Soweto and Johannesburg Exclusive Full Day Guided Tour

Discover the rich history and vibrant streets of Johannesburg, the City of Gold, on an exclusive full-day guided tour with Stephenson Adventures. Uncover the origins of this African economic powerhouse and immerse yourself in its modern-day energy.

Duration: 8 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Nelson Mandela Square - Home to an iconic statue of Nelson Mandela, this square is a popular attraction in Johannesburg.

  • Houghton Estate - Nelson Mandela’s Houghton house, where he moved with his wife towards the end of his presidency. Houghton Estate is a beautiful, leafy-green, affluent northern suburb of Johannesburg.

  • Munro Drive - A scenic viewpoint offering beautiful, leafy-green views of Johannesburg North.

  • Hillbrow Tower - The Hillbrow Tower, an emblem of the city, dominates the Johannesburg skyline.

  • Constitution Hill - A living museum that narrates South Africa’s journey to democracy. Once a prison and military fort, it now houses the Constitutional Court, which upholds the rights of all citizens.

  • Braamfontein - A vibrant area with museums, theatres, nightlife, restaurants, trendy coffee shops, contemporary art galleries, and unique design and fashion stores.

  • Nelson Mandela Bridge - A striking and famous landmark in Johannesburg, this relatively new bridge has quickly gained iconic status.

  • Newtown - Rich in biodiversity and cultural history dating back to the 1880s, Newtown is now a hub of progress and arts with numerous art galleries, museums, and theatres.

  • Mining District - Explore the city’s early mining history with relics from the gold rush, such as mining headgear, stamp presses, and carts, along with informative boards detailing the history.

  • Gandhi Square - Features a statue of Mahatma Gandhi, depicting the Indian independence campaigner and nonviolent pacifist as a young man.

  • Carlton Centre - Known as Johannesburg CBD, this area is one of the main business centers of Johannesburg and has the densest collection of skyscrapers in Africa.

  • Maboneng Precinct - Meaning “Place of Light,” this thriving community features a mix of restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, art galleries, and retail and studio spaces, attracting both inner-city residents and the chic, art-going crowd.

  • FNB Stadium - On the way to Soweto, you’ll pass the largest stadium (Soccer City), which hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and has been the site of historic events. The stadium’s unique design is internationally acclaimed.

  • Diepkloof Park - Learn about the origins of Soweto township and current “kasi” life before walking in the footsteps of legends like Nobel Peace Prize winners Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu at their houses on Vilakazi Street.

  • Orlando Towers - These towers have become one of the most distinctive landmarks in Soweto Township.

  • Vilakazi Street - Visit the houses of Nobel Peace Prize winners Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu on this famous street in South Africa.

  • Mandela’s House - Visit the house where former South African president Nelson Mandela lived. Now known as No. 8115, it is one of South Africa’s most significant heritage sites, telling its story through sound, film, interpretive panels, and guided tours.

  • Hector Pieterson Museum and Memorial - A national heritage site near the spot where 13-year-old Hector was shot during the Soweto Uprising on June 16, 1976. It symbolizes resistance to the brutality of the apartheid government.

  • Regina Mundi Catholic Church - Known as “the people’s church,” this site played a pivotal role in the township’s history of resistance against apartheid.

  • Kliptown Youth Program - Optional squatter camp tour.

What's Included
  • Bottled water
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • Pickup & Drop off from any Hotels around Johannesburg or Pretoria
What's Not Included
  • Tea and coffee
  • Lunch
  • Carbonated beverages
  • On-board WiFi
Additional Information

Jo’burg. Jozi. Egoli. Built on gold, Johannesburg has always been a city of opportunities!

Named after Johann Rissik (principal clerk surveyor-general of the Transvaal Republic) and Christiaan Johannes Joubert (chief of mining and member of the Volkstaad) who recommended the area be declared a goldfield, it owes its existence to George Harrison

Trace Johannesburg’s history from its humble gold-mining beginnings to the pulsing streets of this modern-day African economic giant with a personal tour from Stephenson Adventures. This tour is simply the best way to explore and experience the city of Gold.

Location
Nelson Mandela Square
Fl 1st Medical Mews, Cnr Rivonia Road and 5th Street
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
5.0
(114 Ratings)
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Pioneer42557540105
Jul 21, 2024
Wonderful tour! - The tour was excellent. Our guide, Tsholo, did a great job of showing us the various neighborhoods of Johannesburg and giving us some of the history of apartheid. They also went of their way to accommodate our schedule so we could catch our return flight home
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sightsee765806
Jul 18, 2024
Must Do Tour with Mo - This is a very comprehensive one-day tour which covers key historical sites, insights about South Africa's political journey and how the people live today. You get to see where and how wealthy, middle class and working class people live in Johannesburg and Soweto which is enlightening and sobering. We also visited a local community program which provides after school and education programs in Kliptown. This was a great experience. Through this one-day tour I learned so much about South Africa and Johannesburg thanks to our amazing tour guide Mo. Mo is extremely knowlegeable about so many aspects about South Africa. He is easy to talk to and very kind. After nearly 3 weeks of running around on vacation in Africa, part way through this tour the arthritis in my leg started impacting my ability to walk and Mo voluntarily arranged for a wheel chair for me at the Constitution Hill site and then wheeled me around the site. This goes well above and beyond what any tour guide is expected to do. But this is the kind of generous and compassionate person who Mo is. This is a great tour, and Mo is beyond fabulous as the tour guide!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sandrasy625cf
Jul 13, 2024
Perfectly curated itinerary for overview of the area - An awesome day spent with Mo who explained so much historical events and political messages and activities…. It was excellent dialogue and entertainment along with moving visual stops perfectly curated for our group. Highly recommend for big picture and just enough detail to believe you can understand the people and culture some.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Deborah_k
Jul 7, 2024
Awesome - I was very glad to hear the history of the area. Mo showed us the difference in the housing between low, middle and upper income. Seeing the houses of Mr. Mandela.
Review provided by Viator
Heatherau5603cv
Jun 16, 2024
Awesome… won’t be disappointed!!! First class! - We had an amazing trip! Traveled with my 79 year old mom and this company is first class and everything was perfect. Highly recommended. Great staff, knowledgeable, attentive, felt very safe and very educational. I also hired them to pick us up at the airport and take us back. There were on time, helped with bags and very good vehicles and safe driving! Also their communication via email and also WhatsApp was always returned very timely. Again definitely give them your business! You will not be dissatisfied! One of the best oversees companies I have used on my travel! Thanks again for an unbelievable trip!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kelly_pereiradam
Jun 9, 2024
Awesome day! - What a wonderful day we spent alongside Mo! He introduced us to Johannesburg and Soweto, which he knows like the back of his hand. We were immersed in the history of South Africa. Including a visit to Gandhi's house in Soweto, the Hector Pieterson memorial, the old Johannesburg prison where N. Mandela and Gandhi were detained, the constitutional council, and many other cultural sites!!! This day represents exactly what we wanted to experience for our first day in this magnificent country. We highly recommend spending the full day with Mo!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Beverly_s
May 28, 2024
Soweto & Johnannesburg - had an awesome time touring Soweto and Johannesburg. Tour guide was very very knowledgable. Enjoyed this entire tour
Review provided by Viator
Rwd181
May 28, 2024
Memories to last a lifetime. - What a well run and extremely informative tour. Our guide Tsholo made sure we understood the symbolism behind each piece of both johannsberg and Soweto. The pace was perfect and included lunch was delicious! Soweto experienced is one I’ll remember for a lifetime. Couldn’t recommend this company more.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Joseph19937
May 24, 2024
Amazing, Must-do tour of Johannesburg - My wife and I were lucky enough to have done a tour in April 2024 with Mo and it was a fantastic experience. It was of course, a very comfortable, smooth trip, we were very well looked after. Mo was totally comprehensive, and gave us a good sense of this amazing city. Mo was charastmatic, and deeply knowledgeable and considered. He had an acute understanding of profound topics involving the city, history, politics, and sociology. He was very approachable, and passionate in sharing his knowledge which is exactly what you want when you want to get to know the deeper parts of a city. It was a very refreshing experience, and fantastic to do with someone from the area like Mo. Honestly a must-do experience for any trip to South Africa, it was eye-opening and critical I think to be able to better understand the city and country. You will be sorely missing this tour if you decide to not visit Johannesburg, and see only other cities. An amazing guide, tour, and of course such a pleasure see this extrodinary city!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bernal_s
May 20, 2024
Great tiur - Being my first time in South Africa. I must say it was a good introduction to the history that shape this country. Nathi our guide was knowledgeable and very accommodating.
Review provided by Viator
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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