Safety Tips

At a transport hub, it is recommended that you always keep your luggage where you can see it and never leave it unattended.

• It is recommended that you:
• Do not leave your luggage unattended
• Store valuables in the accommodation establishment's safety deposit box
• keep your room locked at all times, and if someone knocks, check who it is before opening the door.
• Do not leave room keys lying around
• Hand your room keys in at the front desk whenever you leave the accommodation establishment.

• Travel with certified copies of your valuable documents when possible and keep the originals in a safe place.
• Do not countersign all of your traveller's cheques
• Write down your traveller's cheque and credit card numbers as well as the customer service number for the issuing bank(s), put them in a sealed envelope and keep in a safe place.
• Separate your cash and credit cards and do not carry all of your cash / traveller's cheques with you. Instead place them in your room safe or in the hotel safe.
• Do not allow strangers to assist you in your transactions at an automated teller machine (ATM). If your card appears stuck immediately call the help number that can usually be found at the ATM's for assistance. Be alert and watch that no one takes the card when you turn your back.
• Report lost passports and visas as soon as possible to your country's embassy or consulate and the SAPS. The National Information and Safety line keeps a list of all the embassy contact numbers.

• Try to obtain a route map before you set out and plan your route beforehand
• keep cell phones and wallets tucked away where no one can see them and avoid ostentatious displays of expensive jewellery, cameras and other valuables
• Carry traveller's cheques rather than large sums of money and avoid counting your money in the open
• Try to explore in groups and stick to well-lit, busy streets especially at night.
• Consult your hotel or nearest tourism information office about reliable service if you want to call a taxi.

A police or traffic officer will be glad to direct you if you get lost.
 

• Use registered, qualified tour guides
• Do not leave purses on chairs, under tables, on the back of chairs or on restroom hooks.
• Travel in groups, especially if you are visiting nightclubs. bars or shebeens that you have not visited before.

• familiarise yourself with the rules  of the road in South Africa. Remember that SA drives on the left hand side of the road!
• Plan your route and fuel consumption in advance. Note that Bank credit cards (including Diners cards) are not accepted as payment for fuel.
• have phone numbers of your destinations on hand in case you get lost.
• Keep the car door locked at all times and wind the windows up.
• Lock valuables in the boot (trunk).
• Only stop at designated picnic sites.
• At night park in well-lit areas.
• Never pick up strangers.
• Go to the nearest business or petrol station to as for assistance if you get lost.
• Use SOS phones which are located along all National highways if you encounter problem on the roads. Alternatively call the National Tourism Information and Safety Line for assistance.
• Pay special attention to the speed limits, road signs and road markings.
• It is an offence in South Africa for the driver of a vehicle to use any communication device while driving except when it is a hands-free device.
• It is compulsory to carry translations with regard to driver's licenses in foreign languages.

Note that fines for traffic violations may only be paid at a Magistrate's Court or Traffic Department or nearest police station where an official receipt will be issued. If you are issued with a citation for any traffic violation, you are not required to pay over any amount of cash directly to the Officer.
 

• Go to the nearest safe and public place
• Call the police emergency number (10111) and briefly explain what happened. This is a free call from a phone box or landline. If you are using a cell phone, call 112 and your call will be transferred to the appropriate emergency service.
• if you have been injured, the call centre will be dispatch and ambulance to take you to the nearest hospital. Alternatively, you can call the national ambulance service (10177)
• For additional assistance, you can call the National Tourism and Safety Line. They will provide emotional support, practical assistance and information to help you deal with the incident. if required, they will assist you apply for replacement documentation e.g. passport, visa and traveler's cheques.

• National Tourism Information & Safety Line
• Emergency Number (from cell phone)
• Police Emergency number
• Ambulance / Fire

• 083 113 2345
• 112
• 10111
• 10177