Safety and Security

What are Cape Town Tourism’s safety tips for tourists?

• Avoid carrying large sums of cash, carrying cameras or video cameras in plain sight and leaving belongings unattended.
• Heed the advice of your hosts, Cape Town Tourism Visitor Centre staff or locals on where to go after dark. Try not to walk alone, and take special precautions at lonely lookout points, especially at dusk or after dark.
• Do not allow strangers to assist you in any way at ATMs.
• Street children and beggars may approach you for a handout. Many social workers counsel against giving money to the children as it usually gets handed over to an older person or is used to purchase drugs. If you wish to do good, rather give food, donate your change to a registered charity, or contact Cape Town Tourism for advice.
• At night, park in a secure, well-lit area.
• Keep photocopies of all valuable documents in a safe place.

To report any safety incident, call the following numbers:

• All emergencies from your mobile phone – 112
• All emergencies from a landline – 107
• South African Police Service (SAPS) – 10111

Cape Town Tourism, in partnership with Protection and Emergency Services, runs a successful Visitor Support Programme to assist you further, should you be involved in an incident. Contact Cape Town Tourism for more information.