Apartheid Museum and Soweto Tour in Johannesburg
Traveler rating
4.5/5
Based on 19 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Apartheid Museum and Soweto Tour in Johannesburg worth booking?
Apartheid Museum and Soweto Tour in Johannesburg is a 5-hour experience in Johannesburg, South Africa, from $750 per person. It scores 61 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.5/5 rating across 19 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 61 / 100
- Rating
- 4.5/5 (19)
- Duration
- 5 hours
- From
- $750 per person
Get the experience of being a local Soweto resident by spending your day in one of the largest townships in South Africa; as we drive and walk through the vibrant Soweto Township. Come enjoy the day as we go through the
What you get
About this experience
Get the experience of being a local Soweto resident by spending your day in one of the largest townships in South Africa; as we drive and walk through the vibrant Soweto Township. Come enjoy the day as we go through the rich history and culture of Soweto. You will then visit the renowned Apartheid Museum, which illustrates the rise and fall of apartheid in South Africa. This tour will give you a real sense of life during the apartheid era with its policies of segregation that were enforced from 1948 until 1994.
What's included
Included
- Bottled water
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Guide
Not included
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Apartheid Museum
We visit the Apartheid Museum, where you will learn about the events of apartheid in South Africa.
120 minutes here · Admission included
FNB Stadium
Stop at the FNB Stadium which hosted the 2010 Soccer World Cup Final.
10 minutes here
Orlando Towers
We then view the Soweto Towers which is now the landmark of Soweto.
10 minutes here
Vilakazi Street
Then we visit one of the most prestigious streets in the world Vilakazi Street; which was home to the 2 Noble Peace Prize Winners Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela here you will get a chance to do some souvenir shopping.
30 minutes here
Mandela House
View Nelson Mandela House from outside, the entrance fee is not included however we are always happy to give you time to enter your own account.
20 minutes here · Admission not included
Hector Pieterson Museum and Memorial
Visit the Hector Pieterson Memorial only, where you will get an overview of the events of the 1976 Soweto Student Uprising.
30 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
Apartheid Museum and Soweto Tour in Johannesburg
Pickup included
Private Apartheid & Soweto
Private Tour Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Tsalanang Tours
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 19 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
19 verified traveler reviews for Apartheid Museum and Soweto Tour in Johannesburg. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Rough start, Great rest of the tour
Tour guide sent me a message through TripAdvisor the night prior, that they no longer offer pick up at/near the airport, due to fuel surchafges. I didn't see i till checking my email while waiting to be picked. Scrambled to get an Uber, which also didn't work out so had to pay for a private car from my hotel to meet up at the Apartheid Museum. That wasted 90 minutes of the 5 hour tour. Once we found each other, the rest of the tour was great, if a little rushed. We drove by the soccer stadium of the last World Cup Tournament in South Africa, then on to Soweto. Given a drive through tour of the "upper class" part of Soweto and shown the "middle" and "lower" class sections. Did a brief our with a resident of the "lower class' which was very meaningful,. I did ask my guide if this wasn't "poverty tourism" and would I be offending anyone by touring their community and was assured they welcome people visiting and educating us about their lives. I felt very safe and would highly recommend visiting with this guide. My guide and I had frank conversations about health care, crime, and culture and it was a great education for me. We then went on to drive by the Soweto Towers, visited Vilikazi Street to see Nelson Mandela's home. I was discouraged from paying to go in as I would see more memorabilia at the Apartheid Museum. This stop felt a little rushed as we didn't see Bishop Tutu's former home or have any time to shop with vendors on that street. We then went on to visit the Hector Peiterson Memorial, at which my guide gave a great presentation about the events that lead up to Hector Pieterson's murder. It was exceptionally moving and tears were shed. I was then given two hours to visit the Apartheid Museum on my own which was a good amount of time, without feeling rushed. My guide and I came to an agreement that I would pay for petrol for his car, if he could please give me a ride back to my hotel, which turned out to be a great arrangement for both of us. My only recommendation would be if there are any changes to the itinerary, ie: pick-up/drop-off point, communicate that earlier than the night before so arrangements can be made or the tour can be cancelled in favor of a tour that meets the advertised pickup/drop off points. If the tour and guide weren't as great as they were, I would have expected a discount as being picked up/dropped off at my hotel were a major reason I chose this tour. Other travelers might not be as flexible.
via Tripadvisor
A top-notch guide and an excellent tour
We went on this tour on our first day in Johannesburg. Our tour guide, Thabang, was knowledgeable, had a great sense of humor, and really tailored our trip to what our interests were. As someone who grew up in and still lives in Soweto, he welcomed us to his home, and we really had the opportunity to see and interact with a very vibrant community. We felt safe and in good hands every minute of our personalized tour. We would highly recommend him and his organization to anyone.
via Tripadvisor
They didn’t show up!
I have a problem reviewing this as we were never picked up by the operator. I would NOT encourage anyone to use this tour company. They were unresponsive when we tried to call them to ask if they were coming to get us. In fact, their phones only went to voicemail. Find another tour!!
Response from the operator: Another review given to wrong supplier, we no records of your booking on our end, we are known for our great customer service and its unfortunate to have all the same fake reviews on us that we can't get removed.
via Tripadvisor
Wouldnt recommend
Never showed up cancelled tour without any notification
Response from the operator: Hi Bel, we have no record of your booking on our end. Please double check who your supplier is as there is alot of us operators here and this review is not meant for us.
via Tripadvisor
Soweto insight
This insightful tour was awesome. Our local guide gave us a tour of his backyard all the while we felt safe.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for the lovely review, glad you enjoyed your tour with us we hope to host you again soon.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Price range
- $750 to $3500
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 7
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Tsalanang Tours, who run 12 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 65.8.
See everything Tsalanang Tours runsWhy this scores 61
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Apartheid Museum and Soweto Tour in Johannesburg: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Johannesburg.
How much does Apartheid Museum and Soweto Tour in Johannesburg cost?
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Prices start at $750 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Johannesburg usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Apartheid Museum and Soweto Tour in Johannesburg take?
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Plan for about 5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Johannesburg is not rushed.
Is Apartheid Museum and Soweto Tour in Johannesburg worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 61 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.5/5 across 19 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Johannesburg, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Apartheid Museum and Soweto Tour in Johannesburg?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Apartheid Museum and Soweto Tour in Johannesburg suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Apartheid Museum and Soweto Tour in Johannesburg?
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Around 7 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Johannesburg can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Johannesburg and add a light layer if any part of the 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Apartheid Museum and Soweto Tour in Johannesburg start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Johannesburg within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Johannesburg?
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On Outty we rank every Johannesburg experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Full Day Ultimate Pilanesberg National Park Safari from Johannesburg or Pretoria, Soweto and Johannesburg Exclusive Full Day Guided Tour, Half Guided Day Tour of Soweto And Apartheid Museum. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Johannesburg?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Johannesburg?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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