Top 11 Historical Tours in South Africa

1.Art, Culture & History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 392 reviews · 2 hours · from $37Our pick

A 2-hour Cape Town walking tour from Bo-Kaap to District Six, mixing art, culture, and history with a local English guide for $37.

“Olewethu was very professional and knowledgeable. Once complete we were hungry and asked about options the suggestion was bree Street so we started down the street after taking our picture with statue of Nelson Mandela. unfortunately we did not get passed the first block when one of the ladies in our party almost had her neck pulled from a robber. maybe better suggestion or guidance when walking streets without guide. we left the city right after she was very nervous to continue looking at the city so were us”

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2.Guided Historical Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 283 reviews · 1h 30m · from $18Best value

90-minute guided walk in historic Stellenbosch: oak-lined Mill Stream, Cape Dutch streets, fires, Moederkerk, and Dorp Street.

“I liked how she was very knowledgeable and explained the history of the place”

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3.Historical Bike Tour & Wine Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 248 reviews · 4h 30m · from $92

Cycle Stellenbosch and Jonkershoek with a guide, then visit two wineries for tastings, a private cellar tour, and wine with chocolate.

“Marshall did a great job in guiding us through the history of Stellenbosch and the different wine estates. It was really well spent time. The vine tasting showed the richness of South African wine productions, with the Lanzerac as a high light.”

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4.Soweto Township Cultural Tour incl Apartheid Museum and Nelson Mandela House

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 30 reviews · from $230Top rated

Private Soweto tour from Johannesburg or Pretoria with Apartheid Museum, Mandela House, Hector Pieterson Memorial, and optional bungee or bike.

“I was a little worried that this would just be a taxi guide, but this wasn’t the case at all. I was so impressed with our guide Nkululeko (& his articulate English) and the way he shared the history made this experience incredible. This is a must do tour to take in the essence of Johannesburg and the core culture.”

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5.Cape Town Guided City Cycling Heritage Tour – Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 27 reviews · 3 hours · from $67

Private 3-hour Cape Town bike tour linking Sea Point, Company Gardens, Bo-Kaap and the V&A Waterfront, with snacks, coffee and a pro guide.

“great passionate guide who shows you all the most beautiful places of Cape Town”

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6.Apartheid History of South Africa (Full day Experience with lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 24 reviews · from $106

Full-day Apartheid tour linking Johannesburg gold to Soweto, with lunch, Constitution Hill, Mandela House, and key museums.

“This is the best experience I have had with a travel agency that was personalized to see Johannesburg and its surrounding attraction. This tour was personalized: Johannesburg, Soweto, Apartheid Museum, Hector Pietson Museum, Read more”

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7.Robben Island Tour; Pickup, Drop-off; Guided Tour Historic Prison

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 23 reviews · from $63

Robben Island tour from Cape Town with V&A Waterfront pickup, ferry ride, and a guided prison experience led by an ex-political prisoner.

“Informative, impactful, historical information that should never be forgotten. The company sent a car to pick us up and drop us off from the Nelson Mandela gateway to Robben island at the V&A Waterfront”

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8.Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · from $86

Guided Sterkfontein Caves and Maropeng UNESCO Cradle of Humankind tour from Johannesburg with hotel pickup, snacks, and tickets.

“Our guide, Zodwa and driver, Albert were both very knowledgeable on the discovery and development of the Cradle of Humankind and provided excellent commentary during our tour. The thoughtfulness of the tour operator substituting the Wonder Cave as the Sterkfontein Caves were closed due to flooding was appreciated.”

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9.Soweto History Tour with Hotel Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 14 reviews · from $95

Johannesburg to Soweto history tour with hotel pickup, guided stops at Kliptown, Mandela's House, Hector Pieterson Square, plus lunch.

“Amazing Tour,learnt so much and saw so much,my guide Albert was Excellent,his knowledge about the various areas is commendable.i Highly recommend him and this tour,I'm south African but the knowledge I left from this tour is knowledge I never had before.Thank you again Albert”

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10.Historical Soweto & Apartheid Museum Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 5 reviews · from $89

Private Soweto and Apartheid Museum tour with Mandela House and Hector Pieterson Museum visits, plus comfortable pickup from Johannesburg and Pretoria.

“Provider is not reliable, late by 40 minutes. Maybe all Johannesburg tour operators are late? Also had to pay local guides, was supposed to be included. Not the worst if you only have 4 hours. Either way it is Safe to use these people.”

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11.bicycle or E-scooter History Tour with Coffee

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 3 reviews · from $58

Half-day Cape Town bike or e-scooter history tour with coffee, looping past Parliament, Bo-Kaap, and more iconic sights.

“Khuma was fantastic guide. Full of knowledge and happy to share. Had a great day. Definitely recommend”

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