what recommendations do you have for travel to south Africa. My son plans to visit 3 big cities, and hotels provide a driver between cities.
Everyone I have talked to said avoid Johannesburg because it is dangerous, and fly into Capetown instead.
In 2016 my spouse and I spent 4 weeks in Cape Town and then 10 days along the southern coast to Port Elizabeth. Those areas are well worth visiting but your son need to be very cautious about safely. Most areas of Cape Town are not safe to walk at night.
As noted by Henrius, your son should avoid Johannesburg. He should consider signing up for the State Department STEP program to get alerts while in South Africa.
If you both agree about Johannesburg, I will give them the message. It is not a trip I would take, as I am uncomfortable when I am outside the laws of our country, but that is me. thank you!
Driving between cities is usually not practical. I always fly between Joberg and Capetown. I’d recommend an itinerary planned by a local South African tour company for a first time visitor. Kruger NP and the Western Cape are must sees.
Allow me to say something slightly different. My family went to South Africa in 2018. Landed in Johannesburg, had our hosts pick us up (I forget how we got their info - need to go look into old emails) and take us to Rustenburg, a suburb. We stayed for a couple of days with them after which they dropped us back to the airport.
We flew to cape Town, rented a car for three days. Did some local sight seeing, then drove to Gweberha (previously Port Elizabeth) in a different rental car.
From there, we flew to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, via Johannesburg, and took a bus from there to Victoria Falls. Three days later, we returned to Johannesburg and flew out without leaving the airport.
Crime is supposed to be rife in the cities at night and day as well. We were on the alert throughout, but were never bothered. But again, we didn’t spend much time in the downtown area in either of these cities. Outside, it was all good.
Hope this helps.
