"Is it safe to walk from Maboneng to the restaurant tonight?"
We tell you honestly. If it isn't, we suggest a safer route or a trusted ride instead.
Travel Safely · Live travel safety in South Africa
A real local person looking out for you in South Africa.
Visiting South Africa? Get your own local contact on WhatsApp, day and night. We tell you what's safe, check in on you while you explore, and if something goes wrong, we get you the right help, fast.
Our team is online now · 24/7
T
Thandi · your Travel Safely contactOnline now · Johannesburg control room
Emma is sharing live location until 22:00
Morning Emma 👋 I can see you're heading to Soweto today. I'm watching your trip and I'll check on you at 13:00. Message me if anything feels off.
Heads up: the area near the taxi rank gets busy. Keep your phone in your bag there.
13:00 check-in missed
Hi Emma, just making sure you're okay. Reply 👍 so I know you're safe.
👍 Sorry! Was at lunch
Safe · next check-in 18:00
Insurance pays afterwards. Panic buttons wait for you to press. We're there before anything happens.
When you'd message us
Real moments. A real person on the other end, wherever you are in South Africa.
Most trips go perfectly. But in a city you don't know, small worries can turn into big ones. This is what having us in your phone looks like.
"My phone was snatched at a robot. I'm using my friend's."
We take it from there. We help you get somewhere safe, report it and let your family know you're okay.
"My driver hasn't arrived and it's getting dark at OR Tambo."
We stay with you. We tell you where to wait safely and help you find a reliable option.
"I don't feel well and I don't know where the nearest hospital is."
We act fast. We direct you to the right private hospital or send an ambulance through our response partners.
Silence. You missed your 18:00 check-in after a hike at the Cradle of Humankind.
We don't wait. We try you, then your emergency contacts, then local responders, following an agreed plan.
"My mom keeps asking if I'm okay."
We can keep them posted. With your permission, your family gets updates so they can relax too.
How it works
How our travel safety service works, from landing to take-off
- Before you arrive
Tell us your plans
Choose a package, share your itinerary and emergency contacts, and decide exactly what you're happy for us to monitor.
- During your trip
We look out for you
Local safety tips, friendly check-ins and optional location sharing, with a real person on WhatsApp or phone.
- If something goes wrong
We take action
Our contact centre assesses the situation, follows a clear escalation plan and coordinates the right local responders.
- When you leave
We switch off
Monitoring stops and location permissions are revoked the day your trip ends. Your data stays protected.
Packages
Travel safety packages: pick how closely we stay with you
Every package runs for 7 days. Staying longer? Packages stack, so 14 days is 2 packages.
Essential
Someone to call, any time.
$59 / 7 days
- 24/7 human contact by WhatsApp or phone
- SOS coordination with response partners
- Local safety guidance for where you're going
Guardian
We notice if you go quiet.
$129 / 7 days
- Everything in Essential
- Agreed daily check-ins
- Escalation if you miss a check-in
Concierge
Your own dedicated person.
$299 / 7 days
- Everything in Guardian
- Itinerary review before you arrive
- Journey monitoring on travel days
- One dedicated contact for your whole trip
Bespoke
Concierge, plus private security
Everything in Concierge, plus PSIRA-registered security officers with you at the times and places you choose. Ideal for high-profile visitors, executives, families and events.
Compare all features
| Feature | Essential | Guardian | Concierge | Bespoke |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price for 7 days | $59 | $129 | $299 | Quoted |
| 24/7 WhatsApp and phone contact | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Local safety guidance | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| SOS and emergency coordination | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Agreed daily check-ins | · | Included | Included | Included |
| Escalation if you miss a check-in | · | Included | Included | Included |
| "Safe" updates to family | · | Included | Included | Included |
| Itinerary review before you arrive | · | · | Included | Included |
| Journey monitoring on travel days | · | · | Included | Included |
| One dedicated contact for your trip | · | · | Included | Included |
| PSIRA-registered private security | · | · | · | Included |
Not sure which package? Answer 3 quick questionsFind my package
Your match
Answer the questions and we'll suggest the right package.
Book online and our team will contact you with secure payment details. Visa and Mastercard accepted, including international cards. Prices are in US dollars. Payment is processed in South African rand at the exchange rate on the day we send your payment details. Your package is confirmed once payment is received. Third-party services such as ambulance, medical care or private transport may be charged separately by the provider.
For parents
"My daughter is going to a festival to celebrate finishing matric. I can't be there, and I'm worried about her safety."
Sound familiar? You don't have to choose between letting them go and keeping them safe.
Here's how we look out for her
- Nightly check-ins at times you agree with her, so she feels supported, not watched.
- A 24/7 number in her phone to message if a party, a lift home or a friend situation goes wrong.
- Fast action if she goes quiet. We try her first, then you, then the event's safety team and local responders.
- Peace of mind for you. You get a short "she's safe" message after each check-in.
Buying for someone under 18? You'll be listed as their emergency contact and agree to the terms on their behalf.
Nationwide cover
Wherever you go in South Africa, we go with you
Tap a place to see the kind of local advice your Travel Safely contact gives.
Johannesburg
At OR Tambo, use only official airport taxis, your hotel shuttle or ride-hailing from the marked pickup zones. Politely decline offers from people who approach you in arrivals.
When traffic lights are out, treat the intersection as a four-way stop. Keep your doors locked and windows up in slow traffic.
Cape Town
Start Table Mountain or Lion's Head hikes early and in a group. The weather changes fast, and the cable car closes in strong wind, so check before you go.
The Atlantic is cold and has strong rip currents. Swim where lifeguards are on duty, and at Muizenberg and Fish Hoek follow the shark spotter flags.
Durban
Swim only at beaches with lifeguards, between the flags. The currents along this coast can be strong, even on calm-looking days.
Summer storms build quickly in the afternoon. If you hear thunder or see lightning, leave the beach or pool straight away.
Kruger
Stay in your vehicle except at marked spots and keep to gate times. Signal is patchy, so share your route with us before you set off.
Kruger is a malaria area. Ask a travel clinic about prevention before your trip, and use insect repellent from dusk.
Garden Route
Plan fuel stops between towns, avoid driving after dark, and check road conditions on mountain passes before you go.
On coastal walks like Robberg, check tide times and stay well back from the rocks. Large waves can sweep in without warning.
Your contact gives advice for your exact plans, wherever you are in the country. Read our full guides: Johannesburg travel safety and Cape Town travel safety.
Questions
Travel safety in South Africa: your questions answered
No matching questions. Ask us on WhatsApp and we'll answer.
Is this a security company or an app?
Neither. Travel Safely is a live travel safety service run by a local team. We stay in touch by WhatsApp and phone, and coordinate professional responders when you need physical help. If you want private security with you, our Bespoke package adds PSIRA-registered security officers.
Do you track my location all the time?
Only if you choose to share it, and only during your trip. You decide what we can see when you sign up, and permissions are revoked when your package ends.
What happens if I miss a check-in?
On Guardian and Concierge, we follow an agreed escalation plan. We try to reach you first, then your emergency contacts, and then local responders if needed.
Where do you operate?
Anywhere in South Africa. Our team is based in Johannesburg and works with response partners nationwide. In remote areas help can take longer to arrive, and we'll tell you if that applies to your plans.
When can I reach you?
Clients with an active package can reach us 24/7. New enquiries and bookings are handled from 09:00 to 17:00. If it's urgent and you're not a client yet, call our 24/7 line on 011 447 6651.
Who runs Travel Safely?
Travel Safely is run by United Safety Services (Pty) Ltd, a Johannesburg-based event safety and compliance company. A trained South African team answers you, not a chatbot or an overseas call centre.
What happens to my information after my trip?
Monitoring and location access stop when your package ends. We handle your information in line with POPIA, only share it when you need help, and never sell it. See our privacy policy.
Does this replace travel insurance?
No. Travel Safely helps you get the right help quickly. You should still travel with medical and travel insurance.
Get in touch
Questions before you book?
Planning a trip to South Africa, or run a guesthouse, hotel or tour company? Leave your details and our team will contact you within one business day.