STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

ILoveChoo · Hermes

south africa

Collette · Chanel

I have I spent 3 weeks in South Africa, Botswana and Zambia in October. Jo'berg is relatively safe and I'm stretching a bit when I say relatively. There is a chance of something happening, the mall we went to when we had our lay over there was recently robbed by armed gunmen. I wouldn't recommend basing a trip around Jo'berg. It's more of a lay over type of place. Though if you do go I recommend staying at the Grace Hotel. It's nice, it's safe. When we went out to dinner after dark they had someone escort us there and back even though it was only a few blocks away.

Where else in S. Africa are you looking to go?

Metric · Gucci

I lived in Jo'burg when I was a baby

But I haven't been back since the apartheid ended so I'm not alot of help. But according to my cousin who still lives there, crime is a huge problem. Car-jacking in particular. And as a white, woman foreigner you are probably at a greater risk. Its really sad b/c ZA is so beautiful and full of culture.

If you have any specific questions I can email my cousin for you.

bumblebee · Coach

why don't you go to cape town instead? it has a lower crime rate and is more tropical--it's kind of like san diego in feeling and is really having a renaissance right now with hotels and restaurants. you'd be close enough to some of the big game reserves in botswana that you could combine the trip with that. you could also drive out into the wine country from there, too, or go towards durban and hermanus (little beach/resort towns on the south coast, big for surfing).

jettie · Kate Spade

I second the Cape Town suggestion. It is absolutely beautiful there....definitely a California vibe. It reminded me a lot of SF. If you are traveling all the way to SA, I would definitely hit multiple locations and extend your vacation a bit.

Collette · Chanel

Capetown was Ok it was a bit boring, perhaps we were just tired though after 3 weeks on safari. However I would certainly recommend going up the winelands. Gorgeous and relaxing.

ILoveChoo · Hermes

I think we might skip out on it altogether. We were really just looking around and saw a good deal for Jo'Berg but its freaking me out too much. Maybe we'll do someplace like Denmark instead. That would be just as "different" for us but I wouldn't be freaking out the whole time.