Is Johannesburg Safe? My Experience & Essential Safety Tips
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Hi fellow travelers and welcome to my post on “Is Johannesburg safe”. If you are anything like me, when you decided you wanted to visit South Africa, you probably asked yourself if you really wanted to visit Johannesburg and wondered, is it truly safe? Like you, I did my research, asked friends that had been, and honestly, there was a lot of mixed reviews regarding the city’s safety. After my careful research, I did decide to visit Johannesburg, but I was very particular on what I was going to do, where I was going to stay, and how I would get around.
Are you ready to learn about Johannesburg’s safety? Ok, let’s jump into it!
Introduction: Is Johannesburg Safe?
Johannesburg is a city full of energy, history, and culture. As South Africa’s largest city, it has evolved into a global destination with endless things to offer—from its artistic streets and culinary delights to its deep-rooted history with apartheid and Nelson Mandela. But with all its beauty comes a level of concern, especially for first-time visitors. “Is Johannesburg safe?” is a question many travelers ask before setting foot in the city. In this post, I’ll guide you through everything you need to know about safety in Johannesburg, from tips on how to explore the city cautiously to which neighborhoods to avoid. Whether you’re planning a quick visit or an extended stay, this guide will help you navigate Johannesburg with confidence and ease.
Johannesburg Safety Tips
After extensive research and based on my experience visiting Johannesburg as a solo female traveler, here are some basic, but practical and important tips that I feel like you need to know when planning your trip and while visiting the cultural city of Johannesburg: Sandton, Melville, and Rosebank.
1. Johannesburg Accommodations Selection
For my trip, I choose to stay in Sandton, which was very safe and modern, and is suited in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg. Now, even though it was a safer area, I was still strongly encouraged not to leave the hotel property at night unless I was on a guided tour, which I didn’t.
I did, however, visit Rosebank, which has tons of great shops, restaurants, and lots of people walking around. And I did check out Melville, which had a cool artsy, bohemian vibe to it.
Regardless which of these 3 areas you stay in, it is still important to keep your guard up, don’t walk around by yourself at night, and never venture off into unfamiliar areas, day or night, by yourself.
2. Johannesburg Transportation
The best piece of advice I can give you when it comes to public transportation in Johannesburg, is to just use Uber. For the most part, it works extremely well, and it’s much safer to use versus trying to hail a cab on the street and wondering what you will end up paying.
Another pretty reliable mode of transportation in Johannesburg that is safe, is the Gautrain. Some folks I met on my tour, and I, took this during the day only to get around, and we felt incredibly safe. Again, we only used the Gautrain during the day only. Not at night.
Pro Tip: Avoid the public minibuses at all costs. They are extremely confusing, and they are not the safest mode of transportation in my opinion.
3. Stay Alert!
Regardless of the city you are in, staying alert is something we all need to do, especially when visiting unfamiliar cities and countries. Here are somethings that I did in order to stay alert while visiting Johannesburg:
- Don’t wear any jewelry at all. Even if it’s fake. If it looks real, looks expensive, or looks flashy, you will get it taken,
- Only bring enough money for the day that you think you will need. I honestly had very little cash on me and only had my credit card, which I kept in its Rfid protector.
- I always bring a crossbody bag that fits only my essentials, and I keep it in front of me with one hand on it at all times. This keeps your belongings in front of you and your hands on it so it’s less likely to get taken.
- Walk like you belong. If you walk around like you know where you are going, with a purpose, and don’t look like a lost tourist, you are less likely to be targeted.
- Try to know where you are going before you leave. If you are wondering around with your phone out, looking lost, you are an easy target.
- I can’t stress this enough: Do Not Walk Around at Night!
Pro Tip: Download you map for where you are going for the day so you can quickly look at it throughout the day, without having to have Google Maps out while you are out exploring.
4. Johannesburg Areas to Avoid
When planning your trip to South Africa, there are a few areas in Johannesburg that you need to make sure that you avoid. As I was planning my trip and even while I was there, the two areas that I was consistently told to avoid was Hillbrow and Berea. Both of these areas are known for very high crime rates.
Another area that is questionable, and I did not go to alone, was the Central Business District (CBD). This area did have some great attractions, so I opted to book a tour instead that picked me up from my hotel and dropped me back off, so that I was not alone.
5. Trust Your Instincts
Trusting your instincts is huge and is true wherever you go! IF something feels off, or you have a weird feeling about a street, area, or person, get yourself an Uber, and go. Your gut is always right, and you just know when something feels “off” or not right. Trust your instincts and keep your guard up always!
Enjoying Johannesburg Safely
Even though there are some areas within Johannesburg that can me unsafe, and I would never recommend walking around at night by yourself anywhere in Johannesburg, there are several great places to see and experience while you are there, safely. Here are some of the incredible places I went to that I thoroughly enjoyed and that were very safe to do:
Apartheid Museum: Opened in 2001, this one-of-a-kind museum documents the rise and fall of Apartheid. Exhibits including film footage, photographs and artefacts take visitors on a dramatic and emotionally charged journey from devastating racial segregation to the liberation of the oppressed.
Maboneng Precinct: This magical and urban neighborhood is the center of creative energy, with lots of great restaurants, coffee shops, art galleries, and shops.
Soweto Day Trip: This was a highlight for me in Johannesburg. It was such an energetic city, with all of the street entertainers. It was also very moving to tour Nelson Mandela’s home.
And of course, I cannot forget the lazy afternoons I had sipping coffee and in the trendy coffee shops in Rosebank.
Conclusion: Is Johannesburg Safe?
Are you still wondering is Johannesburg is safe? Honestly, I always answer this as “yes, and no”. The key is knowing where to go and when. Avoid being out after dark, take guided tours whenever possible, avoid the unsafe areas, and always keep your guard up. By following all of these safety tips that I have put together, you will be able to enjoy your trip to Johannesburg safely and have an incredible experience.
Need help planning your trip or need recommendations? Reach out anytime!