Day 24: Security in South Africa - Graskop - Panorama Route: Window of the Gods - Johannesburg Airport
The security in South Africa It is one of the topics for which you have asked us the most about this lake. That is why today, being the last day of this trip to South Africa in 25 days and having the experience of the route, we want to tell you what our experience and feelings have been about this topic.
But before this, we detail what the route has been today, which has led us to finish the Panorama Route that we traveled yesterday after visiting the Kruger National Park and doing the Kruger safari for free, which has given us unforgettable moments in this South Africa for free.
Taking into account that today is a very quiet day, in which we only have to make the journey from our accommodation in Graskop tonight, the Havana Nights Hotel to the Johannesburg airport, from where our flight leaves at 10 at night, We decided to get up a little later and when it's 9 in the morning we approach Harrie's Pancakes an entire institution in this small town, where they say they are served, they are the best pancakes in South Africa.
Harry's Pancakes
We ordered a banana chocolate and peanut butter pancake plus a sugar and banana pancake, with an American and a coffee for R157 that we have to say, confirm what they had told us since they are spectacular although they are an authentic caloric bomb, so that when we finish it is at 10 in the morning we decide that it is best to take a stroll along the main street of Graskop, very focused on tourism, in which we find small shops of various gifts, restaurants and charming places, which seem move to another era and we use to know a little more about this town that we have to say, we liked it very much.
Graskop
As we mentioned, today we have the flight to Barcelona from Johannesburg at 10 at night, so it is still 10 in the morning and taking into account that the journey is about 4 and a half hours, we decided before starting , approaching to God's Window or Window of God, 9 kilometers from Graskop, another of the essential places of the Panorama Route, which yesterday did not give us time to arrive.
God's Window
This incredible natural site, located just 9 kilometers from Gaskop, is one of the stops we liked most in this area of South Africa, although unfortunately part of the environment is burned due to a fire that devastated it relatively recently .
The entrance price is R17 per person and the schedule is from 7 am to 5 pm. Perfectly adapted for tourism, at the entrance you find a free parking in addition to different craft stores, where you can make the last purchases of the trip.
God's Window
The first part of the route are stairs and take you to the two viewpoints known as God's Window and that is the point where most travelers stay. We advise you to continue climbing until you reach the humid forest, which is for us, really the most worthwhile area, since in addition to the views are really spectacular, this area has not burned and maintains a truly spectacular vegetation.
God's Window Forest
After an hour or so of visiting, we say goodbye to God's Window when it is 11:30 a.m. to be on our way to Johannesburg airport where we arrive at 6:30 p.m. after making a couple of intermediate stops in service areas to stretch our legs and eat. We do the latter in Total Petroport Alzu, a service area known for having a kind of ranch next to it where you can see rhinos and ostriches, among other animals.
Total Petroport Alzu
Keep in mind that in this section of the route you will have to pay R88 and R59 of tolls and that you must pay in cash or with a South African card. In our case we had spent all the cash we had in local currency and given the impossibility of paying with any of the cards we were carrying or with euros, we were very lucky that a boy paid us the full toll without asking us anything in return, although We pay you the total in euros, trying to compensate you in some way.
More practical information to prepare your trip to South Africa
- 10 essential places to see in South Africa
- The best tips for traveling to South Africa
After lunch on R450 rands and when it is practically 4 pm we continue the trip to the Johannesburg airport, which is about two hours from here, where we arrive at 6 pm.
The first thing we do is go to return the rental car and then check in and spend the rest of the remaining hours until we take the flight back home, reviewing and ordering the infinite notes that we take from this incredible trip that we are sure, we will never forget and that we hope, you liked it as much as we do!
South Africa
Security in South Africa
We cannot deny the obvious: South Africa is not exactly the example of a safe country. If we add to that the topics, statistics, news in the media and the word of mouth often more alarming than it really is, it is clear that the rainbow nation It is much less attractive to the traveler than it should be if we consider its many attractions.
Unfortunately, the almost 20,000 annual deaths added to the many robberies with violence, legal and illegal weapons and rapes mean that for tourists traveling to South Africa on many occasions is not even an option.
After our experience, we want to leave you with a series of perceptions and, above all, advice that we believe, can serve you to travel around the country with greater peace of mind as well as with less fear, something essential to enjoy and squeeze to the fullest one of the most incredible countries in the world.
Security Tips in South Africa
- Try not to look too touristy: We know this is difficult, but to maintain security in South Africa, try not to bring valuables in sight. This is essential not to be a objective Just set foot in the street. Regardless of this, in tourist areas you will not have any problem with a camera, although try not to relax and use common sense to see if the place where you are is tourist or not.
- Move around places that you know or know that are tourist: Normally tourists usually move through the same areas and make the same route through South Africa. In case you are going to leave it, it is best to ask in the accommodation or someone who has already been to know your opinion and go with more data. Similarly, in tourist areas, it is worth asking at the hotels how the area is or if it is advisable to go out for dinner and in what places.
- Keep in mind that in smaller towns, security in South Africa is usually present. Most problems usually occur in large cities and in neighborhoods where tourists do not usually go, although as we mentioned earlier, it is worth paying attention to the signs.
- In the accommodation always try to use the safe deposit boxes and leave nothing in sight.
- Always carry a copy of the important documentation in the cloud. In case something happens, it will be much easier to claim or do any type of process by having a copy at hand.
- If you have to get money from the cashier, it is best to use one that is inside a mall or a bank. It is much easier and safer and you will avoid any unpleasant surprises.
- Something very important to keep in mind is that robberies, for the most part and without trying to justify it, are committed by real necessity. The smartest part of us, if we want to avoid them, is not to flaunt jewelry or valuables.
- In case all the above has not worked and you see yourself in some unpleasant situation, do not become the hero. Let them take everything.
Security Tips in South Africa
Security with rental car
Keep in mind that rental cars in South Africa are easily identified, so they are a much more direct target.
- Never leave anything of value in sight.
- Try to always keep the car latches closed. This is something that can free you from any bad time, considering that many robberies occur with the car running, due to carelessness when leaving the doors open.
Be sure to read the post "Car rental in South Africa" in which we talk in a much broader way about this and other issues besides the safety in South Africa regarding rental cars.
Security in the Kruger National Park
In our experience, in Kruger Park we have not seen any indication of insecurity or any sign or warning that would make us think otherwise, so we believe that the Kruger National Park is totally safe in this regard, although we must not forget the regulations Safety with animals.
Be sure to read the post "Visit the Kruger National Park" and "Safari in the Kruger for free" to have more information on this and other topics of the park.
Kruger Security
So is it safe to travel to South Africa?
Under our experience, it is safe to travel to South Africa whenever you tour the tourist areas and take the basic precautions that we mentioned earlier. That said, we also have to say that we have not felt insecure at any time, except a couple of times in Cape Town, although this was more for what we had read than not for the situation, since at no time did we see anything rare. In the rest of the places we see in South Africa we visit, at no time do we feel insecure or doubt the security in South Africa.
Summing up this issue, we believe that we should keep the security in South Africa It is not something that should be taken lightly, since it is obvious that unfortunately it is not the safest country in the world, but that is why we should not stop visiting it, since taking some very basic precautions, you can meet and approach one of The most beautiful places in the world, which we are sure, will make you fall in love.
Security in South Africa
We leave you a map of today's route from Graskop, to God's Window, passing through Total Petroport Alzu, a service area where we eat, before going to the Johannesburg airport.
Day 25: Best photos of South Africa
