South Africa History Tour: Apartheid to Democracy

Experience a full-day tour of the Apartheid Museum and Soweto, delving into South Africa’s dark past and its journey to freedom. Discover the history, culture, and triumphs of the country in this immersive experience.

Duration: 7 hours, 55 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Apartheid Museum - Learn about the Apartheid system which reigned in South Africa for many years - dark years, the atrocities that were committed against mankind, the achievements over the system and future of the country.
  • Soweto - We spend the rest of the afternoon, learning on the history of townships, the social standards in those areas,…
What's Included
  • Entrance to the Apartheid Museum
  • Air-conditioned transportation
What's Not Included
  • Lunch
Additional Information

This excursion provides a comprehensive overview of South Africa, journeying through the country’s gloomy historical periods to the establishment and growth of Johannesburg city. It covers the country’s history and its current status. Participants will understand South Africa’s origin during the oppressive apartheid era, experiencing its most…

Location
Sandton
We will pick at any Hotel, Lodge, or Bed and Breakfast
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(12 Ratings)
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Meredeths
Jul 30, 2025
KG welcome you home in the most brilliant and compassionate manner - book him today! - Our recent adventure through South Africa in June 2025, expertly guided by KG of Rent A Tour and Safaris, was nothing short of extraordinary, transforming our cultural immersion project through Fulbright-Hays and Guilford College into a deeply personal and enriching experience. KG's professionalism and amiable demeanor stood out immediately, making us feel genuinely cared for from the moment we began our 14-day exploration across diverse landscapes. His profound knowledge, coupled with his engaging storytelling, brought the vibrant history and culture of each location to life, far exceeding our expectations. This journey, encompassing major cities, museums, townships, and national parks, was meticulously organized and flawlessly executed, ensuring a seamless and thoroughly enjoyable experience for our group. For all of my cohort, except me, this was their first trip to South Africa and KG made it feel like home. KG's commitment to our safety and comfort was paramount throughout the entire trip, allowing us to relax and fully immerse ourselves in the South African experience. A great tour guide is characterized by broad knowledge, passion, a sense of humor, and unending patience, all qualities that KG exemplified. He treated our group with the utmost respect, constantly adapting to ensure our needs were met, even when unforeseen circumstances arose. His unwavering dedication to safety and meticulous planning provided a secure environment, enhancing our enjoyment of every stop on the itinerary. KG's brilliance as a tour guide shone through his extensive knowledge and ability to share it in a captivating and interactive manner. He shared fascinating stories about the cities' histories, bringing to life the hidden gems we explored in places like Pretoria and Soweto, making each location memorable. Whether discussing the historical significance of Lillieleaf or the vibrant community spirit in Mamelodi, KG's commentary was always informative and delivered with an engaging style that invited questions and participation, never feeling like a rigid lecture. His exceptional communication skills allowed him to connect with everyone, ensuring that the diverse array of information, from historical facts to local customs, was easily understood and appreciated by all members of our group. Beyond his comprehensive knowledge, KG possesses a remarkable sense of humor, which proved to be an invaluable asset throughout our journey. His witty remarks and timely jokes often lightened the mood, particularly during longer travel segments between locations like Thohoyandou and Kruger National Park, fostering a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere. This blend of informative commentary and genuine humor made every moment enjoyable and helped to forge a strong bond within our group, making us feel more like companions than mere colleagues and tourists. His ability to entertain with stories and anecdotes transformed passive observation into an active and delightful engagement with the places we visited. What truly set KG apart was his ability to foster a profound sense of familial connection among our group. He approached his role with a warmth and consideration that made us feel not just like clients, but like cherished friends or family members exploring South Africa together. He was super friendly, helpful, and considerate, educating us not only on specific elements of the tour but also about South Africa in general. His empathy, energy, and beautiful spirit resonated deeply, leaving a lasting impression that extended far beyond the conclusion of the tour. He is a part of our family and even spent his birthday with us! (What tour guide do you know that would do such a selfless thing?) The feeling of being part of an instant family, genuinely cared for and understood, transformed our trip into an unparalleled experience that we will forever treasure and can't possibly ever forget! Our journey through Pretoria, Johannesburg, Soweto, Mamelodi, Thohoyandou, and Kruger with KG of Rent A Tour and Safaris was truly an exceptional experience, largely due to his outstanding qualities as a tour guide and as a human. His unwavering commitment to safety, coupled with his brilliant knowledge, compassionate spirit and engaging humor, ensured that every moment was enriching and enjoyable. More than just a guide, KG became a cherished part of our travel family, fostering a bond that made the South African landscape feel even more welcoming and intimate.​ With every experience, we literally felt the sentiment, "welcome home". I wholeheartedly recommend KG to anyone seeking not just a tour, but a transformative and deeply personal exploration of South Africa. Trust me, you will NOT be disappointed - hire this man!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Troylynn_p
Jul 19, 2025
Apartheid Museum visit - I have no words for what I learned and the artifacts collected. I was left in awe w the whole experience. I learned a lot and wanted more!
Review provided by Viator
Glenda_m
Dec 2, 2024
Johannesburg full day tour - It turned out that I was the only person on the tour. KG (aka Kilogram) was a great guide for the day. He was full of interesting information about Johannesburg. KG is well informed about his city and made the day so enjoyable. I would recommend KG if you're looking for a good guide. We did not eat in Soweto (my request) but had a lovely lunch at a local chicken place. A most enjoyable day.
Review provided by Viator
Stephen_d
Jul 14, 2024
Soweto - The guide was great and knew his subject matter Presentation was concise relevant and informative No question to hard and was researched if not known
Review provided by Viator
Nicola_v
Jun 20, 2024
Do it do it do it! - Sorry that I am posting this so late! This was wonderful tour! KG was awesome, funny and very knowledgeable! I am South African and saw places I have never been and learnt things I never knew! My friends who were with me from New Zealand had a wonderful time and even days after our trip they were still talking about it! Thanks KG it was great! We missed you in the Kruger (inside joke)🤣
Review provided by Viator
Megan_d
May 25, 2024
Interesting, Fun - What a wonderful day we had learning about Joburg and the history. Truly one of the best tours we’ve been on!
Review provided by Viator
Quest47819292354
Apr 10, 2024
The best guide ever. - I have used KG since 2018! He is the best of the best. Getting in the car with KG you just know you’re going to have an awesome time! He is so knowledgeable and funny! He makes the trip memorable and fun! You feel safe with him and he is very flexible. He is reliable and honest. I love you KG and can’t wait to go to a soccer game with you!! Thanks for being the best and showing my family around my new home!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Joansj6035zm
Sep 24, 2023
An enriching, unforgettable experience - This tour was a non-stop learning experience -- and with KG as my guide, I was not disappointed. KG is friendly, warm, and kind-hearted and it's evident that he really enjoys sharing his knowledge and experiences of South Africa through these tours. I took this tour solo, but think anyone -- couples, families, friends, business colleagues, etc, -- would enjoy this tour. Highly recommend, especially if you want to enrich your understanding of South African history and culture. If yes, then KG is your man!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Q9421izconniel
Jun 30, 2023
Great day tour hitting key spots - KG is super knowledgeable and friendly - I had a great day learning about Joburg with him. He went out of his way to take me to an extra spot I wanted to see en route back to my hotel and was cheerful, informative and funny throughout.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
U9783aramyl
May 31, 2023
Unforgettable Experience!!! - KG is a hilarious and joyful person who made us all laugh. His liveliness easily lifted our spirits and brought lightness into conversation and situation. He is incredibly knowledgeable, down to remembering the exact number of hospital beds at the biggest hospital in the world. KG definitely bridged the gap between curious Americans who had never been to South Africa but were filled with desire to learn more. He is knowledgable about South Africa but also knows about American culture. He had the best playlists ever and give us a taste of South Africa music that we wouldn’t have had a chance to experience in all its authenticity otherwise, during the duration of our trip. Definitely an unforgettable six days with KG!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $75
up to 10 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).