South Africa
Wild landscapes, cities and strong rights, with safety first in every plan
The short verdict
It depends on how you travel. South Africa has constitutional protection for LGBTQ+ people, sociable hostels and vast landscapes, but a crime rate the FCDO calls high across the whole country, tourist areas included. It works for people who plan their journeys, use tours and safe transport and do not walk at night; not for anyone who wants to improvise freely.
Solo Score
| Safety | 25 | |
|---|---|---|
| Safety for women | 38 | |
| LGBTQ+ inclusivity | 79 | |
| Trans recognition | 55 | |
| Social life | 46 | |
| Ease | 90 | |
| Cost for one | 81 | |
| Nightlife and events | 50 | |
| Singles demographics | 45 |
version v1 · How we calculate it
Of the four countries in this part of the guide, South Africa is the one where safety matters most, and saying so up front helps you travel better rather than putting you off. The FCDO describes high crime nationwide, including violent muggings, carjacking, sexual assault and murder, in tourist destinations and transport hubs as well as townships. Italy's foreign ministry asks for maximum caution and advises against getting around on foot in urban areas, especially at night and at weekends.
Police figures show where the danger concentrates. Between January and March 2026 South Africa recorded 5,181 murders, 9.5 per cent fewer than a year earlier. Relative to population, the Eastern Cape and Western Cape were the worst-hit provinces, and the FCDO notes that most violent crime happens in townships, informal settlements and high-density areas, as well as some city centres and isolated places. In Cape Town the SAPS data shows the split clearly: murders cluster in the Cape Flats, theft and robbery in the centre.
The upside is real for anyone who organises. Cape Town hostels run daily activities and group mountain hikes, the Baz Bus covers the Garden Route without a hire car, and LGBTQ+ protection is written into the Constitution. Cape Town hosts WorldPride 2028.
For British visitors two practical notes: you drive on the left, as at home, and the FCDO asks you to stay on the M3 and N2 when driving to and from Cape Town airport.
Who it's for / who it's not for
- Nature and ocean lovers happy with tours and group hikes
- Travellers who want sociable hostels with daily activities
- LGBTQ+ travellers looking for constitutional protection
- People who plan journeys and stick to safe transport
- Anyone who wants to walk around cities alone in the evening
- Independent drivers who will not research their routes
- People who do not want safety to be a constant consideration
Safety
General
The FCDO reports a high crime rate with violent muggings, snatch theft, carjacking, smash-and-grab attacks, house robbery, rape and murder, and an increasing risk of kidnap. It also flags xenophobic marches and violence. Italy's foreign ministry names risk areas including central Pretoria, Johannesburg and Durban and towns near Kruger Park gates such as Nelspruit and White River, especially at night and at weekends, and in Johannesburg says to avoid Berea, Hillbrow, Alexandra and Yeoville. Visit townships only by day with accredited operators.
Women
The FCDO says solo and women travellers have received unwanted attention and been assaulted, and reports drink spiking with male and female victims.
LGBTQ+
Same-sex sexual activity is legal and discrimination based on sexual orientation is illegal, the FCDO confirms. The Constitution lists sexual orientation among prohibited grounds of discrimination and the Civil Union Act of 2006 allows marriage.
Trans people
The Constitution also prohibits discrimination on grounds of gender and sex. This section needs review by a trans editor before publication.
At night
Do not walk after dark. In a car keep windows closed and doors locked and avoid long stops, as the FCDO advises; it also warns about criminals posing as police with blue lights.
Common scams
ATM card skimming, fake ride-hailing drivers at airports, romance scams via dating apps and fraudulent visa agents, all flagged by the FCDO.
Emergency numbers
- 112All emergencies from mobiles
- 10111Police
- 10177Ambulance and fire
- +27 21 937 0300Wilderness Search and Rescue
- +44 20 7008 5000FCDO in London (24 hours)
LGBTQ+
Same-sex relationships are legalchecked on 2 November 2026
- Marriage
- legal since 2006 (Civil Union Act)
- Legal gender
- medical treatment required (Act 49/2003)
- Spartacus 2026
- #47
South Africa's Constitution lists sexual orientation among the prohibited grounds of discrimination, and since 2006 the Civil Union Act has recognised same-sex marriage. For the current legal picture, the reference is the ILGA World Database. Legal protection does not remove the dating-app risks the FCDO spells out.
Entry and documents
British citizens can visit South Africa for up to 90 days without a visa, with a passport valid for 30 days after departure and two blank pages; check the FCDO entry requirements page for current rules, which is guidance rather than legal advice.
Official source ↗Culture and customs
English is the common language in the main destinations, alongside Afrikaans, Zulu and Xhosa, according to the Italian advice. Traffic drives on the left. Possessing even soft drugs is an offence with severe penalties. Trading ivory or rhino horn is banned, as is buying any part of a protected animal without a permit.
Solo itineraries
7 days
Cape Town and around
- Cape Town
- Cape Peninsula
- Stellenbosch
Five nights in Cape Town between Gardens and Green Point, with a group mountain hike, a day touring the peninsula and one in the Winelands, both booked through hostels so you do not have to drive.
14 days
The Cape and the Garden Route
- Cape Town
- Stellenbosch
- Garden Route
- Cape Town
A week in Cape Town and the Winelands, then a week along the Garden Route on the Baz Bus, a hop-on hop-off service built for travellers without a car.
Cost for one
- Low ZAR 800per day
- Mid ZAR 1,300per day
- High ZAR 2,500per day
Based on Cape Town, checked 27 October 2026: dorm beds from EUR 15-22 on Hostelworld (about 280-410 rand at the ECB rate of 18.5633), two inexpensive meals at 200 rand per Numbeo users, and a couple of rides. Mid adds a mid-range dinner and an activity or an evening app ride; high is an editorial estimate. At ECB rates 800 rand is about GBP 36 or USD 48. Evening ride-hailing belongs in the basic budget here.
Verified on 27 October 2026
Recurring events
- Pride · WorldPride 2028Cape Town will host WorldPride in 2028. Dates not yet published.
Cities
Frequently asked questions
Is South Africa safe for solo travellers?
The FCDO describes a high crime rate across the country, including violent muggings, carjacking, sexual assault and murder, in tourist areas too. The Global Peace Index 2026 ranks South Africa 123rd of 163. People travel here, but with tours, safe transport and no walking after dark.
Do I need a visa?
British citizens can visit for up to 90 days for tourism or business without a visa. Your passport must be valid for at least 30 days after you leave and have at least two blank pages, according to the FCDO.
Can a woman travel alone in South Africa?
Yes, with more rules than most places. The FCDO says solo and women travellers have received unwanted attention and been assaulted, and that criminals use dating apps for robbery and sexual assault. Women-only dorms, app rides or tours, and no meeting strangers somewhere isolated.
What is South Africa like for LGBTQ+ travellers?
The Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and the Civil Union Act of 2006 allows same-sex marriage. Cape Town will host WorldPride 2028.
How do I get around without a car?
In cities, ride-hailing booked through the app, following the FCDO's precautions. Along the Garden Route, the Baz Bus runs a hop-on hop-off service for travellers. Minibus taxis are minimally regulated.
When should I go?
Italy's foreign ministry describes the southern summer as October to April, with winter rain and strong winds year-round in the Cape region.
Sources
17 sourcesContent checked against sources, waiting for an editor's sign-off. Not indexed yet.
- Baz Bus, hop-on hop-off, Baz Bus · official source · accessed 27 October 2026
- Cape Town census and population statistics (Census 2022), City of Cape Town · official source · accessed 27 October 2026
- Civil Union Act 17 of 2006, South African Government · official source · accessed 27 October 2026
- Constitution, Chapter 2, Bill of Rights (section 9), South African Government · official source · accessed 27 October 2026
- Cost of Living in Cape Town (dati degli utenti, aggiornati il 27 ottobre 2026), Numbeo · crowdsourced, treat with care · accessed 27 October 2026
- Crime statistics, fourth quarter 2025/2026 (January-March 2026), South African Police Service · official source · accessed 27 October 2026
- EF English Proficiency Index 2025, EF Education First · index · accessed 27 October 2026
- Global Peace Index 2026, Institute for Economics and Peace · index · accessed 23 October 2026
- Hostels in Cape Town, prezzi di listino dei dormitori, Hostelworld · media · accessed 27 October 2026
- ILGA World Database, ILGA World · index · accessed 23 October 2026
- Scheda Paese Sudafrica, Ministero degli Affari Esteri, Viaggiare Sicuri · official source · accessed 27 October 2026
- South Africa travel advice (updated 8 July 2026), Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office · official source · accessed 27 October 2026
- Spartacus Gay Travel Index 2026, Spartacus · index · accessed 23 October 2026
- Tassi di cambio di riferimento dell'euro (USD, GBP, CAD, MXN, ZAR), 27 ottobre 2026, Banca centrale europea · official source · accessed 27 October 2026
- Triangle Project, Triangle Project · official source · accessed 27 October 2026
- Women, Peace and Security Index 2025/26, Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security · index · accessed 23 October 2026
- WorldPride, InterPride · official source · accessed 27 October 2026
- Sources: 17
Photos
- Boardwalk along the coast in Tsitsikamma National Park on the Garden Route: Dietmar Rabich / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Updated on 2 November 2026