Cycle Soweto
Johannesburg, South Africa
From EUR 84.70
Office phone number: +27 (0)82 822 9407
Cycle Soweto
Johannesburg, South Africa
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
-
-
Tour snapshot
Cycle straight into the soul of South Africa on this Johannesburg tour through the streets of iconic Soweto. See where Mandela once called home, cycle past Desmond Tutu's current digs, and hit a local shebeen bar for a cool drink and a game of pool.
-
Highlights
- Discover the real Soweto through its rich history and cultural diversity
- Cycle the colourful streets and experience the vibrant atmosphere of the city of gold
- Ride down Vilakazi Street and past the sites of the 1976 student uprisings
- Enjoy the atmosphere of a local Soweto shebeen bar over a drink and a game of pool
-
Schedule details
- Duration: 5-6 hours
- Pickup location:
Centrally located hotels in Johannesburg.
- Pickup time: 8.30 AM
- Drop off location:
Centrally located hotels in Johannesburg.
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English speaking guide, entrance fees, and transportation as indicated.
Exclusions: Items of a personal nature, drinks, food, tips / gratuities for drivers and guides.
Discover the colour, energy, and history of vibrant Soweto during this Johannesburg bike tour. Hop on two wheels to explore the streets of the colourful region that more than three million people call home. As we ride along, your local guide will take you through the history of Soweto as well as into current developments and life today. With locals speaking all of the 11 official languages of South Africa, see if you can pick up a few local phrases to greet people while riding through the streets.
It'll be about a 60 to 90-minute drive to the start point of our Soweto tour (depending on traffic and pick-up points). Once we've gathered up our group, we'll meet for some pre-cycling preparation, then take our wheels to the streets! We’ll start at Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers and head to our first stop: a look-out point that takes in Orlando West and East. View the surroundings of the township, including the home grounds of the famous soccer team, the Orlando Pirates. From there, our next stop is Mzimhlophe Men’s Hostel – a former migrant workers’ hostel. You’ll learn how men from around the country moved to Johannesburg and its townships to work in the gold mines, and the conditions they lived in — as well as how this area has now transformed to become a Soweto community today. In this area, many locals still practice traditional African customs, and you’ll learn all about their beliefs and traditions.
Your Soweto tour then continues via Meadowlands to the memorial site of Hector Pieterson, commemorating the uprisings on 16 June 1976, when hundreds of children and youths lost their lives while protesting the Apartheid education system.
From there, we’ll continue on to Vilakazi Street, where we’ll stop at Nelson Mandela’s former home, and the home of Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu, to learn more about these icons’ contributions to a free and democratic South Africa. This will be the last stop of the tour, and from there, we’ll cycle back to Lebo’s, where you can take in more of Soweto, the community, and its people.
Note that the cycling portion of this tour will be about two hours. The full duration time of the tour is to cover pick-ups and drop-offs, as well as pre-cycle preparation time.
-
Additional information
Inclusions: Local English speaking guide, entrance fees, and transportation as indicated.
Exclusions: Items of a personal nature, drinks, food, tips / gratuities for drivers and guides.
Dress standard: Dress standards are conservative throughout Africa. To respect this and for your own comfort, we strongly recommend modest clothing. This means covering shoulders and no short shorts. We recommend a mixture of loose, lightweight clothing and warm clothing for the evenings. Shorts should be knee-length. Singlets and tank tops are not suitable.
Your Trip: This day tour in Johannesburg is offered on a "join-in" basis. Maximum group size is 12.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at your hotel for pick up. Please check your hotel details are correct on the voucher. If your details are not correct, it is very important to please email us to confirm your correct pick up hotel using the contact details on the voucher. If you prefer you may also phone the change through to us during business hours.
Child Policy: Children must be aged between 6 and 11 years inclusively. Children below the age of 6 years are not permitted on this Johannesburg bike tour.
-
Local contact
Office phone number: +27 (0)82 822 9407
Email address: info@johannesburgurbanadventures.com
BACK TO TOP