Exercise Increased Caution
“Exercise increased cautionin South Africa due to crime, terrorism, unrest, and kidnapping. Violent crime is common and includes robbery, rape, carjacking and mugging.”
Updated Tue, 27 May 2025
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Is South Africa safe? 🇿🇦
Africa · Updated
As of October 2026, South Africa scores 32/100 on the IsMyTripSafe safety index — verdict: caution advised. The U.S. State Department rates South Africa Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Of the 15 South Africa destinations assessed, George scores highest (60/100), while Johannesburg scores lowest (34/100).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
South Africa 🇿🇦
South Africa · Assessed 20 October 2026
32
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime22/100ElevatedCrime index 74.5 / 100
Sentiment40/100CautionMostly cautious
Advisories75Good
Stability64Fair
Health67Fair
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
No advisory against travel
“Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide.”
Updated 2026-10-07T10:15:33Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution
“Canada's official risk level for South Africa: exercise a high degree of caution.”
Updated 2026-10-15T08:49:57.791559-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Elevated
Homicide rate
43.7 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
7
Robbery / mugging
HighArmed robbery and carjacking are frequent risks in Johannesburg, Durban, and Pretoria.
Pickpocketing
HighBag-snatching and pickpocketing are common in crowded urban markets and public transport hubs.
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Fair
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Caution
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly cautious
40/100
Reported feel37Mostly cautious
Robbery risk34High risk
Pickpocket risk58High risk
Only 37% of people report feeling safe walking alone after dark, reflecting a high level of situational awareness required by residents and visitors.
Caution is required. South Africa has high rates of violent crime, though many tourists visit without incident if they follow strict safety protocols.
The country faces significant challenges with homicide, armed robbery, and carjacking, particularly in major urban centers. While the tourism infrastructure is world-class, safety varies drastically by province, neighborhood, and time of day.
Recent developments
- Oct 2026US warns of anti-migrant unrest and protests disrupting major cities— Business Insider Africa
- Sep 2026Authorities investigating a recent spate of female killings— Oregon Public Broadcasting
- Oct 2026A former deputy police chief facing sexual offense charges was denied bail— WRAL
Common scams
- Distraction pickpocketing in crowded areas
- Fake police officers
- Unofficial tour guides
- ATM fraud
Full briefing
High levels of violent crime and recent civil unrest define the current security landscape for travelers. Business Insider Africa reported in October 2026 that anti-migrant protests are disrupting major cities, prompting warnings to avoid areas of unrest. While the national homicide rate remains high at 43.7 per 100,000, recent government data from early 2026 showed a modest decline in contact crimes like robbery and assault.
Safety is highly localized and depends on your specific surroundings. Johannesburg currently holds the lowest safety score among assessed destinations, while areas like the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town are considered much more secure due to constant patrols and surveillance. Gauteng province remains a primary hotspot for robbery and carjacking, whereas KwaZulu-Natal sees higher rates of murder.
Avoid walking alone after dark and refrain from using mobile phones openly in public spaces to prevent theft. Stick to well-known tourist zones and use reputable transport services rather than walking through unfamiliar neighborhoods or townships. Staying informed about local protests and avoiding major highways at night will significantly reduce your exposure to risk.
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06 · Destinations
South Africa destinations by safety score
#1🇿🇦GeorgeModerate · updated 13 October 202660#2🇿🇦HermanusModerate · updated 13 October 202659#3🇿🇦KnysnaModerate · updated 18 October 202654#4🇿🇦BethlehemModerate · updated 13 October 202653#5🇿🇦StellenboschModerate · updated 19 October 202649#6🇿🇦KimberleyUse Caution · updated 19 October 202647#7🇿🇦BloemfonteinUse Caution · updated 13 October 202647#8🇿🇦Mbombela (Nelspruit)Use Caution · updated 29 July 202645#9🇿🇦PretoriaUse Caution · updated 13 October 202644#10🇿🇦Cape TownUse Caution · updated 19 October 202640#11🇿🇦East LondonUse Caution · updated 18 October 202640#12🇿🇦DurbanUse Caution · updated 13 October 202639#13🇿🇦Port ElizabethUse Caution · updated 20 October 202637#14🇿🇦Sea PointUse Caution · updated 5 October 202636#15🇿🇦JohannesburgUse Caution · updated 13 October 202634
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07 · Questions
South Africa safety FAQ
Is South Africa safe to visit right now?
The U.S. State Department currently rates South Africa Level 2 of 4 — Exercise Increased Caution. On our composite index South Africa scores 32/100. See the destination reports above for city-level detail. (Updated 20 October 2026.)
What is the safest place to visit in South Africa?
Of the destinations we've assessed, George currently scores highest at 60/100 (Moderate). Johannesburg scores lowest at 34/100.
Where does this South Africa safety data come from?
Directly from public sources: US, UK and Canadian government advisories, World Bank and UNODC crime statistics, WHO health data, live air-quality, disaster and earthquake feeds — plus AI field research over current local reporting. Read the full methodology.