Organizing a trip to South Africa is amazing: imagining safaris and then discovering on the spot that they even exceed your expectations, admiring the burning sunsets of the savannah, driving along the scenic coastal stretches of the Garden Route ... yes, but what about safety? Can you leave serene?
The answer is yes, South Africa is a fairly safe and welcoming country, which can be explored in peace as long as you respect some common sense rules. We have listed ten good tips to help you enjoy your stay in the best possible way.
10 tips for a safe South African adventure
1 - Avoid isolated areas at night. Like everywhere else, even in the big and small cities of South Africa it is good to avoid attending remote areas alone at night. Also avoid wearing too much jewels or leaving technological devices in sight.
2 - Make sure you have closed your car. Well, maybe you already do it at home. All the more so do it on your trip, with the windows well up. Never leave valuables or bags in sight in your car and always try to park in well-lit places.
3 - Leave valuables in the hotel safe. Or maybe, leave them at home. You surely do not need them for trekking, safaris and excursions!
4 - Refuse the offers of help at ATMs. And always carry money with you in small amounts when you are around.
5 - Before reaching a destination, ask for accurate information at the hotel. Also to call a taxi, rely on the reception staff.
6 - Do not drink water from streams and rivers in inhabited areas. Tap water is instead subjected to sanitary treatments. Do not worry if it feels like drinking water is a bit bitter, in some areas of South Africa is very rich in minerals.
7 - Travel with health insurance. Medical and health facilities in South Africa are of highly developed in urban areas. Before requesting a medical service, ask of there is a fee. Remember however that outside of urban areas, sanitary facilities are of a lower standard.
8 - Take medical prescriptions with you if you are in therapy. In South African pharmacies medicines cannot be sold without a prescription. South Africa pharmacies are generally excellent, with highly reliable staff.
9 - Do anti-malarial prophylaxis if you plan to visit Kruger Park area or KwaZulu Natal reserves. For the rest, vaccinations are not necessary to travel in South Africa and the rest of the country is free from malaria.
10-If you are a smoker, pay attention to the "No Smoking" signs. The South African law is quite strict on the smoking ban, in force in all public places, so you must not smoke in airports (as in the whole world), in restaurants, in clubs and in all places closed or partially covered.
