South Africa is a country with incredible scenery and hospitable people, and wildlife that cannot be compared anywhere else. It is such a beautiful place to visit and cross off on anyone’s bucket list but people are hesitant to venture out to due to its bad reputation. Those who are keenhistory buffs may have followed the apartheid’s racial separation the common struggles of the country, which may have turned them off from visiting the country. With all the news about crime on the television and the most famous ebola virus rumors, South Africa is one of the most misunderstood countries.
Yes, there might be dangers lurking at every corner, but we do need to understand that the South Africa’s crime rate is still lower than some country like Honduras and Belize. The crime rate has tremendously gone down and the dangerous parts of the country are not anywhere near the tourist destinations like Cape Town.
Travelling is always scary and nerve wracking, but it sure is exhilarating to experience something new. Follow these tips below to keep safe wherever your travels take you:
- Be a sensible traveler
It is always best to come prepared with your homework. When traveling, make sure to research before leaving not just places you want to visit. Make sure that you look into recent events and the weather and ensure that you are pretty well informed about the place you are going to visit. It is always best to check out news and places not suit for tourists and travelers. Another part of this research is getting to know the local scene where you will be staying; it may be a good idea to hire a trusted guide by your hotel.
- Caring for your health
It’s a good idea to purchase health insurance before leaving, just make sure you get ones that also has travel insurance. Before leaving your country, make sure to consult your doctor and ask about your health needs. Malaria is a major issue in some parts of the country depending on the season, climate, and location. Ask your physician’s or health practitioner’s advice on what precautions you need while staying in the country. On top of that, you may also get typhoid, tetanus, and Hepatitis A shots to keep your vaccinations up-to-date.
If you will engage in outdoor activities, think of these precautions
- Sun block for that scorching African sun
- Tick fever from tick bites
- Hospitals far from urban communities may not have good facilities
- Scorpions and spiders might be hiding in branches
- Lost passports
Losing your passport is the biggest problem you can ever have when you travel outside your country. You will lose your identification and will have a harder time getting a new one back. Maintain a copy of your passport, and not just any photocopy, get a certified copy of all your important documents. This way, you can keep your originals safely tucked inside the hotels safe while you go around submerging yourself in the experience. It not only gives you that sense of security but also peace of mind that will enable you to focus more on enjoying the country.
- Have a dummy wallet
Yes, a dummy wallet. Get a cheap one and fill it with canceled credit cards and items that you would normally keep in a wallet. It is highly suggested to just bring the money you intend to spend for that day in that wallet, or a smaller amount even. All other finances should be kept in a different location, preferably closer to your body like inside a shoe or under your shirt. The dummy wallet is meant to hold a little amount and be given away freely once the opportunity presents itself. This turns a very stressful encounter into a very quick transaction, but do not forget to act afraid.
- Avoiding crime
This should also be part of your research. Knowing places to avoid like isolated places, areas with high drug crimes and increased gang-related violence will help you plot out your daily activities. Talk to your concierge or your hotel’s guest relations officer for places to stay away from, and if they have a trusted guide that they can recommend. Never go into the business areas or central cities at night, but if you need to, make sure to hire a taxi or your hotel’s car service.
- Use universal common sense
No matter how much a person prepares, it won’t matter much of you do not use your common sense. Small things like being mindful of your surroundings, not walking at night, and guarding your bag and belongings go a long way. Traveling through South Africa is now safe and easy, all though not as compared to other countries; you just need mental alertness and a small portion of commonsense whenever you step out. Never ignore your instincts, there is a huge possibility they are correct.