how safe is it to take my family to south Africa?

Question

is it ok and can u get sick evin if u get all your shots and wash hand a lot??????

Answer 1

Hi Andrew

I wish you could have told us where you were coming from, since you question could be a simple answer like:
"If you come from the congo, then you'll find South Africa safe"
"if you come from the USA or UK, then you need to watch yourself"

I would definately recommend doing the trip to South Africa, the sites are amazing (yes, I am prejudice because I lived there for 31 years) and you will come back from you trip with memories that will last a lifetime, and you'll be hard pressed to find another country with such lovely nature and features.

With regards to your medical question. Make sure you take out comprehensive, and I mean COMPREHENSIVE medical cover before going to South Africa. The public medical service is beyond 3rd world. If you have medical cover, you can get private care, and it's extremely good, above 1st world, but you pay big for that. Visit your local doctor, or if possible, go to a doctor affliated with Travellers, as they are used to these questions.
My advise, if you are travelling anywhere North of Ballito on the East Coast (it's about 20 miles North of Durban), you need to get Malaria tablets for you and your family.
I find this site helpful, and they are recommending a lot of shots, you'll look like a pin cushion when you're finished :)
http://www.tmvc.com.au/travelreport.asp?UnqID=0.7326776&ReportID=439097&ReportType=3

Washing your hands will help, but I recommend getting yourself some hygenic wipes and keep them in your bag, you don't really want to use the public toilets there, you'll definately catch something then.

Another friendly note I can give, is plan you trip carefully, every day you should know what's on the schedule, where you are going, what you are doing at specific times, where you will be staying and where you will be eating.
Certain parts of South Africa are extremely danderous, so you can use this site to find out all the "hotspots". Make sure you stay away from those hotspots as you don't want to end up with a bad memory, or worse.
http://www.crimexposouthafrica.org/
These people seem to update the hotspots and places to avoid more quickly than the police.

Good luck on your trip, and stay healthy and safe :)

AJ

Answer 2

If you get sick no Doctor or Hospital will see you withour first seeing the colour of your money they are so materially driven. Not even an Ambulance,if they turn up, will lift you from the streets without payment. Most of the decent medical practitioners have left for better pastures. In Hospitals you are lucky if they dont steal your possessions.It is a third world country going backwards and is the most dangerous destination on the Planet. One in five South Africans is HIV positive and their is total Government led ignorance on the subject. It is essential to pack a bodybag for the return trip when visiting South Africa as you have a better than even chance of being murdered or raped or mutilated. Dont go there-it is a dreadful place. Rather have a look at www.crimexposouthafrica.org and read the accounts of ordinary South Africans before you expose your family to a deathwish.
Ignore this Rob and visit the site or www.news24.com or www.iol.co.za and you can read the same stories. The South Africans are only interested in Tourist money and will let you pay with your life to get it. This Rob is correct that I have issues- with the thugs and murderers he is inviting you to encounter. He knows Jack about his own Country and is in denial. I know the truth and will continue to expose it to all would be visitors.

Answer 3

Safe is a relative term. If you are looking at Safe like nothing is going to happen to you, then stay at home, but anything can happen to you anywhere. There IS a violence and crime problem in South Africa (don't anyone tell you otherwise). There is a lot of corruption and if you do go, it is advisable to be very careful where you go and how you deal with your money. I was in South Africa last year in November visiting my parents and they live a relatively good life. If you don't do stupid things like drive into risky areas alone or walk down the street with your money hanging out you'll be fine.
Do your homework and you'll be fine. Go to http://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/report-en.asp?country=270000 and read the information there. This is put together by the Canadian Government and can be trusted. Everyone has their own agenda (including me) so informing yourself is the best solution. It is a beautiful place to visit and definitely an experience you won't forget.

Answer 4

Perfectly safe. It is not a third world country - we have some of the best and affordable (by first world standards) medical care - we did sort of have the first successful heart transplant ever, etc. No needs for shots of any kind. Some areas are malaria area (northern province) but your guide book should tell you more. Proper handwashing required wherever in the world you are, so keep it up anyway.
Hope your trip will go well. It is a stunning country.

Answer 5

The truth is it is as safe as safe can be. Please even if you do not pick me as your top answer listen. No where in the world is safe. South Africa and the so called none third world countries are dangerous as well. Just because you are not going to a top country does not mean it is not safe to visit well except for places where there is actual war going on. I have experience I have traveled most of my life.

Answer 6

It's safe in South Africa. As safe as in America and England and Australia...
I wash my hands only before meals.
There's also no lions walking in the streets!!!

Come to South Africa and enjoy it!

Let me know when you come and what you think - [e-mail]

Answer 7

IGNORE BALDY_OLD_GIT !!!!

He's on a crusade to scare people away from South Africa. Check ANY post regarding there and he's on there scare-mongering. Ask anyone else (i.e. people who have actually been there or live there) and they say its ok.

Violence is present in every country in the world. What has happened to Baldy in his past to make him this messed and hateful about SA up is anyone's guess.

Answer 8

Huh??? What shots? The only shot you might need is a flu shot, its been pretty cold here lately, the mosquitoes have frozen to death, but if your question is serious, you do not catch diseases by coming to South Africa.

Answer 9

Well
I recommend this family self defence program that teaches how to win and dominate a violent situation on the street or in your home http://www.downloadita.it/r/rd.asp?gid=423
I hope it helps

Answer 10

no problems at all. you can drink water from the tap. malaria is only confined to the Limpopo area.
this is not yet a third world country.