AFRICA · WALKING TOURS IN SOUTH AFRICA
Good walking tours in South Africa fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 12 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Meet Maweza, Teboho, Mulalo, or another English-speaking Sowetan guide at Vilakazi Espresso. Over four hours, walk from the Hector Pieterson Memorial along Vilakazi Street, visit Mandela and Tutu landmarks, eat local street food, ride a minibus taxi, and see the Soweto Towers and Nomzamo Park.
“very good tour with a great guide. Deep inside Soweto real life. love it!”
Spend 150 minutes walking through Langa Township with local guides such as Nathi or Zuzie. Visit Guga S’thebe cultural center, see community projects, hear about apartheid and daily life, meet residents, and sample local food when available. Hotel pickup may be arranged from central Cape Town, the Waterfront, and the Atlantic seaboard.
“Nathi is as a major of Langa. Knows and shows all. We were really impressed. And shocked by the inequalities in this beautiful country. We highly recommend Nathi! ❤️”
Join a local English-speaking guide such as Mandi, Olwethu, or Diego for a two-hour walk from Bo-Kaap through Long Street, Greenmarket Square, the Company’s Garden, and District Six. Expect colorful streets, mosques, galleries, markets, difficult history, local tips, and a Nelson Mandela exhibition.
“Mandi was an amazing tour guide. Explanations were clear and complete. she always answered our questions and engaged in conversations with us, which made the tour very pleasant. We learned a lot of intesresting facts about the beautiful city of cape town, highly recommend!”
Walk through Woodstock and Salt River with an English-speaking local guide, meeting at Salt Circle Arcade. Guides such as Mandy, Diego, Chandy, and Terrence explain the artists, symbols, politics, and neighborhood history behind the murals. The two-hour route includes creative spaces, cafés, the Old Biscuit Mill, and Salt River Nature Park.
“Chandy - our guide - was extremely knowledgeable and interested. We spent a most enjoyable and fascinating 2 hours with him as he took us around Woodstock explaining the murals - the interpretation thereof from an historical, ethnically and political standpoint. We have already recommended the tour to others!”
Walk historic Stellenbosch with guides such as Johan, Marlene, and Juliana. In 90 minutes, you’ll see the village green, Dorp Street, oak avenues, water furrows, and Cape Dutch buildings while hearing stories of fires, founders, students, ghosts, and daily life. The easy route costs $18 and is wheelchair accessible.
“Johan was an excellent guide. Very knowledgeable and able to share alot of historical information in a clear and humorous way especially about the local morgue!! Certainly not too far to walk. Very recommended.”
Spend 150 minutes walking Langa with a local English-speaking guide, visiting the Guga S’thebe Arts and Cultural Centre, Langa Heritage Museum, local projects, a home, and Art Gallery on 16. Guides such as Wanda, Thando, Mike, and Mzukisi share personal stories, history, Xhosa culture, and daily life.
“Mzukisi was really engaging and his storytelling touched deeply our hearts. Every human-being in The world should listen to Langa’s history and learn from it. thanks again Mzukisi for sharing your life with us!”
Meet a Lokafyer near Cape Town’s center, perhaps at the Cape Wheel, your hotel, or a café, then set off on a private walk built around your interests. Guides such as William, Fred, and Willie are praised for warm conversation, local insight, and flexible routes through the Waterfront, city center, and Bo-Kaap.
“Willie was absolutely phenomenal! He was full of life, energy and knowledge and he was so kind. We only had a few hours with him but it would have been amazing to spend the entire day with him. If you have the ability to request a specific guide, ask for Willie!”
Start at Truth Coffee and walk through District Six, Grand Parade, the Slave Lodge, St. George’s Cathedral, Greenmarket Square, and Long Street before finishing among Bo-Kaap’s colorful houses. Guides including Dylan, Terrence, and Tarrin share Cape Town’s past, local identity, and personal insight. Expect a relaxed, accessible two-hour walk with a small snack at the end.
“Fabulous tour. Dylan was so passionate about sharing his plentiful knowledge of Cape Town, its history, its culture and its architecture. With just 4 people in the party it was an intimate tour enjoyed by all. We started a little late but were kept fully informed via WhatsApp and were able to enjoy a coffee at the iconic Truth cafe.”
Spend three hours walking Johannesburg’s CBD with an English-speaking guide such as Refiloe, Thabo, Mulalo, or Mathapelo. From Gandhi Square and Ferreirasdorp to Chancellor House, Newtown, the Workers Museum, and Mandela Bridge, you’ll connect gold-mining history with present-day city life. Comfortable shoes are essential.
“By far it was one of the best tours I have taken. Not only you can walk around in CBD feeling safe, but also get to see its history and its current reality CBD faces. Refiloe is an awesome guide. So genuine, so knowledgeable, and so down to earth. He went out of his way to make sure I was able to see everything in CBD. Highly recommend this tour to everyone.”
Walk Bo-Kaap with a local guide, visit its museum, mosque area, shops, and spice store, then cook in a host’s home. You’ll make samosas, chicken curry, roti, salsa salad, and koesisters, with guides including Faldela and Gadija. The four-hour English tour costs $68 per person.
“Faldela was very warm and welcoming. She is a true local and many people within the street stop and say hello. She is very knowledgeable of the area and history. Her cooking class was excellent and we all left, full of new cooking tips, recipes and stomachs. If you are not into cooking, don’t let this put you off as this is a truly a great experience and you won’t regret booking.”
See Durban with a local guide such as Freddy, Zamani, Imani, or Fortune, combining city-center walking, Victoria Street markets, the KwaMuhle Museum, Botanical Garden, Golden Mile, Moses Mabhida Stadium, and harbour. You get transport, entry fees, and hotel pickup, but lunch and the stadium SkyCar cost extra.
“Very informative . Guide very knowledgeable and showed us both sides of Durban which we were happy we had seen. He went over the time we expected as he took time to let us have pictures taken. Would certainly recommend him .”
Join Johnny from Tekweni Backpackers for a 330-minute walking tour through Durban’s Warwick markets, Victoria Street Market, Indian stalls, African craft stands, and the Muti medicine market. You’ll ride local minibus taxis, hear the city’s history and culture, shop with local guidance, and finish with Bunny Chow at North Beach.
“Johnny is a great lokal guy and knows so many background information! I never had such s great city Tour! He took me on places where i never would’ve gone. That day made my whole Week 😁😁☀️ All the best Johnny and see you soon! Roger”
Pick a desert, a reef, a ruin or a reserve.
