South Africa · HISTORICAL TOURS
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 historical tours worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Walk from Bo-Kaap to District Six for Cape Town art, culture, and history with a local guide, practical city tips, and key landmarks.
“Olwethu was great and they accommodated changes in my schedule easily, a very nice tour around the city and much recommended !”
Walk Stellenbosch’s oak-lined streets, hear stories of fires, founders, ghosts, and Cape Dutch buildings on a lively 90-minute guided tour.
“The historic tour was very good, I. Fact it brought Stellenbosch to life for us. Juliana was very well informed did a great job of showing us the hidden gems in the town.”
Cycle through historic Stellenbosch and Jonkershoek Valley, then taste award-winning wine and chocolate at two scenic estates.
“Thoroughly enjoyed our bike tour of Stenenbosch and the wine tour, and Marshal our guide was informative, fun and most caring.”
Explore Soweto, Mandela House, the Apartheid Museum, and Orlando Towers on a private Johannesburg tour with pickup and a guide.
“Great day for the whole family. Truly discovering a unique place.”
Cycle Cape Town’s seafront, Company Gardens, Bo-Kaap, and V&A Waterfront with a private guide, snacks, coffee, and local history.
“Brilliant tour, thoroughly recommend for both the novice and experienced cyclist if you want to see the best of Cape Town with Skizo as your guide! The tour started along the beach front which was the perfect way for me to get used to my bike. We then took a trip to Mouille Point and to Green Point Lighthouse before taking a tree tunnel route through Green Point Park, a really lovely park, then onto The Waterkant taking in all of the lovely coloured houses and then through the CBD where we stopped to do some shopping at Greenmarket Square - of course I bought some African skirts! Throughout all…”
Explore Johannesburg, Soweto, Mandela House, Constitution Hill and the Apartheid Museum on a full-day history tour with lunch.
“This is the best experience I have had with a travel agency that was personalized to see Johannesburg and its surrounding attraction. This tour was personalized: Johannesburg, Soweto, Apartheid Museum, Hector Pietson Museum, Read more”
Review of the Robben Island tour from Cape Town, with ferry views, an ex-prisoner guide, hotel pickup, costs, tips, and honest drawbacks.
“This is a tour out of the Cape Town waterfront marina. You take a ferry and on the island the tours are given by government employees. I book my excursions all over the world with Viator because they are fair prices and quality tours. The same tour can be overcharged by otRead more”
Review of the Cradle of Humankind tour from Johannesburg, with Sterkfontein Caves, Maropeng, guides, price, timing, and practical tips.
“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.”
Explore Soweto from Johannesburg with hotel pickup, local guides, Mandela’s House, Hector Pieterson Square, lunch, and key township landmarks.
“Our guide Yves told us a lot about the country's history and present day, giving us a comprehensive overview of Johannesburg and Soweto. A great day!”
Visit Robben Island and the Long March to Freedom from Cape Town with hotel pickup, museum entry, Wi-Fi, and a former-prisoner guide.
“Mind blowing experience! While the stories and reality will hit you hard, it is a very memorable experience. The tour itself is given by former Prisoners of the prison. You will learn a lot but it can hit you heavy. The experience itself is pretty crazy. YoRead more”
See Johannesburg, Soweto, Constitution Hill, and the Apartheid Museum on a private, history-focused tour with air-conditioned transport.
“Lesiba loves his city, loves to share details, well connected with everyone in Soweto and all locations. I had a-great rush sightseeing tour at Johannesburg, he helped to focus on locations i was interested to see , shared insights all the way through, and drop back on tome to catch the flight back home. Many thanks”
Explore Soweto’s apartheid history, Mandela House, local life, and meaningful cultural encounters on a private half-day tour from Johannesburg.
“We booked a tour with Zandy and were ultimately happy with her way of guiding us through the past and the present. We can (very much including my kids, 16+19) recommend her for any one interested in things you don't get to read in the books about South Africa or Johannesburg.”
Cycle through Soweto’s history, from Mandela’s former home to the 1976 student uprising, with a local guide and basic bike.
“Fun Fun Fun is the best way to describe. Cycling around on very basic bikes on very interesting roads was quite an experience not for the faint hearted. Loved the little food places visited and very friendly neighborhood. Our guides were excellent highly recommend.”
Explore Cape Town’s Castle, Slave Lodge, Bo-Kaap, Waterfront, diamond craft, and Signal Hill on a private half-day tour.
“Joseph was an excellent tour guide. We were the only two people on the tour and Joseph was helpful, informative, and personable. Very safe driver.”
Explore Pretoria’s key landmarks, from the Voortrekker Monument to the Union Buildings, with private transport and an English-speaking guide.
“This tour was a disappointment from the beginning. I was to be picked up at noon and messaged the tour agent to make sure they were coming and got no reply. After fifteen minutes I messaged them again and still got no reply. I then called tRead more”
Pick a park, a coastline or a valley.
