Gain insight into the history and culture of Soweto, the largest urban area of Johannesburg, on this 4-hour tour by coach or minivan. Hear about the role Soweto played in South Africa's apartheid movement as you visit the Mandela House, the Tutu House, Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum and more. Your tour includes live onboard commentary and hotel pickup and drop-off.
Please note: The Hector Peterson Museum Roof collapsed and is therefore currently closed. Please note that we have now temporarily re-routed the visit to The June 16 Memorial. It is at no. 25 Mphuthi street, corner of Pula Street, Central Western Jabavu, Soweto. It is directly opposite Morris Isaacson High School (Tsietsi Mashinini ‘s alma mater).
After pickup from your hotel in Johannesburg's Sandton or Rosebank district, drive 12 miles (20 km) southwest of the city center to Soweto. The name of this urban settlement is derived from the acronym 'South Western Townships,' a cluster of townships created by the South African government in the 1930s during the apartheid movement. Get an overview of Soweto's complex apartheid history as you drive around and see some of its most famous sights. Sprawling across a vast area bordering Johannesburg's mining belt, Soweto served as a workforce for the South African capital, until civil unrest broke out against the apartheid regime. Gain insight into these pivotal moments at the Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum, honoring the victims who died during the Soweto Uprising of 1976.
See the former houses of two Nobel Prize winners — the Mandela House and Tutu House — and learn about the leadership that Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu took against the racial segregation of South Africa. You'll also see the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, one of the largest hospitals in the world, occupying 173 acres (70 hectares) and containing nearly 3,200 beds. At the end of your tour, you'll be dropped off back at your hotel. Please note: A minimum of 2 people per booking is required.
Please note: The Hector Peterson Museum Roof collapsed and is therefore currently closed. Please note that we have now temporarily re-routed the visit to The June 16 Memorial. It is at no. 25 Mphuthi street, corner of Pula Street, Central Western Jabavu, Soweto. It is directly opposite Morris Isaacson High School (Tsietsi Mashinini ‘s alma mater).
The Memorial focuses on routes used by protesting students, now widely known as the June 16 1976 Students March Trail. It is a principal stop along the June 16 trail offering an overview of the 1976 struggle route together with links to other sites of significance on the trail. The June 16 Memorial Acre compliments and builds on the narrative at the Hector Pieterson Memorial. It is an artistic expression of the story of June 16, 1976 student uprisings. It is also a host to the statue of Tsietsi Mashinini, one of the leaders of the June 16, 1976 student uprising.
This tour was great on showing us the other side of Johannesburg. The tour guide was great, very knowledgeable and very high spirit. We enjoy the tour very much
Review by: gatorcane, March 2017
Loved the cultural submersion
Review by: Rhonda R, October 2016
Disappointing. Driver did not include opportunity to go into the Nelson Mandela Museum as described in on the website. I would not have booked the tour otherwise. He just drove past the museum, and only when asked, allowed time to stop and take a photo. We did not get what we paid for. Viator should make sure that its contractors provide the tours described on the website. When I asked why we weren't going to the museum, the driver said that it wasn't included in the price. Instead, he took us to the Hector Peterson Museum, which was good, and to the Regini Mundi Church, which did not add much and could have been eliminated. When I indicated that we would pay for the Mandela Museum, he agreed to a brief visit, time permitting. Of course, time ran short because of another passenger's schedule. Since this was our last day in J'burg, we were unable to visit the museum. I have used Viator before -- in Rome and Florence. I was satisfied on those occasions, and decided to book with Viator this time. Based on this experience, however, I will think carefully before booking with Viator again. I took this tour on October10. I will be looking at your reviews to see whether you include this one, so that potential customers will be on the alert.
Review by: Leonard Anthony R, August 2016
We learned so much on this tour. Our guide Phineas was so knowledgeable not only about Soweto but the history of Johannesburg, he really made this day such a special experience for us. We would highly recommend this tour.
Review by: Ian C, May 2016
Picked up from Garden Court O R Tambo, Very good half day seeing Soweto, made all the better by having the driver/guide 'James all to ourselves.
Review by: James M, April 2016
Great tour, saw a lot of Soweto. Guide was really helpful and chatty.
Review by: Tanveer A, January 2016
The tour was okay - not good.
Review by: Riquelmy M, January 2016
Visiting Soweto was my favorite part of my time in Joburg. It was the most culturally enriching experience. An absolute MUST DO. Highly recommended!
Review by: Theresa R, July 2015
Excellent tour that provided a deeper understanding of South Africa's history. Tour guide was very knowledgeable and was a very safe driver. I highly recommend this tour.
Review by: Debra C, August 2014
We had a rocky start after being informed by email that we would be collected at 7.15am in the foyer we were left waiting for more than 2 hours before finally being picked up. We were eventually able to contact the company and after a number of calls they informed us the driver was running late. This wasn't a good start as we had a long flight from Australia the day before and could easily have done with the extra sleep. The tour itself was very good and well worth doing, just a shame about the late pick up.
Review by: Bruce S, December 2013
I was the only English speaking person in a tour group of German Tourist but our tour guide Rudie made the extra effort to provide narrative in both languages ... the visit to the squatter camp in Soweto was excellent and well managed by our tour guide ... well worth it
Review by: Kenneth O, August 2013
The tour was very informative and our tour give, Phineas, was top rate.
Review by: Nicola H, July 2013
We thoroughly enjoyed this tour, with a very informative guide. Would definitely recommend to hear all about the history of this interesting place.
Review by: Adrian S, July 2013
Brilliant tour of Soweto! Highly recommend. I was very lucky to be the only one on the tour and found it to be very informative.
Review by: Sophia D, May 2013
Our tour guide was great, very informative, didn't mind us asking questions and we enjoyed the tour._br/_
However, information should be provided about how many people we needed to tip and what was an acceptable tip. We were required to give 4 tips and a donation to a school._br/_
This made the tour quite expensive. The souvenirs were overpriced as I bought a similar item elsewere for the same price but it was 4 times larger.
Review by: Erica S, May 2013
This was a great tour and our guide was terrific. Perhaps a slight improvement could be the addition of a short refreshment stop, as it was quite a long morning without a break. But it is certainly highly recommended.
Review by: Stuart T, September 2012
Very interesting, especially the Hector Petersen museum. Punctual and lots of commentary.
Review by: Maria K, August 2012
We recently booked the half day tour. What was good: Our guide was polite, flexible and accommodating and gave a lot of information bringing to life Soweto, its history and how it is developing nowadays._br/_
No so good: the tour lasted more than half a day and we spend most of the time (6 hours approx) in the van. The vehicle had small windows and it wasn't easy to see outside and that made it feel like a long day._br/_
What could be better: More scheduled stops and more opportunity to interact with locals.
Review by: Marylee, August 2012
Great tour. Guide was very informative and interesting.
Review by: Jennifer E, July 2012
Really pleased we did this tour. Our guide was excellent. He was full of information and a very careful driver as well
Review by: Christine H, June 2012
Seeing Soweto from the point-of-view of a resident was well worth the time.
Review by: Jennifer E, June 2012
Really pleased we did this tour. Our guide was excellent. He was full of information and a very careful driver as well
Review by: yinlar, May 2012
This tour is OK. I was in the car with 6 German people who didn't really want to check anything out and it was more of a time-killer type of activity for them. The guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. Felt very safe as a single female traveling alone.
Review by: Andre P, December 2011
Outstanding Tour. The guide was very knowledgeable and quite funny with a very serious type of tour. I would strongly recommend it
Review by: Meghan E, October 2011
A very impressive tour. Professional tourguide, including a visit to the Hector Pieterson museum and Nelson Mandela house. Worth every penny!
Review by: Hans V, January 2010
The trip was very good. Well organised and the driverguide was very knowledgable and friendly. I do recommend.
Review by: Maryam K, January 2010
It was good.
Review by: Hans v, Netherlands, November 2009
The trip was very good. Well organised and the driverguide was very knowledgable and friendly. I do recommend.
Review by: Maryam K, Iran, November 2009
It was good.
Review by: Hans V, November 2009
The trip was very good. Well organised and the driverguide was very knowledgable and friendly. I do recommend.
Review by: Paul C, United Kingdom, November 2008
Great tour, very interesting, lunch was fab!!!
Review by: Carolyn M, August 2008
Our guide was fantastic! The wealth of information he shared with us was great!
Review by: Caroline C, August 2008
This tour gave us an interesting look at people's lives, though it did feel a bit intrusive.
Review by: Carolyn M, Canada, October 2007
Our guide was fantastic! The wealth of information he shared with us was great!
Review by: Caroline C, United Kingdom, May 2007
This tour gave us an interesting look at people's lives, though it did feel a bit intrusive.