Soweto Guided Tour: Mandela House & Local Streets

Walk Vilakazi Street where two Nobel Prize winners lived

A half-day guided tour of Soweto with pickup, visiting Mandela House on Vilakazi Street (the only street in the world with two Nobel Peace Prize winners' homes) plus the Hector Petersen Museum and time spent walking and talking with locals in the township. An air-conditioned vehicle carries the group. A live English-speaking guide leads throughout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Mandela House30m
2. Soweto45m · entry included

Soweto historical and cultural tour

• Visit Nelson Mandela House on Vilakazi Street
• Explore Hector Peterson Museum
• See FNB Stadium
• Walk and talk with locals in informal settlement
• Visit daycare and spend time with children

The experience

The tour starts with Mandela House on Vilakazi Street, the most visited street in Soweto. You walk through the house where Nelson Mandela lived and step outside onto the same street where Desmond Tutu's home stands: the only place on earth with two Nobel Peace Prize winners' residences side by side. A guide explains the history of each, and you have time to talk with locals along the street itself.

Next is the Hector Petersen Museum, built around the events of June 16, 1976, when Soweto students protested against Afrikaans being imposed as the language of instruction in schools. The museum documents that pivotal moment in South Africa's anti-apartheid struggle. You'll also pass FNB Stadium, the 94,000-seat national stadium that hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The tour includes a walk through an informal settlement where you spend time with locals and visit a day care center. You're welcome to bring small gifts for children ages one to five. Throughout, the guide shares stories of Soweto's role as a center of political activism and resistance during apartheid. An air-conditioned vehicle moves between stops, and bottled water is provided.

What’s included

• Pickup from your hotel.
• air-conditioned vehicle throughout.
• bottled water.
• WiFi on board.
• live English-speaking guide.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00, 09:30, 13:00 and 13:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Senior (61 to 90 years) · Youth (14 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 13 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 3

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Motleys Tours and Travel

Is this one for you?Four to five hours means you can fit this tour into a morning or afternoon and still have time for other plans in Johannesburg, making it a flexible half-day option rather than a commitment that consumes the whole day.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (14 to 17 years); Child (4 to 13 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What is Vilakazi Street and why does it matter?

Vilakazi Street in Soweto is the only street in the world with two Nobel Peace Prize winners' homes on it: Nelson Mandela's house and Desmond Tutu's house. Both men lived there and played central roles in South Africa's anti-apartheid movement, making it one of the most visited streets in the township.

What does the Hector Petersen Museum cover?

The Hector Petersen Museum documents the student uprising of June 16, 1976, when Soweto students protested against Afrikaans being mandated as the language of instruction in schools. The museum tells the story of that pivotal moment in the struggle against apartheid.

Do I get to interact with people living in Soweto?

Yes. The tour includes walking and talking with locals along Vilakazi Street and in the informal settlement, plus time at a day care center where you can spend time with children. You're welcome to bring small gifts for kids ages one to five if you wish.

How long is this tour and what else can I do that day?

The tour runs four to five hours, leaving time in the morning or afternoon for other activities in Johannesburg or the surrounding area depending on your schedule.