Looking back at 2023 from a 2026 perspective, South Africa was generally considered safe for tourists who practiced high levels of "situational awareness" and stuck to established travel routes. While the country faced significant challenges in 2023—including high rates of petty and violent crime in major urban centers like Johannesburg and Cape Town—the vast majority of tourist visits to "safari" hubs like Kruger National Park and the Garden Route were incident-free. The 2023 safety landscape was characterized by a "dual reality": luxury tourism infrastructure remained world-class and highly secure, but "off-the-beaten-path" exploration required careful planning. Travelers were advised to avoid walking at night, use reputable transport like Uber or private transfers rather than public taxis, and be mindful of "load shedding" (scheduled power outages) which could affect street lighting and security systems. Most visits in 2023 were successful when travelers stayed informed and respected local safety protocols.