South Africa · TOURS IN JOHANNESBURG

The 15 Best Johannesburg Tours & Day Trips

148 tours  ·  from $12 a head

Johannesburg is where the country explains itself, and most of that is a guided day rather than a wander. The 15 below cover Soweto, the museums and the fossil caves west of town, with prices, durations and pickup points.

From Johannesburg: Pilanesberg Nature Reserve Game Safari - The early pickup and the road to the reserve
National Parks, Pilanesberg & Sun City Tours, Safari & Game Drives, Safaris and Game Drives in Johannesburg, Tour Reviews, Tours in Johannesburg

From Johannesburg: Pilanesberg Nature Reserve Game Safari

1.Pilanesberg Nature Reserve Game Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,327 reviews · 12 hours · from $186Our pick

Leave Johannesburg early for Pilanesberg Nature Reserve, where you’ll spend 4.5 to 5 hours on two open-vehicle game drives. Guides such as Petrus, Martin, and Desmond are known for sharp animal-spotting and easy humor. Expect elephants, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, hippos, and hundreds of bird species, with lions and leopards possible but never promised.

“A very enjoyable day with lunch included. Our guide Doreen was very knowledgeable. We got to see a fair few animals in their natural habitat. Around five hours on the game drive, plenty of opportunities to see the big 5 if you are lucky. Unfortunately we didn’t see any of the big cats but that’s the nature of a Safari”

Check availability →Read our full review

Johannesburg: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with Optional Soweto Tour - Starting at Rosebank’s Zone shopping center
Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours, Soweto & Township Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Johannesburg, Township Tours in Johannesburg

Johannesburg: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with Optional Soweto Tour

2.Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with Optional Soweto Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 985 reviews · 1 day · from $23

Use the open-top bus to explore Rosebank, Constitution Hill, downtown Johannesburg, the Apartheid Museum, Gold Reef City, Newtown, the Zoo, and more. Audio commentary comes in eight languages. Add the two-hour Soweto tour for a live guide, Mandela House, Hector Pieterson, Orlando Stadium, and Vilakazi Street.

“how humerus is our Mzantsi guide, especially soweto tour”

Check availability →Read our full review

Soweto /Johannesburg and Apartheid Museum Guided Full Day Tour - Johannesburg CBD, Gandhi Square, and the city view
Apartheid & Mandela History Tours, Apartheid History Tours in Johannesburg, Full-Day, Guided, Museums, Soweto & Township Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Johannesburg, Township Tours in Johannesburg

Soweto /Johannesburg and Apartheid Museum Guided Full Day Tour

3.Soweto /Johannesburg and Apartheid Museum Guided Full Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 932 reviews · from $103Top rated

Spend 8 to 9 hours touring Johannesburg and Soweto in an air-conditioned minivan with a local guide. Visit Constitution Hill, Mandela House, Hector Pieterson Museum, Vilakazi Street, Orlando Towers, FNB Stadium, and the Apartheid Museum. Guides may include Nathi, Bobo, or Matti, and the small group size keeps the day personal.

“Smooth day! Very informative and entertaining as well. It was only myself and 1 other so the experience was awesome. Bo Bo is very proud and chill and loves his job. I look forward to recommending to my friends.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Johannesburg Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour with Soweto Option - Starting at Rosebank and the Melrose Arch stop
City Tours, Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours, Soweto & Township Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Johannesburg, Township Tours in Johannesburg

Johannesburg Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour with Soweto Option

4.Johannesburg Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour with Soweto Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 768 reviews · from $16Best value

Ride Johannesburg’s open-top sightseeing bus from Rosebank, using eight-language audio commentary, free Wi-Fi, and flexible hop-on, hop-off stops. See Constitution Hill, the Apartheid Museum, Gold Reef City, Nelson Mandela Foundation, and more. Add a two-hour guided Soweto extension for a closer look at Orlando West and East.

“The bus narration on the main bus was very informative. The Soweto tour was good, the guide was great but was very cramped on the smaller bus. For folks thinking to spend time at some of the stops it's tough. Both Constitution Hill and the Arpatheid museum need several hours each.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Full Day Ultimate Pilanesberg National Park Safari from Johannesburg or Pretoria - The first open-vehicle safari drive
Full-Day, National Parks, Pilanesberg & Sun City Tours, Safari & Game Drives, Safaris and Game Drives in Johannesburg, Tour Reviews, Tours in Johannesburg

Full Day Ultimate Pilanesberg National Park Safari from Johannesburg or Pretoria

5.Full Day Ultimate Pilanesberg National Park Safari from Johannesburg or Pretoria

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 718 reviews · from $159

Start early with door-to-door pickup, then ride into Pilanesberg National Park for morning and afternoon open-vehicle safaris. A park guide such as Clement or Sibu may lead the drives, with lunch at Pilanesberg Center overlooking a waterhole. The small-group tour costs $159.89 and includes park fees, transport, and both drives.

“Our driver showed up on time for the hotel pick up. The van accommodated 12 and the safari bus for 8. The company communicated efficiently. It took close to 3 hours to get to the national park but once we got there everything moved efficient. We stopped for restroom and food. We had the best tour guides. We saw 4 of the 5 big game and several other animals. This is one of the best adventure tours ever. Our guides went above and beyond to find every animal you can imagine and allowed us to use their binoculars. The weather was perfect - no issues with bugs. Amazing lunch where…”

Check availability →Read our full review

Half-Day Tour of Soweto Tour - From FNB Stadium to Diepkloof
Half-Day, Soweto & Township Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Johannesburg, Township Tours in Johannesburg

Half-Day Tour of Soweto Tour

6.Half-Day Tour of Soweto Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 712 reviews · from $63

Spend about five hours exploring Soweto with a local guide such as Tshepo, Prince, Cpho, or Erick. Visit an informal settlement, Hector Pieterson Museum, Vilakazi Street, Mandela’s former home, Freedom Square, and Soweto Towers. Hotel pickup, drop-off, air-conditioned transport, and onboard WiFi are included. Mandela House entry, food, and drinks cost extra.

“It was a wonderful tour that provided a different insight to Soweto. Deneko was an amazing guide, personable and passionate.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Soweto: Walking Tour with a Local Guide and Lunch - Walking Vilakazi Street to Mandela’s House
Guided, Lunch Experiences, Soweto & Township Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Johannesburg, Township Tours in Johannesburg, Walking Tours

Soweto: Walking Tour with a Local Guide and Lunch

7.Walking Tour with a Local Guide and Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 648 reviews · 4 hours · from $43

Spend four hours walking through Soweto with guides such as Maweza, Teboho, or Mulalo. Visit the Hector Pieterson Memorial, Mandela’s House, Vilakazi Street, Winnie Mandela’s home, Orlando East, Nomzamo Park, and the Soweto Towers. Lunch, bottled water, and a short minibus taxi ride are included. Mandela’s House entry costs extra.

“Great experience - really interesting and guides were great”

Check availability →Read our full review

Jo'berg in 1 Day: Soweto, Apartheid Museum & City Tour - From the National Football Stadium to Soweto
1-Day Tours, Apartheid & Mandela History Tours, Apartheid History Tours in Johannesburg, City Tours, Museums, Soweto & Township Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Johannesburg, Township Tours in Johannesburg

Jo’berg in 1 Day: Soweto, Apartheid Museum & City Tour

8.Jo’berg in 1 Day: Soweto, Apartheid Museum & City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 524 reviews · 8 hours · from $142

Spend eight hours with an English-speaking guide exploring Soweto, Vilakazi Street, Hector Pieterson Museum, the Apartheid Museum, Constitution Hill, and central Johannesburg. Pickup and entrance fees are included, with WiFi onboard. Guides such as Khutso, Thapelo, Tinyiko, and Sello are known for clear historical commentary and friendly humor.

“Omg! It was awesome, a big thank you to Khutso and Zanele they were so good to us. Khutso is a top tour guide he told us everything we needed to know. God bless you and I will certainly recommend you guys to others.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Johannesburg: Full-Day Tour with Soweto and Apartheid Museum - A quick look at old Johannesburg
Apartheid & Mandela History Tours, Apartheid History Tours in Johannesburg, Full-Day, Museums, Soweto & Township Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Johannesburg, Township Tours in Johannesburg

Johannesburg: Full-Day Tour with Soweto and Apartheid Museum

9.Full-Day Tour with Soweto and Apartheid Museum

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 478 reviews · 10 hours · from $104

Spend 10 hours with a French or English-speaking guide exploring Johannesburg and Soweto. Visit Constitution Hill, the Apartheid Museum, Mandela House, and Hector Pieterson Memorial, with hotel pickup, air-conditioned transport, and entry fees included. Guides such as Advice, Bob, John, and Masese are known for clear storytelling and thoughtful care.

“Advice was incredible! Very informative and happy to answer any questions. What a fantastic day! Thank you very much Advice!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Johannesburg and Soweto: Half-Day Tour - Entering Soweto and seeing the township in context
Half-Day, Soweto & Township Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Johannesburg, Township Tours in Johannesburg

Johannesburg and Soweto: Half-Day Tour

10.Johannesburg and Soweto: Half-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 439 reviews · 5 hours · from $71

Spend five hours with a driver-guide exploring Johannesburg and Soweto by comfortable vehicle. Visit Mandela’s House, Hector Pieterson Memorial, Vilakazi Street, and the Soweto cooling towers, while passing Baragwanath Hospital, an informal settlement, historic city buildings, and Soccer City. Guides may speak English, French, or Portuguese.

“Our guide Vincent has a lot of knowledge, and we learned a lot on this trip.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Early Morning Balloon Safari with Breakfast from Magaliesburg - Preparing for a one-hour flight
Balloons, Morning, Safari & Game Drives, Safaris and Game Drives in Johannesburg, Tour Reviews, Tours in Johannesburg

Early Morning Balloon Safari with Breakfast from Magaliesburg

11.Early Morning Balloon Safari with Breakfast from Magaliesburg

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 418 reviews · from $240

Meet at Bill Harrop’s Original Balloon Safaris near Magaliesburg for a one-hour flight over the Magaliesbergs and Cradle of Humankind. Your pilot provides live commentary, followed by post-flight drinks, a certificate, and a sparkling wine buffet breakfast. The full experience takes about four hours, and weather can affect departure.

“The entire experience from the moment you arrive to park was so incredibly welcoming. They are so professional and organized. Our pilot, Nick was professional and funny and made the while trip something to remember for ever.....highly recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Full Day Pilanesberg Experience in Open Vehicle - Morning open 4x4 drive, about three hours
Full-Day, Pilanesberg & Sun City Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Johannesburg

Full Day Pilanesberg Experience in Open Vehicle

12.Full Day Pilanesberg Experience in Open Vehicle

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 414 reviews · from $137

Leave Johannesburg around 6:00 a.m. for Pilanesberg Nature Reserve, where a park guide takes you on a three-hour open 4x4 drive, lunch, and a two-hour afternoon drive. Guides such as Petrus, Chris, and Thaboo are praised for clear wildlife explanations. Expect a long day, a small group of up to 10, and about five hours of safari time.

“Amazing experience. Had a great time from the moment we were picked up from our hotel. Would definitely recommend”

Check availability →Read our full review

Full-Day Soweto, Apartheid Museum and Lunch Tour - Starting at FNB Stadium
Apartheid & Mandela History Tours, Apartheid History Tours in Johannesburg, Full-Day, Lunch Experiences, Museums, Soweto & Township Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Johannesburg, Township Tours in Johannesburg

Full-Day Soweto, Apartheid Museum and Lunch Tour

13.Full-Day Soweto, Apartheid Museum and Lunch Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 410 reviews · from $108

Spend about nine hours with MoAfrika Tours exploring Soweto, from FNB Stadium and Regina Mundi to an informal settlement, Vilakazi Street, and the Apartheid Museum. Guides such as Khutso, Cipo, Marc, Sello, and Tsolo bring local insight. Lunch, hotel transport, and onboard WiFi are included.

“I cannot describe in words the incredible experience I had during this tour. It’s definitely a must do if you are visiting Johannesburg. I felt very touched learning about the history and Soweto overall. I will never forget this experience, worth dRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

From Johannesburg: Lion & Safari Park Half-Day Tour - Hotel pickup from Johannesburg or Pretoria
Half-Day, Safari & Game Drives, Safaris and Game Drives in Johannesburg, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Johannesburg

From Johannesburg: Lion & Safari Park Half-Day Tour

14.Lion & Safari Park Half-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 384 reviews · 5 hours · from $167

You’ll leave Johannesburg or Pretoria in an air-conditioned vehicle, then join a one-hour open safari drive at Lion and Safari Park. Expect close views of lions, cheetahs, hyenas, wild dogs, and possibly a white lion. Guides such as Thapelo, Dusty, AJ, and Sipho have been praised for their humor and animal knowledge. Pickup and return transport are included.

“We loved spending time with the lions and the other predators. We felt safe and looked after. I heartily recommend this tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Half Guided Day Tour of Soweto And Apartheid Museum - Starting at the Apartheid Museum
Apartheid & Mandela History Tours, Apartheid History Tours in Johannesburg, Guided, Museums, Soweto & Township Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Johannesburg, Township Tours in Johannesburg

Half Guided Day Tour of Soweto And Apartheid Museum

15.Half Guided Day Tour of Soweto And Apartheid Museum

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 356 reviews · from $69

Spend four to five hours exploring Johannesburg’s Apartheid Museum and Soweto with a guide such as Nathi or Bobo. The small-group tour includes hotel pickup, Mandela House, Hector Pieterson Memorial, Vilakazi Street, and time to hear how Soweto changed South Africa. The museum visit is self-guided.

“The tour was as good as I could have imagined. Our guide was informative and helpful to all four of us on the tour. We learned a lot about Johannesburg and South Africa in a short time.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Scroll to Top

Explore South Africa

Pick a park, a coastline or a city.