Last reviewed: August 2026.
South Africa is one of Africa’s most established safari destinations, and a well-planned safari is typically a very safe and straightforward trip. That does not mean the country is risk-free. Crime, road travel, wildlife and malaria all deserve sensible preparation, but none of them should put you off visiting.
The short answer: yes, it is safe to go on safari in South Africa. But it is important to use reputable accommodation and operators, sensibly plan how you will travel between airports and safari areas and avoid unnecessary driving after dark.
We have travelled extensively through South Africa, lived there for seven months (Van has lived there for most of his life) and spent a great deal of time in its national parks and private reserves. Van’s experience as a South African trails guide also gives us a practical understanding of how professional safari operations manage risk. This guide combines that firsthand knowledge with current official travel, park and health advice.
How safe is a South African safari?
It helps to separate the safari itself from the wider journey. Staying at a four or five star safari lodge or camp in South Africa is probably safer than staying in many cities around the world. They operate within reserves that have very high security and are run by highly trained professionals. I personally feel safer in these lodges than when I have stayed in many hotels in cities around the world. The route between an airport, a city hotel and a reserve has a different risk profile and needs its own planning, but again, the risks here can be very low provided this is done sensibly.
South Africa does have a high rate of serious crime, but it’s extremely unlikely to encounter it while on safari.
Crime and personal safety
The Australian Government currently advises travellers to exercise a high degree of caution in South Africa because of violent crime. Risks vary considerably by location and time of day. City centres, isolated areas and unfamiliar secondary roads require more caution than a lodge or a controlled safari environment.
We recommend you have your itinerary planned ahead of time, with reputable hotels and lodges booked and transfers organised. If you are hiring a car, we recommend that you do not drive at night, and that you stick to major routes. The vast majority of safaris that we plan involve very little time outside the airport and reserve, unless there’s an add-on to Cape Town or the Garden Route.
The airport, and reputable nearby airport hotels are safe and well managed. For those who are particularly anxious, it is easy to fly directly to the game reserve and lodge, meaning you spend no time outside the airport at all.
Is it safe to drive yourself in South Africa?
Self-driving is a popular way to visit Kruger National Park and other parts of South Africa. It can work very well for confident drivers who are comfortable navigating independently. The important questions are not simply whether the roads are safe, but which route you are taking, when you will be travelling and how tired you will be.
We recommend:
- Plan long-distance driving for daylight hours wherever possible.
- Do not begin a long drive after an overnight flight if you are tired or unfamiliar with the route.
- Use major roads and confirm any proposed GPS detour before following it.
- Allow extra time for fuel stops, roadworks, weather and park gate closing times.
- Be alert for pedestrians, livestock, wildlife, poorly lit vehicles and changing road conditions.
- Keep valuables out of sight and stop only at established service stations or other busy locations.
Driving after dark brings additional risks, including fatigue, animals or pedestrians on the road, reduced visibility and a greater crime risk in some areas. If the timing is uncomfortable, stay overnight near the airport or arrange a transfer or flight to your safari area.
The drive from Johannesburg to safari areas such as Kruger National Park, Sabi Sands, Timbavati and Madikwe can be included in a carefully planned itinerary. Travellers who would prefer not to drive have excellent alternatives, including scheduled flights, charter flights, lodge transfers and private road transfers.
Is it safe around lions, elephants and other wildlife?
Wild animals are unpredictable, which is why national parks and professional lodges have strict rules. The risk to visitors is generally very low when those rules are followed.
Inside Kruger and other self-drive parks:
- Stay inside your vehicle unless you are in an area where getting out is expressly permitted.
- Keep doors closed and do not lean out of windows or sunroofs.
- Never feed, call, tease or attempt to touch an animal.
- Give elephants and other animals space, particularly when young animals are present.
- Obey speed limits, gate times and instructions from park staff.
On a guided game drive or bush walk, listen carefully to your guide and follow instructions. Professional trails guides such as Van are trained to read animal behaviour, choose safe routes and respond appropriately. When you are on a vehicle, animals are generally completely desensitised to your presence and won’t even distinguish you from the great big car blob, which they have come to recognise as no threat. Guides are also highly trained to deal with any abnormal or aggressive behaviours.
Read the current SANParks rules and visitor information before a self-drive safari.
What about malaria and other health considerations?
Malaria risk is not the same throughout South Africa. Kruger National Park and parts of Mpumalanga, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal are malaria-risk areas, while many other parts of the country are not. The appropriate advice depends on your exact destination, travel dates, health history and the ages of the people travelling.
Speak with a travel-health professional well before departure about vaccinations, malaria prevention and any medication that may be appropriate for you. General precautions in malaria-risk areas include using an effective insect repellent, wearing long and light-coloured clothing in the evening, and choosing accommodation with suitable screens, nets or air-conditioning.
The food and water are of a high quality in South Africa and in fact the food served in safari lodges rival what you would find in a restaurant. In most places the water is safe to drink, but you may be like me and prefer to drink filtered or bottled water anyway (which is always available).
One other thing to note is that private health facilities and care in South Africa is of a high standard. If you do find yourself needing attention, you generally will be able to access very high quality care. If you fall sick at a private game lodge, they have doctors and medical staff they can call in to help. We have personally needed medical attention a number of times either for ourselves or our children while on safari, and always found the standard of care and professionalism to be at least comparable, if not better than that which we get in Australia.
Is Kruger National Park safe?
Kruger is visited by large numbers of independent and guided travellers. Inside the park, safety depends on following SANParks rules, remaining in your vehicle, respecting wildlife, observing speed limits and reaching your camp or gate before closing time.
The journey to and from Kruger needs separate consideration. Use a well-planned route, travel during daylight where possible and check current advice about your intended gate and approach road. If you would rather avoid the drive, consider flying directly into Skukuza airport or directly to a private reserve airstrip and arranging a lodge transfer.
A practical South Africa safari safety checklist
- Check current government travel advice shortly before departure.
- Buy comprehensive travel insurance that covers your planned activities.
- Book reputable accommodation, guides, transfers and car hire.
- Plan routes and arrival times before each travel day.
- Arrange a travel-health appointment for destination-specific advice.
- Save your accommodation, insurer and emergency contacts offline.
- Follow park, lodge and guide instructions without exception.
- Do not let a photograph or wildlife sighting tempt you to ignore a safety rule.
So, should safety concerns stop you going?
No. The risks are not zero, but nor are they for any destination you would travel to across the globe. A thoughtfully planned itinerary can reduce avoidable road and crime risks while placing you with reputable lodges, guides and transfer providers.
South Africa offers exceptional wildlife, beautiful landscapes and some of the continent’s most experienced safari operations. The goal is not to pretend there are no risks; it is to understand them, make good decisions and travel with confidence.
If you would like help creating a safe, comfortable and well-paced itinerary, get in touch with Ready Set Safari. We can advise on suitable safari areas, trusted lodges, daylight road transfers, internal flights and the practical details that make a trip feel straightforward and completely safe from the moment you arrive.
This article provides general travel information, not a guarantee of safety or personalised medical advice. Always check current official guidance and follow the directions of local authorities, park staff, guides and health professionals.
