Dear Visitor
Welcome to South Africa! As our guest. Your enjoyment and well being are of the utmost importance to us. We want your visit to be special & we will do our best to ensure that you leave us with great memories. We hope that you return to South Africa over and over again. South Africa is as safe as any destination in the world. As in other countries, there are a few basic precautions you should take during your visit with us to ensure that your stay is as pleasant as possible

Enjoying South Africa
South Africa boasts a diverse array of cultures, communities, sites and attractions. Most parts of the country can be safely visited by tourists ,provided that they take basic common-sense precautions. However, as would be the case anywhere in the world. We would recommend that some areas be visited in groups, or with local tour guides, or if would like to get information about recommended tour operators, you can contact the National Information and Safety Line on 083 123 2345
Transport Back to top
if you choose to use public or other transport, we suggest that you consult the list of recommended taxi services and busses that are available in all hotels or call the National Tourism Information and Safety line for advice
At a transport hub, it is recommended that you always keep your luggage where you can see it and never leave it unattended.

Accommodation
It is recommended that you:
Do not leave your luggage unattended
Store valuables in the accommodation establishment's safety deposit box
keep your room locked at all times, and if someone knocks, check who it is before opening the door.
Do not leave room keys lying around
hand your room keys in at the front desk whenever you leave the accommodation establishment.

Money and travel documents
It is recommended that you:
Travel with certified copies of your valuable documents when possible and keep the originals in a safe place.
Do not countersign all of your traveler's cheques
Write down your traveler's cheque and credit card numbers as well as the customer service number for the issuing bank(s), put them in a sealed envelope and keep in a safe place.
Separate your cash and credit cards and do not carry all of your cash / traveler's cheques with you. Instead place them in your room safe or in the hotel safe.
Do not allow strangers to assist you in your transactions at an automated teller machine (ATM). If your card appears stuck immediately call the help number that can usually be found at the ATM's for assistance. Be alert and watch that no one takes the card when you turn your back.
Report lost passports and visas as soon as possible to your country's embassy or consulate and the SAPS. The National Information and Safety line keeps a list of all the embassy contact numbers.

In the street
It is recommended that you:
Try to obtain a route map before you set out and plan your route beforehand
keep cell phones and wallets tucked away where no one can see them and avoid ostentatious displays of expensive jewellery, cameras and other valuables
Carry traveler's cheques rather than large sums of money and avoid counting your money in the open
Try to explore in groups and stick to well-lit, busy streets especially at night.
Consult your hotel or nearest tourism information office about reliable service if you want to call a taxi.
A police or traffic officer will be glad to direct you if you get lost

Sight-seeking and entertainment
It is recommended that you:
Use registered, qualified tour guides
Do not leave purses on chairs, under tables, on the back of chairs or on restroom hooks.
Travel in groups, especially if you are visiting nightclubs. bars or shebeens that you have not visited before

On the road
It is recommended that you:
familiarise yourself with the rules of the road in South Africa. Remember that SA drives on the left hand side of the road!
Plan your route and fuel consumption in advance. Note that Bank credit cards (including Diners cards) are not accepted as payment for fuel.
have phone numbers of your destinations on hand in case you get lost.
Keep the car door locked at all times and wind the windows up
Lock valuables in the boot (trunk)
Only stop at designated picnic sites
At night park in well-lit areas
Never pick up strangers
Go to the nearest business or petrol station to as for assistance if you get lost
Use SOS phones which are located along all National highways if you encounter problem on the roads. Alternatively call the National Tourism Information and Safety Line for assistance
Pay special attention to the speed limits, road signs and road markings
It is an offence in South Africa for the driver of a vehicle to use any communication device while driving except when it is a hands-free device.
It is compulsory to carry translations with regard to driver's licenses in foreign languages
Note that fines for traffic violations may only be paid at a Magistrate's Court or Traffic Department or nearest police station where an official receipt will be issued. If you are issued with a citation for any traffic violation, you are not required to pay over any amount of cash directly to the Officer

In Case of Emergency
Although incidents against tourists in South Africa are very rare, we believe it is important for you to be aware of basic emergency procedures in the unlikely event that you are a victim of crime. if you have been victimised:
Go to the nearest safe and public place
Call the police emergency number (10111) and briefly explain what happened. This is a free call from a phone box or landline. If you are using a cell phone, call 112 and your call will be transferred to the appropriate emergency service.
if you have been injured, the call centre will be dispatch and ambulance to take you to the nearest hospital. Alternatively, you can call the national ambulance service (10177)
For additional assistance, you can call the National Tourism and Safety Line. They will provide emotional support, practical assistance and information to help you deal with the incident. if required, they will assist you apply for replacement documentation e.g. passport, visa and traveler's cheques.


Useful phone numbers

Acknowledgment: The Department of Finance & Economic Affairs