"Johannesburg, it's a very big city but I feel safe because I have a guide," the 64-year-old said.

He's among only about 1000 foreign tourists who came for the tournament, pioneers for the 450 000 expected during the World Cup next year.

Many of those who came for the competition, which wraps up Sunday, are taking security precautions in stride and exploring the country, but rely heavily on structured activities: a guided safari, a tour through Soweto, a shuttle bus from the hotel to the stadium.

"In Johannesburg, I feel a bit unsafe in the districts where the police are not present... in the black areas," said 28-year-old Mohammed Ibrahim from Dubai, who was visiting with his Brazilian girlfriend.

They came for the entire two weeks of the tournament, said they are only travelling by taxi.

Omar Sarhan opted for a weeklong, organised tour, and said he only travels in a bus chartered by his company in Egypt.

"We were told to move in group especially at night," the 39-year-old engineer said, advice he's carefully followed.

His group has travelled through Cape Town and the central city of Bloemfontein, which hosted some matches, as well as trendy Johannesburg neighbourhoods known for their restaurants, shops and nightlife, like the main business district of Sandton.

Alba, Italian tour guide based in South Africa for the games, said the hardier travellers don't take long to leave the well-worn paths around their hotels.

"At first, they take a hotel shuttle to take them around. Now they're more familiar with driving on the left and the place, so they go by themselves," she said.

"They're not scared to move around"

Nearby townships like Alexandra are carefully avoided, though the fans do have to pass through a rough neighbourhood to get to the Ellis Park stadium, which hosted the opening and will boast the final on Sunday.

Rory Steyn, a South African security expert, said visitors do need to take precautions.

"If you take sensible precautions, you can be almost as safe as most cities in the world," he said.

"Be aware of your environment, be careful no one is following you," he said. "Have the number for the police or for someone you trust, and don't wear flashy jewelry."

Those are habits that Francisco Ravelo knows well.

"I live in Venezuela," another country with one of the world's highest crime rates, said the Qatar Airway captain.

"It's a safe country. It's the fifth time I'm here and I've never had any problems."

AFP