Unfortunately crime is a reality in South Africa, so here is our advice about how to best stay aware of your surrondings. You will recieve a key, help us keep our community safe by not sharing the key with anyone outside of Oasis Sanctuaries staff and keeping our gates shut at all times.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS:
Add these to your cell phone for reference as needed:
Mountain Men — +27 0861 070 000 (toll free)
Muizenberg Police Station — 10111 / +27 021 787 9000 / +27 021 787 9014
Fire / Accidents / Natural Disasters — 112 on a cell phone 107 on a landline
Fire Brigade Control Centre — +27 021 590 1971 / emergencies +27 021 480 7700
Cape Medical Response (Ambulance) — +27 082 782 4444 (YWAM code: 4932)
Advice for Staying Safe:
At the Airport : Make sure your bags and luggage have locks and name tags. Do not allow people to tamper with your bags. When seeking directions, proceed to marked information counters only. If booking through Uber, do so through the app and not the random people offering rides at the airport.
At Your Accommodation : Never leave your luggage unattended unless it is locked away in your room. Store valuables in the safety deposit box. Keep your room locked. If someone knocks, check who it is before opening the door— don’t open unless you know then or recognize them. Look for locations to stay that have burglar bars and gates for safety.
Uber : Uber has become a normal way of transport in Cape Town area. Always order UberX vs Go, as they are better vetted drivers. Make sure that their license plate and photo match up with the driver before getting in the car, and share your trip with a trusted local friend.
In Your Vehicle : Plan your route in advance. Keep the doors locked and wind the windows up at all times. Do not leave your mobile phone or other valuables where they are visible from outside the vehicle - this includes purses and backpacks while you drive as “smash and grabs” do happen throughout Cape Town. Lock valuable items, purses, backpacks, etc. in the boot (trunk) before your departure. At night, park in well-lit areas. Never pick up strangers or hitchhikers.
Car Guards :
In the suburbs (where Muizenberg is for example) you will come across “car guards”- the common practice is to tip them when you return to your car. Tipping a coin or two for this service allows these individuals to work.
More into Cape Town city centre there are city-employed car guards (they wear blue vests) who come to your car when you park, you tell them how long you’ll be there and pre-pay for that amount of time (though you can estimate the lowest likely time, and then just pay extra when you return if you go over time), and they have a receipt for you. These are different from the individuals who you tip a coin or two when you return. For most of the main streets in the city centre, in business hours, there are the official ones.
Always Be Aware of Your Surroundings : Do not walk alone at night. Avoid quiet side streets and empty beaches. Use ATMs only in safe busy places. Trust your intuition if a place feels wrong walk away.
On the Street : Avoid displaying expensive jewellery, cameras, phones and other valuables. Keep your handbag with you, keep it closed or zipped, and do not leave it or your phone unattended (not in a shopping cart, at a coffee shop, etc). Don’t use a large purse or backpack. Do not carry large sums of money with you. Carry your wallet and phone in an inside pocket – never in the rear pocket of your pants. Credit card transactions must be processed in your presence. It is always better to explore in groups and to stick to well-lit, busy streets. Plan your route beforehand and, as far as possible, do not ask directions from strangers.
Keep your phone out of sight in public - when your phone rings or you get a text, just don’t answer it while walking on sidewalk. Go into a store with security to use your phone. Wear a fanny pack in waist or over your chest- try try not to have a purse on you.
On Hiking Trails : In the interest of personal safety and having assistance in the case of a physical or medical emergency, it is advisable to never hike alone, rather explore trails in groups. Steer away from isolated areas unless accompanied by a guide.
Hiking Groups to join - Meridian, Peninsula Ramblers, the Mountain Club of SA, ComeHike or the ladies-only Big Heart Walking or Chicks Who Hike
Other Outdoor Groups : to see running groups, beach volleyball, cold dips, etc. click here
Trains : During the week there are regular trains running from Cape Town to Simon’s Town. Never travel alone. Please make sure that you always travel in a carriage with lots of other people (preferably 3rd class). The trains are not safe after dark, so plan your journey to make sure that you can arrive at your destination before dark. Don’t display valuables (cell phone, money, etc.). The time table is HERE.
