When we mentioned visiting Cape Town to friends, we were met with two reactions. Amazement from those who have visited and had experienced its magnificence. The second reaction is accompanied by a look of horror as if you’ve suggested you’re about to walk into a war zone. Ultimately these people have one underlying question. Is Cape Town safe?
It’s a warranted question and one that should be asked by anyone contemplating a visit. In our minds, safety is a relative term. Nowhere can be deemed exclusively safe or unsafe as far as we are concerned.
On a personal note, living in ‘safe’ Sydney I’ve been the victim of a mugging. In ‘safe’ Paris, we had our hotel room ransacked and belongings stolen. I deem neither of these cities particularly unsafe, but bad things do happen everywhere. For us, safety is a combination of the external factors out of your control multiplied by the factors you can control.
READ MORE: A one week Cape Town itinerary
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Finding Cape Town safety information can be a little sketchy
If you search online seeking to understand if Cape Town is safe, you’ll be met with a range of different answers. Some blog articles we’ve read have been vague- “just do it!”. A little reckless as far as we’re concerned. And unhelpful in assessing what precautions we need to take. Some sites reel off shocking crime statistics. Again, not entirely helpful. These articles tend to sway towards warning you off a visit rather than what you can do if you visit.
Then there are the middle of the road comments like “use common sense”. If there is one thing we’ve observed whilst travelling, it’s that common sense isn’t all that common. And my common sense is likely to differ to yours based on your own experiences. If you’re coming from Australia like us or similarly ‘safe’ western nations, your concept of safety and common sense is going to be very different to someone from South Africa. And it is this that needs some further explanation.
Understanding South Africa
Firstly, an understanding of South Africa is required. The gap between rich and poor is as vast as Africa’s deserts. In any country where this is the status quo, you will inevitably have individuals looking for opportunities to improve their own situation. And not always by legal means. It is understandable that there is a higher level of crime here than many other parts of the world.
Not to put the fear amongst anyone considering a trip here, but here are some examples of crime we heard first hand.
Example 1 – Walking in Cape Town and having an expensive diamond necklace ripped from their neck.
Example 2 – Being pickpocketed at Cape Town Central train station.
Example 3 – An intruder jumping a 3 metre high wall of a property after completing a mugging.
There is no doubt that crime in South Africa is more prevalent than where most visitors call home. However, in most cases there are preventative measures you can take to secure yourself and your valuables. Here are our tips to make your sure your trip to South Africa is memorable for all of the right reasons.
What you can do to maximise your safety in Cape Town and South Africa
Safety tip #1 – Pack away unnecessary valuables
You’re travelling in Africa. The water already sparkles like a diamond- enjoy that rather than the blingy kind. You don’t need your engagement ring or expensive necklace (like example 1) on display. Leave them at home or lock them in your safe. Even if you consider some of your jewelry to not be expensive, remember the optics of where you are travelling. They serve no purpose and can make you a potential target.
Safety tip #2 – Be aware of your belongings
OK, you’ve put away your jewellery, but you’ve still probably got your phone, camera, a wallet or a purse on you. That’s cool- you’ll need those! But to avoid what happened in example 2, keep them secure. Wallets hanging out of a back pocket and flashing your phone about is unnecessary. A great tip from a Capetonian when carrying bags is to ensure it is across your body, done up and you’ve a hand on it at all times. Most criminals are looking for easy targets. Make it harder and you’ll be less likely to attract attention.
The same goes for your valuables when at the beach and hiking. Don’t create an opportunity for someone else to take advantage of.
Safety tip #3 – Choose accommodation with good security
In example 3, the intruder ended up with a broken leg after making the leap. His presence set off the security system and an armed response team attended the site. Our Airbnb accommodation in Cape Town adjoined a hotel. The complex was surrounded by high walls, barbed wire and was patrolled by a minimum of 4 armed security guards. Security is a massive industry in SA, and there is no reason to stay anywhere with exposed accommodation. Don’t simply pick the cheapest place to stay. There is reasonably priced accommodation with great security. Make this a priority when choosing.
Safety tip #4 – Stay alert not alarmed when driving
On our South Africa trip, we drove through the Garden Route, Stellenbosch and into Cape Town. We had no issues on the road, but always kept the car locked. When approaching a red light in a less busy area, I would slow down and roll towards the stop to avoid being stationary for too long. Car jackings are unfortunately high in South Africa- some 16,000 in 2018. Night time driving presents a greater risk and extra care is required.
Safety tip #5 – Parking your car
It’s hard to avoid, and it’s not a scam. When parking your car, you’ll find attendants in fluorescent vests directing you in. Seemingly anyone in South Africa can throw on a vest and become a parking guard where they can find a free strip of parking spots. They’ll expect a tip R5-10 for helping you into and out of your spot. They’ll also keep an eye on your car whilst you’re away, although the quality of their watching is debatable! In any case, throw them a tip for their entrepreneurship and reduce the chances of anything happening to your car. Keep valuables out of view at all times.
Safety tip #6 – Uber is more than a cheap transport option
If you think that your destination may go through an undesirable area, or isn’t safe to walk, don’t risk it. Jump in a cab or grab an Uber. Minimum fares cost R26. A bargain for ensuring your safety, particularly during the evening. Make sure you include a tip for your driver at payment- like most low income workers, they aren’t earning a lot.
Safety tip #7 – Avoid extremely dangerous areas
Not unlike most cities, there will be areas that are far riskier than others. And these areas you should avoid.
If your Airbnb host, hotel or hostel staff tell you to avoid an area – avoid it! They don’t mention it for fun, but don’t think of making a visit to these places because it sounds edgy.
Safety tip #8 – Consider what you do in the evening
We retired to our accommodation most evenings after an earlier than usual dinner. Don’t get us wrong, there are still places you can go in the evening. Catch an Uber in between. We were slightly more risk averse and generally found the best things to do were done in daylight.
Safety tip #9 – It’s not just people you need to watch out for
So if you thought it was people that might cause you some issues alone, you’d be wrong. In popular tourist spots like Cape Point and the various national parks around Cape Town, you’ll see signs indicating the presence of baboons. For travelers accustomed to feeding monkeys and primates in other parts of the world, it’s a hard no here.
At Cape Point, we witnessed one baboon jump into the driver’s seat of a car when the door was left open momentarily. They are looking for anything, but mostly food. They are about, they are sneaky and they are fast. Before you leave your vehicle, check the space around you and do it quickly. And if you see them about, don’t approach them. They will also bite.
So is Cape Town safe?
These tips aren’t here to scare, but to inform. And I imagine by this point in the article, you have a relative understanding of what we mean when we talk about safety. No city is ever 100% safe. The external factors in Cape Town do make it less safe than many other countries. Only you can truly decide though if you want to travel here.
READ MORE: A one week Cape Town itinerary
For us however, South Africa and Cape Town in particular is a stunning destination. We spent 7 days in Cape Town, and 2 weeks in all in South Africa and encountered no issues personally. We have every intention of heading back to Cape Town again on a future trip. With some preparation, appropriate precautions and awareness, Cape Town is safe enough for us.
Have you been to Cape Town? Do you have any other tips to offer visitors?
Great story … A tip from some work colleagues in Indonesia is to keep your bag on the inside and away from the traffic. A second from first hand experience is ensure you bag is zipped up (Julies bag pickpocketed in Londons Covent Garden t in the middle of the day!)
Good tips Drew! Always pays to be vigilant, even in Covent Garden!