Discussion
A family friend has invited the two of us out to his house which is situated on a private game reserve, sounds really nice, get hire car between us etc.
Trouble is I am paranoid about getting mugged/ attacked whilst out there, I just know i would be on tender hooks all the time and it would make me unable to relax.
Anyone been out there?
I understand one can get mugged/attacked anywhere but a life out there is worth nothing and that is what worries me.
Advise please.
Trouble is I am paranoid about getting mugged/ attacked whilst out there, I just know i would be on tender hooks all the time and it would make me unable to relax.
Anyone been out there?
I understand one can get mugged/attacked anywhere but a life out there is worth nothing and that is what worries me.
Advise please.
OP I've been out there a few times, there are a few saffers around on the PH who now live in the UK- Pints is one that springs to mind. Many have left SA as they believed it wasn't safe to raise a family there. Where specifically are you going?
I've driven around allot of SA-longest trip was from Cape Town all the way to Jo'Burg and in my experience I've not had any problems or felt unsafe. I never really drove much after dark, in the cities choosing to use taxis so I could have a beer. I think you've just got to use some common sense, at the end of the day the majority of the population live in poverty and the gap between the haves and have nots is huge, and life is pretty cheap when you have nothing to loose.
In towns etc if you park up chances are when you return to your car chances are someone will appear from the shadows wanting a couple of rand for watching your car, I always just gave them some change-like the equivalent to 10p or something. It's such a beautiful country I'd recommend seeing as much as you can, Cape Town is up there with my favourite cites-hoping to go back over New Year.
Get yourself there and enjoy.
Edited for grammar....
I've driven around allot of SA-longest trip was from Cape Town all the way to Jo'Burg and in my experience I've not had any problems or felt unsafe. I never really drove much after dark, in the cities choosing to use taxis so I could have a beer. I think you've just got to use some common sense, at the end of the day the majority of the population live in poverty and the gap between the haves and have nots is huge, and life is pretty cheap when you have nothing to loose.
In towns etc if you park up chances are when you return to your car chances are someone will appear from the shadows wanting a couple of rand for watching your car, I always just gave them some change-like the equivalent to 10p or something. It's such a beautiful country I'd recommend seeing as much as you can, Cape Town is up there with my favourite cites-hoping to go back over New Year.
Get yourself there and enjoy.
Edited for grammar....
Edited by a311 on Friday 2nd August 07:51
I`ve driven about 2000 miles during two visits to South Africa and never had a problem.It is though a very crime ridden country and there are places you never ever go near.Stick to main roads and make sure you know the route and have plenty of petrol for the journey,hide everything in a locked boot and have nothing visible inside the car,drive with the windows shut and the doors locked,just ignore the hawkers at traffic lights,NEVER stop for anyone,try not to "advertise" the fact your a tourist.
Relax its a beautiful country (its just some of the people that spoil it)being out in the bush with wild animals is a wonderful experience,you will never forget it,have a great time.
PS,I`ve been a victim of crime many times,burglaries,guy with a knife etc etc,drug gangs with guns!!! and that`s in my home town in the UK!!
Relax its a beautiful country (its just some of the people that spoil it)being out in the bush with wild animals is a wonderful experience,you will never forget it,have a great time.
PS,I`ve been a victim of crime many times,burglaries,guy with a knife etc etc,drug gangs with guns!!! and that`s in my home town in the UK!!
I went on my Honeymoon, came back dead.
Hired a car from Capetown to the Winelands, Joberg to Rorkes Drift and then on to Durban. Always in the daytime, never felt threatened or vulnerable just use sensible precautions as you would anywhere and don't draw attention to yourself.
It's a beautiful place.
Hired a car from Capetown to the Winelands, Joberg to Rorkes Drift and then on to Durban. Always in the daytime, never felt threatened or vulnerable just use sensible precautions as you would anywhere and don't draw attention to yourself.
It's a beautiful place.
Jasper3.0 said:
The drive to get there is easy, north from OR Tambo up to Pretoria and then take a right.
Not bad at all, not been there but some friends have a place up at Bela Bela.
We used to live in Centurion, which is on the south east side of Pretoria.
I have some friends with a place in Bela Bela also. It's great up there.Not bad at all, not been there but some friends have a place up at Bela Bela.
We used to live in Centurion, which is on the south east side of Pretoria.
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff