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Heading south for the winter can be the getaway of a lifetime, and avoiding holiday mishaps can be incredibly simple with some easy steps in mind.
South Africa can offer an abundance of once-in-a-lifetime moments for every type of holidaymaker, with landscapes ranging from coastal forests to Savannah and an incredible climate.
However, the country’s high crime rate has often deterred many would-be visitors concerned by stories of inequality, violence and ‘no-go zones’ – but this doesn’t have to be the case, so long as you follow a few simple rules during your visit.
Here are my top tips for those planning a visit to my amazing home country.
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Scams
South African scams may trip up tourists as they tend to be a little different to ones European travellers may be used to. Opportunistic criminals try to take advantage of tourists who are preoccupied with their new adventure. These can start right at the airport, as I discovered on a recent trip with the new Uber Safari, which allows people to get the Big 5 game drive experience without the big stress of planning a trip out of Cape Town.
Having been born and raised in the East Rands of Gauteng, I know from the moment your feet touch ground in South Africa it’s best to try to portray an air of confidence, purpose and determination as well as avoid interactions with strangers as much as possible – especially those offering unsolicited help. Criminals won’t be completely deterred by this alone, but most fraudsters are likely to wait for people who are less visibly in control.
Unfortunately, some of the other international journalists weren’t quite as aware of this as they regaled us with tales of their quick layover in O.R Tambo airport where a group of people offered to help transport their luggage between flights, before demanding a tip when they got to the next check-in desk. This is a best-case scenario – it’s not uncommon to see trusting people lose their items entirely.
As scammers become more sophisticated, unfortunately it’s better to be suspicious. Try to avoid relying on strangers for help and be wary of people requesting assistance too, particularly if someone is asking for the time as it can often be a distraction used to make your phone or watch easily accessible. One incredibly common scam is fake police officers patrolling the roads.
Roxana Dumitrescu, from travel risk intelligence company Riskline, told me: “Travellers can enjoy a trip to South Africa without any unpleasant incidents with some awareness and preparation. Every officer carries an official SAPS ID card displaying their photo, name, rank, and SAPS logo, which they must show upon request. Real police vehicles are marked with SAPS logos, reflective decals, blue lights, sirens, and a unique vehicle identification number. Specialised units like Metro or Traffic Police also have distinct markings on their vehicles.”
She warned that drivers should be wary of officers that are reluctant or hesitant to show proof of their status such as their ID card. In South Africa, it is acceptable to signal to the police officer that you plan to drive to an area you feel safer in, or the nearest police station, to pull over there.
Thefts
Like any tourist hotspot around the world, you will find your pickpockets, purse snatchers and ATM voyeurs in South Africa, but there is another level to this as well. Card skimming is a common scam that is easy to avoid so long as you keep aware of inconsistencies around ATM machines or other points of payment. This can include oddly placed cameras to capture your PIN or tape or glue holding duplicate card readers in place. I personally always give the card insert area on any ATM a quick wiggle before using it.
When you are going to more potentially dangerous areas avoid wearing flashy items, expensive jewellery, wedding rings can be moved around so the gems are facing into the palm of your hand and appear like a simple ring from the outside. It can be helpful to have a few coins or notes on you as some local vendors may not have card machines and tips are often appreciated for the likes of car park attendants.
Carrying cash in large sums is definitely not advisable, but this small bit of change can be spread around your person so if the worst-case scenario does occur you’re less likely to lose everything. Decoy wallets and phones are also commonly used and some people go as far as keeping some coins in their shoes.
It’s recommended to secure your belongings in bags, such as making use of inner pockets and zips for your most valuable items and avoid having your bag out of sight. Roxana added: “Refrain from using mobile phones or laptops in congested public places. Avoid walking with headphones on.”
In some areas, private security companies or neighbourhood watch groups may respond faster than emergency services, so it’s worthwhile noting their contact numbers when appropriate. Following these groups on social media can also give you a handy insight into any unique, common or recent safety issues you should be aware of.
When in your hotel room, the experts advise keeping your valuables in the safe and double-checking the doors are locked, even when you’re present. There’s also a handful of ways you can digitally protect yourself by only using recognised taxi apps, such as Uber, and waiting in well-lit designated areas or asking your hotel for recommendations on which taxis to use. It’s worth noting that a ‘taxi’ colloquially in South Africa is not the black cabs you may be expecting, but rather VW mini-buses that transport multiple people at a time. So if you’re asking for help or advice from locals, it’s better to try to be as specific as possible.
Areas of note
In the tourist hotspot of Cape Town, travellers are especially warned against going through the Central Business District, or CBD, and informal settlements which are colloquially known as townships. These are areas that hold a lot of South Africa’s history as a legacy of the Apartheid system, where impoverished people live in high density occupations with little tenant security, sanitation and safety.
Some of Cape Town’s bigger townships, namely District Six, Langa, Gugulethu and Khayelitsha, offer guided tours through the areas for travellers to be immersed in the country’s history and culture.
Roxana advised: “Never enter a township or informal settlement unaccompanied by a guide or trusted local, and only use reputable tour companies.” Table Mountain National Park can also be a hotspot for robberies, but ensuring you go with other people during busy times and stay on marked trails can help provide you safety in numbers.
