Soweto & Apartheid Museum Tour with Lunch & Pickup

Summary

Soweto’s living history, towers, museum stories and shared meals

You’ll walk busy streets in Soweto, meet locals in Motsoaledi settlement, share a traditional lunch under the iconic towers, and spend time inside the Apartheid Museum with a small group guide. This day trip from Johannesburg isn’t just about seeing landmarks — it’s about feeling them linger after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

We were already standing outside FNB Stadium when I realized how loud Soweto can be — taxis honking, someone selling peanuts, our guide Sizwe waving us over with a grin. He started talking about the stadium’s role in South Africa’s story, but honestly I was distracted by the way the morning light hit all those orange seats. It’s not something you expect to care about until you’re there.

Driving past Baragwanath Hospital (which is huge — Sizwe joked it has its own weather system), we reached Motsoaledi settlement. The ground was dusty under my shoes and kids darted between tin houses. There was this smell of woodsmoke and fried dough from a street café. We met Thandi at the community centre; she laughed when I tried to say “dumelang” properly. She told us about MoAfrika’s support for local projects — it felt real, not like some charity photo op. I still think about her smile.

We stopped at Regina Mundi Church and Freedom Square for a quick look — people coming out of church in bright Sunday clothes even though it wasn’t Sunday (I guess that’s just Soweto). The Hector Pieterson Museum was heavy; Sizwe didn’t rush us. The silence inside made me notice every footstep echoing on the tile. Walking Vilakazi Street after that felt different — seeing Mandela House and knowing both he and Desmond Tutu lived right there, just down from each other, I don’t know… it made history feel less like a textbook.

Lunch was at this place under the Soweto Towers where everyone seemed to be in on some joke except us. They served shisa nyama — grilled meat with spicy chakalaka and pap. My hands smelled like smoke for hours after (worth it). Someone bungee-jumped off the tower while we ate; no one at our table volunteered. Later at the Apartheid Museum, I lost track of time reading letters from prisoners — so yeah, bring tissues if you’re sentimental.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Soweto tour and Apartheid Museum visit

• Pickup and meet at FNB Stadium
• Drive past Baragwanath Hospital and Diepkloof
• Walk through Motsoaledi informal settlement
• Stop at Regina Mundi Church and Freedom Square
• Visit Hector Pieterson Museum
• Walk down Vilakazi Street past Mandela homes
• Optional visit to Nelson Mandela Museum
• Enjoy traditional lunch at Soweto Towers
• Visit craft market and optional bungee jump
• Tour the Apartheid Museum

Top questions

How long is the Soweto & Apartheid Museum tour?

The tour lasts approximately 9 hours including pickup and drop-off.

Is lunch included on this day trip to Soweto?

Yes, a traditional buffet lunch is included at a restaurant near the Soweto Towers.

Does this tour include hotel pickup in Johannesburg?

Yes, complimentary hotel pickup and drop-off are provided within Johannesburg.

What sites are visited during the Soweto day trip?

You’ll visit FNB Stadium, Motsoaledi settlement, Regina Mundi Church, Hector Pieterson Museum, Vilakazi Street (Mandela House), Soweto Towers area for lunch, and Apartheid Museum.

Can vegetarians be accommodated on this tour?

Yes, vegetarian options are available if requested at booking.

Is entry to the Apartheid Museum included?

Yes, entry fees for all scheduled attractions including Apartheid Museum are covered.

How many people are in each group?

The group size is capped at 11 guests per tour for a more personal experience.

Is WiFi available during the tour?

Free onboard uncapped WiFi is provided during transport on this tour.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Johannesburg, all entry fees for scheduled stops like Hector Pieterson Museum and Apartheid Museum, guided walks through Soweto neighborhoods with a local guide who actually knows everyone by name (or seems to), free onboard WiFi for your photos or messages home, plus a traditional buffet lunch with options for vegetarians before heading back in the evening.