
Private Gold Mine, Apartheid Museum and Soweto - "The Big 3"
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 4 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Gold Mine, Apartheid Museum and Soweto - "The Big 3" worth booking?
Private Gold Mine, Apartheid Museum and Soweto - "The Big 3" is a 6-hour experience in Pretoria, South Africa, from $80 per person. It scores 66 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 4 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 66 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (4)
- Duration
- 6 hours
- From
- $80 per person
The private tour takes a maximum of three guests and you visit the 3 main tourist venues in South Africa in one day. "The BIG 3" Your Guide is a Local and grew up in a mining village . His Father and Grandfather both worked on a Gold Mine. He will also give you a personal chat on the history of South Africa. A visit to a Gold mine village and to go underground is a unique adventure for our International Tourists . Apartheid museum gives you a historical tour that will make you think about the atrocities for days afterwards. This is a very professional museum and you are guarantied a exceptional experience. Soweto is the place to visit to see how the people live, it is also the city of Mr Mandela and we visit his house as well as his friends Desmond Tutu. T Please note this tour is only available Thursday to Sunday Your Guide Shane is the author of "White Boy" a true story of a boy growing up in South Africa
What you get
About this experience
The private tour takes a maximum of three guests and you visit the 3 main tourist venues in South Africa in one day. "The BIG 3" Your Guide is a Local and grew up in a mining village . His Father and Grandfather both worked on a Gold Mine. He will also give you a personal chat on the history of South Africa. A visit to a Gold mine village and to go underground is a unique adventure for our International Tourists . Apartheid museum gives you a historical tour that will make you think about the atrocities for days afterwards. This is a very professional museum and you are guarantied a exceptional experience. Soweto is the place to visit to see how the people live, it is also the city of Mr Mandela and we visit his house as well as his friends Desmond Tutu. T Please note this tour is only available Thursday to Sunday Your Guide Shane is the author of "White Boy" a true story of a boy growing up in South Africa
What's included
Included
- Bottled water
- Qualified Guide
- In-vehicle air conditioning
Not included
- Tea and coffee
- All Fees and Taxes
- Entry costs for Mandela House of R100
- Entry into Apartheid Museum R 150
- Entry into Gold Mine R 200
What you'll see and do
Gold Reef City
Visit This amazing Gold Mine Village. We start the tour off with a short video of the history of Gold Mining in South Africa, Then we visit the General Manger house and some of the smaller house and outbuilding of a gold mine. Next its a ride undergound in a skip (lift) and experience underground mining. Lastly a demonstration of gold pouring. An experience you must not miss while in South Africa
120 minutes here · Admission not included
Apartheid Museum
South Africa's most popular museum visit. This is a very good history of Apartheid . All the famous ANC leaders and freedom fighters are profiled including Mr. Mandela. The military and atrocities or professionally documented
120 minutes here · Admission not included
Soweto
We drive to Soweto and take a tour around the area close to vilakazi street. You will experience the life in a township and we stop at Vilakazi street where you can have something to eat or drink. Soweto is the home
60 minutes here
Mandela House
We stop and you can go inside {R 80} or you can just see it from the outside and take a few photographs. The house is just down the road from Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Entry fees are not included . If you want to enter the Mandela House museum the cost is R110
60 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.
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
- Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 6 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Shane Gouldie
Know before you go
- 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 4 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
1 mentionTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Food and drink
1 mentionThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Good for families
1 mentionReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
4 verified traveler reviews for Private Gold Mine, Apartheid Museum and Soweto - "The Big 3". Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great day trip
Highly recommend a tour with Shane. His knowledge and love of his country is very deep. Provided a lot of valuable insights that added to my experience.
Response from the operator: Thank you for the lovely review. It was an absolute pleasure sharing my beautiful and interesting country with you. All the best for the future . Shane
via Tripadvisor
Great combination of activities
Great experience being able to combine these three elements. Not many others offering this particular combination of experiences but it suited us perfectly. The Apartheid Museum is so comprehensive and informative, a very intense but necessary experience. The Gold mine visit was a lot of fun. Shane is a great travel companion and willing to share many of his experiences from living in South Africa. Handy conversationalist if you're a cricket fan! Very responsive to messages and keeping us informed before the pick up.
Response from the operator: Hi Vivienne. It's was fantastic hosting you and your husband on this new tour of mine. Thank you for the possitive review. This i believe will become a very popular tour because it encompasses our history of South Africa.
via Tripadvisor
A great tour with Shane!
We highly recommend this tour or probably any that Shane does. As a native since the 60’s he knows the country well and has experienced the transitions. He loves his home country and this shows thru his stories, experiences and opinions. The tour consisted a tour of Soweto pointing out different things along the way, the Gold Mine Tour at the Gold Reef Park bypassing the kids stuff and the Apartheid Museum. Shane enriched our experience that day and made recommendations on our activities the next day and dinner. We highly recommend Shane and this tour.
Response from the operator: Hi Jill and Al. Let's just say I really enjoyed you guys. What a pleasure to spend time with such special people. Thank you. Shane
via Tripadvisor
Day Tour of Johannesburg
This is an amazing tour if you’d like to learn more about Johannesburg and South Africa in general. The combination of apartheid museum, Soweto and South Africa’s gold mining history, gives you an in depth understanding of the recent history of this fascinating country. One of the few places in the world where you can actually go underground into an old gold mine and even more fascinating as you can see the technology which has been used to maintain the mine and extract and convert the extracted raw material into gold. Shane, your guide, is fun to be with and has deep knowledge about the country and its history. Definitely recommended!
Response from the operator: Thanks Juta. Appreciate you taking time to do the review. Really enjoyed your company. Shane
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 6 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Price range
- $80 to $2,800
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Shane Gouldie, who run 16 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 69.5.
See everything Shane Gouldie runsWhy this scores 66
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Gold Mine, Apartheid Museum and Soweto - "The Big 3": questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Pretoria.
How much does Private Gold Mine, Apartheid Museum and Soweto - "The Big 3" cost?
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Prices start at $80 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Pretoria usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Private Gold Mine, Apartheid Museum and Soweto - "The Big 3" take?
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Plan for about 6 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 Pretoria is not rushed.
Is Private Gold Mine, Apartheid Museum and Soweto - "The Big 3" worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 66 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 4 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Pretoria, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Private Gold Mine, Apartheid Museum and Soweto - "The Big 3"?
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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 Private Gold Mine, Apartheid Museum and Soweto - "The Big 3" suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 6-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Gold Mine, Apartheid Museum and Soweto - "The Big 3"?
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Around 1 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 Pretoria 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 Pretoria and add a light layer if any part of the 6-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Gold Mine, Apartheid Museum and Soweto - "The Big 3" 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 Pretoria 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 Pretoria?
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On Outty we rank every Pretoria experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Soweto Cultural Walking Tour with Lunch, Guided Bicycle Tour of Soweto with Lunch, Johannesburg and Soweto tour. 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 Pretoria?
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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 Pretoria?
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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.
What is included in Private Gold Mine, Apartheid Museum and Soweto - "The Big 3"?
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Included: Bottled water; Qualified Guide; and In-vehicle air conditioning. Not included: Tea and coffee; All Fees and Taxes; Entry costs for Mandela House of R100; and Entry into Apartheid Museum R 150. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Private Gold Mine, Apartheid Museum and Soweto - "The Big 3" include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 697 listed pickup locations in and around Pretoria. Be ready about 15 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Private Gold Mine, Apartheid Museum and Soweto - "The Big 3" offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Private Gold Mine, Apartheid Museum and Soweto - "The Big 3"?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to Private Gold Mine, Apartheid Museum and Soweto - "The Big 3" if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Pretoria. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Private Gold Mine, Apartheid Museum and Soweto - "The Big 3"?
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Across 4 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, food and drink. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
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