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“Crime is a bit like sunburn. Everyone knows it’s a risk in a country like South Africa, but if you take the right precautions you can still get out there and have some fun”

We know that the number one concern for anyone travelling to South Africa is crime. Horror stories abound and have been well covered in the international press. We don’t deny crime is a problem and as long as there are such extremes of wealth and poverty living cheek-by-jowl this will continue, despite the fact that violent crime has been falling in recent years.

Our unique approach reduces the risk of crime and means you can travel in confidence rather than fear. Using our local knowledge we pre-load your safe routes into your sat-nav device so you will not end up in the wrong part of town, which is 90% of the challenge. Your device's on-screen map and turn-by-turn spoken instructions ensures you'll never be lost.

Whilst some car rental companies offer the option of hiring a sat-nav device, these typically guide the driver on the shortest route between two points. However this may not necessarily be the safest (or most interesting or picturesque) route. For example a tourist arriving at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport and heading to the popular Sandton area would generally be guided by a typical sat-nav device via Alexandra Township. This vibrant township is also a high crime risk area and might not be the best introduction to South Africa, especially after a long flight.

We use our expert local advice to pre-load routes that avoid potential hotspots so you don't get that jump in stress level that's common when driving in an unfamiliar hire car, on unfamiliar roads, in a foreign country. We remove that stress and, instead, replace it with confidence so the holiday can start as soon as you set off.

We provide simple security advice and driving tips before you arrive so you know what to look out for and how to act. And if you have any questions or concerns whilst you are on the road (for example a policeman has stopped you and is being difficult), you can always use the device to drop us a call or an email. Our aim is to help you travel with confidence, not in fear.

Your device also has a panic button. When you press this, your location is immediately sent to ourselves and our friends at eblockwatch. Their Travel Buddy Program swings into action - we can offer you expert advice immediately over the phone, call the emergency services on your behalf or we can activate their network of over 60,000 volunteers across South Africa to come and help you on the ground.

If you follow the advice and routes we plan for you, you will dramatically reduce the chance of being a victim of crime. And you will also do your bit to bring wealth and honest jobs to the economy, which is the only way to solve crime in the long term.

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