The Soweto Tour takes approximately 8 hours and starts around 09.00am in the morning with pick-up at your hotel/residence. The tour can be different from that stated below depending on there being something special to visit on that particular day. The general guideline is:

Enter Soweto via the up-market area called Diepkloof Ext where some of the houses can cost in the millions. Visit a large worker hostel near this area. From here, you’ll move in to the Baragwanath area and stop at the huge taxi rank for a walk about. Soak up the sites, sounds and "smells" of Africa at close quarters - informal open-air butcher shop, herbalists, barbers and market etc. Meet ordinary locals at the local Shebeens (drinking places).  

You’ll pass Baragwanath Hospital, the largest hospital in the southern hemisphere. The tour continues with a drive through the various suburbs including the early suburbs of Orlando where many of the political giants lived and the Kliptown area where the freedom charter was signed, now being developed as the Walter Sizulu square of dedication.

The next stop off is to visit the fascinating Hector Pieterson memorial and museum. The state of the art multi media centre depicts scenes leading up to the student uprising of June 16th 1976. This is a very informative and moving experience not to be missed.

Round the corner to visit the Nelson Mandela house museum and Vilakazi Street which is the only street in the world where two Nobel Peace prize winners lived.

A highlight of a visit to Soweto is a delicious lunch at one of the well run restaurants patronized by both tourists and locals alike, offering typical "township" fare including dombolo (steamed bread), moroga (spinach), Umqhusho (Khosa samp and beans-Nelson Mandela's favourite dish), Mogodu (tripe-not for the faint hearted!) and a variety of meats, salads and vegetables.

You’ll then visit a squatter camp right in the heart of Soweto and meet some of the residents. They will be happy to answer some of your questions and will show you round their homes, to see how many thousands of South Africans live and make ends meet. The local children may put on a spontaneous dance for you.

Then it's on to Regina Mundi church the focal point of much of the struggle in the 70's and 80's and home to the famous Black Madonna and Child painting. You’ll visit more suburbs and housing types and styles before reluctantly leaving Soweto with a feeling of hope for the future. All of our clients, both South Africans and from elsewhere comment on how welcomed and safe they felt and how friendly the Sowetans are.

Want more information?
Email us now on
sales@exclusively-african.com

or complete our
Request for information Form

back to tours