Garden Route from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town and Johanasberg

Hi Tinalj--My itinerary is similar to yours---I am landing in Joburg 9/9 & after much research & advice from a local friend, decided to stay in the Maboneng precinct at Curiocity Hostel. it's a safe & gentrifying area of the city, where you can walk around, not so in many other parts of the city. The hostel is well priced & offers tours of Soweto on Monday/Wed/Friday. They also have single/double rooms ensuite. I was going to stay in Melville but was told that under any circumstance not to walk solo outside of the guest house, even during day time. That changed my mind!

Wow, trip advisor said it was fine.
Thanks

You may get others on this Froum who have been there to give their opinions. I was planning on walking around Melville solo anyhow, just not at night. I think you'll be fine.

Hi,

Melville is a nice area, but you can also consider Rosebank. Since you'll be there on a Sunday you will be able to experience the great rooftop market at the Rosebank Mall if you have time. There are also lots of restaurants and shops around and the area is safe for walking around in. It's easy to get to Rosebank from the airport on the Gautrain. Getting to Melville would mean arranging private transport. Melville also has restaurants, cafés and little shops, but personally I would prefer Rosebank. Both areas have a little bit of a bohemian feel. You could also consider the Sandton area - it's very upmarket with a large mall and fancy hotels but less personality. Sandton is also on the Gautrain line. The Gautrain also goes to Park Station where the Hop On Hop Off Bus departs from.

Are you considering renting a car for the Garden Route or do you specifically want to take a tour?

Lidia has given great advice about Joburg.
For the Garden Route: how much time will how have? Are you considering renting car and/or travelling by bus ? Or do you want to go on a tour (nothing wrong with that of course).

Hi lollylo25,

I feel that the warning given to you about Melville is a little inaccurate. I would definitely not say that it is one of the dangerous areas in Joburg. If someone says that one can't walk around alone there during the day then they would probably also say that one can't walk around alone anywhere in the city. This is a very debatable topic though and I've found that people here can have vastly different opinions on what is safe and not, some being extremely paranoid but maybe justified based on experience or unjustified based on rumors, it is often difficult to know what the reality is. Personally I would feel relatively comfortable walking by myself during the day around the streets of Melville where the shops and restaurants are located. As always though, it is best to be vigilant and aware of one's surroundings at all times, not carry valuables etc., even if an area is supposed to be safe. I do not know if this warning was maybe for a specific part on the outskirts of Melville, but in general it is safe.

The Maboneng area is safe, but just be aware that it is still in the CBD and next to Hillbrow which is generally regarded as the most dangerous part of the city so please don't venture outside of Maboneng on your own. I'm sure you will have a great time there :-)

I think this Melville inn owner said it wasn't safe outside of the cafe-restaurant area, on the side streets, solo female.. And I would add that there are many parts of San Diego where this advice is well taken also, even during the day. And you are correct, I have friends who live in Joburg & are astonished I am staying in Maboneng close to Hillbrow. My work in San Diego is in city gentrification real estate development , & I am going to do some business research, so I am very aware of what I am going to find.When I am in Joburg I will only travel in groups, for sure. So with that said, CBD may not be for everyone, but I think I'll be ok.

Can I walk anywhere at night to go for a meal or not. I am street savvy, but will be travel weary.

I was going to go on an organised trip, but all start dates don't work. Was going to start on 28th and spend 5-7 days. Looked at driving and it seems ok, I was just worried about driving on my own and not knowing the route.
Where would you stay? would rather guest house but would like ensure and ideally able to walk safely around, ideally in the evening as well.