15 Guided Tours That Show You the Real Joburg |
Experiences beyond the tourist traps |
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15 Guided Tours That Show You the Real JoburgTaking a guided tour is a perfect way to explore the hidden gems of a city and neighbourhoods that might go unnoticed. Whether you are interested in history, culture, street art, fashion, food, or even birding, these tours offer immersive experiences where the guides are familiar locals who help you feel part of the neighbourhood. 1. Dlala Nje: Hillbrow and Yeoville
Dlala Nje offers unique walking tours around the tough City Centre neighbourhoods of Hillbrow on Saturdays and Yeoville on Sundays. The tours include visiting the 52nd floor of the Ponte building for awe-inspiring views. The Yeoville tour is a culinary adventure with visits to places along Rockey Street selling authentic dishes from Cameroon, Ethiopia, and DRC. Both tours offer plenty of chances to meet locals, and proceeds support the community centre at Ponte.
Cost: From R350 per person 2. Eenblond Tours: Fordsburg Street Art and Food
Gilda Swanepoel offers tours that focus on connecting with locals and offering historical background, but she is more interested in immersing guests in the present environment. Her Fordsburg street art and street food tour is a favourite, combining murals and graffiti with authentic Indian, Pakistani, and Middle Eastern cuisine.
Cost: From R400 per person 3. Caraci Experience: Fashion Design
Fashion designer Sebo Marobela takes you to Johannesburg's fashion district, where you will select fabric from a dizzying array of African prints. You then return to the studio where Marobela's team creates your custom bomber jacket, dress, or other clothing item. In between, you head to Maboneng or another part of the city for lunch and enjoy a lesson on garment construction. Being handed your finished outfit and wearing it with the city as your backdrop is the perfect end to the day.
Cost: From R1,500 per person 4. Graffiti Safari with eBiker SA
Eelco Meyjes offers a city graffiti experience like no other, a ride in a safari vehicle through the streets of Joburg. The Graffiti Masterpieces tour is a great way to spend a Sunday, traversing Newtown and Braamfontein and visiting other key urban graffiti sites along the way.
Cost: From R450 per person 5. Africa Bird Tours: Soweto
Avid conservationist Raymond Rampolokeng is Soweto's first trained BirdLife South Africa guide. He offers bird-watching tours in the township's wetland areas, including Orlando and Moroka dams. A particular highlight is the hike up Enoch Sontonga koppie, offering spectacular views of Soweto.
Cost: From R400 per person 6. Ancient Secrets and African Secrets: Food Tours
Experience Johannesburg's rich cultural diversity through historical and culinary walking tours with an emphasis on food. Tours include a spice walk in Fordsburg, exploring Asian culture in Cyrildene's Chinatown, and Ethiopian culture in the City Centre.
Cost: From R500 per person 7. Bridge Books Underground Booksellers Walking Tour
Join Griffin Shea of Bridge Books for a guided walk through the City Centre's literary district, tracing Joburg's informal book trade and rich reading culture. The experience starts at Bridge Books at the Barbican Building before a literary walk through the city.
Cost: From R200 per person 8. City Skate Tours
Created by Ayanda Mnyandu and Daniel Monegi, this tour starts with a beginner's skateboarding course before you are taken to Harrison Street in the heart of the City Centre to practise your new skills. Mnyandu, a self-taught tour guide and history buff, fills the tour with interesting anecdotes about early Joburg history. They also offer walking tours of Braamfontein if skateboarding is not your thing.
Cost: From R300 per person 9. City Sightseeing Bus
The iconic red open-top hop-on hop-off bus makes 11 stops in the City Centre and south Joburg, including the Apartheid Museum. The bus also links to a Soweto mini-bus tour. It is a fun and easy way to see the sights, with an insightful audio guide on the two-hour journey.
Cost: From R200 per person, discounts online 10. Eyitha Tours: Sophiatown Heritage
Join Mbali Zwane for a unique walk through Sophiatown that follows the stories and lives of the musicians, writers, and activists who grew up in this community before its destruction in 1955. Tours can include a visit to the Fietas Museum in Vrededorp and lunch in Fordsburg. There is also a five-hour Sophiatown to Soweto tour that traces the journey of residents who were forcibly removed to the Meadowlands area.
Cost: From R350 per person 11. MainStreetWalks: City Centre
These walking tours explore the heart of the City Centre, including the mining district, historic buildings, and public art. Guides share stories about the city's founding, the gold rush, and the people who shaped Joburg's early years.
Cost: From R250 per person 12. Lebo's Soweto Backpackers: Soweto by Bike
This community-based tourism initiative offers bicycle tours through Soweto, visiting Vilakazi Street, the Hector Pieterson Memorial, and local shebeens. The tours are led by local guides who grew up in the township.
Cost: From R400 per person 13. JoburgPlaces: Walking Tours
Charlie Moyo offers a range of walking tours that explore different aspects of the city, from the historic suburbs of Parktown to the urban regeneration in the CBD. His tours are known for deep historical knowledge and engaging storytelling.
Cost: From R300 per person 14. Past Experiences: Arts and Culture
These tours focus on the vibrant arts and culture scene in the City Centre, including visits to artist studios, galleries, and cultural institutions. They offer a behind-the-scenes look at Joburg's creative economy.
Cost: From R400 per person 15. Soweto Outdoor Adventures
For those seeking more active experiences, this operator offers hiking, quad biking, and paintball in Soweto. The tours combine adventure with cultural experiences, including visits to historical sites.
Cost: From R500 per person Before You Go
Most tours require booking, especially on weekends. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water and sunscreen. Some tours in the City Centre start early to avoid the midday heat. Check with operators about accessibility, as some tours involve stairs or uneven terrain. Many tours offer private bookings for groups. |
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