Soweto & Apartheid Museum Guided Tour: Township & History

Soweto's hostels, informal settlements and memorial sites tell the story of apartheid through the places where it unfolded.

A guided tour of Soweto and the Apartheid Museum combines a morning drive through the township's upper-class, middle-class and lower-class sections with stops at Nelson Mandela's house, Winnie Mandela's house, Hector Petersen Memorial, Chris Hani Baragwaneth Hospital, Freedom Square and Regina Mundi Church, followed by afternoon entry to the Apartheid Museum. The tour runs five hours with a registered, English-speaking guide, air-conditioned transport and bottled water; children from age 3 are welcome and all areas are wheelchair accessible.

Step-by-step itinerary

Soweto and Apartheid Museum Tour

• Guided tour of Soweto in morning
• Visit Soweto hostels and township sections
• Stop at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital
• Visit Hector Peterson memorial site
• See Winnie Mandela and Nelson Mandela houses
• Visit Desmond Tutu's house
• Explore Kliptown informal settlements
• Visit Freedom Square and Regina Mundi Church
• Tour Apartheid Museum in afternoon

The Experience

Soweto's morning section moves through the township's different neighborhoods—upper-class, middle-class and lower-class residential areas—stopping at the sites that shaped South Africa's recent history. You visit Nelson Mandela's house and Winnie Mandela's house, stand at Hector Petersen Memorial (marking the 1976 uprising), and see Chris Hani Baragwaneth Hospital. The route also passes through Kliptown's informal settlements and stops at Freedom Square, where the Freedom Charter was adopted, and Regina Mundi Church, a gathering place during the struggle against apartheid.

The afternoon shift to the Apartheid Museum gives context to what the morning showed. The museum's exhibits trace the system's history, its enforcement and its end, using photographs, documents and personal accounts. Entry is included, so you move through without arranging tickets separately. The full day—five hours total—stays in an air-conditioned vehicle with a guide registered through South Africa's tourism authority (THETA), who speaks English and carries bottled water for the group.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking registered guide.
• bottled water.
• all museum entry fees and taxes.
• pickup included.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availableInfants must sit on laps

Operated by MHLANGANISI TRAVEL AND TOURS

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want a structured introduction to Soweto's role in anti-apartheid history and the museum context in a single morning and afternoon—the guide's knowledge and the museum entry remove the need to navigate the township alone or buy tickets separately.

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Top questions

What exactly do we see at Nelson Mandela's house and Winnie Mandela's house in Soweto?

The tour stops at both residences as part of the morning drive through Soweto's neighborhoods. The guide explains their significance in the anti-apartheid movement, though the stops are exterior views rather than interior museum visits.

Is the Apartheid Museum entry included in the tour price?

Yes, Apartheid Museum entry is included; you do not pay separately at the door. The afternoon portion of the tour takes place inside the museum with your guide.

How long does the Soweto portion take compared to the museum?

The morning Soweto drive and stops take up the first part of the five-hour tour, and the Apartheid Museum visit fills the afternoon. The exact split depends on traffic and how long the guide spends at each stop.

Can children under 10 join this tour?

Children from age 3 are welcome on the tour. Infants can sit on an adult's lap or use a specialized infant seat if needed; strollers are also accommodated.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

Lunch is not included in the tour. Bottled water is provided, but you will need to arrange or purchase food separately if you want to eat during the five hours.

Are there steps or difficult walking at the Apartheid Museum?

All areas of the museum and the vehicle are wheelchair accessible, and all surfaces are wheelchair accessible. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels.