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Hillbrow Exploration: Discover Johannesburg's Notorious and Misunderstood District
5.0
125 Ratings
Johannesburg
Explore the streets of Hillbrow and Berea and discover more about one of Johannesburg’s most notorious and misunderstood districts.
Explore the streets of Hillbrow and Berea and discover more about one of Johannesburg’s most notorious and misunderstood districts.
Duration:
3 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Ponte City Apartments - Ponte Tower held the title of the Tallest Residential Building in Africa from 1975 - 2017. At 173m tall with a hallow core, it is a brutalist architectural sight to behold.
- Hillbrow - A 2km walk around Berea and Hillbrow. Passing a slum & hijacked building, Alec Gorschel Park, Telkom Tower, the infamous Summit Club and key Johannesburg boulevard Pretoria Street
- Ponte City Apartments - Ponte Tower held the title of the Tallest Residential Building in Africa from 1975 - 2017. At 173m tall with a hallow core, it is a brutalist architectural sight to behold.
- Hillbrow - A 2km walk around Berea and Hillbrow. Passing a slum & hijacked building, Alec Gorschel Park, Telkom Tower, the infamous Summit Club and key Johannesburg boulevard Pretoria Street

What's Included
- Lunch
- Lunch
Location
1 Lily Ave
Lily Avenue
Our starting point is Ponte Tower - entrance is at 1 Lily Avenue Berea. It looks like a dead end but the black entrance gate is at the end on the left. Tell security you are here for Dlala Nje!
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(125 Ratings)
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1 star
Annieb564
May 11, 2025
Everyone who visits Johannesburg should take this tour! - I can't recommend this walking tour enough. Depending on who you talk to, you'll get a wide spectrum of opinions about the safety and culture of Johannesburg, but the only way to really experience it is by immersing yourself in a tour like this. Our group was slightly anxious going into the tour in terms of safety, but the guides Delight and Mbongiseni were amazing in making us feel comfortable e.g. meeting us at the entrance gate when we got lost, waiting with us at the end of the tour until our taxis arrived. This tour really changed my perceptions of what inner city Joburg was like, and I learnt so much interesting information. It was definitely one of the highlights of my trip to South Africa in terms of cultural experiences. It was also really cool seeing the view of the city from the top of the tower, as well as the view from the very bottom looking up. Unique and meaningful experience that everyone visiting Johannesburg should do.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
O3113hbemmaj
May 4, 2025
Well looked after - We arrived 20mins late but the guys waited for us and helped us catch up with the tour. Delight and Mbongiseni also stayed with us at the end making sure we got a Bolt and requesting a refund for me on a cancelled trip as well. They showed us around the neighborhood they were very welcoming and it felt like being shown around by friends with plenty of opportunities to ask questions. It didn't feel like they were trying to push or sell anything but really open to telling us about their experiences growing up in the area and the difference influences that make the area what it is today as well as in the past. We felt safe the whole time and the energy of the street was just people going about their daily business, some a little curious about us. We really enjoyed the trip and are really glad we picked this one you can see that the money from tours goes back into helping the community.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
532silasb
Apr 3, 2025
Best tour in joburg - Was super nice too see the part of joburg everybody warns you about. Felt safe the whole time and it really helped to prove me wrong about my misconceptions about the area. Would recommend for everybody but especially locals to get out of comfort zone. The tour guides were very nice and the views in the penthouse in Ponte Tower were amazing!!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ktong002
Mar 24, 2025
The most authentic city tour in Johannesburg - If there is only one city tour you can do in Johannesburg, this is the one!
Dlala Nje has been doing wonderful community work for Hillbrow and they know things inside out in the neighborhood. The one-hour neighborhood walk is safe, pleasant and very informative. Upon returning to the legendary Ponte City, we were shown the amazing views at the top with our lunch box and the equally appalling view at the bottom of the structure.
The team gives clear and detailed instruction over how to get to the place and escorts us out to our Uber cars when the tour is finished.
The tour is very organized and a big shout out to our guide Delight and his teammates Mbongiseni and Mangaliso!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
P614deroberton
Mar 22, 2025
Big thanks to Delight, Mbongiseni, and Mangaliso - Wonderful experience, Delight is a perfect and competent guide, the other colleagues the perfect company in the tour, the area and the story behind is very interesting, a great experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Simon_f
Mar 12, 2025
Our Hillbrow experience - We had a very informative tour through Hillbrow and enjoyed a good lunch. The guides were extremely nice and very knowledgeable about the history. I definitely recommend this tour!
Review provided by Viator
818georgw
Mar 1, 2025
Interesting and insightful. - I'm really happy I did this tour. It's a great way to get ouf of the "island hopping" way of seeing Joburg, ubering from one place to the next. Our guides were super nice and knowledgeable. Thanks for sharing your Joburg with me! I definitely recommend, but as they say: come with an open mind and heart.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
O3922syjons
Feb 23, 2025
Dangerous but important - A tour you will hardly forget. Our guide Delight took us trough some really dangerous areas we would never venture into by ourselves, and calmly explained what was before our eyes. He is extremely knowledgeable and respected in the community, so under his wings you will be safe. He puts the difficulties into perspective, focusing on the everyday peoples challenges, which are not few to count.
They also do amazing work with supporting the children in the area. Highly worth a visit.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gijsbert5150
Feb 18, 2025
Excellent Tour - Excellent tour. Well worth it. I think all South Africans and Joburgers should go on this tour to educate themselves, but also challenge their perceptions.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anthony_d
Feb 6, 2025
Excellent!!!!!!!!!!!! - I recently took a walking tour of Hillbrow in Johannesburg, and it was one of the most eye-opening, informative, and exciting experiences I’ve had in the city. Hillbrow has a reputation for being one of the most misunderstood neighborhoods in Jozi, but this tour completely changed my perspective.
Our tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable, sharing the history, challenges, and transformation of Hillbrow with passion and depth. He took us through the bustling streets, past iconic landmarks like Ponte City, and into local markets, giving us a real feel for the community’s energy. His storytelling brought the neighborhood to life, from its past as an upscale suburb to its present-day status as a vibrant, multicultural hub.
What made the tour even more exciting was the authenticity and realness of the experience. We got to interact with locals, try some street food, and see firsthand how people live and work in Hillbrow. The guide also made sure we felt safe throughout the tour, emphasizing the importance of understanding rather than fearing the area.
If you want to see a different side of Johannesburg, one that’s raw, rich in history, and full of resilience, I highly recommend this tour. It’s an unforgettable experience that challenges perceptions and offers a deeper appreciation of the city’s heartbeat.
Review provided by Viator
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