Can anybody give me some information on Cape Town in South Africa. I'm interested to know the safety factor. We know every city has its problems. Most people I talk to say its a great city but a few have been quite off-putting.
2006-09-09 03:33:43 · 25 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ Africa & Middle East ➔ South Africa
Cape Town is like any other major city in the world with the exception that it is the most beatiful city in the world. The same things that you are being told by/ and read about Cape town we read and hear about other major cities througout the world. If you send me your e-mail adress I will send you some pictures of the most beautiful city in the world. You must not go on other peoples hear say. I can assure you it is not all true. You will have one major problem though. You will not want to go away once you are here.
Come down to Cape Town and have the time of your life.
Regards
Ps: I am about 13 km outside Cape Town.
2006-09-09 07:55:49 · answer #1 · answered by robsnor 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I am from Cape Town and I currently live in the states and to be very honest with you I felt less safe traveling here than in my own country. Any country has problems and you have to know that but My city is beautiful and you will have a great time.
Here are some tips.
If driving in a car lock the doors at all times.
If going on the train dont play with any electrical devices that are in plain view...also travel first class as 3rd class gets very cramped.
Dont flash huge amounts of money in front of people. Thats asking for nonsense in any country.
Be careful of certain areas...Retreat, Lotus River, Lavender hill etc... as this is the 'Ghetto'.
Make sure that you go to the Beach and dont leave your stuff alone...just added precaution. the best beaches are Clifton and Camps Bay.
If you are into the nightlife I recommend Eclipse, and La Med really nice places that show Cape Town at it's best. It's safe to park there they have car guards and the people are really nice.
Most of the shopping centres have car guards you would normally give them a tip for looking after you car.
Basically anywhere has its problems but when you see Cape Town you will realise that this is very minor compared to the beauty of the city.
I hope that you have a fabulous trip and just be aware of your surroundings.
LILI
2006-09-10 06:41:57 · answer #2 · answered by lil lili 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, if you look at the statistics in SA and Cape Town then yes it is quite a dangerous city. But if you look closer it is mostly confined to the 'townships' and certain areas that are dangerous at night.
During the day most of the City Bowl area is reasonably safe to wander around. There are pickpockets during the day, but if you dont flash around with all your possesions you will be fine. Most of the times people get robbed it are tourists flashing around camera's phones to young street kids or other people that have no money, so the temptation is great.
There are safe areas such as Waterfront, Long Street, and more if you know how to get around in cape town. In these places it is not dangerous whatsoever. In the rest of Cape Town you should also beware, like always, but is also very good to be there.
2006-09-10 20:25:33 · answer #3 · answered by ecampbell007 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As you say, every city has it's problems. But South Africa has become much safer over the years and Cape Town is by far one of the safest. We went on a school trip 10 years ago, when things where considered "unsafe" and our teacher let us run around freely on the Waterfront, in the Museums and at Table Mountain. We where young teens at the time, and nothing happened to us.
2006-09-10 02:04:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anria A 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've been to Cape Town about 10 times (the last time being last year in April) and I've never been mugged or targeted or anything... It is one of my favourite places in the world... Especially Table Mountain and the harbour and shopping centre near there called 'Waterfront' as well as a Bay called HoutBay with the BEST fish and chips place... The sunsets and rises are breath-taking and the people are so nice and friendly... stay in a hotel at a good location, travel with your car doors locked and stay away from dodgy-looking areas... Also, be sure to travel with someone - the more people you are with, the less likely you are going to be an easy target ! If you do decide to go to Cape Town, enjoy it and say Hi to the Mountain for me...
2006-09-09 23:24:06 · answer #5 · answered by Rika 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
IGNORE ALF GARRET and his sleezy website. and Bulliont obviously has a problem with perspective. Also ignore the few that are off-putting.
It is OK to travel to SA and to Cape Town. I travel to Cape Town six times a year and although one has to be vigilant, it is safe. We have property in Cape Town and in 10 years never once had a burglarly. Crime obviously does exist, but not to the extent that is being portrayed here by Bulliont - and foreigners need medical insurance, the same they would need in the USA and UK. I live in Las Vegas and it is much safer than Las Vegas on an average day.
Just go and enjoy. Be safe.
2006-09-10 00:07:45 · answer #6 · answered by wagbietjie 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
like anywhere in R.S.A , you will be fine if you do not flaunt valuable items, which could be stolen ,or giving the impression that you are well off. do not walk in the streets alone at night, especially in some areas. if you are going on a group tour ,you should be fine. it is when foreigners, go into areas that they are inquisitive about, that no other sa will do ,that they may be harmed. not allways,but don't risk it.
a lot of the more violent crime is between people who know each other. many s.a 's are waking to the fact that they need to look after foreign visitors , as they increase bussiness to the country.
you probabaly could inquire from the police about the recent crime,or try reading a local paper on the net to give you an idea.
2006-09-10 22:57:01 · answer #7 · answered by saywot? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I live in Cape town and its really beautiful here. You do get your occasional petty crime (as with any big city) but the scenic views and life style is really worth the experience :) Avoid areas like Rondebosch East, Woodstock, Observatory, Maitland, Mitchells Plain etc. Instead, plans your visist to Camps Bay, Clifton, Tamboerskloof etc for central Cape Town. They are really safe and inviting.
2006-09-10 22:45:28 · answer #8 · answered by Taurus 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cape Town is a wonderful place! Apparently the best town in S.A!! Yes, there is crime in S.A but it is not as bad as what everybody makes it out to be! Dont worry, you'll be safe and you'll have a great time!! That website 'crimexpo' is a load of rubbish so please just ignore it! Somebody was very jealous about S.A getting the 2010 World Cup and now that person is doing anything they can to ruin it for us South Africans.
Here is a site for you, have a look and this will help you to feel safer about going to Cape Town. It is just a few basic tips to prevent crime from happening:
http://www.unisa.ac.za/Default.asp?Cmd=ViewContent&ContentID=13990
Enjoy!
2006-09-10 19:12:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
my hubby's from South Africa!!! he lives with me in the UK now. yeah Ive heard cape town's pretty bad now, not a safe place. there are some parts which are, just watch out for some of the Major city's like Johannesburg and very quiet countrysides.
look on the net for info and how to keep your self and belongings safe whilst there.
cape town should be ok, mainly be careful at night time.
have a nice time!
2006-09-09 03:48:01 · answer #10 · answered by sasha 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋