Original document : https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-africa

Change description : 2024-07-10 14:55:00: New information about floods in Cape Town, Drakenstein and Stellenbosch on Thursday 11 July (‘Warnings and insurance’ page). [Guidance and regulation]

Showing diff : 2024-06-25 14:17:47.234002803 +00:00..2024-07-10 13:55:59.671104707 +00:00

Foreign travel advice

South Africa

Warnings and insurance

Still current at:: 2510 ~~June~~July 2024
Updated:: 2510 ~~June~~July 2024
Latest update:: ~~This~~New ~~travel~~information ~~advice~~about ~~was~~floods ~~reviewed~~in ~~for~~Cape ~~style~~Town, Drakenstein and ~~accuracy.~~Stellenbosch on Thursday 11 July (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).

Cape Town floods

South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a level 8 (out of 10) ‘disruptive rain’ warning for Thursday 11 July in the City of Cape Town, Drakenstein and Stellenbosch.

Following heavy rains, there is a risk of localised flooding. Rain is forecast to continue until Friday 12 July, with possible further disruption thereafter.

If you are in Cape Town and affected by adverse weather conditions, reconsider whether your journey is necessary, and always check local media before your journey. Stay away from rivers where possible and do not drive through large pools of water.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide and any specific travel advice that applies to you: 

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Update history

2024-08-16 09:52
New information on rehabilitation centres in South Africa (‘Health’ page).

2024-08-13 09:07
New information on the risks of resisting during a robbery (see ‘Protecting yourself and your belongings’), and on taking care around marine animals (see ‘Swimming safety’), and an update on the threat from terrorism (see ‘Terrorism in South Africa’).

2024-07-15 11:41
Removal of information about floods in Cape Town and surrounding areas (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).

2024-07-12 14:47
New information about floods in Cape Town and surrounding areas (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).

2024-07-10 14:55
New information about floods in Cape Town, Drakenstein and Stellenbosch on Thursday 11 July (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).

2024-06-25 15:17
This travel advice was reviewed for style and accuracy.

2024-01-04 15:12
Information on passport validity requirements (‘Entry requirements’ page).

2023-12-20 13:16
Updated information on terrorism, travelling to and from Cape Town International Airport and additional safety information on Table Mountain National Park, including Lion’s Head and Signal Hill (‘Safety and security’ page).

2023-11-23 16:10
Information on travelling to and from Cape Town International Airport (‘Safety and security’). Additional safety information on Table Mountain National Park, including Lion’s Head and Signal Hill (‘Safety and security’).

2023-11-10 12:12
Information on ‘smash and grab’ attacks on vehicles (‘Safety and security’ page).Information on the less secure areas around international airports in Johannesburg and Cape Town (‘Safety and security’ page).Additional information on asking for a life-jacket when participating in water sports (‘Safety and security’ page).

2023-11-06 15:44
Information on outdoor activities and adventure tourism (‘Safety and security’ page).

2023-08-14 15:04
Removal of information about Cape Town minibus taxi strikes (‘Safety and security’ page).

2023-08-11 14:24
Information on checking for disruption before travelling, sticking to major routes and taking care not to divert into less secure areas (‘Safety and security’ page).

2023-08-07 14:40
Information about current strikes affecting Cape Town, which have the potential to turn violent and may impact multiple areas including journeys to and from the airport (See ‘Political situation’ on the ‘Safety and security’ page).

2023-08-07 07:52
“Additional information about current strikes affecting Cape Town, which have the potential to turn violent and may impact multiple areas including journeys to and from the airport (see Safety and security page)”

2023-08-05 12:52
Latest update: Information about current strikes affecting Cape Town, which have the potential to turn violent and may impact multiple areas including journeys to and from the airport (see “Safety and security” page).

2023-08-04 17:57
Information about current strikes affecting Cape Town, including general safety and travel to/from the airport

2023-07-17 16:09
Information about the cross border travel between South Africa and Mozambique and passport requirements for entry (‘Entry requirements’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).

2023-06-22 12:14
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages

2023-06-05 14:13
This travel advice has been updated to make it easier to read and understand.

2023-06-01 15:29
Information on cholera outbreak in Guateng (‘Health’ page).

2023-05-09 12:56
Removal of information about the planned protest on Monday 20 March and additions to Safety and security (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).

2023-03-16 15:16
Addition of information about the planned protest on Monday 20 March (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).

2023-03-02 10:02
Addition of information about critical infrastructure and removal of information about Tropical storm Freddy (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and Security’ pages).

2023-02-24 11:20
Addition of information about Tropical storm Freddy (‘Summary’ page).

2023-02-14 11:16
Updates to safety and security text (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).

2022-12-23 14:30
Updates to safety and security and removal of COVID-19 restrictions text (‘Summary’, ‘Coronavirus’, ‘Safety and security’, ‘Terrorism’, ‘Entry requirements” and ‘Health’ pages).

2022-10-31 11:05
Removed information on a United States government security alert issued for the 29-30 October 2022 (‘Summary’ and ‘Terrorism’ pages).

2022-10-27 16:47
Updated with information of the likelihood of terrorist attacks in South Africa (‘Summary page’) and (‘Terrorism Page’)

2022-10-26 16:55
Updated information about a possible terrorist attack in the Sandton area of Johannesburg (‘Summary’ and ’Terrorism’ pages).

2022-10-26 16:37
New information about a possible terrorist attack in the Sandton area of Johannesburg (‘Summary’ and ’Terrorism’ pages).

2022-10-18 10:19
New information about the risks of crime in South Africa (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and Security’ pages).

2022-08-04 13:10
New information about the risks of violent crime in South Africa (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and Security’ pages).

2022-07-29 15:28
Updated information on crime (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).

2022-07-22 16:09
New information about power outages, vehicle crime and acceptance of UK Emergency Passports in South Africa (‘Local Laws and Customs’, ‘Safety and Security’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)

2022-06-24 15:40
Updated information on the easing of local restrictions in South Africa and the lifting of COVID-19 entry requirements (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)

2022-06-15 10:31
Addition of information on water restrictions (‘Local laws and customs’ page). Updated information on providing proof of vaccination status and checking expiry of tourist visas (‘Entry requirements’ page)

2022-05-13 16:00
Updated information on entry requirements (‘Entry requirements’ page)

2022-04-13 15:32
Addition of information on heavy rain and flooding in parts of KwaZulu-Natal and advice for those travelling in the area (‘Summary’ page)

2022-03-29 15:26
More information on coronavirus restrictions in South Africa and entry requirements (‘Entry requirements’ pages)

2022-03-25 16:41
Updated information on coronavirus restrictions in South Africa and entry requirements (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)

2022-02-22 12:08
Full review and update to information on safety and security in South Africa (‘Safety and security’ page)