See the historical highlights of Johannesburg on this comprehensive 3.5-hour sightseeing tour! As you explore this bustling metropolis by luxury coach, see top Johannesburg attractions like Hillbrow Tower and Nelson Mandela Bridge. Walk up to the observation deck at the Carlton Center for unforgettable views over the city, and learn about South Africa’s transition to democracy at Constitution Hill.
Start your day with a pickup from your Sandton or Rosebank hotel, then relax on the journey into Johannesburg's city center. Gaze out at the historical buildings of downtown Johannesburg that dominate this bustling city. Your guide will point out the must-see Hillbrow Tower that juts out over the city's skyscrapers, as well as the iconic Post Office Tower.
Stop outside Africa’s tallest skyscraper, the Carlton Centre, and walk up to the 50th floor observation deck with your guide to see sweeping panoramas of the entire city. After walking around the viewing platform at your leisure, return to your coach to continue seeing the sights.
Continue on to Constitution Hill next, passing by the Supreme Court and the famous Nelson Mandela Bridge in Newtown, said to symbolize Mandela’s role in bridging the apartheid divide. As you drive around Constitution Hill, listen to your guide explain some of the fascinating history that this National Heritage site has witnessed throughout the years. Learn about South Africa’s turbulent past and its slow yet steady transition to democracy.
Pass the new constitutional court and the historic site of Johannesburg’s Old Fort Prison Complex, where Nelson Mandela was famously the only black prisoner to be held here. Your tour winds back through the affluent neighborhood of Houghton, passing lavish homes and leafy streets.
If time permits, enjoy a final stop at the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens at Emmerentia Dam. Spend time here at leisure, wandering amid the African herb garden and strolling along the tranquil lawns.
Your tour then ends with a drop-off back at your Johannesburg hotel.
Please note: A minimum of two people per booking is required.
Got upgraded to the Soweto tour with a little tour around Johannesburg.
Review by: Marsha E, June 2017
Our tour guide was very knowledgeable about Jo-Berg and the people's struggles in South Africa. I didn't realize the tour was more about the city center and not the total area. We essentially drove around downtown and he told us about the history and politics. We asked if he would venture out to Soweto, which was quite interesting. Soweto is rich in history, as home to the poorest of the poor, but also has improved after apartheid and developed middle class and wealthier areas. My honest assessment is that this tour is far too long for the small section of the city that it actually covers. It is top heavy on political history, so better for travelers who want to hear than to see.
Review by: Somanathan S, May 2017
Saw some sites but we were advised not to get out of the car!!
Review by: gatorcane, March 2017
Excellent tour
Review by: Suzanne W, August 2016
The tour that was in the description was not what we took. We spent most of the time at Constitution Hill and had to wait 25 minutes for the tour at CH to begin. I'm used to tours that provide lots of information while driving around. Unfortunately there was lots of silence while driving place to place. I would not recommend this tour.
Review by: Yokia W, July 2016
Definitely a worthy excursion.
Review by: Yokia W, July 2016
Definitely a worthy excursion.
Review by: Chris R, February 2016
friendly tour guide who did a very good job as far as we were concerned
Review by: Tanveer A, January 2016
Tour was good.
Review by: Riquelmy M, January 2016
The highlight of this tour was visiting Constitution Hill. Insist on taking as much time as you need here, as the rest of the tour goes by rather quickly and can you leave feeling rushed. Exploring Number Four - the prison complex that once housed Mandela and Ghandi is quite interesting.
Review by: Karen F, October 2015
Very nice and informative. Mark was great.
Review by: Mary C, April 2015
Brilliant. I had no idea S Africa was so beautiful and the people so friendly. I did not feel unsafe at any stage in the trip. I highly recommend it.
Review by: yoshihiro T, May 2014
Short and crispy!! Good for starting tour of Johanesburg.
Review by: Mr Chris C J, April 2014
Jo'burg gets a mixed press, and on the basis of our tour, undeservedly so. Our guide Moses was informative and gave a lively and fascinating presentation of Johannesburg's role in the development of modern-day South Africa. The Constitutional Court was well worth a visit, and seeing the redevelopment of down-town Jo'burg was a welcome antidote to the scare stories one hears. Highly recommended, and I just wish we'd had enough time to see Soweto too under Moses' excellent guidance.
Review by: Susan V, December 2013
The tour was good to get an overview of the city - we were just unlucky to have scheduled it for a Saturday afternoon when things close up early and the guide on Constitution Hill wasn't available and such - that being said - I'm glad we did it!
Review by: Janice M, December 2013
Our tour guide was Hennie of Tourvest. He was very proud of his city Johannesburg and wanted to impart as much knowledge and show us as much as he could during our half day tour. We were lucky to have such an informative tour and I would recommend Hennie for any tour in and around Johannesburg.
Review by: Karen W, November 2012
Had a very personalised tour of Jo'Burg given there were only 2 of us on the tour. It was a good way to get to see the city of Jo'Burg and to learn the local history. Our tour guide was very friendly and informative.
Review by: Claudia K, November 2012
I had expected a little more out of this trip. I was mainly driving through the city and not much sightseeing. Mandela Square was not included at all.
Review by: Stuart T, September 2012
Excellent guide - punctual, informative and willing to answer questions. Really interesting - not much to see, as such, but lots of interesting info if you're interesting in the politics and history of the place.
Review by: Judith T, August 2012
Our guide Tembo was excellent. He was very informative and friendly. I would have loved to have spent a little more time on the tour. The time seemd a little rushed. However, it was a great insight into JoBurg. I will highly recommend to family and friends.
Review by: SHARON A W, July 2012
Driver right on time. Very knowledgeable. Was very pleased with tour.
Review by: Karena J L, July 2012
Very nice! Great guide. Thanks!
Review by: Christine H, June 2012
Again, this was a great opportunity to learn about Soweto and related socio/political changes from a resident.
Review by: mary g, March 2012
The guide was good and informative and made the tour an excellent experience. However, do not think that Hillbrow is now crime free!
Review by: Daniel Z, March 2012
Very enjoyable.
Review by: Durk P, July 2011
Nice tour and you see a lot of the city.
Review by: Cheryl W, April 2011
Absolutely no reflection on our pleasant and knowledgeable tour guide, but there just isn't a lot to see in the Johannesburg, CBD. We greatly appreciated the drive through Houghton to get a sense of how the "other half" lives, to pass by Mr. Mandela's residence, as well as the historical perspective Andrew shared on the mining industry and other aspects of South African history.
Review by: Cheryl W, February 2011
Absolutely no reflection on our pleasant and knowledgeable tour guide, but there just isn't a lot to see in the Johannesburg, CBD. We greatly appreciated the drive through Houghton to get a sense of how the "other half" lives, to pass by Mr. Mandela's residence, as well as the historical perspective Andrew shared on the mining industry and other aspects of South African history.
Review by: David C, December 2010
The tour was excellent, The guide was informative and so enthusiastic about his subject that it was infectious despite the fact that we had just from the airport after an 11 hour flight
Review by: David C, October 2010
The tour was excellent, The guide was informative and so enthusiastic about his subject that it was infectious despite the fact that we had just from the airport after an 11 hour flight
Review by: Simon B, August 2010
Great way to see a large portion of the city and its diverse culture in a short period of time. You also get to visit downtown areas that you would perhaps not otherwise have the opportunity to experience!
A bit of waiting around as the mini bus drives round to collect people from all the different hotels, but otherwise a really good trip.
Review by: Martin A, Australia, June 2010
Although the tour guide was okay in general, just average but nothing extraordinary, I did not like the fact that he was almost forcing me to give him a tip, something I only do when the service was really extraordinary. I appreciate that the tour operator made my pick up in a hotel far from downtown Jojannesburg, making an honourable exception.
Review by: Alice L, June 2010
Our tour guide was very professional, informative and friendly. He personalised the tour to show us places which he felt would interest us the most, and we did not feel rushed.
Review by: Alice L, United Kingdom, November 2007
Our tour guide was very professional, informative and friendly. He personalised the tour to show us places which he felt would interest us the most, and we did not feel rushed.
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