Travel to South Africa - safe?

I'm considering visiting South Africa. I'm a 28 yr old male from the U.S., and would likely be going alone. Is South Africa as violent as it's cracked up to be? I've read some pretty nasty stuff about it, but am still interested in paying a visit.

do not travel alone period. if you have some friends there who will take you out and about, then fine. otherwise travel with a tour group. if you're an AMA member, i know they have travel groups they arrange to south africa. tourists are cased by criminals - from the time they enter and leave an hotel. there are simply too many factual examples i could give you of tourists, single and in couples, who have been mugged, kidnapped and murdered. they can smell you a mile off.

other hints would be to leave the ray bans, gold watches and jewellery behind while you travel there.

Seriously, what you've heard is just to make SA look bad! The only place you should really watch out for is Johannesburg...but that's pretty much the central part of it! I wouldn't recommend you going by yourself...get someone who knows SA to go with you, then you'll be fine! One thing, try not to act like too much of a tourist...ie, don't walk around with cameras, expensive stuff, etc...stuff that can be seen by everyone (otherwise put all that stuff in a bag, but keep your bag with you at all times)! You will have fun!

South Africa is as safe as any other country in the world. All countries have places you do not go. If you stick to the tourist routes you will have the holiday of a lifetime.

Aw c'mon! Every place has it's dangers and what you hear about South Africa is way overrated! South Africa is a great country and if you are willing to visit, you really should! There is crime everywhere in the world, and being in SA doesn't mean that you will experience it first hand! It was the same before I went to Israel-I was always scared because I heard about all the bombings and fighting, etc, but when I got there all that fear just disappeared! In my opinion, if you visit South Africa, you will not regret it! I have lived here for the full 21 years of my life and I have not personally been a victim of serious or violent crime! I hope you make the right decision:-)

I would love to agree with the South African denialists who have answered you but there isn't enough room up their a sses for one more head. South Africa is very safe to travel to but once you arrive the crap starts. Firstly you will probably have your luggage looted by the Baggage Handlers and when you get into the Arrivals Hall the criminals will start to watch you and pass on information to the henchmen waiting out side if you look like you may have money etc. Rm has given you a good answer but do yourself a favour and Google "crime south africa." You will get enough reading material about the murder,rapes,car jackings,assaults with weapons,robbery,Tourists attacks etc to keep you busy for a month.As for Johannesburg being the only unsafe City - Pleasant are you having a larf? By their own statistics the SA Institute of Security Studies has awarded that honour to Cape Town where they have more serious violent crime per 100,000 capita than any other City in South Africa.Better still - a recent survey in response to the President's denial that crime was out of control resulted in 98% of its citizens disagreeing and saying it is out of control.
Understand South Africa is the Crime Capital of the World and any visit there is a major risk. Nowhere is safe - not their Tourist sites,beaches, restaurants,Shopping Malls,roads etc etc.The Country is run by the corrupt ANC communists masquerading as a legitimate Government who are hellbent on driving White folks out of there.The crime sites, who are the only reliable source of news, to a man state that the ANC is behind the crime and the ANC politicians do not travel without a heavy bodyguard presence. Rather give it a miss for a few years and see if they can turn it around.

ZA is very safe except for Johannesburg and the townships which will be obvious that you dont want to be there. I ve driven over l5,000 mile on four separate trip there in the lat 7 years without a single incident. Dont drive at night As the locals like to walk on the road side and Cross the road when ever they feel like it. Kruger is one of the best if not the best park in all of Africa and easy to do by yourself. Capetown and the surrounding areas are fantatic.
Itz a great country to vzit. Go for it

hi..i travel going to south africa(capetown) by my self.,,,last january i just arrived last jan.31 in phil,
for me its very safe to go there,before when i didn't got there yet i was worried and scared.becoz its so far from my country..but when i arrived there..so beautiful place for me..nice..and lots also of tourist....and then i like also the people i meet there..i like to talk to them..but you have to careful also....i didn't waste my time there i'll go around the capetown,.,,very nice place...thanks..