South Africa’s troubling crime rates is one of the things that’s been putting off tourists in recent years. Most recently, in January 2024, a British Airways pilot was targeted by armed robbers in Johannesburg and forced to withdraw thousands of pounds from cash machines around the city. The UK Foreign Office’s travel advice for the country also makes for particularly nerve-racking reading, stating that terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in South Africa along with mentions of carjackings, armed robberies and other violent crimes.
Fortunately visitors are generally sheltered from the worst of it and the vast majority don’t have any bad experiences. Many parts of the country rely on tourism and there’s an effort to ensure visitors continue to travel, especially after the pandemic. For travellers who do visit, they’re rewarded with captivating landscapes, an abundance of wildlife and fascinating culture — and there’s barely any time difference.
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