Constitutional Hill & Soweto Tour: Mandela Sites from Johannesburg

Walk the footsteps of Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu across Johannesburg and Soweto

A private, guided tour of Johannesburg and Soweto covering Constitutional Hill, the Nelson Mandela Bridge, Newtown's street art, and Soweto's historic sites including the Hector Petersen Memorial and Mandela House. The guide leads a one-hour tour of the old jail and constitutional court, then drives through neighborhoods where migrant workers lived, past the Southern Hemisphere's largest hospital, and into the transformed power station that now houses restaurants and galleries. Entry to Constitutional Hill and Mandela House is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Nelson Mandela Bridge5m
2. Newtown20m

Johannesburg Constitutional Hill and Soweto tour

• Guided tour of old jail and constitutional court
• Drive over Nelson Mandela Bridge
• Stop for pictures at Newtown graffiti area
• Photo stop in affluent Soweto neighborhoods
• Drive past largest hospital in Southern hemisphere
• Visit old power station entertainment area
• Explore Nelson Mandela museum and Tutu house
• Visit Hector Peterson museum and tombstone

The experience

Constitutional Hill is where the tour begins: a one-hour guided walk through the old jail and the constitutional court of South Africa, the building that replaced it. From there the route moves through Johannesburg's center: across the Nelson Mandela Bridge with its views of the city and the commuter trains running beneath it, then into Newtown, where graffiti and street art cover the walls of what was once a mining camp. The drive shows you the scale of change: the neighborhoods where migrant workers were housed, the government homes and informal settlements, and Baragwanath Hospital, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere.

Soweto is the second half of the day. The old power station there has been transformed into an entertainment complex with a food court and painted towers. You stop for pictures and have the option to walk around. The Hector Petersen Memorial stands nearby: the site of the famous photograph taken during the 1976 uprising, with the museum documenting that moment. Mandela House and the Nelson Mandela Museum are also in this area, with restaurants, gift shops and art and craft vendors. Entry to both Constitutional Hill and Mandela House is included. You can choose to spend time at any of these stops depending on what interests you most.

The tour runs five hours total, with about an hour and five minutes of driving time to and from your starting point. Your guide speaks English and drives. Water is provided. The route is wheelchair accessible, and families with infants can bring a pram or stroller. If you want to eat, you'll find options at the power station complex in Soweto, though meals are on your own account.

What’s included

• Entry to Constitutional Hill and the constitutional court.
• entry to Mandela House.
• one bottle of water per person.
• transport in a private vehicle.
• driver-guide for the full five hours.

Before you book

Days and timesWednesday to SaturdayLast departure this season: 31 Oct

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Senior (61 to 91 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (7 to 12 years) · Infant (1 to 6 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 8.01

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Thabelo

Is this one for you?Book this private tour if you want a guide who knows the sites firsthand rather than learning from displays, and if you prefer a structured route that covers Constitutional Hill and Mandela House without deciding the itinerary yourself.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (7 to 12 years); Infant (1 to 6 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Constitutional Hill and what will I see there?

Constitutional Hill is the site of South Africa's old jail and the constitutional court that was built to replace it. You'll have a one-hour guided tour of both buildings, walking through the spaces where political prisoners were held and where the country's new constitution was established after apartheid.

Can I visit the Hector Petersen Memorial on this tour?

The memorial is on the route in Soweto and you'll stop for pictures, but entry to the Hector Petersen Museum itself is not included in the tour price. You have the option to visit it at your own cost if you choose to.

What neighborhoods in Soweto will I see?

Soweto includes several distinct areas on the route: the affluent parts of the township, the migrant worker hostels and government housing, and the informal settlements of tin houses. You'll also visit the old power station that's now an entertainment and food complex, and Mandela House with its museum and surrounding shops.

Is there time to eat during the tour?

Yes. The old power station in Soweto has a food court where you can stop and eat, though meals are your own expense. There are also restaurants and cafes near Mandela House if you want to eat there instead.

Will I see traditional performers on this tour?

The tour includes street dancers and traditional performers in the areas you visit, and you'll have the option to try local food and drink if you'd like to.