Can anyone tell me about South Africa?

[TumtumTree]

We have always wanted to go to South Africa and are thinking about a trip next year (Covid restrictions permitting).

I remember a few months ago there were terrible reports of looting and violence relating to the trial of the ex president Zuma. Is this likely to recur? The foreign office website doesn't mention it being a problem. Is it safe to travel there?

Stayed in South Africa for 6 days on the second leg of my honeymoon in 2016.
It wasn’t near enough time but was all we could fit in and I’m really glad we went. Would LOVE to go back again sometime for a longer holiday.
We stayed in Camps Bay (very close to Cape Town - easy drive or cheap Uber away) and then Franschoek in the wine lands area. I would highly recommend both places.
The food is amazing and much cheaper than in Europe or the US.
We didn’t have time to do the Garden Route or a safari unfortunately.
I say go for it

Exchange rate is insanely good atm.

Yeah, at one of the nicest restaurants in Camps Bay that we ate in at the time a sirloin steak is 195 rand and fillet is 250 - using the current exchange rate these translate to approx 9.50 and 12.50 British pounds. And the food is absolutely outstanding.

Five years ago my DH and I had a Valentines tasting menu with paired wines and a pianist at Table Bay Hotel. It cost £50 each, it would be have been hundreds in a UK hotel. It was one of the best nights of my life.

I went there but stayed with people who had a house there. Electric fences around the perimeter of the house, bars on all the windows, an iron security gate in the hall leading to the sleeping areas that is locked at night. Yes it is needed.

I asked when I was there if i could walk to the local mall alone and was flatly told no. It was shot up with guns the month before.

You can't go anywhere alone. You can't wear jewellery it will be ripped off your neck. I pulled out a wad of cash in a cafe to count how much rand I had left and was quickly told to put it away.

It is beautiful country but you'll be stuck in the hotel at night you really cannot go out at night or anywhere alone.

Ah but Alice the hotels! Fabulous views and incredible wines theres no reason to go out and about at night! (And if you do theres taxis in the cities).

I went out every evening in Cape Town but stuck to tourist places such as Camps Bay and the V&A waterfront. I do similar on most of my holidays.

@AliceinBorderland

I went there but stayed with people who had a house there. Electric fences around the perimeter of the house, bars on all the windows, an iron security gate in the hall leading to the sleeping areas that is locked at night. Yes it is needed.

I asked when I was there if i could walk to the local mall alone and was flatly told no. It was shot up with guns the month before.

You can't go anywhere alone. You can't wear jewellery it will be ripped off your neck. I pulled out a wad of cash in a cafe to count how much rand I had left and was quickly told to put it away.

It is beautiful country but you'll be stuck in the hotel at night you really cannot go out at night or anywhere alone.

That isn’t the case in well lit, upmarket, busy tourist areas.

If you're staying with people in residential areas then your experience is not representative of a typical tourist trip.

@KeyErro

If you're staying with people in residential areas then your experience is not representative of a typical tourist trip.

Yes, this. Also, many south Africans have gone into a slightly odd siege mentality - panicking if they're not home by dark etc etc so staying with them is going to give you that sort of mindset vs the average tourist experience.

@AliceinBorderland

I went there but stayed with people who had a house there. Electric fences around the perimeter of the house, bars on all the windows, an iron security gate in the hall leading to the sleeping areas that is locked at night. Yes it is needed.

I asked when I was there if i could walk to the local mall alone and was flatly told no. It was shot up with guns the month before.

You can't go anywhere alone. You can't wear jewellery it will be ripped off your neck. I pulled out a wad of cash in a cafe to count how much rand I had left and was quickly told to put it away.

It is beautiful country but you'll be stuck in the hotel at night you really cannot go out at night or anywhere alone.

but you'll be stuck in the hotel at night you really cannot go out at night or anywhere alone

This really is not the case. I go out alone all the time. Including at night.

And I live here so I say that as a resident and not as a tourist.

Yes, the houses are secure. It is different from UK, but not too different from other places in the world. Surely you would not pull a wad of money out in any public place, no matter where you are? Its just common sense for safety. I would not walk to my local mall either as it is too bloody far.

Where was it that you stayed? All across the country certain areas are more prone to crime than others.

Have some of the PP EVER been to SA?? They live in their own worlds hearing guns, gangs, muggings and scare monger having never visited the place. They have just heard.....

I was mugged once - in London, my home town.

Have been to SA a couple of times. A beautiful country. Hope to go again next year.

Franklin, having lived in SA I dont think you can belittle the concern over danger in SA, its full of danger, believe me, I lived in a hospital - plenty of guns, gangs, muggings and endless stabbings in fact! Its a huge country though and so very varied and for tourists generally safe if they are sensible, but you cant get cross with people mentioning dangers, they are there, just not in the lovely tourist areas like V&A Waterfront with its high security etc.