Exploring Johannesburg Safely in a Day
Johannesburg doesn’t have the best reputation for safety—but that doesn’t mean you can’t explore it confidently. With just one day to spare, we choose the hop-on hop-off bus to navigate Jozi safely, hit the highlights, and avoid unnecessary risks. Here’s what we learn.
Researching Safety in Jo’burg
Before we even set foot in Johannesburg, we feel nervous. A lot of what we read online is unsettling—firsthand blogs describe daylight muggings, Tripadvisor reviews raise red flags, and locals even call the city nicknames like “Jo-muggings-burg” or “Joburglar”. We don’t want to write the city off, but we do want to be prepared and stay realistic.
Having lived in Kenya, I remember clearly Nai-robbery (Nairobi).
Tour Options: What’s Best for a One-Day Visit?
If we only have one day in Johannesburg, we look at our options:
- Private tours – Flexible and tailored, but expensive (R1000–R2500 per person).
- Minibus tours via GetYourGuide – More affordable (R600–R900 per person), but locked into an itinerary.
- Uber + DIY – Gives freedom but comes with risk if you’re unfamiliar with the areas.
- Hop-On Hop-Off Bus – R275 per person when bought on the day. Cheaper, informative, and simple. But is it safe?
Because we’re short on time and still travel-weary, we choose the open-top bus. It’s direct, lets us pick and choose where to stop, and includes key places like Constitution Hill and the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
Getting to the Bus Start Point
We stay at the Southern Sun Hotel and skip the Gautrain. For two people, an Uber works out at half the cost and takes us directly to the Holiday Inn where the red buses stop. We don’t book ahead—after a 10.5-hour flight, we want flexibility—so we buy our tickets on the bus, on arrival.
Soweto or Not?
We debate visiting Soweto. It’s a major part of South Africa’s story and appears on many tour itineraries. But we feel uncertain. There’s a fine line between meaningful tourism and slum voyeurism, and we don’t want to cross it. With limited time, we decide to skip it. That said, we recognise these tours can bring valuable income to local communities—just something to weigh carefully.
Safety First: Our Strategy
We take safety seriously. I carry only a small water bottle in a sling bag. Cory hides spare cash and a card in his shoe. He wears shorts with awkward, secure pockets. We take just one phone for photos, no jewellery, and cheap plastic sunglasses. We want to look like we have nothing worth taking—because that’s part of the strategy. Blend in. Be low-key. Stay alert.
Our Day: Stops, Sights and Surprises
We travel on a Monday—forgetting the Apartheid Museum is closed. So, our first stop is the Nelson Mandela Foundation. It’s right across from the bus stop and gated, with full-time security. Entry is free, but we donate by card. Inside, we explore Mandela’s former office, handwritten notes, letters and photos. There are clean toilets, and outside stands a striking statue of Madiba.
The security guard keeps us inside the gates until the next bus arrives—he literally points and says “wait here until I see it.” That says a lot about both the risks and the precautions taken.
Next, we hop off at Constitution Hill. It’s busy with local school groups and watched over by several guards. It’s astonishing to realise that both Gandhi and Mandela are once imprisoned here. The site is powerful—converted into a museum space with exhibitions, old cells, and memorials. We spend nearly two hours here. There’s a small café inside the old fort with tea, cake, Wi-Fi, and updates on the next bus (they run about every 40 minutes).
At another photo stop, overlooking the skyline, a police car is visibly stationed for safety. At the Apartheid Museum (although closed), the compound is guarded and gated. Not every stop is like this, but the key ones are either inside secure areas or the bus drops you right at the door—no wandering involved.
Top Tips for Safe Touring
- Keep your ticket—it’s needed to reboard.
- Headphones are provided with multilingual commentary.
- Wear sunscreen—it’s scorching on the upper deck.
- Don’t take valuables.
- Dress plainly, walk confidently, stay aware.
Final Word
So was it our preparation, our boring clothes, or just dumb luck?
Maybe it was the hadeda ibis that poops purple on me mid-morning—a hilarious, unexpected omen. In Scotland if a bird poops on you it is good luck, does the same apply here?
Whatever the reason, we have a fantastic and safe day in Johannesburg. And we’re genuinely glad, we don’t let fear get in the way of discovering this complicated, powerful city.
