink, food in restaurants and formal shops are usually of a high standard. In fact, there are lots of typical South African food that you can try: chakalaka, biltong, koeksisters, melktert, coffee and rusks, bunny chow, Cape Malay food, boerewors and lots more. We also have great wines. To be safe maybe avoid buying food from individuals or informal stalls and rather stick to proper shops. The tap water is safe to drink except in some rural areas.

I've seen and heard of tourists being approached by "porters" when they arrive at the airport, people who try to carry their bags etc. If this happens, just hold on to your bag(s), say no thanks firmly and walk away. I think they maybe target people who look unsure. Always hold on to your bag(s) in general i.e. keep your handbag shut and close to you, don't put it on the floor in a restaurant etc.

You may notice beggars in the streets, some of them pretend to be injured or carry babies around to evoke sympathy. It is up to you if you want to give them something, also just be vigilant around them.

I would suggest getting a local SIM card for your phone and saving important and emergency numbers on it. Don't carry too much cash around, you can use your credit card almost everywhere.

As a tourist, it's not as bad as it sounds. South Africa has a LOT of violent crime, but tourists aren't usually the victims. Home invasions, farm attacks and a lot of violent crimes in poor areas. When it comes to tourists it's mostly like any other big city in the world. Don't drive after dark, and don't wander alone around the city at night. Other than that, just use common sense and you'll be fine.

South Africa does however have a few things that at least most eurpeans aren't used to. 1) Car guards. When you park someone will look after your car for a couple of rands. At shopping centers they usually have uniforms, in a city street it could be homeless kids. 2) You don't fill petrol yourself, and give a few rands to the attendant and more if they clean you windshield. 3) Small talk. You have to exchange a fair bit of pleasantries before getting to the point. Weird for a scandinavian, but I think it's quite nice. 4) They call traffic lights "robot" 5) If someone passes you on the road, they expect you to drive on the shoulder to let them pass. They say thank you by flashing their emergency lights after passing.

When it comes to tourist scams there are just a few, but they're not exclusive to SA. 1) Someone asks to help you when you're using the ATM. 2) At the airport there are a lot of pirate taxi drivers. Go to the taxi rank, or arrange transport with your hotel. I've ended up in pirate taxi twice, but had no hassle. 3) There are porters at the airport, but they have vests usually. Pay them a few rands if you let them bring your luggage in.

Haven't really experienced overcharging except once in a taxi, his meter kept bumping up every time he braked, haha. But it was such a small amount that we just didn't give him tips.

Places to avoid, city centers at night and townships by yourself. Other than that, just listen to the locals and your hotel tells you. It really isn't that different to London or New York etc.

Safari packing list: Layered clothing (thin wool sweater or fleece will help a lot at night/early morning), scarf, beanie, camera, memory cards, extra battery, sunglasses, sun lotion, mosquito spray, mosquito net (depending on where you're going and if you're afraid of bugs)binoculars. What you DON'T need is khaki clothing, you do not have to dress up like Livingstone to go on safari. Just bring normal comfortable clothing like sweat pants/jeans, hoodie, running shoes or other comfortable shoes.

What not to eat? There's so much yummy food, that I say, try it all. Almost. My personal don'ts are walkie talkies (chicken feet and beaks) and smilies (half a sheep's head). Tap water is safe, but I avoid it because different bacteria tends to give me an upset stomach. You should try impala, springbok, kudu, ostrich, cape maley curries, seafood, bobotie, sticky toffee pudding, don pedros, malva pudding, biltong, amarula, boerwoers, pap, sheeba.

Thank you everyone for all the useful tips and advice.
Another quick question, is it not safe to drive at night as I was thinking of driving one or two days late into the evening to save time and advance to destinations on my itinerary?

Where exactly are you planning to drive?

Between Underberg and Port Elizabeth

I would advise against driving at night. Animals and people tend to cross the road at random places in these rural areas and it could be dangerous at night when it's harder to see them and possible potholes. If you have to drive this at night though and you plan it so that you start in Underberg when it's light and are maybe past Grahamstown already when it's starting to get dark or something like that it should be better, but not ideal. Always make sure that your phone is charged and that you have an emergency number to call in case something happens.

Please avoid driving at night. As lidia_s77 says there are a lot of people and animals wandering into the road at random location. Add poor or no street lights and a lot of drunk drivers into the mix and just don't do it.

We were in Nelspruit a few weeks ago, and in that area 93 people died in car crashes in August. That's just one month. Around 40% were people walking on/close to the road. I can't find the lowvelder article I read about the subject, but if I remember correctly around 500 were seriously injured.

It is far better to leave really early in the morning when the sun rises, instead of driving at night.

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