Travel Safety
Is South Africa Safe for Cricket World Cup 2027?
South Africa welcomes millions of tourists every year, and Cricket World Cup 2027 will be a well-organised, heavily secured event. With the right precautions, you can have a safe and memorable trip.
The honest answer
An honest look at safety
South Africa does have higher crime rates than many countries, but that shouldn't deter you from visiting. The vast majority of tourists have safe, incident-free trips. Crime is concentrated in specific areas and rarely affects visitors who take basic precautions.
During major sporting events such as the 2010 FIFA World Cup, South Africa demonstrated an excellent ability to host international visitors safely. Security is stepped up for these events, with an increased police presence at stadiums, tourist areas and transport hubs.
Think of it like visiting any major city: you wouldn't wander into unfamiliar neighbourhoods late at night in London, New York or Mumbai, and the same common-sense approach applies here. For city-specific advice, see the guides for Cape Town and Johannesburg.
Precautions
Essential safety tips
Stay in safe neighbourhoods
Stick to tourist areas and well-established neighbourhoods. Hotels in Sandton, the V&A Waterfront, Umhlanga and the suburbs are sound choices.
Use reliable transport
Use ride-hailing apps, hotel transfers or reputable taxi services. Avoid walking alone at night, and don't use informal minibus taxis as a tourist.
Don't display valuables
Keep expensive jewellery, watches and electronics out of sight. Use hotel safes and don't leave items visible in parked cars.
Stay aware of your surroundings
Be alert in crowded areas and at ATMs. Avoid using your phone while walking. Trust your instincts — if something feels wrong, move away.
City by city
Safety by host city
Johannesburg
Safe areas for tourists
- Sandton
- Rosebank
- Melrose
- Fourways
- Montecasino area
Areas to avoid
- Downtown / CBD at night
- Hillbrow
- Yeoville
Local tip: Johannesburg calls for more caution than other cities. Stay in the northern suburbs and use ride-hailing everywhere.
Cape Town
Safe areas for tourists
- V&A Waterfront
- City Bowl
- Camps Bay
- Constantia
- Newlands
Areas to avoid
- Cape Flats townships
- Woodstock at night
- Long Street late at night
Local tip: Cape Town is generally safer for tourists. The Waterfront and City Bowl are well-policed and visitor-friendly.
Durban
Safe areas for tourists
- Umhlanga
- Morningside
- Berea
- Florida Road area
Areas to avoid
- Inner city at night
- Beach areas after dark
Local tip: Durban is warm and welcoming. Stick to the beachfront during the day and the upmarket suburbs at night.
Emergencies
Emergency contacts
Emergency numbers
- Police: 10111
- Ambulance: 10177
- Fire: 10111
- From a mobile: 112
Tourist assistance
- Contact your hotel concierge for local assistance.
- Register with your embassy before travelling.
- Keep copies of your passport and insurance documents.
- Save emergency contacts in your phone.
Travel insurance is strongly recommended — see the travel insurance guide and the full cost breakdown to budget accordingly.