"My GPS is taking me through an unfamiliar area. Is this a sensible route?"
We look at the route with you. Send us your location and destination. We'll tell you what a local would consider and suggest sensible alternatives.
Travel Safely · by United Safety Services
Visiting South Africa? Travel with local safety support.
South Africa is an incredible country to explore, but knowing which routes to take, where to go and whom to trust isn't always straightforward.
Your GPS might suggest a route a local would avoid. You might feel uncomfortable with your accommodation or transport. Or perhaps you'd prefer a professional security escort for an outing.
Travel Safely provides practical local safety advice, a real South African contact available day and night, and help arranging professional security services when you need them.
Travel support from $59 for 7 days. Private security services are quoted separately.
A
Ava · your Travel Safely contactExample conversation
Daniel landed at OR Tambo this evening
Hi Ava, my GPS wants to take me through an area I'm unfamiliar with. Is this the best route to my hotel?
Hi Daniel 👋 Send me your route and your hotel address. I'll help you look at the local safety considerations and talk you through suitable alternatives.
📍 Shared my route to Rosebank
Thanks. I'd stay on the highway rather than the shortcut your GPS is showing. It's only a few minutes longer and it's the route we'd take. Message me when you've arrived.
Arrived, thanks Ava 👍
Daniel checked in at his hotel
Local knowledge before you go. A real person to ask while you're here. Professional security when you want someone with you.
How we help
Situations where visitors contact us, and what we do
South Africa has areas and situations where extra precautions make sense. A South African who knows the area can make a real difference. These are the kinds of messages we get, and how we help.
"I've arrived at my accommodation, but I don't feel comfortable with the location."
We give you an honest local view. We'll tell you what we know about the area, suggest practical precautions, and help you think through alternatives if you'd rather move.
"I'm concerned about my driver or airport transfer. Who can help me?"
We help you check and decide. Send us the driver and vehicle details. We'll help you decide what to do, and can arrange a secure transfer if you'd prefer (quoted separately).
"I'd like to visit Soweto for dinner, but would prefer a security escort."
We arrange it for you. We can arrange a professional security officer to accompany you, or a vehicle, driver and security personnel for the evening. Tell us when and we'll send a quote.
"I'm travelling alone and would like someone local to check in with me."
We agree check-ins with you. On Guardian and Concierge, we check in at times you choose. If you miss a check-in, we follow the escalation plan you agreed with us.
"Something has gone wrong during my trip, and I don't know who to call."
We help you with the next steps. Message or call us. We'll help you work out what to do and contact the right people, such as police, medical help or your emergency contacts.
How it works
How our travel safety service works, from landing to take-off
- Before you arrive
Tell us your plans
Choose a package or ask us a question. Share your itinerary and emergency contacts, and decide exactly what you're happy for us to monitor.
- During your trip
We advise and support you
Practical local advice on routes, areas, accommodation and transport, with check-ins and optional location sharing on Guardian and Concierge.
- 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
Every package runs for 7 days. Staying longer? Packages stack, so 14 days is 2 packages. Private security and escorted travel are quoted separately.
Essential
A real local contact for safety guidance about routes, destinations and travel concerns.
$59 / 7 days
- 24/7 human contact by WhatsApp or phone
- SOS coordination with response partners
- Advice on routes, areas, accommodation and transport
Guardian
Everything in Essential, plus agreed check-ins and escalation if you miss one.
$129 / 7 days
- Everything in Essential
- Agreed daily check-ins
- Escalation if you miss a check-in
Concierge
Personalised itinerary advice, journey monitoring and one dedicated contact.
$299 / 7 days
- Everything in Guardian
- Itinerary review before you arrive
- Journey monitoring on travel days
- One dedicated contact for your whole trip
Bespoke · quoted separately
Private security and escorted travel
PSIRA-registered security officers, private escorts and airport escorts, with the option of an accompanied vehicle and driver for agreed activities. Tailored to your plans and quoted separately, subject to availability and operational requirements.
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 |
| Security officers, escorts and secure transport | · | · | · | 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.
Private security and escorted travel
Would you feel more comfortable with someone accompanying you?
Whether you're planning an evening out, an airport transfer, a field trip, a private excursion or a business visit, Travel Safely can help arrange professional security and escorted travel.
Depending on what you need, we can arrange a security officer to accompany you, or a more complete service with a suitable vehicle, driver and security personnel.
Tell us where you're going, when you'll need help and what type of support you'd like. We'll discuss the options with you and send a quotation.
Private security, escorts and secure transport are quoted separately, subject to availability and operational requirements. They are not included in our standard packages.
A security officer with you
A professional security officer accompanies you for agreed activities, such as dinner, sightseeing or a meeting.
Vehicle, driver and security
A complete arrangement: a suitable vehicle and driver, together with accompanying security personnel.
Visitors ask us to help with
- Restaurant visits and evenings out
- Sightseeing, excursions and field trips
- Airport collections, transfers and escorts
- Private escorts for individuals or groups
- Business meetings and executive travel
- Secure transport with vehicle, driver and security
- Family holidays
- Events and functions
- An extra level of personal security
Read more: Private security escorts · Airport escorts and transfers · Secure drivers and vehicles · Accompanied tours and field trips
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, Cape Town, Durban, Kruger, arriving at OR Tambo and is South Africa safe for tourists?
Who we are
Operated by United Safety Services, a South African safety and compliance company
Travel Safely is a service of United Safety Services (Pty) Ltd (Reg. No. 2019/591707/07), based at 173 Oxford Road, Rosebank, Johannesburg. Founded in 2018, United Safety Services handles event permits, JOC applications, safety planning, security coordination and venue readiness for events, venues and organisations. We bring that experience to Travel Safely, working with professional security and emergency response providers across South Africa.
A South African team
You speak to trained people in Johannesburg who know the country, not a chatbot or an overseas call centre.
Professional partners
We work with PSIRA-registered security providers and emergency response partners to arrange the right help for your situation.
Honest, practical advice
We help you make informed decisions. We don't use scare tactics, and we don't make promises we can't keep.
Meet the owner
Craig Green, owner of United Safety Services
Craig Green owns United Safety Services, the safety and compliance company that operates Travel Safely. He founded it in 2018, bringing more than 22 years of combined experience in the South African health and safety sector together under one focused brand.
United Safety Services started out supporting medical teams and event companies. Today it covers the full compliance lifecycle for events, venues and organisations: event permits and JOC applications, safety planning, security coordination and venue readiness.
Craig's companies also include RISE Academy, which he co-founded with Sue Green in 2015, and U-PARTY, which has run more than 300 events for over 434,000 people since 1998. Travel Safely brings that experience to visitors: practical local knowledge, a real person to ask, and professional security when you want it.
"We don't want to frighten people or discourage them from visiting. We want to help them enjoy South Africa while making informed decisions."Craig Green
Our services
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 local safety support service operated by United Safety Services. We give you practical advice and stay in touch by WhatsApp and phone. When you want someone physically with you, we can arrange PSIRA-registered security officers, escorts and secure transport, quoted separately.
Can I hire private security while visiting South Africa?
Yes. We can arrange a professional security officer to accompany you, or a complete arrangement with a vehicle, driver and security personnel, for evenings out, sightseeing, meetings and events. Tell us your plans and we'll send a quote.
Can I book a security escort from OR Tambo International Airport?
Yes. We can arrange airport collections and transfers with a vehicle, driver and security personnel, as well as escorts through the airport. Send us your flight details and destination for a quote.
Can I hire a driver and security officer for sightseeing?
Yes. We can arrange a suitable vehicle and driver with accompanying security for sightseeing, excursions and field trips. Share your itinerary and we'll put together a quote.
Is there a tourist safety support service on WhatsApp?
Yes. All our packages give you a real South African contact on WhatsApp and phone for safety advice about routes, areas, accommodation and transport. Packages start from $59 for 7 days.
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?
Customers with an active package can reach us 24/7. New enquiries and quote requests are answered within one business day, from 09:00 to 17:00. If it's urgent and you're not a customer yet, call our 24/7 line on 011 447 6651.
Who runs Travel Safely?
Travel Safely is operated by United Safety Services (Pty) Ltd, a Johannesburg-based safety and compliance company founded in 2018 and owned by Craig Green. 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.
Ask us a question
Not sure if we can help? Just ask.
You don't need to book a package to ask a question. Tell us what you're planning or what's worrying you, and a member of our team will reply within one business day.
Already a Travel Safely customer? Use your WhatsApp line for 24/7 support. Need us sooner? WhatsApp 082 829 8161