Is It Safe to Travel to South Africa in 2026?
South Africa - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Last updated: · Source: U.S. Department of State
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. Its nine provinces are bounded to the south by 2,798 kilometres (1,739 miles) of coastline that stretches along the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean; to the north by the neighbouring countries of Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe; to the east and northeast by Mozambique and Eswatini; and it encloses Lesotho.
Is It Safe to Travel to South Africa in 2026?
South Africa is currently rated Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution by the U.S. Department of State. Violent crime is common and includes robbery, rape, carjacking, and mugging. There is risk of terrorist violence, including attacks and other activities, in South Africa. Kidnapping is a threat, with kidnappers targeting U.S. citizens and foreign travelers for money.
Key concerns cited in the advisory:
- crime
- terrorism
- civil_unrest
- kidnapping
The overall security situation has been worsening recently. Contributing factors: Violent crime is common and includes robbery, rape, carjacking, and mugging., There is risk of terrorist violence, including attacks and other activities, in South Africa., Kidnapping is a threat, with kidnappers targeting U.S. citizens and foreign travelers for money..
Active restrictions in South Africa:
- Security escort may be required
Must obtain special authorization to travel to many informal settlements (townships) in and around Cape Town.
Traveler Impact
Solo travelers face significant risks from violent crime, particularly in urban areas after dark, making it essential to remain vigilant and avoid isolated places.
Business travelers may encounter operational disruptions due to civil unrest and must navigate security risks when traveling to informal settlements, necessitating careful planning.
Families with children should be cautious due to the prevalence of violent crime and limited healthcare access in certain areas, particularly outside major cities.
Remote workers can find suitable environments in urban centers with good connectivity, but should avoid informal settlements and remain aware of crime risks.
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of State, the CDC, the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators, and Freedom House. All sources are updated regularly and cross-referenced to provide a composite safety picture for South Africa.
Regional Safety Breakdown
▶Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution1 region
▶South Africa
South Africa has 1 distinct regions with varying advisory levels. Risk conditions differ significantly by area.
▶Safety and Stability Ratings
Threat Severity (0-10 scale)
South Africa has an overall threat severity of 3.7 out of 10. Crime risk is rated 6.0/10, terrorism risk 5.0/10, and kidnapping risk 6.0/10.
Governance Indicators (World Bank, percentile)
Political Stability▶
Measures the likelihood that the government will be destabilized or overthrown by unconstitutional or violent means, including politically-motivated violence and terrorism. Higher percentile means greater stability.
Rule of Law▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which agents have confidence in and abide by the rules of society, including the quality of contract enforcement, property rights, the police, and the courts, as well as the likelihood of crime and violence.
Control of Corruption▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which public power is exercised for private gain, including both petty and grand forms of corruption, as well as capture of the state by elites and private interests.
Government Effectiveness▶
Captures perceptions of the quality of public services, the quality of the civil service and the degree of its independence from political pressures, the quality of policy formulation and implementation, and the credibility of the government's commitment to such policies.
Regulatory Quality▶
Captures perceptions of the ability of the government to formulate and implement sound policies and regulations that permit and promote private sector development.
Voice & Accountability▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which a country's citizens are able to participate in selecting their government, as well as freedom of expression, freedom of association, and a free media.
Data from World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators (2023).
Freedom Status: Free — scored 79/100 by Freedom House (2024). View full freedom profile →
▶Entry Requirements and Health
Entry Information
Visa
Check embassy for details
Currency
South African Rand (ZAR)
Language
English / Zulu / Xhosa
Notable restrictions:
- Avoid driving outside of metropolitan areas at night due to road hazards and crime.
Vaccinations
Recommended:
⚠ Malaria Risk: moderate
Recommended medications: Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, tafenoquine
Active health notices:
- watchGlobal Measles: Measles cases are rising in many countries around the world. All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, according to CDC's measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.
Vaccination data sourced from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Consult a travel health professional before your trip.
Common Questions About Traveling to South Africa
▶What is the current travel advisory level for South Africa?
▶Is it safe to travel to South Africa right now?
▶Do I need a visa to visit South Africa?
▶What vaccines do I need for South Africa?
▶Is South Africa safe for solo travelers?
▶How bad is crime in South Africa?
More South Africa Data
Free — 79/100 on the Freedom House index.
Governance indicators including rule of law, corruption control, and regulatory quality.
View all 195 countries color-coded by advisory level.
Read the full advisory on travel.state.gov.
Access this data programmatically. Free tier available.
On-demand country risk PDFs from 6 government sources.