Ultimate Johannesburg Soweto Experience
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore vibrant Soweto township
- Visit the Apartheid Museum
- See Nelson Mandela's former home
- Discover Archbishop Desmond Tutu's residence
- Experience local culture and history
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Guided tour of Soweto township
- Visit to the Apartheid Museum
- Meals and beverages
Itinerary
After pick-ups, we make our way to Constitutional Hill in Braamfontein for a guided tour of this iconic institution. Constitution Hill is a living museum that tells the story of South Africa’s journey to democracy. The site is a former prison and military fort that bears testament to South Africa’s turbulent past. Today, it’s home to the country’s Constitutional Court which endorses the rights of all citizens. We cross over the striking Mandela Bridge on our way into Johannesburg CBD. Named in honour of Nelson Mandela, the 284-metre long bridge is the largest cable-stayed bridge in South Africa and links two significant business districts.
We cross over the striking Mandela Bridge on our way into Newtown. Named in honour of Nelson Mandela, the 284-metre long bridge is the largest cable-stayed bridge in South Africa and links two significant business districts. The Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown, Johannesburg in South Africa is a public space named after Mary "Pickhandle" Fitzgerald, who is considered to have been the first female trade unionist in the country.
Next stop is the Apartheid Museum. It’s a one-of- its-kind museum that showcases South Africa in the turbulent years of the apartheid era. The museum illustrates the rise and fall of apartheid through a series of 22 individual exhibitions that take you on an emotional journey from the heartbreaking struggle for freedom and equality to the ultimate climax of the election of Nelson Mandela, the first Black president of South Africa. It’s mid-day by the time we visit the Apartheid Museum. You can get something to eat and drink at the Truth Café (own cost)
Pass by: On our way to Soweto we pass by the National Football Stadium City, which hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the World Cup 2010.
We leave the museum at about 14h00 and make our way to Soweto, driving past famous landmarks such as the FNB Soccer Stadium, Baragwanath Hospital and the massive Soweto Towers.
Our first stop in Soweto is at Motsoaledi informal settlement. Walk through the streets with your guide past street cafés and craft markets to a community centre that MoAfrika sponsors. Greet and meet the people in the settlement and learn more about their way of life
Pass by: We continue on through Orlando West to the hub of Soweto. We stop outside Regina Mundi Church and Freedom Square for a quick overview
The Hector Pieterson Museum is a large museum located in Orlando West, Soweto, South Africa, two blocks away from where Hector Pieterson was shot and killed 16 June 1976.
We make our way down the vibrant Vilakazi Street, past iconic monuments and the homes of Nelson and Winnie Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
In Orlando West we visit Vilakazi Street- drive past the former home of Nelson Mandela and past the home of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. You will have an opportunity to read about the Soweto uprising on 16 June 1976. On that tragic day an innocent little boy called Hector Pieterson gave up his life and kick-started the liberation of South Africa.
Important information
Know before you book
- Confirm your booking at least 24 hours in advance.
- Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly.
- Ensure your camera or phone is fully charged for the tour.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes for the tour.
- Bring a camera to capture memorable moments.
- Carry local currency for any personal expenses.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Good to know
- A minimum of 2 adults per booking is required
- Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
Traveler reviews
Good tour of JNB
Our guide was amazing, nice, knowledgeable and accommodating. Lunch was a buffet, museums were good, lots of history and information. Soweto is educational, where you meet Jack and walk the free housing, take some goodies for the children of the daycare, they are very sweet! Pick up and drop off were seamless!
Perfect Tour of Johannesburg and Soweto
My wife and I just completed this tour of Johannesburg and Soweto. Our tour guide (Lepo) was fantastic. He personalized the tour for what we wanted to experience. We toured the former prison which was an extremely moving experience. The amount of history that we didn't know was amazing. We went to downtown Johannesburg and learned about the gold mining industry and viewed numerous historic sights. From there we spent over two hours going through the Apartheid Museum. This was absolutely shocking and the highlight of the tour. Very well worth every minute. Lepo gave us the entire tour of the museum. He is extremely knowledgeable in his countries history. From the museum we drove over to Soweto and viewed Nelson Mandela's Home and drove around all the historic areas. I highly recommend this tour when you visit Johannesburg.
Perfect Tour of Johannesburg and Soweto
My wife and I just completed this tour of Johannesburg and Soweto. Our tour guide (Lepo) was fantastic. He personalized the tour for what we wanted to experience. We toured the former prison which was an extremely moving experience. The amount of history that we didn't know was amazing. We went to downtown Johannesburg and learned about the gold mining industry and viewed numerous historic sights. From there we spent over two hours going through the Apartheid Museum. This was absolutely shocking and the highlight of the tour. Very well worth every minute. Lepo gave us the entire tour of the museum. He is extremely knowledgeable in his countries history. From the museum we drove over to Soweto and viewed Nelson Mandela's Home and drove around all the historic areas. I highly recommend this tour when you visit Johannesburg.
A Must-Do, Eye-Opening Tour with Exceptional Guides
An outstanding tour from start to finish. Khutso and Pollen were fantastic guides who were incredibly knowledgeable, engaging and passionate about sharing South Africa’s history and culture. The visit to the Apartheid Museum was eye-opening and thought-provoking, and the tour through Soweto provided a deeper understanding of the area’s history, people and significance. We learned so much throughout the day and appreciated the detailed explanations and local insights that brought everything to life. We always felt safe, well looked after and welcomed. This tour was one of the highlights of our time in Johannesburg and is something we would highly recommend to anyone wanting a genuine and informative experience.
Highly Recommended
We had an absolutely wonderful experience with Khutso and Pollen as our guides. They were knowledgeable, insightful, and provided detailed explanations throughout the tour, making every stop meaningful and engaging. What made the experience even more special was their initiative in arranging an impromptu visit to one of the Soweto childcare centres, which gave us a deeper understanding of the local community and its inspiring work. The Soweto visit itself was excellent—well-organized, informative, and truly memorable. Khutso and Pollen’s passion, professionalism, and warm hospitality made the entire experience enjoyable from start to finish. We genuinely enjoyed every moment and would highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for an authentic and enriching Soweto experience. Thank you, Khutso and Pollen, for making our visit so special!