Is south africa reasonably safe?

[ar15teacher]

We will be going to South Africa for the very first time. We are flying into Johannesburg and ph is driving us to Limpopo province. Since booking the trip it seems like a lot in the news. I have been doing research and lots of reading. I dont know if things are getting worse or I just never really paid attention. We will have grandchildren with us is our main concern. It is so hard to tell bs from legit information anymore. Trump is either bringing something to the world's attention or stirring the pot? Any info good or bad from people who have hunted and spent time in SA or live in SA would be appreciated. Airline tickets are bought and deposit paid. Going in November. Thank you all!

 

[Hogpatrol]

In the immortal words of Chris Rock "Turn that shit off"! It's all useless noise. Enjoy the scenery along the ride and have fun.

 

[JD Noblin]

I've been to South Africa 9 times and have traveled by car all over the country....never had a single issue or actual danger on any of the trips. Was just there for two weeks this month....no issues. Of course you must stay aware during your trip and if something is uncomfortable then tell your PH and (s)he will sort it out. As Hogpatrol said, "enjoy the scenery along the ride and have fun."

 

[BryceM]

So here's some perspective. We had some friends come visit us in the rural Rocky Mountains from overseas. They had never been to the Western Hemisphere before. They were pretty nervous about crime in the US from what they've seen on the news. I sort of laughed it off, but it did get me thinking.

All that stuff Trump brought up about anti-Afrikaner activity has been going on for quite a while. It's about time they felt some international pressure to clean it up. The fact that it has been in the news doesn't change what it happening day to day.

Random stuff can happen anywhere on the planet, but usually those who get in trouble are looking for it. S. Africa probably isn't a place that I'd chose to move to, but your PH will know the ropes and keep you perfectly safe. Millions of people are going about their lives there and doing just fine. I usually feel more safe in Africa than I do in Mexico, Central America, or certain parts of the US.

Worry - violence. Reality - theft or forgetting things
Worry - dangerous game. Reality - injury from being out of shape
Worry - airplanes. Reality - automobiles.
Worry - snakes. Reality - bacteria, viruses, and mosquitoes.

 

[Beck]

South Africa is safer than basically any other African country. This is proof that you should not watch the news or listen to the person making it.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

I have done 6 trips since 2018. Never felt unsafe or had any issues. Your PH will make sure you are safe and cared for.
I’m more worried in a parking garage in Houston than anyplace I have been in South Africa.

 

[JimP]

Just stay with your PH and you'll be fine.

On my first trip we stopped at a couple stores and I was surprised at the guards around the parking lot and inside the stores. These were Walmart type stores. We always had a person with the vehicle who was one of our PH's.

But in the long run I never saw anything to worry about and the group of us wandered around the town of Port Elizabeth the night before we were picked up at our hotel.

 

[Rare Breed]

We will be going to South Africa for the very first time. We are flying into Johannesburg and ph is driving us to Limpopo province. Since booking the trip it seems like a lot in the news. I have been doing research and lots of reading. I dont know if things are getting worse or I just never really paid attention. We will have grandchildren with us is our main concern. It is so hard to tell bs from legit information anymore. Trump is either bringing something to the world's attention or stirring the pot? Any info good or bad from people who have hunted and spent time in SA or live in SA would be appreciated. Airline tickets are bought and deposit paid. Going in November. Thank you all!

It is given i’ve been there 8 times. I do not however go touring in Jburg! I fly in stay at City Lodge and if hunting in SA either my ph picks me up or I fly out next morning to final destination. me personally I would never go out anywhere in Jburg at night. just me

 

[375Fox]

I wouldn’t go to South Africa as a naive tourist, but picked up by PH at the airport who knows the country you are very safe. South Africa is a very developed country and has good roads, nice stores, good restaurants, etc, but it’s not a place I’d leave my things unattended or flash money. It looks nice but crime is high if you didn’t know where to go and not go. Your PH won’t let anything happen. It’s his country. You will enjoy your trip.

 

[375Fox]

South Africa is safer than basically any other African country. This is proof that you should not watch the news or listen to the person making it.

South Africa is very safe for hunting, but Namibia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania don’t have the animosity that still lingers in South Africa. I’d consider them safer because of that.

 

[K-man]

Just returned from SA yesterday, beginning in Port Elizabeth, going almost to Lesoto, down to Port Alfred, then over to Kimberly. Never felt unsafe anywhere, even at the gas stations. But always a bit of an "aware" attention to detail, watching the locals to make sure nothing left the back of the truck. I'm always in the company of a P.H. mostly so I don't have to drive.

 

[Jhsmith]

I made two trips to South Africa.
Returned from the second one on May 9th.
No issues while hunting or traveling anywhere.
Your PH will escort you through the parking garage in the airport.
There may be some people approaching wanting to offer you help with your luggage just walk right by them.
I wear a backpack that has my important paperwork and money in it .

I've made two trips there we've driven to seven locations with the PH, no issues.

Pay attention in the parking garage after that just relax you're going to enjoy the trip.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I have been more anxious in Buffalo or Chicago than South Africa. Don't pay much attention to anything Trump says. He is the proven King of Misinformation: e.g. Lysol martinis, immigrants eating their dogs, thinking he can run for a third term, etc, etc. South Africa does have serious problems with corruption and more than its share of crackpot political radicals (not unlike US or Canada). But I have found the people are generally very friendly, black or white. Lovely folks.

 

[BushPig1963]

I moved here from the UK 9 years ago and most of my friends thought I was mad and would be dead in six months. The total opposite is true. Yes there are 75 murders a day and yes there are 125 rapes a day but, without being racist but being factual, most are in townships and involve locals are drug wars, turf wars, gang related, protection racket, extortion etc. In those 9 years there have been 5 tourist murders. All were avoidable. Two tragically made Sat Nav mistakes and drove into townships, one drove after dark to the Kruger and went through a township by mistake, one ignored local advice to go for a walk to a known hot spot with a big camera alone and the other went hiking alone skirting a township with a backpack and camera and phone etc. All were basically avoidable if you follow common sense and listen to the locals. The golden rule is if it is dark don't walk the half a mile back to your hotel take an Uber, don't walk around with a fancy camera round your neck and flash your cash, and if you hike as I do then leave your jewellery in he safe and your credit cards. Take R300 cash with you so if you are robbed, v unlikely if you avoid hikes flagged up as risky, then just give them the cash to go away and get their next high and all is well. Don't fight back it's not worth it. I love it here and feel very secure and hike alone most days with my pepper spray and a hiking stick and have never had an issue. As the above post says most people black of white or yellow or blue are friendly and helpful. Just follow basic common sense and you will be fine. I feel safer here than my annual visit home to the UK to be honest....

 

[mark-hunter]

I dont know if things are getting worse or I just never really paid attention.

You are watching breaking news. Typical media influence. Tomorrow will be something else to worry about. The things there are as they are for years, permanent threat of land grab for years. This political discourse is not new, it is just now highlighted with WH latest news. On this forum you will find similar questions posted years ago.

Direct the research in other direction:
Most visited tourist country in Africa? Please check?
The biggest number of safari outfitters, safari clients, and safaris done in Africa? Please check?
In which country? Please check?

South Africa, most visited country. Followed by Namibia. These two countries take 70-80% of all safari clients per year for entire continent. All clients return home alive and happy.

 

[Red Leg]

I moved here from the UK 9 years ago and most of my friends thought I was mad and would be dead in six months. The total opposite is true. Yes there are 75 murders a day and yes there are 125 rapes a day but, without being racist but being factual, most are in townships and involve locals are drug wars, turf wars, gang related, protection racket, extortion etc. In those 9 years there have been 5 tourist murders. All were avoidable. Two tragically made Sat Nav mistakes and drove into townships, one drove after dark to the Kruger and went through a township by mistake, one ignored local advice to go for a walk to a known hot spot with a big camera alone and the other went hiking alone skirting a township with a backpack and camera and phone etc. All were basically avoidable if you follow common sense and listen to the locals. The golden rule is if it is dark don't walk the half a mile back to your hotel take an Uber, don't walk around with a fancy camera round your neck and flash your cash, and if you hike as I do then leave your jewellery in he safe and your credit cards. Take R300 cash with you so if you are robbed, v unlikely if you avoid hikes flagged up as risky, then just give them the cash to go away and get their next high and all is well. Don't fight back it's not worth it. I love it here and feel very secure and hike alone most days with my pepper spray and a hiking stick and have never had an issue. As the above post says most people black of white or yellow or blue are friendly and helpful. Just follow basic common sense and you will be fine. I feel safer here than my annual visit home to the UK to be honest....

I travel to SA without serious concern, but would suggest you reread your post. It is not likely to reassure a first timer.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

I’m still in SA with my 13yo daughter as I type this. It’s our last day, flying out this evening.

She has felt safe as have I the entire time. Your PH will help ensure that during the duration of the trip. Since traveling with a rifle, I used the permit service as I did last trip, worth it for the decrease in headaches. They offer a VIP service, which some outfitters also arrange in advvance, where there is a gent waiting for your group as you deplane. He escorts you through the passport check, gathers your bags, and expedites you through customs, handing you off to your PH or Rifle Permit folks, who then accompany you to the airport police office for retrieval of your rifle, and PH accompanies you to the buggy…and away you go. I didn’t let my daughter go walking around town or even into a convenience store unaccompanied. I was always with her and the one time we went into a larger grocery store, our tracker accompanied while our PH stayed with the truck and rifles.

Your PH is there to keep you safe and happy throughout your stay. Enjoy your trip and can only imagine your grandkids will have lasting memories. My daughter doesn’t want to leave.

 

[mark-hunter]

BTW in 2018, I took my son then 14 yo, to safari to Namibia.
Ok, Namibia is not South Africa, but I would do the same if travelling to South Africa for hunt.

 

[Sideshow]

I travel to SA without serious concern, but would suggest you reread your post. It is not likely to reassure a first timer.

Not sure Red Leg I thought he called it as it is. Or did I miss something?
His stats on rape and murder are about right. Also where they happen.
His advice on walking when and where is sound.
As I’m sure you well know some of these people earn less than $1 a day. So if you’re walking in the wrong place with your $500 watch and $1000 phone you’re asking for trouble. The 300R in a pocket is a good tip.
In prospective you can get in as much trouble in the wrong areas of the US.
We have all heard of taking the wrong turn getting a flat tire etc and getting scribbled for it.
He’s not sugar coated it but called it as he sees it from a expats view living there.

 

[Mauser78]

The areas you will be in, will be 100% safe. Tourist areas, suburbs and farms in general is safe. Your PH and guide will know. Like mentioned, curtain areas are hotspot, but all locals know them.
Farm attacks is not random, it is well organised and target oriented, older people living alone ext. a Hunting camp with a dozen guns and people knowing how to use them is not what they are looking for.