SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa's standouts.
A shortlist of the 10 historical tours most worth booking in South Africa, with what each one is like on the day, who runs it, and what it costs.
2-hour Cape Town walk through Bo-Kaap, art-filled streets, Slave Lodge, District Six, and Mandela-linked stops. $37 with local guide.
“Mandi was phenomenal. She gave us an amazing tour with very interesting and detailed information about the history of the different districts and south africa in general. she is very kind and helpful. So make sure you get Her on the tour.”
A 90-minute guided walk through historic Stellenbosch: oak-lined streets, Cape Dutch buildings, founder stories, fires, and $18 value.
“We were a small group of 4 plus Marlene, our fantastic tour guide. We truly enjoyed our walk around the old town, accompanied by insightful stories from Marlene. This easy city walk we can w/o doubts recommend to everybody.”
Cycle Stellenbosch history and Jonkershoek Valley, visit 2 wine estates for cellar tours and wine-chocolate tastings. Small group, 4-5 hrs.
“The tour guides planned a beautiful scenic route. The two wineries we visited were lovely, both very scenic and with very welcoming staff. I’d definitely do it again.”
Private 5-hour Soweto tour from Johannesburg/Pretoria: Apartheid Museum, Orlando Towers, Hector Pieterson and Mandela House, pickup included.
“I was a little worried that this would just be a taxi guide, but this wasn’t the case at all. I was so impressed with our guide Nkululeko (& his articulate English) and the way he shared the history made this experience incredible. This is a must do tour to take in the essence of…”
Private 3-hour Cape Town bike tour with Sea Point, Bo-Kaap, Company Gardens and V&A Waterfront, including snacks and coffee.
“It was a great tour. We cycled all over the place, seeing loads of beautiful and interesting things. Our guide Abi was great - so informative and friendly. Answering tonnes of our questions and telling us so much history of Cape Town. Great way to get your bearings in the area when you first arrive!”
Full-day Johannesburg and Soweto tour tracing apartheid from gold mines to Constitution Hill, Mandela’s home, and the Apartheid Museum.
“We had a great private walking tour in Johannesburg and Soweto with those guys. They did a great job and arranged the tour very spontaneously according to our needs and wishes. We had a local experience for a very fair price. Afterwards thRead more”
Robben Island tour from Cape Town with ferry and a guided prison visit led by an ex-political prisoner, plus V&A Waterfront pickup.
“Informative, impactful, historical information that should never be forgotten. The company sent a car to pick us up and drop us off from the Nelson Mandela gateway to Robben island at the V&A Waterfront”
UNESCO Cradle of Humankind tour with hotel pickup, snacks, and a guided visit to Sterkfontein Caves and Maropeng fossil exhibits.
“Our guide, Zodwa and driver, Albert were both very knowledgeable on the discovery and development of the Cradle of Humankind and provided excellent commentary during our tour. The thoughtfulness of the tour operator substituting the Wonder Cave as the Sterkfontein Caves were closed due to flooding was appreciated.”
Guided full- or half-day Soweto history tour with hotel pickup. Visit Kliptown, Mandela sites, Hector Pieterson Square, and lunch.
“Amazing Tour,learnt so much and saw so much,my guide Albert was Excellent,his knowledge about the various areas is commendable.i Highly recommend him and this tour,I'm south African but the knowledge I left from this tour is knowledge I never had before.Thank you again Albert”
Cape Town full-day tour to Robben Island and Long March to Freedom with hotel pickup, included admission, and Wi-Fi on board.
“This tour gave me all that was promised. I can truly say I left wiser. The staff were also a pleasure as well and were all greatly informed.”
