Safe Travel In South Africa

Like any big city, South Africa has its share of scammers. To remain safe, it is just a case of awareness. Preparing yourself for what to expect will arm you with the knowledge you need to firstly recognise a scam, and secondly to fend off these scammers.

In South Africa, porters at the airports try to swamp new visitors by offering to carry their luggage and guide them through the airport, expecting money at the end of it. They can be difficult to fend off, and will often just walk with a hand on your luggage, expecting to be paid at the end of it.

The best way to avoid this is to carry your luggage on your back, and to not wheel it around the airport by trolley. If you do end up tipping a porter, it is said that around 7 Rand will be sufficient.

Mini-bus taxi’s are considered as unsafe methods of transport. There have been reports of numerous assaults and stabbings by the taxi drivers for very trivial things, such as asking for the taxi’s music to be turned down.

A holiday to South Africa can also bring about amazing experiences, and it would be very misleading to just comment on the bad. Noordhoek Beach was recently voted as one of the best three beaches in the Western Cape, and is relatively un-crowded. It features brilliant white sand, be warned however that the water is freezing and can be incredibly rough – great if you are a surfer.

Don’t forget the beautiful array of wildlife and the fine wines South Africa has to offer – it really is a fantastic place to visit. Like any place, it is important to read up on the dangers of any area, so that you can make informed decisions on how to remain safe once you arrive at your destination.