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I was born in Cape Town but it's been 25 years since I was last there.
I'd love to go back but how unsafe is it? Is it at the level where safety would dominate any decisions and ultimately holiday enjoyment?
I've been a couple of times. Safety was never the slightest concern of mine, it felt perfectly safe everywhere we went. I'm sure theres some bits of township you don't want to go in at night, but the "nice" neighbourhoods are gated. Had a lovely time
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Joburg on the other hand is a little more sketch - still had a good time there, but I think I'd be a little more cautious
I would go back but the security problems are far from marginal. Also IMVHO the S African countryside and small towns are much more enjoyable than the cities anyway, but that's personal preference.
Haven't been to the Western Cape for years but regularly visit SA (mostly for wildlife). IMO it's not as safe as a European city, I wouldn't walk around the main cdb area at night (Long St area), I would be wary around the railway / bus station and castle. It's mostly scams particularly people getting you to swipe your card on a 'broken' reader, telling you you need a permit to pass, but mugging does happen, and so attention from anyone becomes unwelcome. That's not to say you can't walk around the V&A or some wealthier buts to restaurants I would just use uber/taxis to get around.
It's not 'unsafe'. Lots of expats make it sound like a war zone. There are more burglaries and I think people are right to say crime is worse than 10 years ago, but they are good reason to stay in a guest house with staff on site or an apartment with security and off road parking, than an airbnb.Â
+1 to so much great outdoors a short drive from the city, in 1 or 2 weeks you can see so much variety and do loads of different 'activities'.Â
I went in 2017 or 18 I'm not sure exactly.
Cape Town was fine but our apartment was in a gated community with 24 hour Security Guards and Turnstile access with electromagnetic cards to operate them - that tells you all you need to know. The disparity in wealth felt conspicious and so I felt conspicious anywhere outside of the secure apartment complex or the dock area.
Don't get me wrong we had a great holiday but it just felt a bit 'odd'
Don't get me wrong we had a great holiday but it just felt a bit 'odd'
I holidayed in the Western Cape in 1999 and that's exactly how I described it. An odd feeling, everywhere we went. Gorgeous countryside, Cape Town itself didn't feel unsafe, and plenty to do, but I've never been tempted to go back.Â