Travel Safety Tips for Cape Town from a Local South African

As a South African-born Indian male, much of my life has been spent in the Cape Flats, an area marked by low socioeconomic standing, gang violence, rampant drug use, and a generally poor quality of life. Cape Town, like much of South Africa, still struggles with the lingering effects of Apartheid-era zoning and its resulting inequalities. In some neighbourhoods, your skin colour or inability to speak the local language can make you a target for crimes ranging from robbery to more severe offences. This unpleasant reality is essential to consider when discussing safety and daily life here.

Living in a volatile environment for years fosters a heightened sense of vigilance. However, extended periods in safer spaces can erode this survival instinct. This became evident after spending four and a half years in South Korea, a country with comparatively low crime rates. Conversations with colleagues there often left them horrified by my anecdotes from school days—stabbings, violent fights, and clashes between students and teachers. For me, these were normalized aspects of life in the Cape Flats. I had even witnessed a man beaten nearly to death, yet it was far from the worst violence I knew could occur.

In South Korea, life was different. I felt no need to maintain constant vigilance. My daily routine lacked the tension and precaution ingrained in me back home. For someone like me, who had spent most of my after-school hours indoors tinkering with my PC and indulging in nerdy hobbies, South Korea’s relative peace was restorative. Yet, it also dulled my instincts, making me less alert upon returning to Cape Town. In many ways, I view Cape Town’s poorer areas as active war zones where letting your guard down can have severe consequences.

Safety in Cape Town is relative and seasonal. For much of the year, residents and visitors can navigate the city without major incidents, particularly if they follow common-sense precautions. However, the festive season often brings an uptick in crime. Tourists, holidaymakers, and locals revel in the relaxed holiday atmosphere, but this ease can attract opportunistic crimes.

If you’re not a resident or accompanied by a local, avoid venturing into townships.

• Stay Alert: Always be aware of your surroundings, particularly when walking alone or in unfamiliar places.
• Blend In: Minimize signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive jewellery or carrying high-end gadgets.
• Carry a Basic Phone: Use a cheaper phone that you’re comfortable losing and that doesn’t contain sensitive information like banking details.
• Secure Your Devices: Use pins, biometrics, and other locks to protect personal data in case of theft.

• Avoid High-Risk Areas: Steer clear of neighbourhoods notorious for violent crime and even adjacent roads.
• Limit Night Travel: Traveling after dark significantly increases the risk of becoming a target.
• Keep Valuables Out of Sight: Store all valuables in your car’s boot (“trunk”) rather than in the cabin.
• Maintain Space: When driving, leave enough room between cars to manoeuvre in case of a sticky situation.
• Avoid Public Transport: It’s better to rent a car than to rely on any services.

• Keep Passports Secure: Leave important documents, such as passports, in a secure location at your accommodation rather than carrying them around.
• Avoid Townships Without Guidance: If you’re not a resident or accompanied by a local, avoid venturing into townships.
• Stay in Developed Areas: More developed neighbourhoods with better infrastructure often have higher security and lower crime rates.

Travel safely with a local guide by joining group tours such as Table Mountain, Penguins & Cape Point Small Group Tour from Cape Town.

Living in Cape Town is an experience of dualities—natural beauty and urban danger, vibrant culture and socioeconomic inequality. It demands resilience and awareness, particularly if you’ve experienced a period of relative peace elsewhere. 

For me, Cape Town is home—a place where beauty and adversity coexist. Facing its realities head-on is essential to living here safely and meaningfully. It’s a stunning city where you can create incredible memories. My wife and I have had a wonderful time here and recently purchased our first property. Like many cities around the world, Cape Town has its challenges, but the positives far outweigh the negatives. It’s a destination well worth visiting and experiencing for yourself.

Explore more about our experiences in Cape Town here: Cape Town

Sincerely,
Dharshan