Our most recommended things to do in Johannesburg

From Johannesburg: Pilanesberg Nature Reserve Game Safari

1. From Johannesburg: Pilanesberg Nature Reserve Game Safari

Visit Pilanesberg Game Reserve on a full-day safari from Johannesburg, where over 7000 animals roam freely. Have the chance to see big 5 game animals (elephants, rhinos, leopards, buffalos, and lions). Enjoy 2 extensive game drives in a jeep with a guide and a delicious lunch. Be picked up from your hotel in Johannesburg in the early morning and relax on the 2.5-hour drive to the Pilanesberg Game Reserve. Follow your guide on a drive to encounter animals like zebras, giraffes, cheetahs, hyenas, hippos, crocodiles, jackals, antelopes, and over 300 species of birds. A total of 4.5 to 5 hours are spent on Game Drives. During the heat of the day, sit down for an hour-long delectable lunch at one of the many rest camps in the Game Reserve. After lunch, depart on an afternoon safari drive in an open vehicle. Ask your guide any questions you might have about the animals and the natural environment. Leave Pilanesberg in the late afternoon to get back to your hotel in Johannesburg before sunset.

Jo'berg in 1 Day: Soweto, Apartheid Museum & City Tour

2. Jo'berg in 1 Day: Soweto, Apartheid Museum & City Tour

After collecting you from your hotel or residence in Johannesburg, your guide will give you a quick pre departure tour briefing before departing to Soweto (South Western Township). On your way to Soweto you pass by the National Football Stadium City, which hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the World Cup 2010. You enter the Diepkloof area, where you will take a walk past vendors selling just about anything. In Orlando West you visit Vilakazi Street - drive past the former home of Nelson Mandela and past the home of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. You will have an opportunity to read about the Soweto uprising on 16 June 1976. On that tragic day an innocent little boy called Hector Pieterson gave up his life and kick-started the liberation of South Africa. During this tour you will pass by the Mandela House. A visit into the museum is optional. You continue your tour driving into one of the shanty towns where you get to interact with some of the locals. By now you will have seen the good, the bad and the ugly facets of Soweto. You drive past the Soweto Campus of the Johannesburg University and end your tour with a stop at the largest hospital in the world: Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. After Lunch on your own account, you will arrive at the world famous Apartheid Museum. Here you will learn about the history and struggle of South Africa during apartheid. Once you are done with the Apartheid Museum, you head into Johannesburg City and start with the view of the impressive 269 metre Telkom Tower, as seen on many postcards of Johannesburg. You then enter the inspiring Constitution Hill – and Court (when not in session) Political activists like Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi were once held here. During a tour inside you will learn about some of the legal history of Johannesburg. On your way to Newtown you pass by the longest southern African bridge, named Nelson Mandela bridge. At Mary Fitzgerald Square you can walk on the Jazz Walk of Fame. In short, this tour offers you a unique Johannesburg experience at an affordable rate.

Johannesburg and Soweto: Half Day Tour

3. Johannesburg and Soweto: Half Day Tour

Depart from your hotel, heading to the southwest township of Johannesburg. Take a route through Johannesburg's southern suburbs and see the sleek cars and spacious freeways. Next, discover Johannesburg city with its tall buildings, most of them built during the apartheid era, while you make your way to Soweto. Watch the beautiful scenery disappear as you enter Soweto. Pass by 2 iconic landmarks that used to generate power in the township of Soweto and are now normally used for bungee jumping. Drive through Soweto heading to the famous Hector Pieterson Museum with its dark history about the youth uprising in 1976. From here, drive through the township for sightseeing, and finally, head to Mandela House Museum on Vilakazi Street. In the museum, you will learn about the father of the nation, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, who became a world icon. Finally, hop back into the tour vehicle returning to your hotel. On route, you will pass by FNB stadium also known as Soccer City or The Calabash, which hosted the opening and closing matches of the 2010 World Cup finals.

Johannesburg: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with Optional Soweto Tour

4. Johannesburg: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with Optional Soweto Tour

Enjoy the most fantastic views, safely and with flexibility to experience the atmosphere of Johannesburg aboard an open-top double-decker sightseeing bus. Choose between a bus ticket or choose to include a small group tour to Soweto, to visit the former home of Nelson Mandela in Vilakazi street and lots more by choosing the Bus/Soweto Combo option. This open top bus tour stops at all the iconic Johannesburg attractions like Melrose Arch, the Mandela's Foundation, Mandela's Homes, Constitution Hill, downtown Johannesburg, the Apartheid Museum, Gold Reef City Theme Park, The Zoo, and Military Museum. The Main bus stop and Branded Tour office with Departure point is in Rosebank. Look for the City Sightseeing Tour office in the main pedestrian part of the "The Zone Mall", Oxford Road, Rosebank. It’s easy to find, between the “Holiday Inn Rosebank” and “Hamleys”. The Tour office is easily and safely accessible by free branded City Sightseeing shuttle bus, rented car, Gautrain or Uber (Detailed instructions for each of these options are on your tour voucher). You can also check Google maps for the “City Sightseeing Johannesburg Visitor Center”. The Hop-On Hop-Off Tour visits and stops at Melrose Arch, the Mandela Foundation, passes Mandela's Homes in Houghton, we make a scenic Photo Stop at Munroe Drive, Constitution Hill, the Mining District in central Johannesburg and Gold Reef City Casino Hotel. We have a tour office here to ensure that you can join the optional Soweto extension tour. (See details of this extension tour below) From there, the hop on hop off tour also stops at the Apartheid Museum, Newtown to visit the Sci Bono or Museum Africa, Braamfontein to visit the Neighbourhoods Market (open on Saturdays only), before we stop at the Johannesburg Zoo and the Military Museum from where the tour returns to Rosebank. The 2 hour, small group tour of Soweto is accessed whilst on the hop on, hop off tour at the “Gold Reef City” Bus stop. There are staff on duty to make sure this is safe and easy for you. Described as the “New York of Africa", this small group tour is live guided by a Soweto resident guide. Reconnect with Nelson Mandela's past, and get an understanding of where he started his fight against apartheid at his family home in Soweto. Now a museum, Mandela House follows the story of the legendary leader in the single-story matchbox house is located at number 8115 Vilakazi street. A short distance up the road is Tutu House, the home of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu. This tour includes visits and Stops at the Fnb Stadium, a photo stop at the famous "Welcome to Soweto" sign, Chris Hani Baragwanath, the Orlando Stadium and Hector Pieterson before we arrive at Mandela's Vilikazi street House. Return to Gold Reef City and re-join the open top bus tour back to Rosebank.

Soweto: Guided Bicycle Tour with Lunch

5. Soweto: Guided Bicycle Tour with Lunch

Embark on a fun and unique tour experience as you explore the urban complex of Soweto on a bicycle. Get to experience the township like a local. Get a glimpse of Hector Pietersen Museum, Mandela House and Tutu House. Start your cycling tour in Killarney, an up-and-coming tourist destination in Soweto. Learn how this township was created in 1904 and share the history of these neighborhoods. Ride to Mzimhlophe and visit Mzimhlophe Women's hostel. Continue to Mama Lilian Ngoyi's house, an anti-apartheid activist. Cycle to Hector Pietersen Museum where the Soweto uprising transpired which was one of the turning points of apartheid. This tour will get you closer to all the highlights of Soweto. See the Mandela House, where Nelson Mandela lived from 1946 to 1962. Imbibe a slice of authentic history on the world's most famous former prisoner. Then, pass by Tutu House on Vilakazi Street, where Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his family once resided. Talk about the Nobel Laureate's contribution to apartheid's downfall in South Africa. Give your feet a break by stopping for lunch. Taste South African sandwiches called kota before cycling back to the starting point.

Johannesburg: Affordable 3 Day Kruger Park Safari

6. Johannesburg: Affordable 3 Day Kruger Park Safari

DAY 1: Johannesburg Hotel/Hostel or O.R. Tambo Airport pickup and drive to Tremisana Game Lodge where you have time to have a swim or quick rest in your airconditioned chalet. Board the open Landcruiser for an exciting Sunset Drive. After dark, use spotlights to locate nocturnal animals. Dinner will be an unforgettable BUSH BBQ deep in the African bush. After dinner continue with the Night Drive and overnight in an en suite air-conditioned chalet. DAY 2: Drive to the Orpen Gate of Kruger on a custom-built open-sided Game Viewer. You will have an opportunity to view game without intervening glass windows and also listen to and smell the denizens of the bush. We have regular stops at picnic spots, rest camps and places of interest. The Orpen-Satara-Nwanedzi region’s open plains attract large herds of zebra, giraffe and antelope, that, in turn, attract many predators. In fact this zone has the highest concentration of lions in Africa. Dinner and overnight at Masango. DAY 3: Early morning game walk with an armed guard to explore the many animals that inhabit Marc’s. After breakfast, we travel to the Three Rondawels of the Blyde River Canyon. We return you to your Johannesburg hotel/hostel or JNB airport at around 17h00.

Johannesburg: 2-Day 4-Star Pilanesberg Safari

7. Johannesburg: 2-Day 4-Star Pilanesberg Safari

This national park covers an area of 55,000 hectares. More than 7,000 animals live here in a free and unhindered environment, and Pilanesberg is home to all of the "Big 5" (elephants, rhinos, leopards, buffalo, and lions). Other animals that you may encounter are zebra, giraffe, cheetahs, hyenas, hippos, crocodiles, jackals, wild cats, various antelope, and over 300 bird species. Pilanesberg offers over 200 kilometers of roads for guided or self-drive game viewing. Day 1: After being picked up in Johannesburg, you will depart to Pilanesberg. You will enter the park for a morning game drive in a closed, air-conditioned vehicle, before arriving to the lodge at around midday. You will then eat lunch, before enjoying an open 4x4 vehicle safari drive in the afternoon. You will then return for dinner. Day 2: Wake up early for hot beverages and then depart for a sunrise game drive in the Pilanesberg Game Reserve. Return for a hearty breakfast, then pack up before being collected for a game drive in the reserve in a minivan. Depart mid-afternoon for the return journey to Johannesburg.

Soweto: Walking Tour with a Local Guide and Lunch

8. Soweto: Walking Tour with a Local Guide and Lunch

Discover the history of Soweto, where political icons lived during Apartheid, fighting against the regime. Explore the everyday life, meet the locals, taste local cuisine and get an authentic experience with a Sowetan native guide. Start at the Hector Pietersen Museum and hear about the Soweto uprising that transpired in 1976, which was one the turning point of Apartheid. Be introduced to the famous house of Nelson Mandela in Vilakazi Street, built in 1945, where he lived until he was imprisoned for 27 years. Have a conversation about Arch bishop Desmond Tutu in the famous street in Vilakazi Street. Continue through Orlando East, the first formal settlement of Soweto and Orlando Stadium, Soweto football giants, the Orlando Pirate and ride a minibus taxi to the last stop at the Orlando Towers. Listen to the many personal stories about the family's generations, how apartheid had an impact in each and everyone of them and how Soweto has changed today. Enjoy a traditional, local lunch of Kota (Local burger) or Braii (Barbecue).

Johannesburg: South Africa eSIM Roaming Mobile Data Plan

9. Johannesburg: South Africa eSIM Roaming Mobile Data Plan

Say goodbye to the hassle of physical SIMs and finding mobile network operator stores with our e-SIM service. After purchase, you'll receive a QR code that you can scan on your compatible device to install the e-SIM wherever and whenever you need it. Choose from a range of data volumes, validity periods, and coverage options in different countries to stay connected with ease. Most iPhone models beyond XS support e-SIM, and follow our instructions in the photo session to check compatibility for other devices. Share the QR code via AirDrop or scan it to another device. Install the e-SIM by connecting to WiFi or a network, and remember to turn on roaming for the e-SIM. If you have trouble connecting to the network, consult our self-troubleshooting guide. It covers 144 countries, with these African countries:Chad,Congo (Democratic Republic Of),Congo Republic,Egypt,Gabon,Ghana,Kenya,Madagascar Republic,Mauritius,Nigeria,Reunion,Senegal,Seychelles,South Africa,Swaziland,Tanzania,Tunisia,Zambia,Zimbabwe. And these in the rest of the world.Afghanistan, Albania, Åland Islands, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Cyprus (Northern), Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Guam, Guatemala, Guernsey, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Macedonia, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Ireland, Northern Cyprus, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Svalbard and Jan Mayen, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tonga, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom (UK), United States Virgin Islands, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vatican City, Vietnam, Wales, Western Samoa, Yemen. If your data is used-up? Simple, just buy another e-SIM to top-up. APN (Access Point Name): iboots Local Network:MTN/Telkom/Vodacom

Johannesburg: Maboneng Street Art Tour

10. Johannesburg: Maboneng Street Art Tour

Discover why Johanessburg’s artistic hub is recognized worldwide as a booming creative center on this 2-hour guided walking tour. You’ll see some of the best street art from around the world and even meet some of the artists themselves. Hit the streets of Maboneng Precinct and Jewel City to see why South Africa has long been recognized for its exciting modern art. Your guide will take you to meet the locals and explore Joburg subcultures, learn about the artists, their motivations, and the different techniques they use.  You’ll walk through individual pieces and get an overview of these colorful pieces, experiencing first-hand just how street art is changing the perspective in these local communities.

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What people are saying about Johannesburg

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 2,053 reviews

Great tour although we didn't get to go to the apartheid museum as it was closed and the tour of the city of joburg that was to replace it didn't happen (altho that was fine - we were tired). I thought it was a bit expensive.

My girlfriend and I had an amazing time during our tour of Johannesburg and Soweto. From learning the rich history of their development to communicating with the Zulu warriors, each moment was insightful and exciting.

Friom the time we left to getting back our guide Tsholo was filled with facts and stories. Awesome exeprience for a few Aussies seeing what Soweto held for us.

This tour is a must! Mathapelo was wonderful and she explained the history of the area and each piece with so much depth. Really enjoyed this experience!

Safe and genuine experience in Soweto with our informative guide who made sure that we had a great time!