Tourist Safety Guidelines for visiting Cape Town

So you have decided to travel to Cape Town, South Africa. Your ticket is booked. You have chosen every item that you are going to pack and you have a list of where you want to visit. But what about making sure that you are safe while you are away from home?  

Whenever you embark on a travel journey to a foreign country it is always important to know how to stay safe and know the golden safety rules of travelling. It is very important to stay safe while travelling to new cities around the world and to do this you need to become travel savvy. Once you have finished this post, there is no doubt that you will be Cape Town travel savvy. But before you start to worry, Cape Town is a safe city to visit for any tourist. South Africa may be a third world country, but if you are aware, and follow the best safety practices then your visit to Cape Town should be a breeze and become one of your favourite holiday destinations. Cape Town International saw around 5 million visitors arrive in Cape Town in 2017 with Cape Town Tourism implementing a Safety and Support Plan focusing on keeping the city safe for tourists visiting the Mother City.  

So what do you need to know? First and foremost, it is important to know that travelling to any country comes with risks, but you need not stress about it. You will be just fine if you remain vigilant and take the necessary precautions. Have a look at our safety tips list below to get Cape Town safe savvy. 

1. Before you arrive, do some research on the best emergency contact numbers to have on hand if something were to happen to you in Cape Town. Keep your medical insurance details with you as well and keep a backup hard copy version of these important numbers and information in case you lose your cellphone along the journey.  

Bonus tip: The local emergency number to call from a cellphone is 112.  

2. Valuables and Money are so important to you so focus on keeping them safe! Do not flash your valuables around for any and every one to see. This includes cellphones, iPad's/Tablets, jewellery, cash, credit cards and cameras. Don’t put your valuables in open pockets either, as pick pocketing does occur and you more than likely won’t even notice it happening until it is too late. It is important to not carry a large amount of cash on you. Most places in Cape Town allow you to pay with a debit or credit card, or Snapscan, so you should only keep a normal amount of cash on you for the odd occasion where you can’t make use of your card.  

Bonus tip: Don't let anyone help you with withdrawals from local ATM's.  

3. It is important to remember that Cape Town has various areas that are not safe to venture into alone. You should always visit the most well-known tourist attractions. These areas are generally well patrolled by security officials and controlled.   

Bonus tip: Visit the top attractions that are what Cape Town is famous for such as the V&A Waterfront, Canal Walk, Camps Bay, The Old Biscuit Mill or Table Mountain, to name a few. 

4. When exploring the city, do not walk around alone or down isolated areas. If you get a bad feeling about a street, do not go down it. Always plan your route before you head out to explore. The MyCiti bus runs through most of the tourist areas, we suggest that you make use of this service to ensure that you get around safely.  

Bonus tip: Keep your phone fully charged and be sure to have enough data to be able to use your Google Maps app for easy navigation. 

5. When you are out and about at night, it is important to stay in well lit streets and to not venture around alone. Never wander off into dark areas or flash your valuables around at night as muggings do occur if you appear to be an easy target.  

Bonus tip: It is better to avoid using your earphones at night as you should be alert, not distracted by your music.  

6. Keep your passport and flight tickets securely locked in your room to avoid it being stolen or misplaced while exploring the city during your holiday.  

Bonus tip: Ensure that your room has a lockable safe and put these precious items safely away inside the safe. 

7. Always ensure to lock your room door when you leave the guesthouse and during the evening while you are asleep. This will ensure that you are protected at all times and that your valuables will be safe while you are away from the guesthouse. Peaceful sleep is always a plus when you are constantly on the go during the day.  

Bonus tip: Don't let strangers into your room. Always make sure that the person entering has permission to do so.  

8. If you decide to go for a hike, do not attempt to do this alone. We suggest that you do it in a group to avoid making yourself an easy target for muggers. As always do not flash around your valuables and choose a time when you know that other tourists and locals will be frequenting the hike to ensure that you are surrounded by constant human contact. You need to also choose a hiking route that is known to be popular amongst the Cape Town population. We suggest Lion’s Head, Platteklip Gorge or Devil’s Peak. Always be sure to follow the designated path of the trail and do not wander off, as you could get lost especially if the weather changes. We also suggest that you check out the local weather forecast before embarking on your hike as some hiking routes are not recommended during rain or cloudy weather. SAN Parks have taken extra precautions to ensure the safety of hikers in Cape Town since the reported October 2017 muggings on the hiking trails in Cape Town, so don’t be afraid to experience this incredible adventure, just be vigilant and you will be fine.   

Bonus tip: Take an official map with you on your hike for extra navigation.  

9. You can also brush up on your knowledge of travel scams before travelling not only to Cape Town, but to anywhere in the world. Being naive on the subject could end up in your being robbed of precious items and/or money and ruin your whole visit to Cape Town.  

Bonus tip: A typical scam to be aware of is the double team distraction scam. One mugger will generally distract you while their partner mugs you without you noticing it. Be aware of this technique and be on high alert for anyone approaching you without justified reasons. 

10. If you do rent a car, be sure to always lock it when you are not in it. It may sound funny to hear that but car theft is rather common in South Africa, so you should ensure that the car is locked and that the windows have been closed properly when you park the car. There is ample parking in Cape Town with security car guards who watch the car parks, but you should make sure that you have secured the car to avoid any attempts to steal it while you are experiencing Cape Town. Also, it is important not to leave any valuables in the car, especially ones that can be seen from outside the car window.  

Bonus tip: Be ready to get into your car when you approach it, don't linger looking for your keys, especially at night.  

11. If you decide to go clubbing at night, do not leave your drink unattended at any time. This is an important safety rules to always follow, no matter where you are in the world. It is important that you keep your drink close to your person at all times to avoid being a target of opportunists who may be wanting to spike your drink.  

Bonus tip: Make sure to go out with a group of people and stick with that group during the evening to ensure that you are safe throughout the evening.  

12. When visiting the beach be aware of any notices posted by officials ie. Strong currents, shark dangers, etc. Always keep your valuables close by to avoid opportunist muggings on the beach and be sure to use an uber if you decide to go for after beach Sundowners at one of the various beach bars available along the Cape coastline.  

Bonus tip: Keep the Shark Spotters number on your phone in case of an emergency, especially if you are visiting Muizenberg. The number is 078 174 4244.  

As you can see, it is very easy to have a wonderful time in Cape Town while staying perfectly safe. Be vigilant, follow general tourism safety practices and use our helpful tips above, and you will be just fine during your Cape Town stay.  

Photo by Vivek Chugh