Guided Bicycle Tour of Soweto with Lunch
Description
Embark on a fun and unique tour experience as you explore the urban complexity of Soweto on a bicycle. Get to experience the township like a local, get a glimpse of Hector Pietersen Museum, Mandela House and Tutu House. Start your cycling tour in at the Hector Pietersen, to learn how Soweto's Establishment in 1904 and the history of this famous Township. Continue to Mama Lilian Ngoyi's house, an anti-apartheid activist. Cycle to Hector Pietersen Museum where the Soweto uprising transpired which was one of the turning points of apartheid. This tour will get you closer to all the highlights of Soweto. See the Mandela House, where Nelson Mandela lived from 1946 to 1962. Then, pass by Tutu House on Vilakazi Street, where Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his family once resided. Talk about the Nobel Laureate's contribution to apartheid's downfall in South Africa. Give your feet a break by stopping for lunch. Taste South African sandwiches called kota before cycling back to the starting point.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Sharing stories about different family generations, how apartheid had an impact in everyone, and how Soweto has changed today.
Visiting the only former women’s residential hostel in Soweto, which housed domestic workers working in the Suburbs of Johannesburg.
Visiting Mama Lillian Mgoyi's home, an anti-apartheid activist, President of the Women's League and she is one of the women who led a women's march of 20,000 women to the Union Buildings of Pretoria in protest against the apartheid government requiring women to carry passbooks as part of the pass laws.
1976. youth uprising
Orlando Stadium is the heart of Soweto as it boasts a rich and proud history that dates back to 1959 when it was originally built. After being demolished and rebuilt from scratch at a cost of R280 million, the new look Orlando Stadium now houses a capacity crowd of 37 139 spectators which includes 21 hospitality suites, two open hospitality areas, conference rooms, a gymnasium and a 200-seater auditorium. Not only is the original ‘Mecca of South African football’ home to local giants and 1995 CAF Champions League winners, Orlando Pirates – but the venue has also moved up the popularity ranks for its hosting skills in major sports and entertainment events. The venue continued to raise the benchmark in South African history as it hosted the first ever rugby matches when the 2010 Vodacom SuperRugby competition semi-final and final fixtures were hosted at Orlando Stadium.
famous house of Nelson Mandela
2 Noble piece price winners
Biking around the township
The OPD was formed in 1875 and has evolved over time to meet the needs of the growing city. It employs over 800 sworn officers and more than 150 civilian employees who serve the citizens of Orlando through various functions.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(211)
This tour was honestly one of the highlights of our time in South Africa. We were a group of 4 adults and 4 children (aged 8–11), and I wasn’t sure beforehand how well the kids would engage with the history, but they loved it. A huge part of that was down to our guide, Thabo. He was absolutely fantastic—so friendly, incredibly knowledgeable and brilliant with the children. He answered their endless questions, kept them interested throughout and made everyone feel welcome. The bike ride itself was relaxed and easy, with plenty of stops along the way, so it never felt rushed. Seeing Soweto by bicycle gave us a completely different perspective than we would have had from a coach or car. Thabo shared so much about the area’s history, culture and daily life, and it really made the experience meaningful. Lunch was delicious too and a lovely chance to try local food. We all came away feeling like we’d learnt so much while having a genuinely fun day out. If you’re visiting Johannesburg, I’d recommend this tour without hesitation. Whether you’re travelling as a couple, with friends or as a family like we were, it’s an experience you won’t forget. Thanks again, Thabo, for such a brilliant day!
Thabo made this experience most memorable!! The bike ride was on safe and reliable bikes and about 12km in total all across Soweto. At no stage did we feel unsafe, all locals were accommodating to us. We saw all the sights with expert commentary with the best lunch. Loads of photo opportunities, Thabo gave expert history lessons as well. Highly recommended tour, mild fitness with bike riding ability required only a small amount of hills. Had the best time!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Lisa! We're thrilled to hear that Thabo made your experience so memorable. We'll be sure to pass on your compliments to him. Thanks for exploring Soweto with us, and we hope to welcome you back again soon!
We were given a very informative and interesting tour by Thabo. I really recommend this tour, you get to see and learn a lot more about Soweto while being on a bike!
Thank you so much for your kind review and recommendation! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed exploring Soweto with Thabo. Experiencing the township by bicycle offers such a unique and immersive perspective, and we’re glad the tour was both informative and memorable for you. Thabo is passionate about sharing the history, culture, and spirit of Soweto, and we’ll be sure to pass along your lovely feedback to him. We truly appreciate your support and hope to welcome you back on another One Day Africa experience soon!
Thebo was SO knowledgeable and entertaining. How can you not love a guide who dances on his bike and greets all the locals?!! We thoroughly enjoyed our tour and would highly recommend it!
We’re absolutely thrilled to hear that you had such a fantastic experience exploring Soweto with Thabo. His energy, local connections, and passion for sharing the culture and history of the community truly make every tour special - and yes, the bike dancing is definitely part of the charm! 😊 One of the things we love most is helping travellers experience Soweto through authentic local interactions, so it means a lot to hear that you felt welcomed and enjoyed the experience. Thank you again for the recommendation!
Thabu did a great job.Enjoyed the tour especially the informal city where we were made to feel very welcome
Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the Soweto bicycle tour and felt welcomed by the local community. Thabo is passionate about sharing the history, culture, and everyday life of Soweto, and we’ll be sure to pass along your wonderful feedback to him. We truly appreciate you joining us and hope to welcome you back again for another South African adventure!
Fantastic day!! Thabo, our guide, was knowledgeable and incredibly personable. He was a walking encyclopaedia!! Would highly recommend.
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear that you had such a fantastic day exploring Soweto with Thabo. His passion for sharing the history, culture, and stories of Soweto truly makes every tour special, and we’ll be sure to pass along your lovely feedback to him. We really appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for another adventure in South Africa soon!
My husband and I chose this trip to do something a little different and it didn’t disappoint. Our guide Thabo was excellent explaining the history of Soweto and of apartheid. The weather was also great for us, no rain which was lucky! It was lovely to see the townships and greet the happy friendly people who call it home. The children all waved and shouted “Hello!” as we rode past and I couldn’t help but notice how happy they all were! We enjoyed the Kato sandwich for lunch, and soaked up the party vibe on a Saturday afternoon. There are a couple of hills, but the bikes are well maintained and easy to ride.
What a fantastic review - thank you for taking the time to share your experience! We love hearing that the tour gave you a different and meaningful perspective of Soweto beyond the usual tourist experience. From the energy of the neighbourhoods to the friendliness of the community and the stories shared along the way, it sounds like you truly embraced the spirit of the day. Thabo will be especially happy to know that his guiding helped make the experience memorable and engaging for both of you. We’re also glad the weather played along and that you enjoyed the Kota lunch and lively Saturday atmosphere. Thank you again for riding with us, and we hope your time in South Africa continues to be filled with memorable moments!
I had an excellent tour experience with Teboho!! He was very kind, informative, and accommodating. I learned so much from him and truly enjoyed my experience! I would definitely recommend the tour with him as your guide.
Thabo was a great friendly guide, providing a very knowledgeable and informative tour of Soweto. Getting around by bike was a fun means of transportation and meant that we could cover more of the local / less touristy side of Soweto and everywhere we went the people esp children were so friendly. Well paced and a delicious lunch at the end of the tour. Our whole family (including 4 teenagers) really enjoyed the tour and chatting to Thabo along the way. Thanks for a great experience.
We had a great time exploring Soweto, learning about the people and the history and biking all around town - our tour guide was excellent and knowledgable
