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South Africa Travel Risk Level

Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution

South Africa faces a moderate risk from terrorism and kidnapping, with the US State Department issuing a Level 2 advisory. Exercise increased caution in South Africa due to crime, terrorism, unrest, and kidnapping.

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Government travel advisories

The headline risk level reflects the US State Department and UK FCDO advisories. France Diplomatie and Germany's Auswärtiges Amt apply more conservative criteria and are shown below for additional context.

US State Department

Level 2 · whole-country level
Exercise increased caution in South Africa due to crime, terrorism, unrest, and kidnapping. Violent crime is common and includes robbery, rape, carjacking and mugging. There are also "smash-and-grab" attacks on vehicles. Violent crime is more common in the downtown areas of big cities, especially after dark. Kidnapping is a threat in South Africa. Kidnappers target U.S. citizens and other foreign travelers to steal money. Captors often force victims to withdraw cash or give online account passwords before they are let go. Though rare, some kidnappings involve demanding ransom from families. There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity, in South Africa. Demonstrations, protests, and strikes occur frequently. They can: Start suddenly Interrupt traffic, transportation, and other services Turn violent Due to the risks, U.S. government employees working in South Africa must obtain special authorization to travel to many informal settlements (townships) in and around Cape Town. U.S. mission staff must use fully armored vehicles when visiting and visiting hours are limited to 10:00 -15:00 weekdays only.
View full US advisory →

UK FCDO

See our travel advice before travelling · whole-country level
Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance . Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice . Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. Follow FCDO : travel advice on X travel advice on Facebook Travel Aware on Instagram
View full UK advisory →

France Diplomatie

Heightened vigilance · whole-country level
France Diplomatie : vigilance renforcée sur l'ensemble du pays (jaune).
View full FR advisory →

Germany Auswärtiges Amt

Travel advice (Reisehinweise) · whole-country level
Auswärtiges Amt: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise (general travel and security advice); no travel warning in effect.
View full DE advisory →

Active disaster alerts (GDACS)

No active GDACS disaster events for South Africa at this time.

Health alerts (WHO)

No active WHO health alerts for South Africa at this time.

Global & regional health alerts (WHO)

Cross-border outbreaks and pandemic-scale alerts that affect travellers regardless of destination.

Global · Chikungunya
Chikungunya virus disease- Global situation
2025-10-03T11:25:30Z
Regional · Diphtheria
Diphtheria - African Region (AFRO)
2025-11-21T19:00:00Z
Global · Mpox
Broader transmission of mpox due to clade Ib MPXV – Global situation
2025-12-05T19:00:00Z
Global
Seasonal influenza - Global situation
2025-12-10T19:00:00Z
Global
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus - Global update
2025-12-24T05:38:07Z

Recent risk-level changes

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to travel to South Africa?

South Africa is currently assessed at Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) based on the US State Department and UK FCDO advisories. Exercise increased caution in South Africa due to crime, terrorism, unrest, and kidnapping.

What is the current US State Department travel advisory for South Africa?

The US State Department currently rates South Africa at Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution — for the country as a whole. Exercise increased caution in South Africa due to crime, terrorism, unrest, and kidnapping.

What is the current UK FCDO advice for South Africa?

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office currently advises: "See our travel advice before travelling" for South Africa as a whole. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe.

What is the current France Diplomatie advice for South Africa?

France Diplomatie currently advises "Heightened vigilance" for South Africa as a whole. France Diplomatie: vigilance renforcée sur l'ensemble du pays (jaune).

What is the current Germany Auswärtiges Amt advice for South Africa?

Germany's Auswärtiges Amt currently advises "Travel advice (Reisehinweise)" for South Africa as a whole. Auswärtiges Amt: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise (general travel and security advice); no travel warning in effect.

Other countries at Level 2