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South Africa Safety Tips

South Africa Safety Tips

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE WORLD CHANGES ON ALMOST AN A DAILY BASIS, PLEASE CONTACT YOU NEAREST SOUTH AFRICAN EMBASSY FOR MORE ACCURATE NEWS AND UPDATES.

This is an essential guide for safety tips while in any of the South African cities or on a safari in the African bushveld. Traveling around South Africa can and most probably will be safe, but as in any destination on the planet - listen to your instincts and use common sense.

South Africa News Websites

The following websites offer the latest in news updates and are updated every few minutes;

  • www.news24.com
  • www.iafrica.com
  • www.iol.co.za

South African Emergency Services Contact Numbers

  • Emergencies from your cell phone – 112
  • Medical emergencies – 10177
  • South African Police Services (SAPS) – 10111
  • Cell C - 084 140
  • Vodacom - 082 147
  • MTN - 083 112

Safety Tips For When You Are In The Bush

  • Always listen to your guide!
  • Guides are experienced and professional individuals who have a very intimate knowledge of wildlife and the bushveld.
  • When visiting wildlife areas do not walk into the bush without your guide.
  • Do not approach any wild animals: If it is wild it bites!
  • Do not swim in any rivers, dams or lakes within or nearby wildlife reserves, the presence of crocodiles and hippo's is real!
  • Never feed animals: they get used to people feeding them and eventually have to be put down as a result!
  • Never leave the surrounds of your safari lodge or camp unattended.
  • Always have a torch with you at night.
  • Give your room a once over whenever you enter, we have had snakes, scorpions and monkeys as unwanted guests.
  • Respect Africa's wildlife at all times and the wildlife will respect you.
  • Disrespect the wildlife, and there will only be one winner (hint; it is not you).
  • Whether staying in a lodge or camping it is always recommended that one has a small first aid kit with you. Nothing like having a headache at 3 in the morning and all the staff are sleeping!
  • When travelling between lodges, never drive above 80kph on gravel roads. This is the quickest way to spoil your safari by wrapping your car around a tree.

Safety Tips For South Africa Cities

  • Using ones common sense is always a good start.
  • Ask locals to give you a run-down on all safe and unsafe areas and of course dress codes.
  • If you are not feeling safe, get out of there.
  • One does need at all time to be vigilant when travelling around.
  • When going out at night, always try not to travel alone, keep to small groups.
  • Always read the local news and keep up to date on current happenings in and around the areas you are currently staying or going to in the next few days.
  • Always use licensed taxi companies, your hotel will know which ones are good.
  • Let the hotel know approximately what time to expect you back and your contact details.
  • Lock your car/ taxi doors when on the move.
  • Never keep your travel documents on you, that is what the hotel safe is for.

Safety Tips For When Walking Around South Africa

  • The larger cities do have a criminal element that preys on unwary tourists (as in any city in the World)!
  • Do not walk alone in apparently deserted places (especially at night); wherever possible walk with a group.
  • Be on the lookout for pickpockets and bag snatchers.
  • Do not carry more cash than required.
  • Do not wear your finest jewellery.
  • Wear a money belt that fits under your clothes.
  • Don't carry a lot of camera equipment especially in the major cities.
  • Keep a photocopy of your passport, visa and air tickets and itinerary separately from the original documents (or copy them to them to a DropBox.com, Google Drive or Itunes account so that they are accessible anywhere, anytime).

Safety Tips When Driving In South Africa

  • Drive carefully and slowly (speed kills).
  • Stick to the speed limits; 120 kph on highways and a maximum of 80kpm when travelling on gravel roads.
  • Never drink and drive.
  • Always fill up with fuel when you get the chance, South Africa is a big country and distances are vast.
  • Always have your drivers license on you at all times.
  • Never try to bribe an officer of the law, no matter what they say.
  • Try your best not to drive at night, animals and humans can cross the road at any time (quite often just in front of you).
  • Stay alert as rural roads are often poorly maintained and potholes can be found.
  • Always wear your seatbelts.
  • Keep the doors and windows of your vehicle locked while driving in the major cities.
  • Stay aware of what's going on around you, and you have an excellent chance of enjoying a problem-free safari!
Safaris And Lodges
South Africa Lodges
South Africa Safaris
Destinations In South Africa
Cape Town Travel
Kruger National Park
Madikwe Travel Guide
KwaZulu Natal Travel
Garden Route Travel
Eastern Cape Travel
Latest South Africa Blogs
Singita Sweni Lodge Review
Greater Kruger Family Safari
My 4 Day Kruger Adventure
Impodimo Game Lodge Review
Jamala Madikwe Review
South Africa Travel Guide
South Africa Game Reserves
South Africa Safari Planner
Getting Around South Africa
Getting To South Africa
South Africa Safety Tips
South Africa Visa Requirements
South Africa Weather
South Africa Map
South Africa Showcase
Romantic Kruger Park Lodges
Kruger Family Friendly Lodges
Best Spas in the Kruger
General Information
Your Safari Suitecase
Safety Tips In Africa
Photography On Safari
Malaria In Africa
Safari Etiquette
Flights To Africa
Travel Apps for Africa
Travel To South Africa Now
Popular Game Reserves
Sabi Sand Lodges
Lodges In Sabi Sand
The Sabi Sand Reserve lies to the South West of the Kruger Park. Home to some of Africa's most sort after names, Sabi Sabi, Mala Mala, Londolozi and Singita to mention a few. All the lodges offered within the Sabi Sand ensures that one gets up close and personal with some of the best wildlife numbers in Africa.
Timbavati Lodges
Lodges In Timbavati
Timbavati Reserve lies on the Western boundary of the National Park; the border is unfenced allowing the wildlife to move freely between the two reserves. Timbavati is world famous for it wildlife and remote in comparison to the Sabi Sand Reserve in the South.
Cape Town Game Reserves
Cape Town Game Reserves
Game Reserves all with the magnificent Karoo as a backdrop and the unique Fynbos as a biome these game reserves offer the chance to spot amongst other Elephant, Rhino, Lion, Buffalo and Leopard not forgetting the pretty amazing birdlife on show.
Shamwari lodges
Shamwari lodges
Shamwari is home to Africa's Big 5, is malaria free and is situated in the Eastern Cape. Shamwari has received numerous international awards, including the World's Leading Conservation Company and Game Reserve for many years.
MalaMala Lodges
MalaMala Lodges
MalaMala is the Safari Industries original formula for the high-end photographic safari. In existence ever since 1927, this enormous flourishing stretch of land delivers probably the most exciting wildlife encounter this side of the equator. Four camps can be found offering only the very best.
Singita Lodges
Singita Lodges
The Singita lodges within this portfolio have been for decades setting the highest standards in accommodation, conservation and service, while synonymous with all that is the best in the safari industry. If you are seeking the best of the best, look no further than these luxury lodges in the Kruger Park.

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About Uyaphi.com

We at Uyaphi.com are specialists in arranging tailor-made African safaris and holidays and have been doing so since 1999.

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