Main international locations challenge journey warnings about South Africa forward of Easter vacation – BusinessTech

Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States are warning residents to train a excessive diploma of warning when travelling to South Africa forward of the busy Easter vacation journey interval.

These international locations all maintained elevated journey advisories for South Africa in March 2026. They flagged severe considerations round violent crime, kidnapping, scams, unrest, and, in some instances, even the specter of terrorism.

The United States has kept South Africa on a Level 2 advisory, urging travellers to “exercise increased caution in South Africa due to crime, terrorism, unrest, and kidnapping.”

Its advisory warned that violent crime is widespread and contains theft, rape, carjacking and mugging.

It additionally highlighted the prevalence of “smash-and-grab” assaults on autos, significantly in main metropolis centres and downtown areas after darkish.

The US additionally singled out kidnapping as a significant concern, noting that “kidnappers target US citizens and other foreign travellers to steal money.”

In some instances, victims are reportedly pressured handy over financial institution playing cards, passwords, or withdraw money earlier than being launched.

The warning additional pointed to the opportunity of terrorist violence. It additionally cautioned travellers about protests and strikes, which may “start suddenly, interrupt traffic, transportation, and other services, and turn violent.”

The advisory is extreme sufficient that US authorities workers in South Africa face their very own restrictions. 

According to the discover, they have to obtain particular authorisation to go to many casual settlements in and round Cape Town, and after they do, they have to use “fully armoured vehicles” and might journey solely throughout restricted weekday hours.

Canada has taken a equally cautious stance, advising its residents to train a excessive diploma of warning when travelling to South Africa.

Its advisory warned that “violent crimes occur frequently throughout the country and have involved foreigners,” it mentioned. 

It added that these crimes included armed robberies, burglaries, house invasions, carjackings, assaults, and murders.

It additionally mentioned that these crimes usually tend to happen in main metropolis centres, townships, and remoted areas, particularly after darkish.

Warnings come from a few of South Africa’s prime tourism companions

Canadian authorities additionally warned that foreigners could also be particularly focused and pressured that the safety state of affairs can differ relying on location and time of day.

One of probably the most particular warnings from Canada pertains to Cape Town International Airport and the roads surrounding it.

The advisory famous that “passengers have been followed upon arrival at airports and then robbed either on their way to or once they arrived at their final destination.”

Travellers have been suggested to make use of main highways, keep away from shortcuts and secondary roads, and journey throughout sunlight hours the place doable.

In specific, Canada mentioned these travelling to and from Cape Town International Airport ought to use the M3 and N2 highways quite than the R300, and keep away from Borcherds Quarry Road close to Nyanga.

The United Kingdom echoed lots of the similar considerations about violent crime but additionally pressured the elevated threat of falling sufferer to fraud and scams.

Its advisory warned travellers to be alert to the chance of scams, together with these linked to “business or job opportunities, visa services or offers of romance and friendships, including on dating apps.”

The UK additionally flagged card skimming, confidence scams, cybercrime, pretend visa brokers, and criminals posing as officers.“Visa scams come in many forms and can cause great financial loss,” it warned.

These journey warnings come at a time when South Africa continues to draw rising numbers of abroad guests, particularly round main vacation intervals like Easter.

According to the Department of Tourism’s newest statistics, South Africa recorded 827,886 worldwide vacationer arrivals in April 2025, up 17.9% from the identical month in 2024.

The nation’s prime 10 supply markets all recorded development, with Australia posting the most important improve at 18.4%. The UK remained South Africa’s main abroad supply market, though its development was a extra modest 7.4%.

Canada additionally climbed to seventh place amongst South Africa’s prime abroad markets, overtaking India, whereas Brazil changed Belgium within the prime 10.