Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city, has always appealed to me, and the rich history and cultural diversity are aspects that have made this big city attractive. But before my trip, and like so many others, I wondered: is Johannesburg a dangerous city? Let me share my experiences and findings with you.
My Experience in Johannesburg, did I have troubles?
To be honest, my two-night stay in a Johannesburg suburb was short, but I have to say I didn’t experience any problems.
The neighborhood I stayed in felt safe and I even walked around without feeling threatened.
Of course, you hear the most terrible stories, but I really think this depends on where you stay and whether you visit things accompanied by a local guide.
As a tourist, you usually land at Johannesburg Tambo Airport, so you will have to decide whether you drive directly to your next destination or stay there for a number of nights.
The first time I was in South Africa, it was organized by a travel agency, and someone picked me up from the airport to take me to a bed and breakfast.
The other time I landed in Johannesburg, my partner and I decided to drive straight on to the Barberton Mountains, as we arrived in the morning at the airport and could get our rental car right at the airport.
That being said…
Crime and Safety in Johannesburg
Of course, we cannot ignore it: Johannesburg is known for its high crime rates. Various sources warn of violent crimes such as robberies and burglaries.
Tourists are advised to always be vigilant and avoid certain areas.
Neighborhoods such as Hillbrow, Berea and Yeoville are specifically mentioned as high-risk areas. These neighborhoods have a reputation for high crime rates and it is strongly discouraged to visit in the evening or at night.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also emphasizes that these areas should be avoided, especially at weekends and when it’s dark.
Security measures when visiting Johannesburg.
Although the city is known for its crime, you can avoid many risks with the right precautions. Here are some tips:
- Avoid High-Risk Areas: Stay away from Hillbrow, Berea, and downtown, especially in the evening and at night.
- Use Reliable Transport: Use registered taxis or private transport instead of public transport, where crime is more common.
- Be Vigilant: Pay attention to your surroundings, especially at ATMs and busy areas. Do not carry valuables visibly with you.
- Day and Night: During the day the city is relatively safe, but at night you have to be extra careful and pay close attention to where you walk.
- Visit things accompanied by a local guide: In Sodwana Bay, we met another Belgian couple who told us about a guided cycling tour in Johannesburg, so things like that are certainly possible.
Tourist Attractions in Johannesburg.
Despite the security challenges, Johannesburg has a lot to offer. The city has numerous tourist attractions that can be visited safely, provided you take the necessary precautions.
During my stay, I visited the Apartheid Museum and the lively Maboneng district. Both places were safe and extremely interesting. I always used reliable transportation and avoided remote places and visited them with a guide.
My Final Conclusion.
So, is Johannesburg a dangerous city? The answer is nuanced. Yes, the city experiences high crime rates and certain neighborhoods are risky.
But with the right precautions and by being aware of your surroundings, you can enjoy everything this fascinating city has to offer.
My personal experience in a suburb of Johannesburg was positive and safe, but it remains a city of contrasts – with its challenges and its beauty.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them in the comments section below!
I wish you a pleasant and safe stay in Jo’burg!
Kind regards,
Lizzy
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Hello Africa travellers!
Who am I? Well, the least you can say is that I am quite crazy about Africa, its nature, its climate, its culture, and more.
As a young woman in my twenties, I had already traveled to several African countries by traveling along in an overlander on my own and mostly camping ( or glamping ) and just fell in love with the diversity of it all.
So much, so that at the age of 26, I went back to university to study biology, which, unfortunately, I couldn’t finish because of health reasons (yes, I got sick from a tropical disease, oh cynicism). But this did not stop my dream of traveling back to Africa several times, and I still do.
My dream was back then to leave Europe and go study animal behavior, especially the elephants (sure, that’s every girl’s dream haha), but I am also very much intrigued by hyenas and other “ugly African animals“.
So, I “kind of” have a little bit of a scientific approach to my articles, when I write about African birds, for example. And most of all: the passion.
But life goes on, you move from one side of the country to the other, you get sick again and top it off with lower back problems, and before you know it, you are over 50 hahaha!
Now, I still travel to Africa, but take it a bit “easier” than the good old camping days, and stay in comfortable, yet affordable accommodations, together with my husband Wouter.
These are some of the countries I have traveled to: Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Tunisia, and a little bit of Lesotho LOL .
While clearly not being African territory, but Spanish, I also visited Gran Canaria and Tenerife, and location-wise, I consider them “African”, because of their climate and nature, sue me :-p
The last trip I took was to South Africa in the year 2023, and it sure got the fevers for Africa back! From the Barberton mountains to the Drakensberg and the Southcoast, one month wasn’t enough at all to see the whole country, so we’ll be back! At ease and with a little bit more luxury than in my younger days haha!
I wish you happy travels!
Kind regards
Lizzy
