Practical Information for visiting Western Cape

Coverage for mobile networks is very good across the province with widespread 4G and 5G in the cities, from Vodacom, MTN and others.

Local SIMs are cheap and require a passport and proof of address, which a hotel booking usually satisfies; airport counters handle it.

Wi-Fi is standard in accommodation and cafes, and Cape Town has a large remote-working population and plenty of co-working space.

Load-shedding — scheduled rolling power cuts — has affected South Africa for years, and while the position has improved, outages still occur. Schedules are published by app; most hotels and many cafes have batteries or generators, but mobile signal can drop when towers lose power.

Rural Karoo and mountain areas have gaps.

Crime is a real issue in South Africa and requires sensible precautions, though most visits pass without incident and the tourist areas are heavily policed.

• Do not walk alone at night in Cape Town, including in the city bowl and along the waterfront approaches. Use a ride-hailing app.
• Muggings on hiking trails, including on Table Mountain and Lion’s Head, do happen. Walk in a group, on busy routes, in daylight.
• Car security: nothing visible in the vehicle, doors locked while driving, and use guarded parking.
• Townships: visit with a local guide rather than independently.
• The sea is more dangerous than the crime. Rip currents are strong, the Atlantic is cold enough to cause problems quickly, and shark warning flags are flown at some beaches. Swim where lifeguards are.
• Mountain weather changes fast; people die of exposure on Table Mountain.

Private healthcare in Cape Town is excellent and among the best on the continent; public facilities are overstretched. Travel insurance covering private treatment is essential, as payment is required upfront.

No vaccinations are required for the Western Cape beyond routine cover, plus hepatitis A and typhoid as a precaution. A yellow fever certificate is needed only if arriving from an endemic country.

No malaria in the Western Cape — prophylaxis is not needed here, unlike the north-east of the country.

Tap water in Cape Town and the towns is safe to drink.

Sun is strong; the ozone thinning over the southern hemisphere makes burning quicker than the temperature suggests.

HIV prevalence is significant nationally; standard precautions apply.

Cold water: Atlantic swimming causes cold shock in people who underestimate it.

Drink-driving limits are low and enforced, which matters in the winelands — use a designated driver, a hired driver or the tram.

Tipping: 10 to 15 per cent in restaurants, a few rand for petrol attendants, who fill the tank for you, and for car guards.

Photography: ask before photographing people, particularly in the Bo-Kaap and in townships, where residents are understandably tired of being a backdrop.

Race and history are discussed openly and with nuance by South Africans; listen more than you assert.

Water restrictions may be posted and should be followed.

Smoking is banned indoors in public places.

Same-sex relationships are legal and constitutionally protected; South Africa was the fifth country worldwide to legalise same-sex marriage, and Cape Town has a visible gay scene.

Emergency numbers: 10111 for police, 10177 for ambulance, and 112 from a mobile. Cape Town has a dedicated tourist safety line.

Medical. Private hospitals in Cape Town are excellent; payment or insurance confirmation is required on admission. Pharmacies are well stocked and some open late.

On Table Mountain: mountain rescue is well organised and free, and is called through the emergency number. Weather changes fast, the cable car closes in wind, and descending Platteklip in the dark is how most incidents start.

At sea: the NSRI runs volunteer sea rescue nationally and has stations along the coast. Swim between the flags.

If robbed: hand over what is asked for, then report it — a case number is needed for any insurance claim.

Most countries maintain consulates in Cape Town.