Soweto Exploration by Bicycle: Visit Iconic Landmarks and Enjoy Local Cuisine
4.8
138 Ratings
Johannesburg
Experience the vibrant Soweto on a bicycle tour. Visit iconic landmarks, taste local cuisine, and learn about the history of apartheid. Book now!
Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Phomolong - Sharing stories about different family generations, how apartheid had an impact in everyone, and how Soweto has changed today.

  • Mzimhlophe - Visiting the only former women’s hostel, which housed domestic workers from the rural areas working for the whites in johannesburg.

  • Nkungu Street - 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.

  • Hector Pieterson Museum and Memorial - 1976. youth uprising

  • Soweto - Biking around the township

  • Mandela House - famous house of Nelson Mandela

  • Vilakazi Street - 2 Noble piece price winners

What's Included
  • Private transportation
  • Lunch
What's Not Included
  • Entrance Fee: Nelson Mandela House (R60)
  • All additional Items and Cost
Additional Information

Set out on an exciting and unique exploration of the urban sprawl of Soweto via bike. Experiencing the township as a resident would, catch sight of Hector Pietersen Museum, Mandela House, and Tutu House.

Kickoff your biking journey in Killarney, where Soweto’s inception back in 1904 and its history will be shared. Next, proceed to Mama Lilian Ngoyi’s house, an opposer of apartheid. Ride to the Hector Pietersen Museum, the site of the Soweto uprising, and a pivotal point in apartheid’s history.

This tour brings you up close to Soweto’s key features. Visit the Mandela House, once the home of Nelson Mandela from 1946 to 1962. Afterwards, traverse past Tutu House on Vilakazi Street, the former home of Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his family. Discuss the Nobel Laureate’s role in bringing apartheid to an end in South Africa.

Allow your legs a rest as you pause for lunch. Try the local South African kota sandwiches before pedalling back to where your tour began.

Location
7346 Kumalo St
Kumalo Street
Meet your guide in front of the Vilakazi Espresso, opposite the Hector Pieterson Memorial. Please wait INSIDE the coffee shop if you arrive before your tour starts! (We will communicate with you via WhatsApp or Message before your tour starts)
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(138 Ratings)
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Francesrz5137ss
Jun 7, 2024
Don't miss this tour! - Highly recommend! A great 3 hour bike tour of Soweto. Themba was our Guide. Our hotel sent us to the incorrect meeting spot so we were 25 min late but Themba couldn't have been more gracious and understanding. He was so knowledgeable about everything. He was very sweet and patient answering all of our questions. So many things to see and learn about. So much history. We stopped for lunch at a terrific little place and was treated to a local delight the koda sandwich. :)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
673satyend
Jun 2, 2024
Biking thru history and culture - This tour was the highlight of our trip to Johannesberg! It was important for us to see and understand the history of apartheid from the township perspective. Themba was an excellent guide! He is a Soweto local and it was very interesting to learn the history and how current life is in the township from his viewpoint. We really appreciated his kindness, patience, and sense of humor. Bike ride was fun some rolling hills, traffic to manage. Thank you Themba from the Swati family! ;)
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Benjaminvw3635cn
May 29, 2024
Great views and lovely tour guide - The tour guide Tumbah was very knowledgeable and very friendly. We had a great time with him, and got to see a lot of Soweto on the bike. The bikes were in great condition and the food that was provided was lovely too. Highly recommended!
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Am_oakland
May 26, 2024
Great bike ride through Soweto with Themba! - We had a great bike ride with Themba through Soweto - learning about the history and discussing what’s happening today. We felt very safe throughout and were not bothered by random strangers (which is what would have happened if we were on our own). We also ended up riding through the lead up to an ANC rally in prep for the elections. Strong reco!
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Cotter1963
May 20, 2024
Great tour! Amazing guide. OK lunch. - Great tour. Highly recommended. The lunch was not good - make sure you tell your guide if you want more on the sandwich than a fried egg and french fries. There are add on options, including burgers, cheese, sausages, etc., but they cost extra. Our guy didn’t let us know that and the egg and fries did not do the trick. If we go back, we would skip the sandwich and opt for lunch T one of the many restaurants in the area.Otherwise this was a really wonderful experience, and we would recommend it to anyone who wants to get an idea of the history and significance of the Soweto Township.
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Kristinbq7387jx
May 14, 2024
A great, well organized, and informative tour! - This was a great experience, and I can only recommend going on this tour. I had Themba as my guide, and he was amazing. Unfortunately or fortunately, I was the only one who went on the tour that day, but that didn't stop Themba from being a great guide. He was knowledgeable, fun, and great to talk to. I felt safe and well looked after. The Kota was delicious. Overall, I can highly recommend this tour! Thanks.
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363shantanus
May 13, 2024
An amazing afternoon at Soweto with one of the nicest guide - Had one of the best time in Johannesburg doing this tour. The tour went around East and west Soweto. The tour included a pit stop at Kek's restaurant which was fantastic as well. My guide Etehmbe was kind, knowledgeable, and super friendly. Couldn't ask for anything more and would highly recommend the tour.
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Safari35928349584
May 13, 2024
Great tour of Soweto - Our guide was awesome, answering my children’s questions and providing key and personal insights into various sites. Totally recommend!
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Duncanf124
May 11, 2024
A must do in South Africa - Themba is a very funny and kind guide, with a great mix of history and local knowledge, and he kept the tour really engaging. It was really good for us to have an active tour - a couple of hills to get the heart rate up, but nothing too strenuous. Lunch was delicious! We’re so glad Themba could show us this area of South Africa! Thanks from the Australians :)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
224mariettev
May 11, 2024
Fun, active and informative bike tour through Soweto with great guide Themba. - Themba is a very friendly guide who can give you a lot of information about Soweto. I thought it was a very enjoyable and informative bike ride. It's also nice to not be in a car but on a bike for a while. At the end we ate a delicious local Kota sandwich. Recommended!
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
June 2024
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