SAFETY WHEN CAMPING AND TRAVELLING TO YOUR CAMPING DESTINATION
JUNE 2023
South Africa is not a safe country. It has one of the highest crime rates in the world. When travelling for holiday or camping it is important to make safety a priority. Irrespective of whether you are staying in a hotel or a campsite, there is always a chance that you may fall victim to crime in South Africa. Here are a few general guidelines when camping and travelling to your campsite.
SAFETY ON THE ROAD
Avoid travelling at night.
Make sure that you travel during the day and do not arrive at your destination at night. You may find the gates at your campsite closed having to sleep in your car in an unprotected area.
Do not travel alone.
Never travel alone. There are campers in South Africa that camp and travel on their own, but you are doing so at your own risk. If you are not in good health, do not camp and travel alone.
Plan your route.
Plan the route that you are going to use to arrive at your destination. Google maps is a wonderful tool that you can use to plan your route. Most of the arial photos are up to date so you should not get lost whilst travelling to your destination.
Do not break the law.
South African roads in general are not safe. South Africa does have a high accident rate so abide by the road rules and do not drive at excessive speeds. Make sure that your vehicle is roadworthy.
Be careful of strangers.
If, for any reason you experience a breakdown next to the road be careful of strangers that stop to assist. People have been known to get robbed during breakdowns. Prepare for such events and arm yourself. Immediately contact a relative or emergency contact and notify them of your position and situation.
Avoid dangerous roads.
The road conditions in South Africa are not always up to standard. A lot of the roads have potholes. Make sure that you find out what the best route is to your campsite before travelling. Most campsites will be able to supply you with the required information.
Avoid law enforcement officials.
Avoid unnecessary contact with South African Law Enforcement officials. South African Law Enforcement Officials are known for abusing their power and often resort to bribery. There have been several incidents where they have threatened unsuspecting travellers with arrest if they do not pay up. If you are stopped by these officials, remain calm and always be courteous. Do not pay any bribes.
Be aware of the political climate.
Keep up to date with the news. Some major roads such as the N3 to the South Coast are prone to unrest. Due to the poor quality of service delivery in South Africa some of the small towns also experience frequent unrest; avoid these routes and towns.
Communicate estimated arrival times.
Communicate your estimated arrival time with the campsite and supply the campsite with an emergency number such as that of a family member. If you don’t arrive at the campsite your family can be informed. If there is a change in plans inform the campsite accordingly.
Track weather conditions.
Check the weather conditions. In some mountainous areas there may be early morning fog. Plan for delays such as these and do not travel in heavy fog.
Arm yourself.
Never travel without pepper spray, airhorns or emergency whistles. If you are in distress, immediately alert others. Always keep an emergency contact at hand.
CAMPSITE SAFETY
Pre-book your campsite.
Pre-book your campsite. Some campsites are fully booked over weekends. Make sure that a campsite can accommodate you prior to arriving at the campsite. Don’t arrive uninvited.
Choose a reputable campsite.
Most campsites in South Africa take the safety of their patrons very seriously. Choose a reputable and professionally managed campsite with security. Always refer to the campsite groups on Facebook. Most of these groups will answer any questions you may have regarding a particular campsite.
Avoid camping in remote areas.
Avoid camping in remote or isolated areas that may be unsafe or lack access to emergency services.
Meet and greed your fellow campers.
Meet your neighbours. Most South African campers go camping to escape their crime ridden neighbourhoods. They will gladly keep an eye out for you. Return the favour.
Do not leave valuables lying around.
Do not leave valuable items lying around. If you are leaving your campsite, make sure that you lock your valuables in the boot of your car or any other safe place. It is better not to take any valuables with you when you go on holiday.
Lock dangerous items away.
Do not leave dangerous items such as hammers, knifes and axes lying around. When you finished setting up camp, lock these items away.
Do not camp alone.
There are campers that prefer camping alone, if you are one of those campers make sure that you choose a safe and professionally managed campsite.
Lock your vehicle before going to bed.
Lock all valuables in the boot or trunk of your car. It is better not to take any valuables with you on vacation. Do not park your car far from where you are sleeping. Most campsites have sufficient space for tents, caravans, and vehicles.
Lock your tent.
If you are a heavy sleeper, it is advisable to buy a small lock for your tent so that you can lock the doors whilst you are sleeping. It is known that some people woke up the next morning with their valuables stolen out of their tents.
Arm Yourself.
Never camp without pepper spray, airhorns or emergency whistles. If you are in distress immediately alert fellow campers.
Conclusion
Although most camp sites in South Africa provide a safe and protected camping environment, you are still responsible for your own safety. Do not rely on Law Enforcement or any other entity to keep you safe. You alone are responsible for your safety! And remember to enjoy your camping trip, it is not all doom and gloom.
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