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Travel safety
South Africa is a spectacular place to explore - a few simple habits keep it that way. Save these numbers before you set out.
Emergency numbers
| 10111 | Police (SAPS) - nationwide |
| 112 | Any emergency from a mobile phone (works on all networks) |
| 10177 | Ambulance / medical emergency |
| 107 | City of Cape Town emergencies (from a landline) |
Good habits
- Hike in groups of four or more, tell someone your route and expected return, and carry water, sun protection and a charged phone.
- Keep phones, wallets and jewellery out of sight in busy areas, and stick to well-lit streets at night.
- Use ATMs inside malls or banks, and never accept "help" at one.
- On the road: plan your route ahead, stay alert at intersections, and avoid stopping on highways - pull off at public places.
- Book accommodation and guides through established channels - if a deal looks too good to be true, verify before paying.
- Consider a safety app like Namola, which shares your GPS location with responders when you call for help.
For the full guide - including airport routes and consulate contacts - see the City of Cape Town's official TravelWise booklet.