I want to travel to SA, but I am told it is very dangerous
and risy...is it true? Please help.........!
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its wise to stay out of JHB especially Hillbrow(anytime)
area the rest of SA is wonderful just try not to look like
a tourist.
R
Seriously...the above advice is good. (What the hell do I
know? I live in Hillbrow!) Take all doomsday predictions
with a LARGE pinch of salt. Read these posts...and take a
look at http://www.bootsnall.com/may99joburg.html
Follow the links from there.
On a semantic: "try not to look like a tourist"...this is
sometimes very difficult! There are times when it pays to
do exactly that.
As I have answered a post just below, here goes again!
I think people are getting a bit carried away by mentioning
AK47's, etc, this is more the exception, than the norm. If
you use your common sense and take the necessary
precautions, SA is not as bad as everyone makes it out to
be!
Sure, don't go out at night alone and choose where you go
carefully. Don't stop out in the country for anything, and
don't give hitch hikers lifts.
Let's face it, all countries have their good and bad
elements, maybe SA is a little worse at the moment, but it
is not dangerous if you heed the warnings and take the
advice of the locals.
If you are staying at a resort, you will be given all the
advice and guidance you need by your hosts, so I wouldn't
worry too much. Enjoy your trip. We have a beautiful
country with lots to offer!!
yes it is quite risy isn't it?
....is not to look like a tourist. Of course this is what
our tourist info and our police say. And guess what??? you
will allways look like a tourist! so if you know what you
are up against you can just take normal care and nothing
should happen to you. have a look at safety under info on
http://www.travelinafrica.co.za
I went to school there and after ten years returned in
1996. Most of the country is no less safe than the USA
or
elsewhere. Crime is out of control, and the police are
struggling to deal with it. The best advice is dont
make
yourself a target for getting mugged, if going out keep
jewlery to the bare esentials, dont flash your money
and
dress down, avoid city centres at night and keep your
car
doors locked. If driving out in the country don't stop
in
the middle of no where, and if you see some one lying
in
the road, dont stop, report it at the next town to the
police station. All to comon for there to be a couple
of
AK47's awaiting in the ditch at the side of the road.
Just
remember that in the rest of the world they ask you to
hand
over your car or steal it when you are not in it. In
South
Africa they are more likely to shoot you first and then
take the car. But hey, the majority of tourist's go
there
and in the few weeks they are there encounter nothing
but
great hospitality and one of the most diverse countrys
in
the world.
THAT should reassure you.
I think people are getting a bit carried away by mentioning
AK47's, etc, this is more the exception, than the norm.
If
you use your common sense and take the necessary
precautions, SA is not as bad as everyone makes it out
to
be!
Sure, don't go out at night alone and choose where you
go
carefully. Don't stop out in the country for anything,
and
don't give hitch hikers lifts.
Let's face it, all countries have their good and bad
elements, maybe SA is a little worse at the moment, but
it
is not dangerous if you heed the warnings and take the
advice of the locals.
If you are staying at a resort, you will be given all
the
advice and guidance you need by your hosts, so I
wouldn't
worry too much. Enjoy your trip. We have a beautiful
country with lots to offer!!
SA is just as dangerous as your own back yard...I travelled
through in January and Feb of this year and encountered no
problems....all hostel staff will advise of any potential
danger but definitely take all advice with a grain of salt!
Basically, don't take stupid chances...SA is beautiful and
the people are generally amazing. As in any place there are
people who want to take advantage...I think the only time I
saw an AK47 was at the bank(security guards) don't flash
your money around, DON'T carry your important documents with
you(most hotels/hostels have a safe) and enjoy the beauty of
the people and the culture. It was one of the best
experiences of my life and I think people give it a bad rap.
Travel Safe, and travel smart.
IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS AND F***ED UP COUNTRY. PLEASE BE
CAREFUL.
How can this country be dangerous???? It's run by clowns
isn't it??
What is so f***ed up about SA? SA is the most beautiful
country in the world. Wendy is just another one who only
see the bad things in life. She has obviously not grown up
yet. We wish her all the best.