Southern Africa · Capital Pretoria
Each opens that government's own advisory for South Africa — the authoritative version, updated far faster than this page.
South Africa is a genuinely spectacular destination with one of the world's highest violent crime rates. Both things are true and the reconciliation is geographic: the vast majority of violence happens in townships and areas visitors never go, between people who know each other.
What does affect visitors is armed robbery, carjacking and smash-and-grab at traffic lights. The precautions are specific, well known locally, and worth following exactly.
Checked by hand against all five government advisories in July 2026: no part of South Africa currently carries a warning against travel. The colour shows the general caution level only.
Overseas territories, shown separately so the main map stays readable
Advisories change without warning. Check the official one for your own nationality — linked at the top of this page — before you book.
Each pillar is scored 0–100 against every other country. Longer bar = more risk.
Biggest factor here: conflict & terrorism. Armed conflict, political violence and terrorism exposure.
The things worth knowing before you land.
Average daytime high and nightly low for Pretoria, over 2010-2019. Bars are rainfall; the colour band is how hot the days get.
Mildest and driest around All year.
Patterns reported repeatedly by travellers and local police. None of this is about individual businesses — it's about set-ups you can learn to spot in seconds.
A stranger offers help with a machine that has 'swallowed' your card, or a card is swapped during a staged jam. Card skimming devices are also common at standalone ATMs.
How to avoid it: Use ATMs inside bank branches or malls during the day, decline all help, and cancel the card immediately if it is retained.
Sources South African Banking Risk Information Centre r/southafrica safety threads
Your tyre is deliberately punctured or loosened at a petrol station; a helper appears down the road to assist and robs you while you are distracted.
How to avoid it: If a tyre fails soon after a stop, drive on to a petrol station or busy public area before getting out, even on a flat.
An unmarked car with a blue light signals you to pull over; the occupants rob the driver.
How to avoid it: Slow down, indicate acknowledgement, and drive to a petrol station or police station before stopping. This is accepted practice locally and the police expect it.
Sources SAPS road safety information
Specific places that come up again and again — either in government advisories or in traveller reports. Everywhere else in South Africa is not automatically fine, but these are the areas worth a plan.
Among the highest robbery rates in the country. Do not walk here, day or night.
Very high homicide rates. The N2 passes them; do not stop or exit.
Muggings on quieter paths and rapid weather changes. Use popular routes in daylight and in groups.
The most common way visitors are robbed. Nothing visible in the car.
Keep doors locked and windows up in cities. Leave nothing on the seats — a phone or bag visible at a traffic light invites a smash-and-grab. Leave a car's length in front of you at lights so you can pull away.
Do not drive into townships without a local guide. Do not use residential roads recommended by satnav as shortcuts in Johannesburg at night. If carjacked, get out and let the car go.
Table Mountain has had muggings on quieter trails: walk in groups, use the main routes, and go in daylight. The weather changes fast and people die of exposure on it every year.
Rip currents and, on the Western Cape coast, cold water are significant. Swim at beaches with lifeguards and between the flags.
Vaccinations, malaria and outbreaks. This atlas does not give medical advice — it is personal, it changes, and it is the one thing worth getting from a doctor. Both national services publish current advice for South Africa:
Check the official advisory before you book. This page reflects data as of August 2026. Advisories change without warning, and only your own government's advice affects your travel insurance.