How well do you really know your city? Our busy lives mean that we rarely take the time to pause and appreciate the true magic of South Africa’s urban culture.
This weekend, why not take the time to join a walking tour? You’ll have a wonderful time discovering the fascinating city sites you can’t see from your car…
Nielson Tours
Nielson Tours host walks through both the city centres of Johannesburg and Cape Town every day. They run on a pay-by-tipping basis, and the expert tour guides have an incredible knowledge about their region. Look out for the green umbrellas and join the fun.
The company offers six different tours:
Braamfontein and Joburg City Centre
These tours start off at the iconic Park Station and take you through the more scenic spaces of the city centre. If you want to imbibe the history of the city, the City Centre tour will take you past the Chancellor’s House – where Nelson Mandela worked as a lawyer during his younger days – and the stunning Victorian Post Office. The Braamfontein tour looks more to the City of Gold’s future, taking tourists around one of the cities trendiest neighbourhoods!
Rissik Street Post Office, Johannesburg
Where: Park Station, Wolmorans Street side. If you’re nervous about driving into town and parking, just take in the Gautrain, it will even take you to the right side of the station!
When: Joburg City Centre Tours leave at 10:30 am and 1:00 pm, and are about one hour and 45 minutes long. Braamfontein Tours leave at 3:30 pm.
Cost: Free, but remember to tip guide
Contact: For more details, visit nielsentours.co.za/joburg
Historic City Tour, Bo-Kaap Walking Tour, and District Six Tour
These three tours of Cape Town all start at Greenmarket Square and provide walkers with an incredibly deep insight into the Mother City’s past. The Historic City tour will take you through the story of South Africa, past the spot where Madiba gave his historic speech after leaving prison, to the Castle of Good Hope. If you want to experience the unique wonders of Cape Malay culture, choose the walk through the Bo-Kaap. And if you want to better understand the story of apartheid, the District Six Tour is a good place to start.
Famous colourful houses in Bo-Kaap, Cape Town
Where: Greenmarket Square Burg Sreet and Longmarket Street, Cape Town City Centre
When: Historic Tour leaves at 11:00 am and 4:20 pm; the Bo-Kaap Tour leaves at 2:00 pm and 4:20 pm; and the District Six Tour leaves at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm
Cost: Free, but remember to tip your guide
Contact: For more details, visit nielsentours.co.za/capetown
Waterfront Walking Tour
If all you want is to take in the beauty of the Atlantic coast, take a stroll across the Waterfront with Nielson Tours. The tour leaves from the V&A Waterfront and you’ll get to explore the wonderful quirky stores and sites in the area.
Where: The Cape Town Aquarium Dock, Road, V & A Waterfront, Cape Town
When: Tours leave at 11:00 am, 2:00 pm, and 4:15 pm
Cost: Free, but remember to tip your guide
Contact: For more details, visit nielsentours.co.za/capetown
Muizenberg Bay Walking Tour
Held by the Historical Society of Muizenberg Bay, free daily walking tours are hosted around the village, where you can experience the historic sites of the region. The tour, led by members of the Historical Society, will take you past scenic views to places of importance.
Muizenberg’s Surfer’s Corner, Cape Town
Where: The tour leaves from Surfers Corner, Beach Road, Muizenberg
When: Every day at 10:00 am
Cost: Free, but there are donation boxes at key sites to raise funds for the Historical Society
Contact: For more details visit muizenbergtours.co.za
Street Scene, Durban City Walking Tour
Durban CBD
Get to see the vibrant side of eThekwini on this amazing stroll through the city. On the tour, you’ll visit famous city sites like the Victoria Street Market and the Madressa Arcade, before enjoying a complimentary authentic bunny chow.
Where: You can arrange a rendezvous point when making your reservation. The company will arrange transport for you if you can’t get to the city centre.
When: You can arrange a starting time, though it is recommended you start around 9:00 am
Cost: R550 per person, including bunny chow
Contact: For more details visit streetscene.co.za
City Walking Tours, Oriental and History Walk-Abouts
Durban Experience offers two walking tours. An Oriental tour which details the history of the Indian and Zulu communities in Durban – including, the history of Gandhi and the influence Indian architecture has had on the city. At the Emmanuel Cathedral, you’ll learn about Zulu culture and traditional healers, before heading to the Victoria Street Market.
The Historic Walk-About will take you past many of Durban’s most iconic buildings, including the original town hall and the Local History Museum. The tour ends at Farewell Square, where plaques honouring struggle heroes stand in a memorial on the steps of Durban’s City Hall.
Where: Both tours leave from Tourist Junction, 160 (Monty Naicker ) Pine Street, Durban
When: Tours on weekdays leave at 9:30 am and 1:30 pm, on Saturdays they only run the morning tour.
Cost: R100 for adults, R75 for children
Contact: For more details visit durbanexperience.co.za
Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers, Walking Tours
Take a stroll down Vilikazi street, and follow the path of the Soweto ’76 protestors as you learn about the history of South Africa’s most famous township. You’ll walk past the homes of Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu, and you’ll even stop off at a local shebeen for a quick drink. Afterwards, you can enjoy a delicious lunch at Lebo’s Backpackers Open Restaurant.
Be sure to visit Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers, Johannesburg
Where: Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers, 0823A Pooe Street, Soweto
When: Tours leave at 10:00 am and 1:00 pm
Cost: R370 per person, the tour will only commence if two or more people book
Contact: For more details visit sowetobackpackers.com
