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 Oudtshoorn safe? 🇿🇦
South Africa · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Oudtshoorn scores 62/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Oudtshoorn presents an elevated risk for travelers, requiring increased caution. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Oudtshoorn 🇿🇦
South Africa · Assessed 26 October 2026
62
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime55/100FairCrime index 74.5 / 100
Sentiment63/100FairCautiously Optimistic
Advisories75Good
Stability64Fair
Health70Good
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
Fair
Mugging & robbery risk
Moderate risk
62
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
78
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
55 / 100 (Cautiously Optimistic)
55
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
74k residents
89
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
43.7 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
7
Robbery / mugging
ModerateViolent crime is common in South Africa, including robbery and mugging, though specific incidents targeting tourists in Oudtshoorn are not detailed in the dossier.
Pickpocketing
ModerateWhile not specifically detailed for Oudtshoorn, pickpocketing and bag-snatching are common risks in tourist areas across South Africa.
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03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Cautiously Optimistic
63/100
Reported feel55Cautiously Optimistic
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Travel guides suggest tourist areas are reasonably safe, but advise taking standard precautions due to existing crime. Some local sentiment indicates caution is warranted, especially at night.
Oudtshoorn presents an elevated risk for travelers, requiring increased caution.
While tourist areas are generally considered reasonably safe, Oudtshoorn, like much of South Africa, experiences significant crime. Travelers should be aware of the high national crime rates and exercise standard precautions. Extreme heat is also a consideration during October.
Recent developments
- Oct 2026AfriForum report highlights violence during South African farm attacks.— Oudtshoorn Courant
- Jul 2026Shops looted amid anti-immigration action.— Oudtshoorn Courant
- Mar 2026Latest crime figures raise concerns for Oudtshoorn, ranking it among top 15 police stations in Western Cape for serious crime categories.— Die Hoorn
- Feb 2026Oudtshoorn police probe assault case after a video shows a woman beating children; two arrested.— News24 / IOL
Common scams
- Criminals posing as tourist police
- ATM fraud
- Fake unofficial guides
Full briefing
Oudtshoorn presents an elevated risk for travelers, requiring increased caution. The town, while a draw for its ostrich farms and the Cango Caves, is situated within South Africa, a country with high crime rates. Official advisories from the US, UK, and Canada all recommend varying degrees of caution for travel to South Africa.
Recent reports from March 2026 indicated rising crime figures in Oudtshoorn, placing it among the top 15 police stations in the Western Cape for serious crime categories. Incidents like shop looting in July 2026 and ongoing concerns about farm attacks, as highlighted in an October 2026 report, underscore the need for vigilance. While tourist areas are generally considered reasonably safe, it is advisable to avoid walking alone after dark and to use metered taxis or private vehicles for evening travel.
Travelers should be aware of common scams such as criminals posing as tourist police, ATM fraud, and fake unofficial guides. Keeping valuables out of sight, avoiding displays of wealth, and considering carrying an authenticated photocopy of your passport are practical steps to mitigate risks. Additionally, October in Oudtshoorn can experience extreme heat, with average highs around 38°C, so staying hydrated and prepared for the weather is essential.
Was this Oudtshoorn, South Africa report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 6 Oudtshoorn districts for visitors: 3 safer, 2 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Oudtshoorn safety map.
Areas bordering poorer communitiesavoidHigher risk of opportunistic crime; best avoided, especially after dark.
Oudtshoorn CentralcautionGenerally safe for tourists, but exercise caution, especially after dark.
Residential Areas (general)cautionCrime can occur; avoid displaying wealth and be aware of your surroundings, especially at night.
De RustsaferSmall, quiet village known for its natural beauty and relaxed atmosphere.
Kango Caves AreasaferTourist attraction with good infrastructure; generally safe, but be aware of surroundings.
Ostrich Farms (e.g., Highgate)saferTourist-focused areas, generally safe with staff present.
07 · After Dark
Is Oudtshoorn safe at night?
37% of people in South Africa say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2022).
Violent crime is common in South Africa, including robbery and mugging, though specific incidents targeting tourists in Oudtshoorn are not detailed in the dossier.
After dark, be most careful around Areas bordering poorer communities, Oudtshoorn Central, Residential Areas (general). Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Oudtshoorn safety FAQ (2026)
Is Oudtshoorn safe right now (2026)?
Oudtshoorn presents an elevated risk for travelers, requiring increased caution. While tourist areas are generally considered reasonably safe, Oudtshoorn, like much of South Africa, experiences significant crime. Travelers should be aware of the high national crime rates and exercise standard precautions. Extreme heat is also a consideration during October. (Assessed 26 October 2026.)
Is Oudtshoorn safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Oudtshoorn report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Oudtshoorn should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Areas bordering poorer communities as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Oudtshoorn (2026)?
- Criminals posing as tourist police
- ATM fraud
- Fake unofficial guides
How does Oudtshoorn compare with other places in South Africa (2026)?
Oudtshoorn ranks #1 of 9 South Africa destinations we've assessed, scoring 62/100. See the South Africa safety overview for the full list.
How is this oudtshoorn safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 13+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: oudtshoorn.json (CC BY 4.0).