Loading data, please wait...

Health & Safety

When visiting any major city, visitors should take certain health and safety precautions. Ours is no different. To make your visit as enjoyable as possible, here are some basic tips:

HEALTH TIPS

  • High-quality tap (faucet) water is available across the City and it is both palatable and safe to drink straight from the tap.
  • The quality of the food is excellent and Cape Town has some of the top restaurants in the world.
  • Medical facilities in Cape Town are world-class. There is an excellent network of both state and private hospitals. Contact Cape Town Tourism if you need to find out more about local medical services.
  • We have a warm sunny climate and you should wear sunscreen and a hat whenever you are out of doors during the day, particularly between 10am and 4pm.
  • If you're an adult, you won't need any inoculations unless you're travelling from a yellow-fever endemic area (the yellow fever belt of Africa or South America), in which case you will need certification to prove your inoculation status when you arrive in the country.
  • Hepatitis B inoculations are recommended for children up to the age of 12 who have not completed the series of injections as infants.
  • Cape Town is not a maleria area.

VISITOR SAFETY TIPS

image
  • 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 cell phone – 112
  • All emergencies from a landline – 107
  • South African Police Services (SAPS) – 10111

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

SAFETY IN TABLE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK

image
  • Cape Town Tourism recommends the use of a qualified mountain guide should you wish to explore Table Mountain National Park on foot. Alternatively, make sure you take a Table Mountain map, comfortable walking shoes, a few friends and a charged cell phone (mobile).
  • Make sure you are also prepared for weather that can change rapidly; bring sunblock and something warm to wear.
  • Start heading back well before dark and keep to demarcated paths.
  • Save the following emergency number on your cell phone before you begin your hike: +27 (0)861 106 417.
  • Contact Cape Town Tourism for more information or to book a guide.