Most dangerous cities in the world
Indice
If you are organizing your trip to South Africa, it is likely that, like us before our trip, you are asking yourself a lot of questions about whether South Africa is a dangerous destination. Today we tell you our experience and recommendations.
The first thing to tell you is that this feeling is totally normal. You only have to surf the web or read some of the news, for your fears about traveling to South Africa to surface. But, is South Africa a dangerous destination?
It is true that we cannot deny the obvious and South Africa is not an example of safety. But as with most destinations, it all depends on how and where you move. We know that the crime rate in some South African cities is high and that muggings and robberies are common. However, it is also true that the authorities are aware of this and that tourist areas are heavily guarded. This helps to gain confidence and security when you walk the streets.
After our Safari days in Kruguer Park, we returned to Cape Town. During our trip we had only one uncomfortable situation, and that was walking around the City Hall area of Cape Town. I forgot the recommendations and didn’t want to pass up the opportunity to get my camera out to take a picture of the city.
Insecurity in Johannesburg
Cape Town’s Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, known to locals simply as the Waterfront, is the city’s ultimate entertainment venue. Located on a former wharf that has been redeveloped into a shopping area, it has all kinds of restaurants, bars and stores where you can spend an enjoyable day by the sea.
A shopping mall, a spa and becoming the departure point for all excursions to the surrounding area and tour buses have made this pier the center of any trip to Cape Town (South Africa).
The Bo-Kaap neighborhood is one of the most photogenic in Cape Town. Filled with brightly colored houses, it is the enclave where large numbers of Malay immigrants who came to the city to work settled.
It is said that the houses were painted during a Ramadan decades ago, they liked it and left them that way to differentiate themselves from the rest of the city, which at that time was completely painted white.
Full of restaurants and one of the most touristic places in the city, there is also a museum open from Monday to Saturday and a mosque worth visiting. Nowadays, it is the favorite corner for instagramers who come to Cape Town.
Cape Town inhabitants
If you are wondering if it is safe to travel to South Africa, the answer is that, generally, it is. However, we must be aware that we are not in Europe and we have to follow a series of recommendations.
If we don’t do anything crazy, touring the best places in South Africa will be a very rewarding experience. In this sense, we must also differentiate the tourist areas of South Africa from the rest. These tourist areas are generally much safer than other less visited places.
Even so, we cannot forget that we are in an African country where there is a significant percentage of the population living in poverty in marginal areas. Avoiding these areas or not driving at night, for example, can help us to avoid scares.
One of the first things you need to know is that in South Africa people drive on the left. If it is the first time you are going to do it, you may find it a bit complicated. Also, it is not like Namibia or Botswana, there is a lot of traffic.
On safaris you can drive on your own perfectly well. Parks like the Kruger or the Addo Elephant Park, have roads enabled to make the safari with your private vehicle. On the other hand, if we want to go cross-country or to some of the more remote areas, we can only do it with a guide.
Travel safe – abroad
Of course, you must have your passport in force before traveling to South Africa, a document that must meet these two requirements: It must have an expiration date of at least 30 days after the date of departure from the country and have 2 blank pages.
Malaria treatment is advisable if you are going to visit risk areas, located in the northeast of the country, such as the Kruger Park. In large cities there is no risk of being bitten by the mosquito that transmits the disease.
Being located in the southern hemisphere, the seasons in South Africa are the opposite of those in Europe. Winter in South Africa, which runs from June to September, is dry and not too cold. This is the best time to enjoy the wildlife. The vegetation is less lush and the animals concentrate on the rivers to drink. In addition, the southern whale begins to reach the coast. It is also a good season for outdoor activities and sports.
The South African spring is from September to November. Temperatures rise during the day. It is a season that allows us to see beautiful landscapes full of flowers, such as those of the West Coast National Park, about 90 kilometers from Cape Town.