Is it safe to drive in South Africa? The short answer is yes. There’s little better than the thrill of the open road, as you explore the space and beauty of this extraordinary country at your own pace, with no one but your favorite traveling companion intruding on your thoughts. But as evidenced by the recent State Department update advising that tourist drivers should be especially vigilant against ‘smash and grab’ attacks, there are caveats. So it’s important to be prepared (although the advice also reiterates that the risk of violent crime for visitors in South Africa’s main tourist cities is “generally low”, and “most violent crimes occur in townships on the outskirts of large cities, or remote areas”).
Here are some tips to consider before booking your private car holiday, and what to keep in mind if you do.
Organize your trip with a tour operator
While it is perfectly possible to arrange your own self-drive trip in South Africa, traveling with a trusted travel agent is the best way to ensure you receive proper safety guidance and support. As Cedarberg Travel co-founder Kate Bergh says: “We’ve been planning self-drive adventure tours in South Africa since we started over 25 years ago, so we’re excited, but we also know who it’s suitable for, what for how much car to book and when to use a mix, combining self-driving with transfers and flights.”
Avoid self-driving to and from the airport
Treat yourself to a pre-arranged airport transfer (shuttlecapetown.co.za or airportshuttlecapetown.co.za are both good choices) and collect your vehicle at a later time. If you arrive after a long-haul flight and find someone waiting with your name on a sign, that’s not only great, but it also takes away the worry about navigation maps taking you through unreliable areas. If you are returning your vehicle to the airport, please check your itinerary with your host or concierge before your departure and do not deviate from it.
Recharge mobile data
Upon arrival, pick up a local SIM card with data at the airport (Vodacom has the best range). This sorts you out for online maps, e-hailing services and sending and receiving WhatsApps on the go. For peace of mind, visitors to Cape Town can also download the Namola app, which allows users to quickly request emergency assistance using their GPS location. Most car rental companies also offer an optional mobile Wi-Fi router with the car (1GB/day). It’s worth popping it into a mounted smartphone holder (not usually available as an option) so you can navigate hands-free.
Be a passenger while exploring the city
So it is not so much the crime statistics as the pleasure that should determine the decision to explore the cities of South Africa as a passenger: this way you avoid parking hassles and the boredom of traffic, and you can enjoy your life without any worries . Uber is generally the most efficient way to get around (choose Uber For day excursions in Cape Town, consider renting a car and driver for a day or two. Andiamo Tours is a great option, with reliable drivers and competitive prices (contact 074 263 4266 or info@andiamotours.co.za in advance).
Don’t leave your valuables in plain sight
The “smash and grab attacks” referred to in the State Department advisory typically occur at intersections in crime hotspots that are not in tourist areas. In any case, it is worth taking simple precautions when driving: never leave anything of value in plain view (for example, on the passenger seat or on the dashboard). Store handbags in the footwell and smaller valuables in the pocket. Another option is to put valuables in the trunk, but if you do this in a public place, make sure you physically check the handle to make sure the car is locked before walking away.
Be aware of your surroundings
Extreme income disparities are clearly visible in South Africa. Do not explore unsafe areas without a good guide. Whether you’re in the car or on foot, pay attention and read the physical streetscape as carefully as you read your online map. If you feel uncomfortable, turn back and retrace your steps. Keep moving even if you – with caution – break the traffic rules. Do not attempt to drive at night. Don’t stop on city highways to make a phone call or look at a map: instead, stop in a safe place, such as a gas station. Never accept “help” while using an ATM.
Don’t put all your faith in GPS-type navigation aids
In the wake of the tragic shooting of a tourist driven by his navigation app in one of Cape Town’s most crime-ridden areas – due to a gridlocked N2 – city officials met with Google SA to discuss clearly marking dangerous hotspots on their map platform, or avoid the route through it altogether.
Either way, if you rely solely on online navigation you can easily get lost in some of the more remote areas of South Africa as the mapping platforms cannot distinguish between dirt roads and tar roads. In short: the shortest route is not always the fastest, easiest or safest. Plan routes ahead and have written instructions as a backup guide in remote areas.
Keep emergency numbers at hand
These figures have been compiled as part of a Western Cape tourism safety program and can be found at safetravels.capetown. This includes, for example, Cape Town’s 24/7 “Band-Aid” number – 021 487 6552 – which you can call if you need to replace lost documents, need advice, help finding emergency accommodation, charge fees or contact must contact your bank.