O.K. I can get a free flight to Cape Town in march. I could rent a car for little money (a Golf I would be a dream) and drive and explore. Do I need to worry about safety and if so, are there areas I must not go and areas were it's safe even at night or on a campground?

There's so much talk about security. Is it really that bad and are there areas were it's not an issue at all? What would be the best area to tour with a rental car and two weeks time?

Thanks!

Will you be alone? Most people would say don't travel anywhere at night in a car, especially in the cities but also outside. If you're alone I would be especially cautious. It would be far better to travel with someone.
I have no knowledge of area campgrounds, but would guess you're much better off in secure hotels. I would guess the wine country areas near Cape Town (Stellenbosch, Franschoek etc) are relatively safe, but in a country where there's a huge chasm between the haves and have-nots you have to excercise caution all the times. You will stand out as a tourist and it will be apparent your car is a rental.

I'm not saying don't go. Or be paranoid. It's marvelous, beautiful, fascinating country and you'll enjoy it. But there are serious security concerns and I would be well prepared.

Generally speaking: It's not as "safe" as Baden Baden but using your common sense will definitely help prevent "special encounters".

I would not drive thru strange neighborhoods after dark! Consult with your hotel receptionist before driving off and leave behind where are you heading and estimated time of return!

Always take a hotel's business card with you plus copy of ID or passport and contact person/phone at home!

Leave always one car lengths between yours and the one in front of you at traffic lights - gives you some space if you need to rush away.

Camp ground: Not as a single traveller!

Never leave valuable (and sunglasses means item of some value to others!) in the car!

Never stop and ask for direction in rural areas where you "feel" you have no "right of way" or unfold your map on top of your roof at road sides!

If you get lost keep driving until you come to a fuel station or police station!

Rent a Navi!

I don't know whether I would have the gutts to drive by myself.......as we always are two of us. But you should know yourself and whether you will enjoy it.

Frankly - after numerous self drives in SA I don't feel a tiny bit nervous. But this is based on experiences - and we never had bad ones.
But I doubt whether I would do it on my own - when visiting a totally new, bad reputed, destination for the very first time.

Usually you need at least one experience to get a feel for the destination. Maybe hand out for a couple of days with a driver on day tours and rent after you have got a feeling for the destination which provides you with a kind of self assurance which also contributes to your impression onto others.

Safe travels and happy landings!

SV

I think that you will be fine around Cape Town and the other tourist areas of the Western Cape using the suggestions above.I did a two week self drive with my kids this past August and never felt that I wasn't safe.If it was the Eastern Cape and Johannesburg-not a chance!

we found no problem at all driving along the south coast or from JNB to kreuger...

i guess i would not wander too far at nite alone and certainly not in the townships or other minority places

..."or other minority places"????

Let's be reminded who is the minority here, and it ain't the white guys rhkkmk! Sheesh, get out of the 19th Century.

WOW guys!

I read these type of posts all the time and I'm constantly amazed. But there again I live in the country ...

SA is an amazing self-drive destination, and there shouldn't be any problem driving alone or with companions, and most of the camping sites are awesome and safe. You definitely don't have to stay in hotels. Hundreds of thousands of tourists self-drive in SA every year without incident.


A little savvy goes a heck of a long way to keep you and your valuables safe. Petty crime exists, but tourists are not generally targetted for violent crimes. Stupidity often gets one into trouble (I've just dealt with a lady guest who simply refused to understand that walking around alone in CBD's with a backpack and a big camera, or walking alone in the forest, made her a big target).

There are areas where even I, as a local, wouldn't venture, and a bit of wisdom wouldn't go amiss.

But the "security" issues are often so blown out of proportion on websites, that I'm surprised sometimes that folk venture beyond their front gardens.

Enjoy your trip.

Thanks for the perspective, Bushkid. But people do act in a cavalier fashion when traveling, and it's best to take a conservative approach.
Close knowledge of a country can go a long way in determining your comfort level. You as a local, and your fellow countrymen, are know your surroundings. You know what the safe places are. I first time visitor, or one who's been only a couple of times, is a whole different animal. Their clothes, what they carry, and their body (and driving) language tells potential predators a lot.
As an apaprent member of the travel industry you don't want to see people stay away because of unwarranted fear. But we don't know whether the OP is a man or woman, how experienced a traveler he/she is, or anything else. So the cautions are perfectly sensible. There's a LOT of crime in your country, even though admittedly most of it is directed at locals.

Agreed LAleslie,

And that's the value of these forums. I am in the industry (as a guide), but I am there because I have a passionate love of travel and of Africa.

I agree that my knowledge of the country determines my comfort level, and a conservative approach is always best. There are also travelers who behave irresponsibily and don't take advice or reasonable caution. South Africa has a lot of crime, but good savvy can help.

But there are also posters who don't know the country that well and who provide advice on it. However well-meaning they are, that knowledge and perspective is coloured and limited by their personal experience (as mine is). However, their advice is equally valuable. Fortunately we have forums to share our experiences and understanding.

The OP was obviously interested in camping, and our camp grounds are generally extremely safe and secure. Thousands of travelers hire vehicles and camp all over the country in safety, particularly in the major tourist regions (and very often even safer in the very remote areas). It's not necessary for the OP to stay in hotels (which is where the general jist of this thread was leading). The Garden Route, Kruger National Park and surrounds, and the Northern Kwazulu-Natal areas all offer safe havens for campers.