Safety in Cape Town
Your comprehensive guide to Everything Cape Town
Anything can happen while you are on holidays and as a guest in the Western Cape, your enjoyment and wellbeing are of the utmost importance. As in other countries there are a few basic precautions all tourists should take, to ensure their stay is as pleasant and safe as possible. Please be sure to take not of the useful numbers page
Enjoying South Africa and the Western Cape
South Africa and the Western Cape boast a diversity of cultures, communities, sites and attractions. Most areas can be visited safely by tourists, provided they take basic common-sense precautions. However, some areas should be visited in groups, or with recommended tour operators, details of which can be found through the extensive Visitors Information Network, in place throughout the region. (See the numbers below)
Sightseeing and Entertainment
- Use registered, qualified tour guides.
- Don’t leave handbags under tables, on the backs of chairs or on restroom hooks.
- Travel in groups, especially if you are visiting a nightclub, bar or shebeen you haven’t been to before.
- Don’t make use of train services at night, if at all possible.
Accommodation
- Never leave your luggage unattended.
- Store valuables in your hotel’s safety deposit box.
- Keep your room locked at all times.
- Hand in the room keys or cards whenever you leave your hotel.
Money and Travel Documents
- Travel with certified copies of your valuable documents, and keep originals in a safe place.
- Countersign no more than half your traveller’s cheques.
- Separate your cash and credit cards, and don’t carry all your cash/traveller’s cheques with you during the day. Rather store half of them in your hotel rooms safe.
Mountain Tips
- Do not walk alone. Always ensure that you are in a group of at least 4 people.
- Take your mobile phone with the Mobile Phone Emergency number 112 and the Search and Rescue number +27(0) 21 948 9900 punched in. Ensure that your mobile is hidden from view.
- Always let someone know which route you will take and how long you will be. Take a map.
- If you get lost, stay where you are. Call Search and Rescue number +27(0) 21 948 9900
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Always take rain gear and a jersey. The weather changes quickly and suddenly.
- Take water, sun block, wear a hat and take a snack.
- If you are confronted by a criminal don’t resist. Handover your goods!
At the beach
- Always swim in areas supervised by a lifeguard.
- Never swim alone.
- Don’t dive into unfamiliar waters – what may seem deep could be very shallow. Feet first is safer.
- Protect your skin from over exposure to UVA and UVB rays by wearing waterproof sunscreen with a high protection factor of 20+. Avoid the sun between the hottest times of the day: 11h00-15h00
- Drink plenty of water regularly to avoid dehydration even if you don’t feel thirsty. Your body needs water to keep cool and to replace lost salts through sweating.
On the road
- Familiarise yourself with local rules of the road. Remember to drive on the left-hand side of the road.
- Plan your route and fuel consumption in advance. Fuel can only be paid for with cash. Credit cards are NOT accepted at most fuel stops.
- Have phone numbers of your destination on hand, in case you get lost.
- Keep the car doors locked at all times, the car windows wound up and any valuables locked in the boot.
- Never pick up strangers or ask them for directions. Rather go to the nearest business or fuel station, if you get lost.
- Pay special attention to speed limits, road signs and traffic markings.
- It is compulsory to carry a translation of your driver’s license, if it has been printed in a foreign language.
In the street
- Obtain a map, and plan your route before you set out on an excursion.
- Consult your hotel or nearest Visitor Information Centre for a reliable taxi service, if required.
- Always keep your luggage or belongings where you can see it, at any transport hub.
- When crossing the street, use pedestrian crossings where possible and be aware of oncoming motorists at all times. Look right, look left and look right again before crossing.
- Explore in groups and stick to well-lit, busy streets, especially at night.
- Please do not give money to street children. If you wish to assist them in a meaningful way, contact any Visitor Information Centre to obtain a list of organisations who would be most grateful for the assistance.
In case of an unfortunate incident
Although incidents of crime against tourists happen rarely in South African, tourists should still be aware of the basic emergency procedures to follow should anything happen.- Go to the nearest safe and public place.
- Call the Police Emergency number 10111, which is free from a public telephone box or landline, and briefly explain what happened.
- If you are using a mobile phone, use the Mobile Phone Emergency number 112 and your call will be transferred to the appropriate emergency services.
- If you have been injured, the call centre will dispatch an ambulance to take you to the nearest hospital. Alternatively, you can call the National Ambulance Service 10177
VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRES
| Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 487 6800 |
| Cape Winelands | +27 (0) 21 888 5102 |
| Cape Overberg | +27 (0) 28 214 1466 |
| Cape Karoo | +27 (0) 23 449 1000 |
| Cape West Coast | +27 (0) 22 433 8505 |
| Cape Town International Airport - Help Desk | +27(0) 21 937 1257 |
| National Tourism Information | +27 (0) 83 123 2345 |
