Travel & safety — South Africa

South Africa is a parliamentary democracy and is, in many respects, a developed country, although much of its population lives in poverty.

All major urban areas have modern, world-class hotels and tourist facilities.

Game parks and areas most often visited by tourists have a wide range of facilities.

Food and water are generally safe, and a wide variety of consumer goods and pharmaceuticals is readily available.

The capital is Pretoria, while the seat of parliament is located in Cape Town.

Johannesburg is the financial capital and largest city in South Africa.

Durban is home to Africa’s busiest port and is the number-one domestic tourist destination for South Africans.

Anti-American violence is not typical in South Africa, although in the past there have been isolated incidents perpetrated by parties unhappy about U.S. foreign policy.

Nevertheless, the Department of State remains concerned about the continued worldwide threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations, and other violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests overseas.

You are encouraged to review the most recent Worldwide Caution issued by the Department of State.

Xenophobic Attacks: South Africa has seen a number of attacks directed at refugees or immigrants from other African nations in recent years.

Many of the attacks were centered in Johannesburg and the province of Gauteng in low-income neighborhoods and informal settlements, but other incidents have taken place throughout the country.

Many individuals have been killed in these incidents, including targeted victims as well as bystanders.

While there have been no reports of U.S. citizens or other non-African visitors being targeted, these incidents of mob violence have sprung up quickly and proven difficult for local authorities to control.

U.S. citizen residents and visitors are advised to listen to local media for reports of such incidents and to avoid areas (primarily--but not limited to--townships) where they may be likely to occur.

Public Disturbances and Strikes: Organized or wildcat labor strikes occur regularly in South Africa.

Service delivery protests also occur frequently and are generally motivated by poor residents’ frustrations with shortfalls in public service deliveries.

While both types of disturbances – labor strikes and service delivery protests – are generally localized and normally occur well away from typical tourist destinations, these disturbances can develop quickly, unpredictably, and occasionally turn violent.

Use caution and steer clear of any area where protests, demonstrations, or other public disturbances are taking place.

During strikes by public workers, access to government offices, public hospitals and schools may be difficult due to protests, and should be avoided if possible.

South Africa has many private medical facilities/services that may not be impacted by public-service strikes.

Public Transportation: Public transportation accidents involving trains, buses, minibus taxis and private cars are a regular occurrence in South African and past incidents have resulted in deaths or serious injuries.

In addition, minibus taxis and buses have been targeted by criminal elements for hijacking and robbery.

Often, the safety and security standards on public transportation systems – especially in urban areas and townships - in South Africa are not on par with what travelers would expect in the United States.

The use of individual metered taxis from established taxi companies and tour buses is recommended.

The Gautrain, which travels between the airport and Johannesburg/Pretoria, is considered a very reliable and safe mode of transportation.

Game Park/Safari Safety: While visiting game parks and reserves, it is dangerous to leave your vehicle or otherwise be on foot, even in the presence of a guide.

Several incidents of wild animal attacks on tourists in the region have resulted in deaths or serious injuries.

Ocean Safety: If visiting South Africa’s expansive coastline, be mindful of the possible presence of sharks when swimming or engaging in water sports.

In 2012, at the Fish Hoek beach and other areas of the Cape Town and Western Cape coastlines and at Port St.

John’s in the Eastern Cape, several people were attacked by sharks, and some of the attacks were fatal.

When a shark is spotted close to the shore, local authorities will sound a warning siren to notify swimmers if lifeguards and shark spotters are on duty.

Tragic accidents can occur when swimming in the ocean or walking/climbing on shore areas that are not designated and lifeguard-patrolled beaches.

Visitors from the United States and elsewhere have drowned when swimming in coastal wa

The vast majority of visitors complete their travels in South Africa without incident.

However, visitors should be aware that criminal activity is prevalent throughout the country and can be violent.

The South African government has in place a number of strong anti-crime initiatives, but violent crimes, such as armed robbery, carjacking, mugging, "smash-and-grab" attacks on vehicles, and other criminal acts are still common and do affect visitors and resident U.S. citizens.

Note: Visitors to the U.S.

Embassy in Pretoria and U.S.

Consulates General in Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg should be aware of the risk of muggings, several of which have occurred near U.S. diplomatic facilities.

While measures have been taken to address concerns about potential muggings, visitors approaching U.S. government facilities should be aware of their personal security and carry as little money and valuables as possible.

Visitors and residents are advised of ongoing criminal activity involving organized crime gangs targeting individuals and commercial businesses at shopping centers and other public places.

Once a victim has been identified, he/she may be followed back to his/her residence or hotel and robbed.

Robberies often involve weapons; the use of force is used from the moment of attack and generally escalates greatly for those offering some form of resistance.

These gangs target people of opportunity and not always appearing to be affluent.

Crime affects all sectors of society to include those driving expensive cars, wearing eye-catching jewelry, flashing large amounts of cash, and/or making high-value purchases.

Criminals also gravitate towards “soft” targets - people who appear preoccupied and do not pay attention to their immediate surroundings.

Visitors who believe they are being followed should travel directly to a police station or other public location of safety.

Cash-in-transit (armored vehicles) robberies remain common; tourists should try to avoid traveling near these vehicles and personnel during a cash delivery or pick-up, particularly at shopping centers or other public locations.

Crimes against property, such as carjacking, have often been accompanied by violent acts, including murder, when victims resist or are slow to respond to attackers’ demands.

South Africa also has the highest reported occurrence of rape in the world.

Foreigners are not specifically targeted, but several have been the victims of rape.

Victims of violent crime, especially rape, are strongly encouraged to seek immediate medical attention, including antiretroviral therapy against HIV/AIDS.

Questions about how to receive such treatment should be directed to the nearest U.S. consulate.

Criminal activity, such as assault, armed robbery, and theft, is particularly high in areas surrounding certain hotels and public transportation centers, especially in major cities.

Theft of passports and other valuables is most likely to occur at airports, bus terminals, and train stations.

A number of U.S. citizens have been mugged or violently attacked on commuter and metro trains, especially between Johannesburg and Pretoria.

In the Western Cape, police resources have been strained by continuing gang conflicts and vigilante violence in the low-income areas and informal settlements around Cape Town.

People who are unfamiliar with the Cape Flats/Khayelitsha area, surrounding townships, and squatter camps should not visit these areas.

Additionally, travelers should be aware that muggings have occurred along popular hiking routes on Table Mountain.

Visitors to Table Mountain should be vigilant, hike in groups, and not carry/display valuables.

Crime in Durban remains high.

Visitors should avoid traveling in the city center after dark, as well as all travel to the surrounding townships.

The suburbs north and west of the city are generally considered to be safer than the city center, but all visitors should remain vigilant and exercise situational awareness at all times.

If c

While you are traveling in South Africa you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own.

If you violate South Africa’s laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.

Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in South Africa are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

Engaging in trafficking or sexual conduct with children or using/disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States.

Please see our information on Criminal Penalties.

Based on the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, bilateral agreements with certain countries, and customary international law, if U.S. citizens are arrested in South Africa, they should request that the police, prison officials, or other authorities alert the nearest U.S. consulate of the arrest, and to have communications forwarded to the nearest U.S. consulate.

Notification by local authorities of U.S. citizens arrested in South Africa is rare.

As such, U.S. citizens should request consular notification in the event that they are arrested.

Languages isiZulu or Zulu (official) 25.3%, isiXhosa or Xhosa (official) 14.8%, Afrikaans (official) 12.2%, Sepedi or Pedi (official) 10.1%, Setswana or Tswana (official) 9.1%, English (official) 8.1%, Sesotho or Sotho (official) 7.9%, Xitsonga or Tsonga (official) 3.6%, siSwati or Swati (official) 2.8%, Tshivenda or Venda (official) 2.5%, isiNdebele or Ndebele (official) 1.6%, other (includes South African sign language (official) and Khoi or Khoisan or Khoe languages) 2%; note - data represent language spoken most often at home

Private medical facilities are good in urban areas and in the vicinity of game parks, but they may be limited elsewhere.

Pharmacies are well-stocked, and equivalents to most American medicines are available.

However, travelers taking specific medications should bring an adequate supply for their entire stay and a prescription with them.

Nearly all private South African hospitals are owned by one of the following three corporations: Life Health Care (http://www.lifehealthcare.co.za/), NetCare ( http://www.netcare.co.za/live/netcare_index.php ), or Mediclinic ( http://www.mediclinic.co.za/Pages/default.aspx ).

Information about locating private hospitals can be obtained by accessing these companies’ websites.

While most of South Africa is malaria-free, malaria risk exists throughout the year in rural low-altitude areas of Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces, including Kruger National Park and neighboring game reserves.

Risk also exists in the coastal lowlands of KwaZulu-Natal north of the Tugela River (including in Zululand, but excluding urban areas of Richards Bay).

Risk is much lower from June to September.

Visitors should prepare accordingly and use malaria prophylaxis and mosquito repellent.

For information on malaria, its prevention, protection from insect bites, and anti-malarial drugs, please visit the CDC's malaria web page.

Tuberculosis is an increasingly serious health concern in South Africa.

While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

The information below concerning South Africa is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

South African law does not require an international driver’s license for U.S. citizen tourists who are licensed to drive in the United States and who are in South Africa for less than six months.

A valid driver’s license from any U.S. state or territory that has the signature and photo of the driver is valid to drive in South Africa for stays of less than six months.

However, while South African law does not require an international driver’s license, insurance companies for both long-term residents and rental car customers often require proof of a South African or international driver’s license in order to honor an insurance claim, even when such proof was not requested at the time the policy was secured.

Unlike the United States, where traffic moves on the right-hand side of the road, traffic in South Africa moves on the left, and the steering wheel is on the right-hand side of the car.

Deaths from road accidents are more than twice as high in South Africa as they are globally.

According to published reports, the high incidence of mortality in these collisions is due to a combination of poor driving, limited enforcement of traffic laws, road rage, aggressive driving, distracted driving, and driving under the influence of alcohol.

Travelers should use caution at all times when driving, and especially avoid nighttime travel outside major cities.

Road conditions are generally good in South Africa; however, excessive speed, poor lighting on rural roads, and insufficient regulatory control of vehicle maintenance and operator licensing have resulted in an increasing number of traffic fatalities.

Drivers should also take care to avoid pedestrians crossing roads or major highways.

Traffic lights are frequently out of order.

Please treat all intersections with malfunctioning traffic lights as a four-way stop.

Travelers are advised to carry mobile phones.

Please note that texting or talking without a hands-free unit while driving is a violation of South African law.

U.S. mobile phones may not work in South Africa, but rental mobile phones are widely available and may be rented from kiosks at major airports.

The nationwide emergency number for the police is 10111, and the nationwide number for ambulance service is 10177.

It is not necessary to dial an area code when calling these numbers.

Pedestrian Safety: Take extreme care when crossing streets.

Collisions involving vehicles and pedestrians are all too common on South African roadways.

Pedestrian deaths occur regularly, including four cases involving U.S. citizen victims since 2008.

Drivers are often aggressive towards pedestrians and fail to yield the right-of-way, even in marked crosswalks.

NOTE: The U.S.