South Africa - Jo'berg, Durban and safety

Censorsh!t

I'm in the process of planning a volunteering holiday for South Africa in November. Now, I'm not worried about my time at the actual place, but I have a few concerns about afterwards, when I would like to have a look around for a few days before going home.

I'm not sure yet whether Johannesburg or Durban is my best option for flights, so I guess info on both would be good (I would like to stick to the better and safer option).

So, I've heard a lot about the crime rate in this part of SA, and being a single female travelling there, I obviously have some concerns. How bad could it be? By the way some websites are saying it, there will be people pick-pocketing and raping left, right and centre, so I'm just a little anxious!

Now, I'm not silly, and I would obviously take pretty big precautions, but I'm wondering if I should just miss the travelling by myself and go straight back home after the volunteer project is done - during the project weekends are free so I would have some time to explore (with possibility of being in a group) then.

Also, my best friends relatives live in Johannesburg so I would have contacts there, and would surely get a lot of tips from them.

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Censorsh!t wrote: »

I'm in the process of planning a volunteering holiday for South Africa in November. Now, I'm not worried about my time at the actual place, but I have a few concerns about afterwards, when I would like to have a look around for a few days before going home.

I'm not sure yet whether Johannesburg or Durban is my best option for flights, so I guess info on both would be good (I would like to stick to the better and safer option).

So, I've heard a lot about the crime rate in this part of SA, and being a single female travelling there, I obviously have some concerns. How bad could it be? By the way some websites are saying it, there will be people pick-pocketing and raping left, right and centre, so I'm just a little anxious!

Now, I'm not silly, and I would obviously take pretty big precautions, but I'm wondering if I should just miss the travelling by myself and go straight back home after the volunteer project is done - during the project weekends are free so I would have some time to explore (with possibility of being in a group) then.

Also, my best friends relatives live in Johannesburg so I would have contacts there, and would surely get a lot of tips from them.

its not safe. the whites live behind barbed wire.you drive with your doors locked.

friends from home were down visiting their son in Pretoria. went out for a pizza and got held up with knives. they have over 20 years experience of living in that part of the world.

bmwguy

I was in SA in 2009 (6 lads aged 28-35) and we had a SA friend that wouldnt let us out of his sight in Johannesburg. It is pretty dangerous, as a lone female I would advise you against it. I've recently come back from Bangkok, travelled most of Asia, South America and Eastern Europe and Johannesburg was the only place that made me uneasy. If you really have to travel afterwards, I suggest Cape Town, which was more touristy. SA cities are generally not touristy, the tourism is mainly safaris, shark diving etc... Fantastic country but didnt like Joburg at all

Jack Kyle

I've been to South Africa numerous times and I would not advise anyone to go to either Jo'burg or Durban unless they're being escorted and told where to go by locals.

Cape Town is fine but Jo'burg and Durban are not.

Unfortunately, South Africa is on a downward trajectory which is only going to be increased when Madiba dies.

Rascasse

Personally, after spending a few years in Joburg, I'd find it hard to recommend to a female tourist travelling alone (or any tourist really).

I'd also recommend jumping on a plane to Cape Town as it's far safer and much nicer place to visit for a tourist. If you have a bit more time take a trip up the Garden Route too, plenty of cool stuff to do and see all along there. The Baz Bus has a route all along there for backpacker types.

Domestic flights are fairly cheap with the likes of Mango and Kulula. You could fly from Joburg to Cape Town travel along the Garden Route and back to Joburg from George or PE.

Jacovs

How do you plan on going around in your free time? Is there a car you can use? I would hope so as public transport is virtually non existant unless you are a local black person, and even for them its dangerous.
I lived in Cape Town for nearly 26 years, havent had a problem driving around by myself most places, any time of the day or night, including some plakkerskampe. Usually for a reason, not just to have a look around though. There is such a thing as looking for trouble and I know which areas to avoid.
Having locals to show you around is definitely a big help, but still not a guarantee for your safety.
Theres no shortage of flights between Johannesburg/Durban and Cape Town, although it can get expensive, especially end of the year. Might be worth to pop down for a weekend with nice weather, even just for the Table Mountain experience. Theres enough tour guides around that will have you in a group.

Goodluck.

coylemj

Censorsh!t wrote: »

Also, my best friends relatives live in Johannesburg so I would have contacts there, and would surely get a lot of tips from them.

So talk to them and they will probably give you the same advice you're getting here. White people do not walk around Jo'burg, the only people I saw walking around the white neighbourhoods were black women who were probably employed as domestics. Every house had high walls and displayed security signs which usually included images of guard dogs and guns indicating that intruders would be met with lethal force.

Not a nice place to live in or visit from what I could see.

Layinghen

Like everybody else my advice is avoid, avoid, avoid. It is very sad that this advice has to be given as South Africa is a beautiful country. For your own safety Cape Town is your best option but you will still have to have your wits about you there. Good luck with your volunteering programme and hope you enjoy your African adventure.

Censorsh!t

Thanks for all the replies everyone.

I think I'll definitely be skipping looking about Johannesburg anyway! Even if nothing happened I would still be on edge which wouldn't be pleasant.

The project offers airport pickups and drop offs, so I think I will leave my exploring til the weekends, and avoid the cities. The project is near Kruger National Park, so I will have plenty other (safer) places to go.

ardmacha

There are several threads on South Africa in this forum before, search for them.
If your question is, "can I fly to JMB in order to go to Kruger", then the answer is yes. It is perfectly possible to fly to JMB, stay in a posh suburb (e.g. Sandton) and take a bus tour of Johannesburg or Praetoria. That's what I did, and it was fine.

Capetown is indeed very pleasant and noticeably safer.

allycavs

No point repeating all the above but Capetown is very nice. Joburg/Pretoria (and that whole Gauteng area isnt really safe - drive every where and you will be ok). Kruger is brilliant

Close to capetown (less than an hour) if you want to venture out you have Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. They are worth a day trip too and are safe towns to stroll round. Both have a good night life to surprisingly. Well stellenbosch is a university town. Franschhoek is a very touristy and upmarket town. They have mountain scenery etc thats worth driving up too( you only need to be careful of the baboons) Fairview wines is inbetween those 2 towns awell. you can go wine and cheese tasting there.

read road to freedom(nelson mandellas book) or the shorter version of it if you want to visit where he was imprisoned (robben island). I felt it really added to the experience as when tour guide pointed out things i was able to envisage the different scenarios in the book

Enjoy it and dont worry. Message if you want to know more. i worked all over S. Africa

coylemj

ardmacha wrote: »

If your question is, "can I fly to JMB in order to go to Kruger", then the answer is yes.

Provided you hire a car at J'burg airport, I know of no other option that would be suitable for the OP given that public transport is a no-go area for tourists. The other issue is that you need a car to get around in Kruger.

ardmacha wrote: »

and take a bus tour of Johannesburg or Praetoria

To see exactly what? All I remember in Jo'burg was the shanty towns where the blacks live and the outside walls of the fortified mansions where the whites live. In Pretoria all I can remember was the massive bunker that is the US Embassy. Neither city is really worth visiting unless you're staying with locals.

ardmacha

coylemj wrote: »

Provided you hire a car at J'burg airport, I know of no other option that would be suitable for the OP given that public transport is a no-go area for tourists. The other issue is that you need a car to get around in Kruger.

The OP said that she was going to someplace near Kruger and that they would pick her up at the airport.

My point was that you could fly there, stay in a suburb, take a bus tour or two and then proceed. This does not contradict the other comments in the thread, it is an alternative.

coylemj wrote: »

To see exactly what? All I remember in Jo'burg was the shanty towns where the blacks live and the outside walls of the fortified mansions where the whites live. In Pretoria all I can remember was the massive bunker that is the US Embassy. Neither city is really worth visiting unless you're staying with locals.

I thought the Apartheid museum interesting enough. But just seeing these places was interesting to me, it depends on your taste in such things. The OP has to fly to somewhere to reach her project, Capetown is the other side of the country.

Censorsh!t

As it turns out, I will be getting a flight from Jo'burg to Kruger, so won't even be leaving the airport in between flights. If I were with a group I would take a look about there, but judging by replies here, it's one, not safe, and two, not the most interesting place either.

roundymac

If you want to go the Durban area go to this place http://www.umhlangatourism.co.za/. I'v been there many times I will be going there again in about 3 months time. The centre of Umhlanga has about 20 bars/cafes etc in about a 200metre area. It is very safe, there is also a tour kiosk there as well http://www.shakatours.com/kwazulu-natal/. Avoid J/burg at all costs. Take all normal precautions that you would travelling on your own when in Capetown.Visit the V&A Waterfront http: You can get all you can eat and drink very saftly. When in Capetown you will find it is safe in daylight, beware the night. Taxi's are cheap, it is easy to get around. Avoid railway/bus stations. In fact avoid all public transport. Stay within the rules and you have a great time in SA, it is a fantastic place to vist. Be sure to do some of the tours, generally you are in a mini-bus wth maybe 2-3 other tourists so you do get a personalised tour, that applys to all tour companies, not just the one I'v mentioned. Enjoy your trip. Any questions fell free to ask.

Macumazan

Censorsh!t wrote: »

I'm in the process of planning a volunteering holiday for South Africa in November. Now, I'm not worried about my time at the actual place, but I have a few concerns about afterwards, when I would like to have a look around for a few days before going home.

I'm not sure yet whether Johannesburg or Durban is my best option for flights, so I guess info on both would be good (I would like to stick to the better and safer option).

So, I've heard a lot about the crime rate in this part of SA, and being a single female travelling there, I obviously have some concerns. How bad could it be? By the way some websites are saying it, there will be people pick-pocketing and raping left, right and centre, so I'm just a little anxious!

Now, I'm not silly, and I would obviously take pretty big precautions, but I'm wondering if I should just miss the travelling by myself and go straight back home after the volunteer project is done - during the project weekends are free so I would have some time to explore (with possibility of being in a group) then.

Also, my best friends relatives live in Johannesburg so I would have contacts there, and would surely get a lot of tips from them.

It really isn't safe for a lone woman in my opinion, call me old fashioned but this is 24+ years of living in South Africa talking here, travel by private car where you can and take people with you, at least at first.

sarkozy

I find to a certain extent, people are being overly alarmist about SA, Joburg/Pretoria and Durban.

Now, I say this in spite of having a friend who was carjacked in Jo'burg and another friend who was murdered.

This said, I spent 18 months living in Lesotho and travelling throughout SA and the region extensively.

You can be safe in Jo'burg if you know someone with good local knowledge or you stick to tourist routes, taking the advice given at hostels/hotels, travelling on safe modes of transport, particularly the Baz Bus, bus services like Intercape and taxi services only recommended by hostels/hotels. The only way to really be safe is to drive everywhere. But, and it's a big 'but', travelling as a lone female would be inadvisable. It's very much a case of safety in numbers, and while you could be perfectly safe while in Jo'burg, I think you wouldn't enjoy it because, frankly, it can be a lot of work (and worry) to stay safe there (you kind of need to know the safe areas).

Now, I wouldn't necessarily agree with Durban as being unsafe. It has a beautiful climate and it's near game parks/reserves, but, ironically, I think Maputo in Mozambique, which is a much poorer country, is much, much safer all 'round.

And I would definitely disagree with someone's assertion that Gauteng is generally unsafe. That's not been my experience. But the wider cites region of Jo'burg/Pretoria can be, for sure. But beyond that, I found it very safe. Free State and KwaZulu-Natal are really safe and beautiful and you can really relax there. So don't worry about that. Again, the best mode of transport is to rent a car (I mean, I did use local minibus ('Kombi') services about the place and was fine, but you don't want to be doing this as a tourist).

And, finally, for my real, proper suggestion: if you've only got a few days left over and want to do interesting things before going home relatively easily, you've two real options - you can get a cheap internal flight to Cape Town, which is absolutely fantastic, or you can visit a national wildlife reserve like Hluhluwe National Game Reserve (near Durban) where you can see the 'big-5 animals' easily in a day.

I'm sorry for the long post, but I often find people providing an overly negative portrayal of South Africa which it doesn't deserve. The country has many, many problems arising from the criminal levels of social inequality and poverty that were created over the previous century and not adequately addressed today, and that makes the place much less safe than other countries.

South Africa is an excellent introduction to the greatest continent on the planet, so enjoy it!

Jack Kyle

sarkozy wrote: »

I find to a certain extent, people are being overly alarmist about SA, Joburg/Pretoria and Durban.

Now, I say this in spite of having a friend who was carjacked in Jo'burg and another friend who was murdered.

This said, I spent 18 months living in Lesotho and travelling throughout SA and the region extensively.

You can be safe in Jo'burg if you know someone with good local knowledge or you stick to tourist routes, taking the advice given at hostels/hotels, travelling on safe modes of transport, particularly the Baz Bus, bus services like Intercape and taxi services only recommended by hostels/hotels. The only way to really be safe is to drive everywhere. But, and it's a big 'but', travelling as a lone female would be inadvisable. It's very much a case of safety in numbers, and while you could be perfectly safe while in Jo'burg, I think you wouldn't enjoy it because, frankly, it can be a lot of work (and worry) to stay safe there (you kind of need to know the safe areas).

Now, I wouldn't necessarily agree with Durban as being unsafe. It has a beautiful climate and it's near game parks/reserves, but, ironically, I think Maputo in Mozambique, which is a much poorer country, is much, much safer all 'round.

And I would definitely disagree with someone's assertion that Gauteng is generally unsafe. That's not been my experience. But the wider cites region of Jo'burg/Pretoria can be, for sure. But beyond that, I found it very safe. Free State and KwaZulu-Natal are really safe and beautiful and you can really relax there. So don't worry about that. Again, the best mode of transport is to rent a car (I mean, I did use local minibus ('Kombi') services about the place and was fine, but you don't want to be doing this as a tourist).

And, finally, for my real, proper suggestion: if you've only got a few days left over and want to do interesting things before going home relatively easily, you've two real options - you can get a cheap internal flight to Cape Town, which is absolutely fantastic, or you can visit a national wildlife reserve like Hluhluwe National Game Reserve (near Durban) where you can see the 'big-5 animals' easily in a day.

I'm sorry for the long post, but I often find people providing an overly negative portrayal of South Africa which it doesn't deserve. The country has many, many problems arising from the criminal levels of social inequality and poverty that were created over the previous century and not adequately addressed today, and that makes the place much less safe than other countries.

South Africa is an excellent introduction to the greatest continent on the planet, so enjoy it!

Your post is utterly ridiculous.

You're telling people not to worry and that these places aren't that bad...then you reveal that one of your friends was carjacked and that another of your friends was murdered.

Jesus Christ.

coylemj

sarkozy wrote: »

I find to a certain extent, people are being overly alarmist about SA, Joburg/Pretoria and Durban.

Now, I say this in spite of having a friend who was carjacked in Jo'burg and another friend who was murdered.

Aside from your husband getting murdered, did you enjoy the play Mrs. Lincoln?

Jack Kyle

coylemj wrote: »

Aside from your husband getting murdered, did you enjoy the play Mrs. Lincoln?

Surely a wind up?

"Great place...shame about my mate being butchered!"

sarkozy

Jack Kyle wrote:

Your post is utterly ridiculous.

You're telling people not to worry and that these places aren't that bad...then you reveal that one of your friends was carjacked and that another of your friends was murdered.

Jesus Christ.

I'm not encouraging the person to go. I'm giving my own view on the topic. South Africa is a country of extremes. My own personal experience is that nothing happened to me. Perhaps I was lucky, perhaps I was careful. Something tragic happened to someone I knew after I left.

I also know someone who was killed cycling on the roads in Dublin. But would I discourage anyone from cycling in Dublin as a result? Quite the opposite. Travelling through Bolívia, I had all my stuff stolen. Would I urge people never to visit one of the most interesting and beautiful countries in the world, even though it's also poor and can be dangerous? Even I would go back in a second.

As I said in my previous post, I would advise the OP to go elsewhere given that Jo'Burg is particularly dangerous (and not as interesting as other [safer] places), but most of the rest of South Africa definitely is not.

I don't see the contradiction here. It's my own, considered, honest, personal view. And it's also my view that people are too negative about SA.

I think the OP is grown up enough to make their own decision based on the risks? My guess is the OP will feel a lot more comfortable with the question of what to do after having spent that valuable time volunteering beforehand.

roundymac

sarkozy wrote: »

I'm not encouraging the person to go. I'm giving my own view on the topic. South Africa is a country of extremes.

That about sums it up. A beautiful country but one of extremes.

Macumazan

sarkozy wrote: »

I'm not encouraging the person to go. I'm giving my own view on the topic. South Africa is a country of extremes. My own personal experience is that nothing happened to me. Perhaps I was lucky, perhaps I was careful. Something tragic happened to someone I knew after I left.

I also know someone who was killed cycling on the roads in Dublin. But would I discourage anyone from cycling in Dublin as a result? Quite the opposite. Travelling through Bolívia, I had all my stuff stolen. Would I urge people never to visit one of the most interesting and beautiful countries in the world, even though it's also poor and can be dangerous? Even I would go back in a second.

As I said in my previous post, I would advise the OP to go elsewhere given that Jo'Burg is particularly dangerous (and not as interesting as other [safer] places), but most of the rest of South Africa definitely is not.

I don't see the contradiction here. It's my own, considered, honest, personal view. And it's also my view that people are too negative about SA.

I think the OP is grown up enough to make their own decision based on the risks? My guess is the OP will feel a lot more comfortable with the question of what to do after having spent that valuable time volunteering beforehand.

After 20 years in South Africa (check my username folks!) I have to say I think the OP does need to be careful. I wouldn't be happy about my wife or daughter going out on their own even when we were moving around largely white areas like Pretoria where there is less crime. (Please no one play the race card, there simply is less crime in these areas as people are more affluent).

I certainly wouldn't suggest you go out on your own at night OP, stay in a group but then that's good advice at any time for a woman.