Activity Johannesburg, South Africa

Soweto Township Tours

4.4 (7 reviews) 8 hours Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

7 reviews

4.4

Local greetings using signs, that's how we do it in Soweto. — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Youth Meeting the Locals — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

What Makes Your Soweto & Johannesburg Tour Unique

1. Real Stories from Real People

We don’t just visit places—you’ll meet people who lived through the history: Walk through Vilakazi Street with a guide who grew up there.

Hear firsthand accounts of life during apartheid from former activists or residents. Visit iconic landmarks like Hector Pieterson Museum or Constitution Hill with storytelling that goes beyond the textbook.

2. Personalized, Inclusive Experiences

Tours designed for all types of travelers—solo adventurers, curious families, and energetic groups.

Flexible itineraries with options to adjust based on interest and pace.

Guides who are not only knowledgeable but make you feel safe, welcome, and inspired.

3. Exclusive Access & Local Impact

A portion of tour fees supports education and skills training in local communities.

Day Trips Full-day Tours Bus Tours Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Cultural Tours Historical Tours Car Tours

At a glance

Duration: 8 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: English
Operated by: Johannesburg and soweto township tours

Ages: Infants (1–2 years) · Children (5–10 years) · Youth (16–19 years) · Adults (20–29 years) · Seniors (30–60 years)

What is included

Included

Included: In-vehicle air conditioning: Air-conditioned vehicle

Not included

Not included: Lunch
Not included: All Fees and Taxes
Not included: Museum entrances

Itinerary

Johannesburg Fort

Passing by

Experience the Heartbeat of South Africa

Discover the vibrant soul of South Africa with our immersive Johannesburg and Soweto Tour — a perfect blend of history, culture, and local life. Join us as we journey through the City of Gold and into the powerful story of Soweto, the township that helped shape a nation.

Johannesburg, often called Joburg or Jozi, is South Africa’s largest city and the beating heart of its economy. Known as the "City of Gold", it was founded in 1886 after the discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand — sparking one of the world’s biggest gold rushes and transforming the city into a thriving metropolis.

Today, Johannesburg is a vibrant blend of contrasts:

o Modern skyscrapers and historic buildings

o Cosmopolitan neighborhoods and culturally rich townships

o A place where art, fashion, music, and history intersect

It’s also a city of resilience and transformation, central to South Africa's political journey, especially during and after apartheid.
Constitution Hill Human Rights Precinct

one hour Admission not included

Constitution Hill – A Symbol of Freedom and Justice

Constitution Hill is one of Johannesburg’s most powerful and important landmarks — a place where South Africa's painful past and hopeful future meet.

Located in the heart of the city, Constitution Hill was once home to a notorious prison complex where political activists, including Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, were incarcerated. Known as the Old Fort Prison Complex, it stood as a brutal reminder of the oppression faced during apartheid and colonial times.

But today, Constitution Hill tells a different story.

It is now the site of South Africa’s Constitutional Court, the highest court in the land, dedicated to protecting the rights and freedoms of all its people. The court building itself is rich in symbolism and built using bricks from the demolished prison — showing how justice has risen from injustice.
Newtown

Passing by

4. Mary Fitzgerald square

A Meeting Place Rooted in History

Originally known as Aaron’s Ground, this open plaza was where early 20th-century labourers and strikers gathered. In 1939, it was officially renamed in honour of Mary "Pickhandle" Fitzgerald, South Africa’s first female trade unionist. A fearless advocate for workers’ rights, she led key mining strikes and later became Johannesburg’s first woman councillor and deputy mayor
Chinatown Johannesburg

20 min

At 25 Fox Street in Ferreirasdorp, Chancellor House stands as the historic offices of the first black law firm in South Africa, founded by Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo in 1952. Directly across from the Magistrate’s Court, the firm served as a beacon of resistance—advocating for black South Africans detained under apartheid laws, often representing them in the very court across the street
Apartheid Museum

2 hours Admission not included

Historical Exhibits – The museum provides a detailed account of apartheid, from its origins to its eventual dismantling, including the rise of the African National Congress (ANC) and other resistance movements.

1. Personal Stories – It showcases the experiences of individuals affected by apartheid, including victims of forced removals, imprisonment, and violence.
6
FNB Stadium

15 min
FNB Stadium also known as Soccer City is the largest stadium in Africa and one of South Africas most iconic sports, venue. located in Nasrec Johannesburg it played a central role in the 2010 FIFA World Cup hosting the opening and final match.

key facts and features:

o Capacity: 94,736 (Africa’s biggest stadium)

o Architecture: Designed to resemble a traditional African pot (calabash), symbolizing unity.

o Nicknames: Soccer City, The Calabash

o Home Teams: Kaizer Chiefs (PSL), South African national team (Bafana Bafana)

o Major Events Hosted:
- 2010 FIFA World Cup™ (Opening match & Final – Spain vs Netherlands)
- 2013 AFCON Final (Nigeria vs Burkina Faso)
- 2010 & 2023 Nelson Mandela Legacy Cup
- Concerts (U2, Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, WWE events)
Diepkloof Park

Passing by

Soweto (short for South Western Townships) is one of South Africa’s most famous and historically significant townships. Located southwest of Johannesburg, it played a crucial role in the anti-apartheid struggle and remains a vibrant symbol of resilience, culture, and urban life.

Origins (Late 19th–Early 20th Century)

o Soweto was created in the 1890s as a settlement for Black laborers working in Johannesburg’s gold mines and industries.

o Under segregation laws, Black South Africans were forced to live outside the city.

home of the freedom Charter

1976 Soweto Uprising
Mandela House

45 min Admission not included

The Nelson Mandela National Museum, commonly referred to as Mandela House, is the house on Vilakazi Street, Orlando West, Soweto, South Africa, where Nelson Mandela lived from 1946 to 1962. It is located at number 8115, at the corner of Vilakazi and Ngakane streets, a short distance up the road from Tutu House, the home of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.
Orlando Towers

20 min

Orlando Power Station is a decommissioned coal-fired power station in Soweto, South Africa. The power station was commissioned at the end of the Second World War and served Johannesburg for over 50 years. In 2006 work was started to transform the site of the power station into an entertainment and business centre.