Soweto Half Day Tour
Recommended by 99% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Pretoria, South Africa
- 4 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
See the highlights of Soweto in half a day with this whistle-stop itinerary of its most interesting sights. Ride with ease between dispersed sites in an air-conditioned vehicle with hotel pickup and understand more about local life through invaluable commentary. Notable sights along the way include the FNB Stadium, Mandela House, and the Hector Pieterson Museum and Memorial.
- No getting lost: Visit one of South Africa’s largest townships with a guide
- Save time: See many of Soweto’s sights in half a day
- Learn about Nelson Mandela’s life and his links to Soweto
- Enjoy convenient hotel pickup for a seamless start to your tour
What's Included
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Bottled water
- Lunch
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
Please meet your guide at the hotel lobby/reception. NB: Extra charge of R500 per booking will apply for O.R Tambo Airport hotels.
Itinerary
1
FNB Stadium
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
Orlando Towers (Pass By)
2
Vilakazi Street
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Mandela House
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
4
Hector Pieterson Museum and Memorial
40 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 13 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.9
based on 264 reviews
David_L, Apr 2026
Operator cancelled and never notified us! We were at meeting point and after 5 minutes past meeting time, I messaged operator and got no reply. Called Viator and agent informed me the operator cancelled and emailed me. They did, three minutes after I messaged to request status of tour! This operator is not reliable!!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hi David we take full responsibility for letting you down it is so unlike us. With your booking on an Easter weekend all museums and sites were closed hence we could not go ahead with the tour, with you having made the booking last minute we only noticed your booking when you called and refunded you and we are so sorry for the inconvenience we will do better next time.
Jeffrey_L, Mar 2026
It was a very good tour. Thabang was knowledgeable and his detailed knowledge and feel for Soweto shown through in this tour. The only negative was the surprise that I needed to pay extra for airport pickup when I specified this from the beginning of the booking.
curtis_h, Feb 2026
This is the tour you want to do!!!!!! Knowledgeable guide from the aera who knows the people. Lots of information is shared
Kathryn_P, Sep 2025
Fantastic overview of Soweto and surrounds , as well as lots of info about Johannesburg .
Felt safe and well looked after in a not so safe city.
sandramaxted, Jun 2025
We had an excellent day in Soweto, our guide was so friendly and informative. He gave us a great mix of historical facts as well as local insights. Our guide was local from the area and talked about the lived experience of people living in the township and immersed us in a walk through a shanty village giving us a different lens through which to experience Soweto. Our flight arrived early that morning and we had not eaten so our guide kindly called ahead and pre ordered us some Kota sandwiches to eat towards the end of the trip in downtown Soweto, this ended up being one of the highlights from our day experiencing this popular local street food! Thanks for a great experience and day out. We recommend people choosing this tour - it is a great trip to do either before or after a tour from Jo’burg.
LisaMarie_S, Jun 2025
This tour was exactly what we were looking for: giving an insight into the real life in Soweto and not only the typical touristic sites.
We even had the opportunity to walk through some streets in Soweto and to experience the local life and community.
We always felt very safe during the tour.
We can only recommend it for everyone being in Johannesburg!
Tony_B, Jan 2025
Really interesting insight into a much misunderstood part of Africa. Our guide Thabang gave us a very thorough and well-explained background to Soweto and we visited some of the worst areas where the inhabitants were very friendly. A memorable experience.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Hi thank you so much for the lovely review, glad you enjoyed your tour with us we hope to host you again.
Pearl_B, Nov 2024
We had a wonderful experience with Banele. He was a fun, friendly and deeply knowledgable tour guide who made sure we had a great time but also provided important and nuanced insights which made the tour memorable. Would highly recommend!
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Hi thank you so much for the lovely review, glad you enjoyed your tour with us we hope to host you again.
Cassandra_W, Oct 2024
Thabang our guide, showed us Soweto shared the history and provided insight. We enjoyed our tour showing us the townships. He was very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. I would recommend.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Hi thank you so much for the lovely review, glad you enjoyed your tour with us we hope to host you again.
Rachel_T, Oct 2024
Amazing experience of the real Soweto. Looked after beautifully as we were taken out of our comfort zone in a beautiful, safe and secure way. So grateful for the experience. Humbled by the strength, hope, faith, resilience and joy of the community members we met. Thank you to our wonderful guide! The best!
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Hi thank you so much for the lovely review, glad you enjoyed your tour with us we hope to host you again.
Julie_S, Oct 2024
This tour was educational and helped me understand how impactful apartied has been on South Africa. our tour guide, Tsalanang, was honest and open about the past and current situations facing SA. I highly recommend anyone traveling to Johannesburg to take this tour.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Hi thank you so much for the lovely review, glad you enjoyed your tour with us we hope to host you again.
Natalie_P, Oct 2024
Great tour of Soweto! Felt like we got the insider experience. Would recommend to anyone visiting Johannesburg!
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Hi thank you so much for the lovely review, glad you enjoyed your tour with us we hope to host you again.
Eve_B, Sep 2024
Thabang was a wonderful guide. We really enjoyed talking with him and saw a lot on this tour that we wouldn’t have seen on our own. Highly recommend
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Hi thank you so much for the lovely review, glad you enjoyed your tour with us we hope to host you again.
Ben_W, Aug 2024
We took our tour today with Neo. There was only the two of us, so we had effectively a private tour. Neo was not only knowledgeable, but was highly articulate, friendly and most of all, provided a safe environment for us for our tour. We visited a number of different places where he was able to provide an understanding of past events with an empathetic understanding of how this was likely to impact the people of Soweto.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Hi thank you so much for the lovely review, glad you enjoyed your tour with us we hope to host you again.
John_D, Aug 2024
Excellent guide. Knowledgeable and informative. Saw complexities of Soweto and how different classes live.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Hi thank you so much for the lovely review, glad you enjoyed your tour with us we hope to host you again.
Lauren_C, Aug 2024
The tour was excellent! Thabang was a wealth of information. I would definitely book with him if you'd like an authentic view of Soweto!
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Hi thank you so much for the lovely review, glad you enjoyed your tour with us we hope to host you again.
Betty_K, Aug 2024
Thaibong led our tour and oriented us on the way to Soweto. We went into several neighborhoods and learned about the township. We learned about the student uprising and the tragic death of Hector, a young student. We toured Nelson Mandela’s house which was very inspiring.
Thaibong was extremely knowledgeable and grew up and lives in Soweto. He was so authentic and engaging.
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Thank you so much for the lovely review, glad you enjoyed your tour with us we hope to host you again.
The_R, Aug 2024
Our first day in Johannesburg and we couldn't have asked for a better tour and guide to take us! Tabang gave us a warm welcome as our tour started the minute we stepped in the vehicle. He's very knowledgeable about the history and current happenings in and surrounding Soweto and has first hand experience with same.
I'd definitely recommend this tour as your first stop in Johannesburg as you'll gain lots of insights from Tabang!
Please take care until we meet again
Laurenzo & Mav all the way from the Bahamas
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Thank you so much for the lovely review, glad you enjoyed your tour with us we hope to host you again.
Chen_R, Jul 2024
Thabang took us on a fantastic tour of Soweto, his home town. He was super knowledgeable, open and a pleasure to talk to. He introduced us not only to the touristy vilakazi street but to the real, everyday Soweto with its different social classes and their histories. A real eye opener. Highly recommended!
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Thank you so much for the lovely review, glad you enjoyed your tour with us we hope to host you again.
Phyllis_K, Jul 2024
This tour began very nicely and we enjoyed our tour guide. The problem occurred when we stopped in a poverty stricken area of Soweto. A man was waiting for us to take us to an elementary school. There was a teacher & small children. Before we left we were asked to give the teacher money/ "donation". Then we were taken to a filthy "home" with 1 room which accommodated 5-6 people. The woman told us she lived there with her child, sister & other people. She also asked us for a "donation".
When we got back to our car to continue with the tour, the man who took us into this poverty area also wanted money!
All countries (including my own) have poverty areas. This tour would have been much better if we circled this area by car & was given an explanation of their poverty circumstances, rather than put us in an uncomfortable position of "donating".
The remainder of the tour was fine, passing Tutu's home & stopping at Mandela's home.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Hi Phyllis,
We have checked all of our records and can confirm you have posted the review to the wrong business. We NEVER take any of our guests through all the things you mentioned on the review, and have since asked Viator to investigate and allocate the review to the business that took you for the tour. Sorry you had to go through that but we would never take our guests through such an experience.
Keith_W, Jul 2024
Great trip if you have half a day to spare and want a small insight into life in Soweto. Highlight for us was our guide, having grew up in the area he was able to retell his stories of his youth and his education. It brought a very personal feel to the experience. He was punctual, polite and extremely knowledgeable of the area and it’s history. He made us feel at ease and was also interested in how our lives compared to his growing up. Great trip and would definitely recommend.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Thank you so much for the lovely review, glad you enjoyed your tour with us we hope to host you again.
Sarah_D, Jun 2024
This was a fantastic tour. Due to an airline mishap, my daughter and I unexpectedly found ourselves In Johannesburg for 48 hours. The airline put us up in a hotel near the airport but we were rather stuck there because we had no car. I went onto Viator to see if I could find an activity for my daughter and myself. We found this tour and could not be happier. Our tour guide was Thabang and he was kind and knowledgeable. The tour was very, very safe! I never felt fearful or uncomfortable. Thabang grew up in Soweto so he has unique insights regarding life there. His tour was very personal and even included walking down one of the streets in Soweto. That was my favorite part of the tour. We also visited Nelson Mandela’s house and the Hector Pietersen Museum. I highly recommend this tour!!
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Thank you so much for the lovely review, glad you enjoyed your tour with us we hope to host you again.
Manasse_M, Apr 2024
My wife and I had a great time visiting one of the most historic city in the World Soweto! Our tour guide was knowledgeable and patient with us. He took us to all the stops and spend time taking pictures of us which was cool! He also gives us time to do some souvenir shopping. I would recommend this tour to anyone who want to learn about the history that played out in Soweto many years ago!
We had fun and learned a lot.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Thank you so much for the lovely review, glad you enjoyed your tour with us we hope to host you again.
shilpa_t, Apr 2024
The guide failed to turn up at the specific time of my booking confirmation and on top of that the the meeting point which happened to be rented accommodation had no clue that they were being used as a meeting point. Being in a country which isn't regarded as the safest and to be advised to be very vigilant of your surroundings we didn't feel safe to continue as we couldn't even get through to the guide straight away and when we finally did, they couldn't give us straight answers. Do the city bus tour is my advice
Response from Host, Apr 2024
It is unfortunate that you chose to review on lies. You were made aware the guide is running 15 minutes late due to traffic, Johannesburg is a big city. You then called back to ask how many people are on tour and as soon as you found out you the only 2 guests booked on the day you asked to cancel the tour as you don't feel safe. We host solo & couple travellers all the time and none have ever said they felt unsafe. You chose your own meeting point which we came to before you decided to cancel your tour. We hope you will enjoy the rest of your holiday in S.A 🙂
Marcus_B, Apr 2024
What an AMAZING tour this was. You can not come to Johannesburg and not take the Soweto Tour. I took the half day tour and I wished I would have booked the full day. If you go in this tour ask for Thabang Molefe. Thanang was absolutely amazing and went above and beyond to make sure that he shared all information with us. He even did extra. Honestly this was the highlight of my South African vacation.
Thank you
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Hi Marcus, thank you so much for the lovely review, glad you enjoyed your tour with us we hope to host you again.
Geraldine_L, Mar 2024
The tour itself was exceptional. Thabang, our tour guide was first class. His knowledge and passion with regards to Soweto past, present and hopefully the future shown through without any political bias. We would encourage all "tourists" to see all that Soweto encompasses, including "the good, the bad and the ugly".
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Hi Geraldine, thank you so much for the lovely review, glad you enjoyed your tour with us we hope to host you again.
shaya_S, Mar 2024
Thabang, our tour guide, was punctual and greeted us with a great sense of humor, instantly putting us at ease. His deep knowledge of the area made our exploration of the real Soweto truly eye-opening. We gained insight into the lives of the people and the unique dynamics of the community. Thabang was thorough, offering us choices along the way, and prioritized our safety with meticulous attention to detail. This tour exceeded our expectations and was worth every penny.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Hi Shaya, thank you so much for the lovely review, glad you enjoyed your tour with us we hope to host you again.
Lynn_L, Mar 2024
after we were picked up at the hotel by our guide and driver, he offered us an opportunity to see more of the real Soweto than maybe some guides would offer.
instead of just going to the typical tourist areas. He was willing to share with us is upbringing as a native of that township and was thoroughly enjoyable, his attitude, intelect and friendliness made our tour stimulating and well worth it. we would recommend Thabang to anyone.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Hi Lynn, thank you so much for the lovely review, glad you enjoyed your tour with us we hope to host you again.
Aaron_L, Feb 2024
We had an amazing tour through Soweto with some explicit highlights along the way. All the museums were prebooked abd we could enter and enjoy the time there. Victor was a humble, smart and caretaking guide. He has a lot of background knowledge and was keen to answer all our questions.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Hi thank you so much for the lovely review, glad you enjoyed your tour with us we hope to host you again.
Emily_S, Feb 2024
Our Soweto tour was incredible. We had a lot of flexibility in setting up the tour and our tour giude was very sensitive to our particular interests and needs. We were shown the various parts of soweto (beyond Vilakazi) which gave us a much better appreciation for Soweto. Our tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable regarding everything in Soweto and beyond. Our trip to South Africa would not have been complete without this tour, highly recommend.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Hi thank you so much for the lovely review, glad you enjoyed your tour with us we hope to host you again.
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