Joburg Car Rental Safe?
Mar 7th, 2008, 02:41 PM
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Joburg Car Rental Safe?
Hi, My daughter and I are in Joburg for a day on each side of our trip to Cape Town. Instead of trying to wedge a prepaid tour into our tight schedule and then being stranded at the airport hotel for half the time, doesn't it make sense to just rent a car and drive around? We do want to see Sowet, Apartheid Museum, Pretoria. Can't we just go by ourselves and check it out? I lived in Manhattan for 10 years so I'm street smart. I've driven in England on the wrong side for a few months...Please advise. Thanks, Christine
Mar 7th, 2008, 03:11 PM
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I don't live in South Africa, I had visited South Africa in 2004. Often rental vehicles and tourists are robbed, I was told NOT to rent a car and drive around. I recommend you go on a tour to Soweto. I would venture into the townships by myself.
The Apartheid Museum is okay, Pretoria is worth visiting. I would consider going to the Voortrekker Monument.
Hope this helps.
The Apartheid Museum is okay, Pretoria is worth visiting. I would consider going to the Voortrekker Monument.
Hope this helps.
Mar 9th, 2008, 08:25 AM
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I wouldn't go to Soweto on my own, because it's huge and way too easy to get lost in, but my husband and I always drive around Jo'burg and Pretoria in our rental car. We only avoid the old downtown area of Jo'burg. People drive in Sandton, Rosebank, etc., all the time. We've also driven alone to the Apartheid Museum. It's near the Market Theatre, an area which I think has gone downhill in the last few years, so it might be a good idea to ask locally about that.
I read somewhere in the last few days (in the Wall Street Journal?) that the crime rate in Johannesburg is going down. I don't want to sound like a Pollyanna, but I hope that's correct!
I read somewhere in the last few days (in the Wall Street Journal?) that the crime rate in Johannesburg is going down. I don't want to sound like a Pollyanna, but I hope that's correct!
Mar 9th, 2008, 09:04 AM
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Ok, I have a little more time, my reasons:
1. Safety. A local driver will be aware of areas to avoid and proper precautions to take. Break-ins at stoplights do occur, even in the best areas (I had friends it happened to).
2. Traffic. A local driver will be aware of the best routes to take to avoid traffic jams, which occur frequently in the area often because of construction.
3. Navigation. If you are worrying about finding you way, you will not enjoy the sights while getting there and may well get lost.
While all might go well if you drove yourselves, at the least, your stress level will be way up. I would suggest you find a local guide who would do the driving for you. Search or post here as I believe others have mentioned individuals they have used. A bonus is you will get to meet and learn from a local.
1. Safety. A local driver will be aware of areas to avoid and proper precautions to take. Break-ins at stoplights do occur, even in the best areas (I had friends it happened to).
2. Traffic. A local driver will be aware of the best routes to take to avoid traffic jams, which occur frequently in the area often because of construction.
3. Navigation. If you are worrying about finding you way, you will not enjoy the sights while getting there and may well get lost.
While all might go well if you drove yourselves, at the least, your stress level will be way up. I would suggest you find a local guide who would do the driving for you. Search or post here as I believe others have mentioned individuals they have used. A bonus is you will get to meet and learn from a local.
