Johannesburg splits opinions among travelers planning a South Africa trip: plenty of people skip the city entirely and head straight to Cape Town or on safari, scared off by its reputation for danger. But skipping Johannesburg means missing the Apartheid Museum, Soweto, and Mandela House — three of the most important places to understand the country’s recent history. You can visit Johannesburg with real safety, as long as you follow one simple rule: never walk the streets on foot, use only Uber or guided tours, and choose accommodation in neighborhoods like Sandton or Rosebank.
Set aside at least two full days: one for the Apartheid Museum and Soweto, another for Constitution Hill and the quieter neighborhoods like Sandton and Rosebank. The city works well as a base for those also heading to Pretoria, Kruger, or the nearby private safari reserves.
Getting there
OR Tambo International Airport receives flights from several airlines with connections via São Paulo, Doha, or Addis Ababa — there’s no direct flight from Brazil. From the airport to Sandton, the Gautrain train is the fastest and safest option, taking about 15 minutes.
Outside the Gautrain, the Uber app is the recommended way to get around the city; walking the streets, even during the day, isn’t advised outside areas like Sandton. Brazilians don’t need a visa to enter South Africa for tourist trips of up to 90 days, but must present a yellow fever vaccination certificate at immigration.
Best time to visit and how long to stay
The shoulder seasons — March to May (fall) and September to November (spring) — bring mild temperatures between 15°C and 25°C and are the most comfortable window for walking through the Apartheid Museum and Soweto without extreme heat or cold. Summer (December to February) is hot with late-afternoon showers; winter (June to August) is dry and cold at night but with sunny days.
Two full days are enough for the essentials: one for the Apartheid Museum and Soweto, another for Constitution Hill and the quieter neighborhoods like Sandton and Rosebank. Those heading on to Pretoria or Kruger safaris can add one or two more days based in the city.
What to see
Reopened in 2022, the Apartheid Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. When you buy your ticket, each visitor randomly receives an ID marked “whites” or “non-whites” and must enter through the corresponding gate — a simulation that sets the tone right away. Set aside at least two hours to take in the panels, photographs, and archival videos at your own pace.
Soweto
Soweto is about 30 minutes from the city center and is today a living district, not an open-air museum. Vilakazi Street is the only street in the world that has been home to two Nobel Peace Prize winners — Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu lived just a few meters apart. Mandela House, where he lived from 1946, sells tickets at the box office and displays personal belongings and photos from his early activist days.
Soweto isn’t the kind of place to explore solo on a first visit — not because of safety per se, but because the value of the experience lies in the narrative a local guide can tell, with stories that don’t appear on any plaque. The painted cooling towers of Orlando, now a bungee jumping and rappelling spot, have become a symbol of the neighborhood and are worth a stop even for those just wanting photos.
What to pair with your trip
If you’d rather knock out Soweto and the Apartheid Museum in a single guided tour without worrying about transport and safety, you can book a combined excursion:
For those combining with Pretoria, a guided day trip to the administrative capital is also worth it, covering the Union Buildings and the historic center.
Where to eat
Sandton and Rosebank concentrate the most tourist-friendly and safe restaurants, with a good range of South African barbecue (braai), international cuisine, and covered markets like the Rosebank Sunday Market, open on Sundays. In Soweto, try home-style cooking at a restaurant recommended by your tour guide — the food experience there usually comes as part of the tour, not separate from it.
Where to stay
Sandton, the city’s financial district, is the safest and most practical option for tourists, with hotels across all price ranges, shopping, and proximity to the Gautrain station. Rosebank is a slightly quieter, more residential alternative, also well connected. Melrose Arch adds security to a more boutique vibe, with restaurants and shops just steps from your stay — but even there, take an Uber at night.
Practical tips
Johannesburg regularly appears on lists of the world’s most violent cities, but most incidents happen far from tourist routes. The practical rule that works: don’t walk the streets on foot (especially at night and in the historic center), use only Uber or official transport like the Gautrain, and stay in neighborhoods like Sandton, Rosebank, or Melrose Arch, all with solid private security infrastructure.
Mandela House tickets cost 180 rands for adults (as of July 2024) and are sold only at the local ticket office, with no option to buy in advance online. A five-day trip to Johannesburg, not counting international airfare, typically runs between R$ 3,000 and R$ 5,000 per person. You can also pair the visit with a day trip to the Sterkfontein Caves, an archaeological site where some of the world’s oldest hominid fossils were discovered.
If you’re already planning to tack on Cape Town, it’s worth mapping out both destinations together — check out our complete Cape Town guide too, with a four-day itinerary and safety tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Johannesburg dangerous for tourists?
The city has high crime rates, but it’s possible to visit safely by following simple rules: don’t walk on the streets, use Uber or the Gautrain to get around, and stay in neighborhoods like Sandton or Rosebank.
How many days do you need to see Johannesburg?
Two full days are enough for the essentials: one for the Apartheid Museum and Soweto, another for Constitution Hill and the city’s quieter neighborhoods.
Do Brazilians need a visa to visit Johannesburg?
No. Brazilians can enter without a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days, but you’ll need to show a yellow fever vaccination certificate at immigration.
Where should I stay in Johannesburg for safety?
Sandton, Rosebank, and Melrose Arch are the most recommended neighborhoods for tourists, with solid security infrastructure and easy access to restaurants and transit.
Conclusion
Johannesburg rewards travelers who take the time to dig into its history instead of skipping straight to the safari. With the right precautions around getting around and where you stay, the Apartheid Museum, Soweto, and Mandela House deliver a layer of understanding about South Africa that no other destination in the country offers. For more itineraries and tips on destinations like this, you’ll find them right here on voyagevoyage.