While South Africa has received a lot of bad press with regards to the crime rate it is still a relatively safe city to visit when compared with other tourist destinations around the world.

Cape Town has lower crime statistics than Johannesburg, and it is a fact that many crime-related stories are exaggerated by the media to boost sales.

As with travel to any destination, it is wise to take certain precautions in order to not become a victim of avoidable crime.

When holidaying in the Cape take note of this safety advice and you’ll be able to avoid any unpleasant or dangerous encounters during your holiday.

• Avoid walking around quiet and dimly-lit streets late at night. Stick to areas such as the Waterfront and the busier streets in the CBD and Camps Bay area, which are generally well-lit and under the watchful eye of contracted security guards.

• When going out at night always stay in a group and not alone or with just 2 or 3 women only.

• Don’t ‘wave’ your bag, camera or cell phone around while walking in the city. Pickpockets watch from the sidelines and notice where you stash your valuables. Avoid keeping anything of value in back pockets or open backpack compartments.

• Keep the windows up and the car doors locked when driving around the city.

• Discourage theft of property from your car by keeping bags, keys, cell phones or anything ‘tempting’ on the floor and not on the seats where they are visible to passers-by

• If you wish to visit a township, there are many excellent tour companies that will escort you. They will make sure you don’t get lost (some townships are enormous and confusing), arrange meet-ups with locals and take you to the best sites, keeping you out of less safe neighbourhoods. Once again don’t flash your cash, phone or camera around. Be sensitive to the fact that many of the people you encounter are poor, so flaunting your valuables is not going to be appreciated.

• If you make use of the trains you may wish to go on one with a blue ‘Biggsy’s Restaurant Car’ and stay in this section of the train, enjoying a cup of coffee or a yummy breakfast while watching Cape Town’s suburbs pass by the window. Travelling in the restaurant car is a safer, more comfortable experience than in the main carriages.

• Rather than giving cash to beggars, make a donation to a registered local charity that assists the homeless and street children, or keep fruit or bread in the car as a healthier alternative. Money gained through begging, unfortunately, is inevitably ill-spent.

• At restaurants and movie houses, keep your bag on your lap.

We have increasing numbers of international celebrities visiting South Africa, and some even purchasing property here in order to spend extended periods of time in the country. There are, as a result, some excellent security companies offering private bodyguards, for stars and the general public.

If you require the services of a bodyguard at any time during your stay in Cape Town Book Cape Town can assist you. Contact us for more details.

Don’t let fear put you off visiting the beautiful city of Cape Town.

Pickpockets and muggers are a sad fact of life the world over, and if you take care you can be sure of finding Cape Town as friendly, safe and enjoyable as any busy cosmopolitan city in the world.