Our tour begins at the Hector Peterson Memorial, where you will learn about the significance of the 1976 Soweto Uprising, a significant turning point in the Apartheid system. We will then walk down Moema Street, retracing the steps of the historic march. As we continue down Vilakazi Street, we will visit Nelson Mandela's house, where you will have 20 minutes to explore inside where he lived until he's 27 years imprisonment (entrance fee not included).
Next, we will stop at Desmond Tutu's house, another landmark in Soweto's history. Following this visit, we will enjoy a delicious lunch at a local shop.
After lunch, we will take a minibus taxi to Orlando East, giving you a taste of the local mode of transport to the famous Soweto Towers. Our final stop will be at an informal settlement called Nomzamo Park, where you will gain insight into the daily lives of many Soweto residents.
Tour Options
Guest Meeting Point Option
Meet-Up Tour (No Shuttle)
Duration: 4 hours
Local Sandwhich (Kota)
Bottled Water
Itinerary
30 min
Meeting at the Museum, we will talk first about the Soweto uprising, which was one the downfall of apartheid organised by students of. Soweto.
20 min
We walk through the footsteps of the youth of 1976, sharing insightful details of the shooting, the living conditions and the aftermath of the uprising.
10 min
Taking a shot'left, we continue our walk in the famous street in Johannesburg to have two Nobel peace price winners living in this neighbourhood.
Admission not included20 min
The Iconic House of Nelson Mandela and his Wife Winnie Mandela, who spend their life in this house post apartheid.
10 min
Famous Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu who won an NobelPrice and criticised apartheid through religion.
30 min
The first Formal houses which. formed the township or Soweto
60 min
Final destination of great photos and traditional lunch
Highlights
Bottled water
Local Burger (Kota)
What's included
Included
Bottled water
Local Burger (Kota)
Not included
All additional Items and Cost
Pick ups and Drop off
Traveller Ratings
4.9
327 reviews
5
304
4
17
3
3
2
1
1
2
Important Information
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Frequently asked questions
How long does Soweto Cultural Walking Tour with Lunch take?
Soweto Cultural Walking Tour with Lunch lasts about 4 hours. The itinerary has 7 stops.
How much does Soweto Cultural Walking Tour with Lunch cost?
Prices start at $45 per person for this Johannesburg experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Can I cancel Soweto Cultural Walking Tour with Lunch for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Our Local guide will you at the Vilakazi Espresso. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Soweto Cultural Walking Tour with Lunch offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 50 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap Specialized infant seats are available
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(327)
D
Derek_R
September 5, 2026
Exciting tour with a great guide!
As part of our stay in Johannesburg, we booked this tour as a family of four with two children. Everything worked out well. Our guide Maweza was waiting for us at the meeting point on time. On foot, we went through various stops (including the Hector Pieterson Memorial and Nelson Mandela's house) to the Orlando Towers, where the tour ended. The visit to an informal settlement, where it became clear to us how privileged we live, was absolutely impressive. Also included in the tour was lunch at a snack bar in Soweto. With the Kota burger, we were able to try a classic local dish - very delicious! Many thanks to our great guide Maweza, who explained an incredible amount of detail to us.
U
U9203DQmatheuss
August 31, 2026
It's worth it!
Perfect, Maweza was a very attentive guide and knows the region very well. I suggest bringing sunscreen and water!
Operator response
Thank you kindly for your review!
M
mattmZ4759DJ
August 3, 2026
Amazing guide, tour needs work
Maweza was an amazing guide. He lives in Soweto and has deep knowledge of the culture, history, and area. The tour itself was not well designed. It was 3-4 hours but could easily have been 45 minutes. We spent a good amount of time seeing a very poor slum community and it was an awkward time because we didn’t do anything to help them but just walked around and saw their small shacks, and then had to deal with souvenir stands and aggressive vendors before continuing on our trip. Our guide was amazing, but the tour needs to be altered.
M
Martin_J
June 7, 2026
Unmissable tour in Soweto with fantastic guide.
An unmissable, fantastic tour in Soweto made so unforgettable by the knowledge, 5 star professionalism, personal experience and warm personality of Maweza.
The experience gave us a whole new understanding of Soweto and Sowetans. We were moved by the charm and friendliness of everyone we met along the way.
We fully recommend this tour.
Operator response
Thank you for taking the time to write this beautiful review Martin- Maweza surely is one of the best guides around. We are delighted to hear that you had such a memorable and insightful experience. Thank you for your recommendation, we appreciate it
L
laurabL780AG
May 13, 2026
Go go go! Highly recommend
Soweto cultural walking tour was incredible. Our guide, Moweza, has so much knowledge and passion about the history and has beautiful connections with people living there, giving you a real experience and a glimpse into how life is in Soweto and the different areas people live in
Operator response
Thank you so much for your wonderful review and recommendation!
We’re thrilled to hear that you had such an incredible experience exploring Soweto with Maweza. His deep knowledge, passion for the community, and personal connections are exactly what make the tour so special, and we’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to him.
One of our biggest goals is to give travelers an authentic and meaningful perspective of Soweto beyond the usual tourist experience, so it’s fantastic to know that came through during your visit.
Thank you again for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back to South Africa for another adventure soon!
J
jennifer H
April 30, 2026
I recommend 100%
Very good guide
Take the time to explain
Adapts gives us choice for some activities
Very much appreciated that he makes work full of young people from his neighborhood
Nice experience
Operator response
Thank you so much for your wonderful review and for recommending the experience so highly!
We’re really happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour and appreciated the time Maweza took to explain everything and adapt the experience to your preferences. That personal connection is something we work hard to deliver.
It also means a lot that you noticed our commitment to supporting and creating opportunities for young people in the community - that’s at the heart of what we do.
We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you again for another experience in the future!
I
Ian_C
April 16, 2026
Maweza was a fantastic...
Maweza was a fantastic guide and provided many unbiased stories from a local perspective. Great way to spend a few hours
M
marshadD3198VS
April 15, 2026
Fantastic Tour
This tour was fantastic! Lawrence is very knowledgeable and took the time to educate us on South African history and the historical context of Soweto before the tour began. We had the opportunity to visit Nelson Mandela’s home and neighborhoods across the economic spectrum. The history and culture is rich. Lawrence took the time to explain it all and fielded all sorts to questions. Midway through there is a tasty lunch.
Most of the tour is in flat paved roads, so it’s not too strenuous, though one portion is uphill and tough to navigate if you’re out of shape. Otherwise, the walking tour is manageable and totally worth it.
Operator response
Thank you for sharing your experience - it sounds like a fantastic and insightful tour.
While we’re unfortunately unable to locate this booking within our records, we’re really pleased to hear that you had such a meaningful time exploring Soweto and learning about its rich history and culture.
We truly appreciate you taking the time to leave your feedback and hope you enjoyed your time in South Africa!
D
Dennis_G
April 13, 2026
A Must See if you visit South Africa
Excellent cultural experience. I believe our guides name is Mawawe. He was amazing..very knowledgeable, professional & kept every one engaged.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear you had such a memorable experience on the Soweto tour. Maweza will be delighted to know his knowledge and energy made such a great impression. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you again on another experience in the future!
L
LizMulliss
March 12, 2026
An excellent, informative walking tour of Soweto
Maweza is a fabulous guide. He is very well read on history and both sides of the Apartheid story - he is also excited to share his knowledge with his tour groups. It was very easy to get an Uber to the starting point, and back from the finishing point. I definitely recommend this tour.
