South Africa : Safety by City
- Bloemfontein
- Boksburg
- Cape Town
- Durban
- Johannesburg
- Pietermaritzburg
- Port Elizabeth
- Pretoria
- Randburg
Johannesburg, often called Joburg, Jozi, or “The City of Gold”, is South Africa’s largest city and economic powerhouse.
It is a bustling, cosmopolitan metropolis and a major, youthful financial hub, boasting the continent’s largest stock exchange and serving as a key center for mining and trade.
It is the largest city in the world not built on a river, lake, or coastline.
It serves as the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa.
The city has a population of over 5.5 million, with the greater metropolitan area reaching over 6.5 million, making it one of the largest urban areas globally.
While offering immense economic opportunity, it faces challenges with crime and stark economic inequality, making it a city of strong contrasts.
It is these contrasts that play into the lack of safety in this city.
Just how safe is Johannesburg to visit.
Let’s find out.
Warnings & Dangers in Johannesburg
OVERALL RISK: HIGH
The overall risk for travelers in Johannesburg is very high. The area is densely populated and there is much unrest. Crime is a major concern at almost every turn. Women are advised not to travel here alone. If not necessary, advice to all would be to avoid this area for now.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: HIGH
Minibus taxis represent a high risk. They are frequently involved in fatal crashes, are often unroadworthy, and are not recommended for tourists. High rates of crime, including armed robbery and carjacking, make private or secure transportation essential. Avoid city-run metro buses if you are an international traveler.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
Pickpocketing and petty theft are frequent in Johannesburg, particularly in crowded areas, public markets, and popular tourist spots. While security personnel may be present in tourist areas, their coverage can be limited.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH
Climate change has been making torrential rains more frequent in the area, which in turn produce devastating flooding. There is also a chance of cyclones. While not a natural disaster, the torrential rains and flooding often bring an increased sighting og crocodiles!
MUGGING RISK: HIGH
Crimes often occur at night, but daytime, opportunistic thefts also happen. Visitors should avoid walking alone, especially after dark, keep valuables hidden, and use Uber instead of walking. Avoid walking in the CBD, Hillbrow, Berea, and Joubert Park. "Smash-and-grab" incidents occur, especially at traffic lights.
TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
Johannesburg terrorism risk, primarily from potential "lone actor" attacks inspired by international groups like ISIS, with high-profile locations in areas like Sandton occasionally targeted for threats. Threats are often aimed at, but not limited to, official U.S. interests, with potential for violence to occur without warning.
SCAMS RISK: HIGH
The most common scams include criminals posing as police officers to rob travelers, ATM fraud at outside machines, and people setting up non-existent tours. Another scam that is popular is criminals posing as Tourist Police (these don't exist) asking to examine the contents of your bags. Don't comply!
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: HIGH
Johannesburg presents significant safety risks for women travelers, including high rates of violent crime, armed robbery, and kidnapping, requiring vigilant safety measures. While many visits are incident-free, women should avoid walking alone, particularly after dark, and be cautious of "smash-and-grab" car thefts. Stick to safe, well-monitored, and upscale areas like Rosebank. High incidence of rape, murder, and armed robbery affects both residents and visitors. Perpetrators, sometimes posing as taxi or ride-share drivers, may kidnap victims to force ATM withdrawals. Solo female travelers may face verbal abuse and harassment. Exercise extreme caution in downtown areas, particularly Hillbrow, Joubert Park, and Berea
TAP WATER RISK: LOW
Johannesburg's tap water is generally safe to drink and meets high standards, with Johannesburg Water rated among the best in South Africa. However, risks arise from aging infrastructure causing occasional contamination, such as pipe bursts or sewage leaks. While major supply lines are safe, localized, temporary advisories to boil water may occur, particularly in older areas or during system maintenance. While generally safe in the city, be more cautious in very remote areas.
Safest Places to Visit in Johannesburg
- Sandton: A secure, modern business district with malls and hotels.
- Rosebank: Known for its safety, shopping, and Gautrain station.
- Melville & Maboneng: Popular for cafés and, with proper precautions, safer during the day.
Places to Avoid in Johannesburg
- Hillbrow, Joubert Park, and Berea: These inner-city neighborhoods are considered high-risk for robbery.
- Alexandra Township: Known for higher rates of crime, it should be avoided unless with an experienced, local guide.
- Yeoville: Another area noted for higher risks of crime.
- Deep Sloot (Diepsloot): A township on the outskirts with high levels of crime and robbery.
- Isolated Spots/Public Transport: Avoid isolated areas and be cautious near taxi ranks and railway stations due to muggings.
Safety Tips for Traveling to Johannesburg
- Don’t explore alone. Use guided tours as often as possible, or get together with other visitors, so there are several people in the group.
- Take care with transportation. Use reputable, pre-booked transport, Uber, or the Gautrain. Keep car doors locked and windows up, especially at junctions.
- Don’t walk after dark. Even in supposedly good areas, it is dangerous to walk at night, especially alone.
- Avoid city-run buses. Better alternatives include the Gautrain, which is an efficient rapid rail system, Uber or Bolt, or private shuttles arranged by the hotel. This last is often the safest.
- Use indoor ATMs – Outdoor machines leave you vulnerable to being attacked as you are leaving. They are more likely to have some type of scam device attached. Indoors, you have the opportunity to secure any withdrawals before going outside.
- Monitor the news. This is your best defense in many cases. You will learn of caution needed for possible terrorist attacks, weather reports, and even any warnings about the need to avoid tap water for some reason.
- Keep car doors and windows locked. This is especially true in the CBD, Braamfontein, and Newtown areas. It is especially important to also keep car doors locked at all times, but at night it is even more so.
- Stay in safer areas. Visitors generally recommend staying in or visiting suburbs like Sandton, Rosebank, Melville, and Parktown North. While crime permeates the entire city, these areas are considered safest.
- Don’t flash valuables. In fact, it may be advisable to leave your expensive phones and cameras either at home or locked in the hotel safe and use cheaper versions of both just in case. The hotel safe is your best friend for security of valuables, such as the above and passports.
- Stay alert. Walk with confidence, know your route, and trust your instincts. If followed, enter a store or crowded area. Consider downloading security apps like Secura for emergency, armed response.
So... How Safe Is Johannesburg Really?
Johannesburg is currently a place you are best to avoid unless you absolutely need to be there.
If you do viosit, avoid wandering the city alone.
It is better to book group tours.
If you explore on your own, use only official transportation.
Your safest choice is allowing the hotel to arrange transportation.
There is a large crime rate, this includes both petty crimes and violent ones.
Most of the city is a hot spot and it is never advisable to enter the streets after dark.
Driving isn’t safe, due to car-jackings and smash and grab theft.
Women are especially vulnerable in this city.
It is wise to memorize, or program into phone, the number for the police (10111) or Emergency from Mobile (112).
There is also a current uptick in natural disasters such as flooding.
This is due to global warming and is not likely to ease up.
How Does Johannesburg Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Johannesburg |
35 |
| Port Elizabeth |
65 |
| Cape Town |
33 |
| Durban |
38 |
| Pretoria |
25 |
| Randburg |
32 |
| Bloemfontein |
33 |
 Sheffield | 74 |
 Phnom Penh | 60 |
 South Padre Island | 70 |
 Rincon | 74 |
| Martinsville | 51 |
| Midway | 86 |
Useful Information
Visas
U.S. citizens traveling to Johannesburg for tourism or business do not need a visa for stays of 90 days or less. A valid passport with at least two blank pages and validity for 30 days beyond the intended exit date is required.
Currency
The currency used in Johannesburg and throughout South Africa is the South African Rand (currency code: ZAR; symbol: R). The rand is divided into 100 cents (c). It is managed by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) and is also legal tender in Namibia, Eswatini (Swaziland), and Lesotho. As of early 2026, the rate fluctuates, generally around 16–17 ZAR to 1 USD. the best places to exchange currency are at OR Tambo International Airport upon arrival, major bank branches (FNB, Absa, Nedbank), and specialized bureaus de change like Master Currency, Travelex, and American Express located in malls. ATMs are widely available, offering a convenient way to withdraw South African Rand (ZAR) directly.
Weather
Johannesburg features a mild subtropical highland climate with sunny, dry winters and warm, rainy summers (October–April). High altitude keeps temperatures pleasant, rarely exceeding 86 degrees F. Summers (Dec–Feb) are warm, averaging 79 degrees F, with afternoon thunderstorms. Winters (Jun–Aug) are cold and dry with sunny days and frosty nights. Dry, sunny days with cold nights, often dropping below freezing, occasionally seeing frost. Average highs around 60 degrees F−68 degrees F. Pack according to whether or not you are visiting in summer or winter. During the summer, you will want some lighter-weight clothing. The rest of the year, consider bringing a light jacket or sweater for evenings. Regardless of the time of year, rain gear is recommended.
Airports
OR Tambo International Airport is an international airport serving the twin cities of Johannesburg and the main capital of South Africa, Pretoria. It is situated in Kempton Park, Gauteng. Getting to and from the airport is easy with the availability of taxis, shuttles, buses and the Airport Gautrain. The Gautrain is considered the safest. There is also the ability to rent a car at the airport. There are a great many shops and eating establishments to keep you busy between flights or to pick up things you may have forgotten. Most of the stores do accept cards, but you may want to get some of the local money just in case. The airport also has safe exchange options for money.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not legally required for entry into Johannesburg, South Africa, for most travelers. However, it is highly recommended due to potential high costs of private medical treatment and, for U.S. citizens specifically, because domestic health insurance often does not cover international travel. The right travel insurance also covers things like replacing lost or stolen items, a huge possibility in this city, or getting your "non-refundable" deposits back should you face trip delays or cancellations. There are actually places right at the airport to purchase travel insurance in case you have forgotten to do so in the upheaval of preparing for your tip.
Johannesburg Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C |
26 | 25 | 24 | 22 | 20 | 16 | 17 | 20 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 25 |
| Low °C |
14 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| High °F |
79 | 77 | 75 | 72 | 68 | 61 | 63 | 68 | 75 | 77 | 75 | 77 |
| Low °F |
57 | 57 | 55 | 50 | 43 | 39 | 39 | 43 | 50 | 54 | 55 | 57 |
South Africa - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Bloemfontein | 33 |
| Boksburg | 33 |
| Cape Town | 33 |
| Durban | 38 |
| Johannesburg | 35 |
| Pietermaritzburg | 43 |
| Port Elizabeth | 65 |
| Pretoria | 25 |
| Randburg | 32 |
Reasonable article but. . .
This article recommends trying to blend in if you land up in an area where you weren’t planning on visiting. In most areas, this will only work if you are of African ethnicity.
People of European descent stand out like sore thumbs in areas not frequented by European descended people.
Tourists don't really go into the city. I certainly haven't seen many tourists walking around in town.
Ahem. A Tsunami would not reach Jhb.
Tsunamis in Johannesburg? Did you know that Johanneabirg is 1600m above sea level and 500km from the nearest coast?
Factually incorrect
“Johannesburg may become a victim of occasional tsunamis coming from the Indian Ocean.”
Hahahaha, not in a million years – Johannesburg is so far inland it’ll probably be one of the last places on earth if climate change reaches all its worst predictions.
Can’t really trust much else in this article I’m afraid.
Soooo wrong
Who wrote this artice?where did they get their ‘facts’ from?
The biggest amount of *** I have ever read. Have you been to South Africa?
Take it from a local ...
Yeah, there’s a lot of mistakes in this. I’m Canadian and have been living in Johannesburg for 6 years.
Firstly, no one is following you from the airport.
Secondly, tsunamis? Really? Johannesburg is landlocked and very dry. No tsunamis. No floods.
Thirdly, do NOT go walking around to find markets. Try the Maboneng Market, Rosebank Sunday Rooftop Market, but take an uber to get there.
Fourthly, things do not close Saturday-Monday??? Most of the awesome markets are on Sunday. Most malls close around 5-6pm.
Fifthly, put your damn cell phone away if you don’t want it to be snatched from your hand.
Sixth, don’t get off the red bus anywhere except Sandton or Rosebank if you’re obviously a tourist with a big camera or luggage.
Local?
Canadian? LOL. What kind of Moron would move from Canada to South Africa. That is, unless you’re not white, which means you’re NOT Canadian,
What is wrong with YOU? Much of SA is WHITE…sadly…. My daughter is white as the driven snow and has lived in Johan for the past 8mo…she would LOVE to work and live there. It is dangerous yes, and especially for woman, but it is beyond beautiful. So without ever living there I’d suggest not making yourself look like a MORON and keep those dumb opinions to yourself….LOL
Highly unsafe, avoid Joburg if you can
Johannesburg beautiful??? You must be joking or you have never been there.
Only 7.8% of SA is white, so you are wrong there too.
The only reason people want to live in Joburg is that it is the business center of SA. More jobs, higher salaries.
But it is highly unsafe, especially at night and in the townships. Even in the better areas all houses have electric fence and armed response signs.
still, one of my friends was robbed at gun point in his own house. He sold his house the next day and moved to the south coast.
You’re one of the lucky few. I nearly got carjacked FIVE TIMES IN ONE WEEK. And I was just renting the car. Really… SA NEEDS to get carpet-bombed. It’s a bad country and it needs to change!
Moving from Canada to South Africa is just being stupid
From Airport following
I agree with tsunami BS . BUT … You are uninformed if you do not know that tourists are followed from the airport!! My family and I have been victim to this!
useless
Tsunamis in Jhb? It’s like warning of sunstroke at the North Pold. Good lord. And being white in Johannsburg makes you stand out? You guys do realise that a significant percentage of the native Jo’burgers are white, yes?
What kak
Whoever wrote this is not South African and most likely has never placed one foot on our soil. This article is laughable.
Inaccurate
I’m a female living in Johannesburg and though Johannesburg does have its problems, I can confirm that there are many, many inaccuracies in this article.
Tell me about safety experience in Johannesburg
Thanks for your contribution to the article, please can you help me with accurate experience of safety in Johannesburg, just planning a visit soon. Thank you
40? Are you absolutely brain defunct? More like 90. This place is on the same shit level as Yemen.
It’s kind of wild how a city with so much going on can feel a bit like a game of dodgeball when it comes to dangerous spots, right?
Standing near the stock exchange and watching the city pulse, I feel proud of Joburg’s energy yet uncomfortably aware of the sharp inequality right next door.