Half Day
Soweto Township Tour

DURATION: 3-4 hours

AVAILABILITY: Daily – except on New Year’s Day, Good Friday & Christmas Day (some attractions may be closed on other public holidays)

PICK-UP TIMES: 9:00 and 13:00

MEALS: Snack Packs available on request

ENTRANCE FEES: Mandela House Museum entrance is excluded. Hector Pieterson Museum entrance is included.
(PLEASE NOTE – not all attractions on this tour are open every day)

COST: R1190 (2 people minimum)

About Soweto

Soweto, short for South Western Townships, is one of South Africa’s most significant cultural and historical destinations. Home to more than a million residents, this vibrant urban community played a central role in the struggle against apartheid and remains a powerful symbol of resilience, freedom, and transformation. Today, Soweto combines its rich heritage with a thriving modern culture, offering visitors an authentic glimpse into township life.

From the famous Vilakazi Street, the only street in the world to have housed two Nobel Peace Prize winners, to historic landmarks such as the Hector Pieterson Memorial and Regina Mundi Church, Soweto tells the story of South Africa’s journey to democracy. Beyond its history, visitors experience bustling markets, local businesses, vibrant neighbourhoods, and the warm hospitality that makes Soweto one of Johannesburg’s most rewarding places to explore.

Tour Description

Discover the heart and soul of Soweto on this immersive half-day Soweto tour. Accompanied by an experienced local guide, you will gain insight into the township’s history, culture, and daily life while visiting some of its most iconic landmarks.

The tour includes a drive through different areas of Soweto, showcasing the diversity of its communities and the remarkable changes that have shaped the township over the years. Highlights may include Regina Mundi Church, a key gathering place during the apartheid era, the Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum, which commemorates the 1976 Soweto Uprising, and Vilakazi Street, home to the Mandela House Museum.

Along the way, you will learn about Soweto’s role in South Africa’s history, hear stories of the people who shaped the nation, and experience the vibrant atmosphere that defines the township today. This tour offers the perfect balance of historical insight, cultural discovery, and authentic local experiences, making it an ideal introduction to one of South Africa’s most fascinating destinations.

Tour Highlights

The newly upgraded Baragwanath Taxi Rank, located near the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, is the busiest taxi rank in South Africa. The hospital ranks among the three largest hospitals in the world and spans approximately 170 acres. Here, you can experience a lively atmosphere filled with informal traders and street food vendors. You may even enjoy freshly roasted corn on the cob cooked over an open brazier.
Next, we pass the iconic Orlando Towers, which formed part of the Orlando Power Station. The station operated from the early 1940s until 1998. Today, thrill-seekers can enjoy an exhilarating 100-metre bungee jump between the towers.
As the tour continues, you will travel through a diverse range of Soweto neighbourhoods. These areas include luxurious mansions, modern middle-class homes, converted migrant hostels, and informal settlements. Additionally, if you would like a more personal experience, we can stop and meet local residents.
No Soweto tour is complete without visiting Vilakazi Street. Notably, this famous street was home to two Nobel Peace Prize winners: Archbishop Desmond Tutu and former President Nelson Mandela.
Furthermore, Mandela House has been transformed into a museum and remains one of Soweto’s most popular attractions. You can choose to visit the museum for an additional entrance fee.
Along the route, we also drive past several parks and areas that showcase Soweto’s post-1994 redevelopment and regeneration.
A highlight of the tour is the Hector Pieterson Museum. Here, you will learn about Soweto’s origins as a segregated township that supplied labour to Johannesburg’s mining and industrial sectors. The museum also explores the township’s role in the struggle against apartheid. In addition, it tells the story of the 1976 Soweto Uprising, when students peacefully protested against being taught in Afrikaans. The exhibits commemorate Hector Pieterson, one of the first young people killed during the unrest. If arranged in advance, you may also have the opportunity to tour the museum with Hector Pieterson’s sister, Antoinette Sithole.
During the tour, you will pass Soccer City, South Africa’s flagship stadium. Its distinctive calabash-inspired design became internationally recognised during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Moreover, the stadium hosted both the opening and closing matches, welcoming crowds of up to 94,000 spectators.
Finally, you will see Maponya Mall, one of Soweto’s premier shopping destinations. This impressive 65,000-square-metre development opened in September 2007 and marked a major investment in the area’s economic growth.

    
 
 
         
   TwixUK 
 
 
 
 Verified Super personalised tour
Having reached out from abroad, Peter from the off-set showed real personal service in wanting to help us achieve our goals for our trip, taking into account personal elements around interest, mobility and complete flexibility. (Others were the opposite). So much so, when in SA, our plans shifted immediately due to a family emergency. Peter immediately rescheduled to suit and adapted the day tour for us. On meeting him in person we were confident in our choice and had a wonderful morning together exploring Soweto, with Peter kindly fetching us from our accommodation and dropping us to meet family. Interesting, patient, informative and kind - highly recommend Peter.
  
 
        
   Grace F 
 
 
 
 Verified Excellent, highly recommend!
Fantastic personal Soweto tour. Peter is a delightful, friendly local gentleman full of as much interesting information as you would like to absorb. My daughter and I were were very interested (my teenage son was zoned out on his phone but that wasn't to do with the tour or Peter). We felt safe and well informed. Had opportunity to take plenty of pictures.
  
 
        
   Norice F 
 
 
 
 Verified Touring with kindness and knowledge.
The touring experience to Soweto, Johannesburg and Sandton was great and the tour person was very knowledgeable of the history. The price was also fair and reasonable. The time used allowed us to do all the activities we needed.
  
 
        
   Erasmo R 
 
 
 
 Verified Excelent, Highly Recommended
We traveled with Peter in Johannesburg and Soweto. My wife and I spent an excellent day. Peter knows a lot about history and generously shared his knowledge with us. At the end of the tour, he even helped us look for a suitcase for our trip. Excellent. Highly recommended.
  
 
        
   Sterre P 
 
 
 
 Verified Learned a lot
We did the Soweto tour with Peter. Very interesting tour - fully what you can expect. When booking, Peter was quick in reaction. He delivered according to what was agreed. We had a very intresting talk on society of South Africa - on which Peter was very open and informative. Clearly a guide who has thought things through. We learned a lot!
  
 
        
   GeoffcN 
 
 
 
 Verified Fantastic private tour of Johannesburg and Soweto.
Went on a full day tour of Johannesburg and Soweto with Peter. Communications were good and Peter arrived to pick us up from our hotel right on time. Peter was so knowledgeable, having run his own travel business for many years. After touring the main sights and seeing several differing districts of Joburg it was off to Soweto. We had lunch at a local restaurant before going on to see Nelson Mandelas house on other sights in the township. Peter was so friendly and accommodating, nothing was too much trouble to him.
  
 
        
   travisisrael 
 
 
 
 Verified Half day private tour to Soweto
We had an excellent experience with Mashaba tours. Very informative and interesting day. The guide was on time , the vehicle was comfortable and clean.
  
 
        
   Getaway53661145327 
 
 
 
 Verified Thorough, detailed, fun and emotional
Highly highly recommend Mashaba Tours. Professional informative and safe. Louis our guide was exceptional and made the tour an experience we will forever remember.
  
 
        
   gl893 
 
 
 
 Verified Great day tour!
We went on a combined Jburg and Soweto day trip with Mashaba. Our guide, Peter, was great. He was easy-going, customer oriented and able to provide additional information around the places that we visited. Very recommended!
  
 
        
   Lesley W 
 
 
 
 Verified An amazing cheetah experience
Peter organised a tour for a group of our friends to de Wildt Cheetah Reserve. Peter and David were gracious hosts, getting us there on time for the early morning Cheetah run. Peter joined in the activities and game drive with us and his gentle and friendly naure added to everybody's experience. I would highly recommend Mashaba Tours.
  
 
  
 
  
 
   Tripadvisor rating score: 4.8 of 5, based on 128 reviews

Half DaySoweto Township Tour

About Soweto

Tour Description

Tour Highlights

Make an Enquiry

Half Day
Soweto Township Tour