Safety in Cape Town

Cape Town is known worldwide for its’ beauty, tourism, business and study opportunities; However, like any other big city it comes with its’ own risks and issues to keep in mind when planning to travel alone or as a group.

There are a few points to consider on your journey, both inside and outside the city (Although the City Centre is notably more dangerous than the rest of Cape Town).

Points to Remember:

• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash on you, don’t walk with cameras or phones in plain sight and never leave personal belongings unattended, (on a bench or table to go take a picture or on a restaurant chair or table when going to use the restroom or order food etc)
• Take advice from whichever accommodation or host family you are staying with as they have lived in that area and will know the measures of safety to follow.
• Never walk alone in poorly lit or dark areas at night and always park in well-lit and secure streets as close to where you are staying as possible.
• Never allow strangers to help you at ATMs or cashpoints and never draw cash alone.
• Street children and beggars may call you out for charity, if you wish to help consider sharing food or buying them bread from local corner shops. In these areas, never appear to be lost or looking for directions as people may take advantage of you, instead, wait until you are in a safe area such as a café or a shop to check your maps or to call someone you trust. If it’s necessary go to the nearest police station or city security officer (CCID Public Safety Officer).
• Keep copies of all valuable documents in a safe place.
• When exploring large parks or nature reserves such as Table Mountain Nature Reserve be sure to have a map of the area as there is often no cell phone service on mountain or forest hikes. Don’t go alone, take water, food and comfortable clothes and shoes. Make sure all phones are charged and always try to head back as soon as it starts getting dark or if the weather changes.

Although many of the aspects of danger are slightly exaggerated my mainstream media and social media platforms known to dramatize events for the sake of entertainment and media reach, it is not to say that these risks do not exist at all and should not be accounted for, it’s better to stay extra safe than be sorry and lose your phone!