Gardens Backpackers and Hostel FAQ’s
We get asked this question ALL the time and the answer is a resounding YES!!! Like all major cities in the world, there are certain areas to avoid especially at night but our reception staff will tell you all about these.
South African Tourism Services Safety Advice Brochure
South African Tourism Services FAQ On tourism Safety
Below is a recent press release that should answer all those niggling questions – but please contact us for more info if required.
FAQs for Tourism Safety
1. Is Cape Town safe for tourists?
* Cape Town is a major, modern cosmopolitan South African city. As such, we would advise travellers to exercise the same level of vigilance they would exercise when visiting any major city in the world.
* This includes ensuring you follow basic safety tips such as keeping emergency numbers on hand, avoiding carrying large sums of cash and keeping your valuables safe at all times.
* For the overwhelming majority of the 1,7 million foreign visitors to the Western Cape in 2018, a visit to Cape Town and the Western Cape was a positive, memorable experience.
* The destination is frequently cited as among the world’s best holiday destinations and has a high return visitor rate, proving that those who visit our destination once, fall in love with it, and want to discover it again.
2. What precautions should a visitor to Cape Town take to stay safe?
* The same precautions travellers would take to secure their safety in any major city in the world, apply when visiting Cape Town, a growing city of nearly four million people.
* A list of #BeSafe Travel Tips is available on Cape Town Tourism’s Website and can be viewed here.
3. Will I be safe in my hotel or accommodation establishment?
* Cape Town offers a range of tourism accommodation options catering to all markets. These include luxury hotels, budget establishments, guesthouses and Airbnb accommodation.
* Tourism is one of the major industries of Cape Town and the Western Cape. As such, formal tourism establishments largely take the safety and comfort of their guests very seriously.
* When deciding on an accommodation option, use the same vigilance you would when selecting accommodation elsewhere in the world.
* Should you be concerned about the property’s safety measures or the location of the property, do not hesitate to contact them for further details, check whether they are a member of a tourism association or organisation and make your enquiries there.
4. Can I walk around central Cape Town safely?
* We encourage visitors to be mindful at all times of their surroundings when walking around any major city.
* The Cape Town Business Community and local authorities have taken numerous proactive initiatives to ensure the safety and upkeep of central Cape Town. As a result, this area – where most tourism establishments are located – has grown to be one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country.
* Visible safety officers have been deployed and the city centre is kept clean. Major restaurants, shops and galleries line the streets and many offices, apartment buildings and hotels are located Downtown.
* A variety of walking tours are available to suit different interests and you’ll share the pavements with locals walking to work, business people rushing between meetings and other tourists who, like you, are exploring all the city has to offer.
5. Can I travel alone when visiting Cape Town?
* Cape Town and the Western Cape is a popular solo-travel destination, with a variety of activities and experiences on offer for the solo adventurer.
* Solo travellers are encouraged to exercise the same vigilance and safety measures to ensure they are not soft targets as they would anywhere else in the world.
6. Do I have an alternative to walking?
* Cape Town is one of the most well-connected cities in South Africa when it comes to transport options. While travellers often choose to walk around the Downtown or Central Business District area because distances are short, you have the option to use Uber, Taxify, metered taxis and the MyCiti bus system, which can also connect you to points within the central district of Cape Town and surrounding tourism must-sees like Camps Bay, Sea Point and Hout Bay.
* The MyCiti bus also connects you directly to Cape Town International Airport through a direct shuttle. There is also a City Sightseeing
hop-on-hop-off red bus service with a variety of tourist routes on offer.
Safe travels and see you in Cape Town. There is truly nowhere better!
SAFETY TIPS
• Make sure no one can see you enter your PIN or transaction amount at an ATM.
• Avoid carrying all your valuables (including your passport) and large sums of cash in your purse.
• Hike in a group, remain on the designated paths and carry a map.
• Carry plenty of water, a hat and a snack whilst hiking. Protect your skin from the UV rays by applying sunscreen.
• Never approach, feed or touch any of the wild animals found on the hiking trails.
• Never swim alone, always swim in areas that are supervised by a lifeguard.
• Use a reliable registered taxi service.
• Store emergency numbers on your phone and make sure it is charged before you leave your hotel.
• Don’t allow your children to wander off on their own make sure you always have an eye on them.
BOOKINGS
- All reservations made will be charged in full at the time of booking
CANCELLATIONS
- All Cancellation of a booking must be made in writing (via email) and will only take effect once such cancellation has been received by Ashanti Lodge.
- A full refund will be provided if cancelled more than 7 days prior to arrival
- 0% refund if cancelled within 7 days of arrival
- No-shows and reduction in stay will also be subject to a 100% cancellation fee
A 7% ADMIN FEE WILL BE SUBTRACTED FROM ALL REFUNDS DUE AND WILL BE PAID BACK INTO THE CARD USED FOR ORIGINAL PAYMENT.
- There are NO refunds whatsoever for bookings made using a non-refundable rate.
- At certain times of the year (New Year’s Eve, Easter weekend, Rugby Tens and other ad-hoc events) we reserve the right to ask for full payment with the possibility of no refund. We will advise accordingly.
CHILDREN
No children under the age of 16 will be allowed to stay with us unless they are accompanied by the parent. No children will be allowed in our dormitories unless the family has booked and paid a deposit for the entire dormitory. Children under 4 years of age, and sharing a room with their parents, will stay free or charge.
LIABILITY
Ashanti will not be held liable for the loss, destruction, or damage of any property upon the premises or if being transported by Ashanti, whether arising from fire, theft or by the negligence (gross or otherwise) or wrongful act of any person in the employment of Ashanti Lodge.
GROUP BOOKINGS
A reservation of 8 or more is considered a group booking.
We require all group bookings to put down the 1st night’s stay as a deposit within one week of making the reservation in order to secure the booking.
Cancellations made 0-7 days prior to arrival date: 100% of total tariff
Cancellations made 15-28 days prior to arrival date: 25% of total tariff
Cancellations made 28 days prior to arrival date: 10% of total tariff
Cancellations made 8-14 days prior to arrival date: 50% of total tariff
The remainder of the balance is due 30 days before arrival.
At certain times of the year (New Years Eve, Easter weekend, Rugby Tens and other ad-hoc events) we reserve the right to ask for full payment with the possibility of no refund. We will advise accordingly.
Please click here to view all our rates as advertised on our website.
The rates do not include breakfast but we do have a café serving delicious breakfast daily. You can find the menu here.
Yes, we can arrange a meet-and-greet pick up from the airport for you. This will cost R250 per journey for up to 4 passengers with baggage which is payable directly to the driver. Kindly provide your exact flight details including flight number, and we will confirm the arrangements.
If you book your accommodation online via this site, you can book the airport transfer at the same time.
Alternatively, you can take the Airport Shuttle bus from International Arrivals. The bus will stop at the Civic Centre in the city centre from where you will need to change to the suburban bus to Gardens. Please click on the MyCiti bus site here for more info.
Yes. You can book online with the travel experts by emailing [email protected] or visiting www.ashanti.co.za/travel or alternatively chat to one of our knowledgeable receptionists when you get here.
All our properties have free hi-speed fibre wi-fi access. For those (rare) travellers without their own device we also have a computer terminal for guests’ use. There is a small cost for the use of these to help maintain their upkeep. We also have a public phone available for your use.
Yes, we have a hand basin and clothes line but also offer a laundry service. There are collections and deliveries oncea day and a load up to 4 kg costs R80.
Usually we do, but due to the Covid-19 restrictions we are not allowed to serve food.
We do have a pool table and every Friday night is our famous pool competition where you can win great prizes like wine tours or abseiling from Table Mountain.
About a 2 minute walk from the lodge.
