South Africa in 2025, safe enough?!

Well, I was there with another woman last September, but it sounds as though things have deteriorated since then. We rented a car in Cape Town and drove to the usual tourist sites during daytimes. Our hotel arranged transportation for us for going out to dinner, as we were advised not to drive after dark.

I wanted to visit the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, and the hotel said I must have a driver known to them to be reliable. They arranged it for me.

We won't be visiting South Africa. We wanted to go the Cape, but I don't think it is safe enough.
We did our great safari in East Africa, so we don't need to do another safari.

We spent 7 nights in Cape Town & area following a cruise from Mauritius to CPT. I had been to CPT previously but it had been a long time ago. We booked a private driver for a day trip to the Cape Peninsula, it was about CAD $200 for a 10 hour day. We could walk to many attractions, did a couple of walking tours, museums and went to dinner at night.We took normal travel precautions and felt as safe as many other places we have visited. We did not wear any expensive jewellery and only carried a limited amount of cash and card we both used cross body sling bags. We stayed at the Marriott Protea Fire & Ice. We used Uber to get to V&A Waterfront, Kirstenbosch Gardens and Table Mountain. We also
Ubered to Stellenbosch for 3 nights and had 2 full days, we spent a day wine tasting and the other included some very good shopping. We didn’t have enough time for Kruger so instead spent 2 nights at Pilanesburg, with private transfer to and from JNB. Based on our research and spending other travellers we chose not to sight see in JB. We also chose to not drive/ rent a car in South Africa, There are a lot of transportation and transfer options aside from self drive. We loved our time in South Africa- great experiences , food, and a weak Rand. I’ve been to Vic Falls and Botswana previously and they are stunning too. We would go back to South Africa without hesitation. 60 yr old couple.

Thanks Daisycan,

Do you mind if I ask if your trip there was recently or within 2 months? I think we’ve concluded not to rent the car and you gave great tips. Did you hike just the two of you on Tabletop Mountain. We were planning that but didn’t know if it would be safer to go with a guide. Thanks for your itinerary and all the tips for safety. I think it will be fine if we just be cautious.

I truly wasn’t concerned at all until I read the recent advisories:

“Exercise increased caution in South Africa due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping.

Advisory summary: Violent crime is common and includes robbery, rape, carjacking and mugging. There are also "smash-and-grab" attacks on vehicles. Violent crime is more common in the downtown areas of big cities, especially after dark. Kidnapping is a threat in South Africa. Kidnappers target U.S. citizens and other foreign travelers to steal money. Captors often force victims to withdraw cash or give online account passwords before they are let go. Though rare, some kidnappings involve demanding ransom from families.”

There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity, in South Africa.

May 2025, we arrived in Cape Town on May 11. If you want I can send you the name of the driver we used. We booked our safari with Traipsing Africa and they were great to deal with. At Table Mountain we just explored the area on the paved walkways, we didn’t check the closing time and arrived at 430 thinking it was open 8 but last funicular was 6pm. If you are going to do one of the hikes or Lions Head I would recommend a guide based on the conversations with other tourist, walking tour guides, firstly about tourists getting lost and second re safety.

I’d really appreciate the info on driver. Thank you! Did you go up Table Mountain on your own? Thanks for all the advice and info. I’ll check out the Traipsing Africa.

Sorry it didn’t show the whole reply from you. I see you answered the mountain question. Thank you.

Our visit to South Africa was this past May, and never felt unsafe. We did not visit Johannesburg or
Victoria Falls, and our visit to Kruger was on a pre-planned safari at a lodge in the Sabi Sands area with guides who took us out into the park. For the Cape Town portion of our visit, we used Uber and it was very inexpensive; we felt safe walking around during the day, but did not do so at night. Mother City Hikers was the company that we contracted with for a guided hike of Table Mountain, and they were terrific. We had a private guide/driver for our full day tour of the Cape Peninsula, and he also drove us to Stellenbosch and Franschhoek for our wine country portion of the trip. During our stay in Franschhoek, we walked everywhere both day and night and were very safe. I can highly recommend a visit to Fairview Wine Estate while in that area. If you are in Cape Town on a Saturday, a visit to the Oranjezicht City Farm Market is an interesting and fun experience. South Africa is a beautiful country with wonderful people, and I would have no hesitation in visiting it again.

Thank you Travel bug!
I feel so much better and am excited again to go on this adventure. I think adjusting how we usually travel without rental and adding the guided tours we will make things safe and fun. Would you please send me name of your driver info for the Cape Peninsula and winery portions. I think the other person responding is going to send theirs. That way if one is booked we have two choices.

Thanks for all the information and encouragement!!

I visited in January and had no safety issues.

Our driver was Tash, Tash Tours. The best way to reach him is via What’s App +27 78 708 0658. He was very professional, English speaking, and a safe driver with new vehicle. He is also available for any other transportation needs you might have including wineries and to/from the airport. Not sure what your plans are for Kruger and if you are planning to self drive at all. if so make sure to include some guided safari drives and if you can include 2 or 3 nights at a private reserve, it offers a very different experience. Take a look at the Francshoek Wine Tram too. We stayed in Stellenbosch and did a day on the wine tractor, it was a lot of fun, beautiful scenery although not the best wineries . If you have time try to spend a couple of nights in each. From Stellenbosch is easy to uber to the airport.

I was there for the World Cup, but that was a long time ago. I might go back with the right budget and with the right circumstances.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/south-africa-travel-advisory.html