Soweto Exploration by Bicycle: Visit Iconic Landmarks and Enjoy Local Cuisine

Experience the vibrant Soweto on a bicycle tour. Visit iconic landmarks, taste local cuisine, and learn about the history of apartheid. Book now!

Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Phomolong - Sharing stories about different family generations, how apartheid had an impact in everyone, and how Soweto has changed today.

  • Mzimhlophe - Visiting the only former women’s residential hostel in Soweto, which housed domestic workers working in the Suburbs of Johannesburg.

  • Nkungu Street - Visiting Mama Lillian Mgoyi’s home, an anti-apartheid activist, President of the Women’s League and she is one of the women who led a women’s march of 20,000 women to the Union Buildings of Pretoria in protest against the apartheid government requiring women to carry passbooks as part of the pass laws.

  • Hector Pieterson Museum and Memorial - 1976. youth uprising

  • Orlando Stadium - Orlando Stadium is the heart of Soweto as it boasts a rich and proud history that dates back to 1959 when it was originally built.

After being demolished and rebuilt from scratch at a cost of R280 million, the new look Orlando Stadium now houses a capacity crowd of 37 139 spectators which includes 21 hospitality suites, two open hospitality areas, conference rooms, a gymnasium and a 200-seater auditorium.

Not only is the original ‘Mecca of South African football’ home to local giants and 1995 CAF Champions League winners, Orlando Pirates – but the venue has also moved up the popularity ranks for its hosting skills in major sports and entertainment events.

The venue continued to raise the benchmark in South African history as it hosted the first ever rugby matches when the 2010 Vodacom SuperRugby competition semi-final and final fixtures were hosted at Orlando Stadium.

  • Mandela House - famous house of Nelson Mandela
  • Vilakazi Street - 2 Noble piece price winners
  • Soweto - Biking around the township
  • Orlando Police Department - The OPD was formed in 1875 and has evolved over time to meet the needs of the growing city.
    It employs over 800 sworn officers and more than 150 civilian employees who serve the citizens of Orlando through various functions.
What's Included
  • Bottled water
  • Bicycle and Helmet
  • Lunch
What's Not Included
  • Entrance Fee: Nelson Mandela House (R60)
  • All additional Items and Cost
  • Pick-up and Drop-off
Additional Information

Embark on a fun and unique tour experience as you explore the urban complexity of Soweto on a bicycle. Get to experience the township like a local, get a glimpse of Hector Pietersen Museum, Mandela House and Tutu House.

Start your cycling tour in at the Hector Pietersen, to learn how Soweto’s Establishment in 1904 and the history of this famous Township.
Continue to Mama Lilian Ngoyi’s house, an anti-apartheid activist. Cycle to Hector Pietersen Museum where the Soweto uprising transpired which was one of the turning points of apartheid.

This tour will get you closer to all the highlights of Soweto. See the Mandela House, where Nelson Mandela lived from 1946 to 1962.
Then, pass by Tutu House on Vilakazi Street, where Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his family once resided. Talk about the Nobel Laureate’s contribution to apartheid’s downfall in South Africa.

Give your feet a break by stopping for lunch. Taste South African sandwiches called kota before cycling back to the starting point.

Location
7346 Kumalo St
Kumalo Street
Meet your guide in front of the Vilakazi Espresso, opposite the Hector Pieterson Memorial. Please wait INSIDE the coffee shop if you arrive before your tour starts! (We will communicate with you via WhatsApp or Message before your tour starts)
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(152 Ratings)
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Erna_v
Aug 13, 2024
Temba is a great guide!... - Temba is a great guide! We went up in the cool towers because someone asked it. Temba is very flexible en changes his program at the spot.
Review provided by Viator
Tasha
Jul 29, 2024
Amazing experience and very informative about the culture and history. - This was a huge highlight of our Joburg trip, extremely educational, humbling and warm. The tour guide Mulalo was excellent and has great knowledge and very smart😁
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cindy_w
Jul 22, 2024
Don't miss this bike tour with Themba - This was a wonderful tour, from the start at the espresso shop owned by the grandson of Vilikazi after whom the street was named, to the end with our kota sandwich lunch and visit to the Mandela house. Themba was an excellent guide - super-knowledgeable and so generous with his knowledge and enthusiasm. Biking was perfect for the tour because it allowed us to cover so much territory. Highly recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Kristopher_d
Jul 9, 2024
Perfect way to take in Soweto - Themba is a phenomenal guide. Funny. Knowledgeable. Engaging. And with teens, he was sure to include them. Themba gave us candy to give to local kiddos along our bike ride. Speaking of, it’s a hilly ride with a single speed bike so be sure you are comfortable with that. The kota lunch stop was delicious and informative. Take advantage of the stops that Themba offers and don’t miss out on an amazing treat/drink at the start: Vilakazi Espresso (so friendly!!!).
Review provided by Viator
Marlainar2018
Jul 9, 2024
Great overview of Soweto - Great experience to round out our learning about the history of Joburg and South Africa. Taking the bikes meant that we got to cover lots of ground and see many neighborhoods - not to mention it's fun! Bikes were in good working order and it was easy to follow the guide. Our guide was kind and informative, and the lunch was delicious! Would definitely recommend this tour. Side note: we are fairly fit so didn't mind riding the hills on a single speed bike, but perhaps consider your fitness level for this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
L1929pcmartak
Jul 7, 2024
Informative and fun morning bike tour! - Themba was a wonderful tour guide! The tour started in the main square where he gave us a great history of the neighborhood. Once on the bikes, we were able to cover 12.5kms during our 2 hours tour. We saw so much and really enjoyed the morning bike ride. The bikes and helmets provided were good and allowed to get up and down the rolling terrain.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Molly_n
Jul 4, 2024
Themba was an excellent... - Themba was an excellent guide on our bike tour! We were able to see many parts of the Soweto neighborhood and he was very knowledgeable at each point. There are many hills, but we were able to manage fine as three casual biking adults, but it was also a good workout and allowed us to see more of the area than we would have by foot.
Review provided by Viator
Venture10631830658
Jun 30, 2024
A really good experience to go on a bike ride in Soweto - A really nice and informative bike tour around Soweto with Themba as a guide. Themba was a skilled guide who ensured that I got answers to all my questions and that had a really nice afternoon in Soweto. Can only be recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mary
Jun 25, 2024
Incredible tour & guide! - Our guide, Themba, was fantastic! He knew so much about Soweto history, culture, and traditions. He answered all of our questions and took us to a great lunch spot where we ate kota. We thoroughly enjoyed our tour of Soweto and were especially glad to have done so via biking. I highly recommend this experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Daniela_w
Jun 18, 2024
Great experience - We loved the vibe of the community. The people were very friendly and open. We also liked Kota! ☺️ Our guide was amazing! Thank you Themba.
Review provided by Viator
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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