North West

Our most recommended things to do in North West

From Johannesburg: Pilanesberg Nature Reserve Game Safari

From Johannesburg: Pilanesberg Nature Reserve Game Safari

Visit Pilanesberg Game Reserve on a full-day safari from Johannesburg, where over 7000 animals roam freely. Have the chance to see big 5 game animals (elephants, rhinos, leopards, buffalos, and lions). Enjoy 2 extensive game drives in a jeep with a guide and a delicious lunch. Be picked up from your hotel in Johannesburg in the early morning and relax on the 2.5-hour drive to the Pilanesberg Game Reserve. Follow your guide on a drive to encounter animals like zebras, giraffes, cheetahs, hyenas, hippos, crocodiles, jackals, antelopes, and over 300 species of birds. A total of 4.5 to 5 hours are spent on Game Drives. During the heat of the day, sit down for an hour-long delectable lunch at one of the many rest camps in the Game Reserve. After lunch, depart on an afternoon safari drive in an open vehicle. Ask your guide any questions you might have about the animals and the natural environment. Leave Pilanesberg in the late afternoon to get back to your hotel in Johannesburg before sunset.

Johannesburg: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with Optional Soweto Tour

Johannesburg: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with Optional Soweto Tour

Enjoy the most fantastic views, safely and with flexibility to experience the atmosphere of Johannesburg aboard an open-top double-decker sightseeing bus. Choose between a bus ticket or choose to include a small group tour to Soweto, to buy a ticket to the former home of Nelson Mandela in Vilakazi street and lots more by choosing the Bus/Soweto Combo option. This open top bus tour stops at all the iconic Johannesburg attractions like Melrose Arch, the Mandela's Foundation, Mandela's Homes, Constitution Hill, downtown Johannesburg, the Apartheid Museum, Gold Reef City Theme Park, The Zoo, and Military Museum. The Main bus stop and Branded Tour office with Departure point is in Rosebank. Look for the City Sightseeing Tour office in the main pedestrian part of the "The Zone Mall", Oxford Road, Rosebank. It’s easy to find, between the “Holiday Inn Rosebank” and “Hamleys”. The Tour office is easily and safely accessible by free branded City Sightseeing shuttle bus, rented car, Gautrain or Uber (Detailed instructions for each of these options are on your tour voucher). You can also check Google maps for the “City Sightseeing Johannesburg Visitor Center”. The Hop-On Hop-Off Tour stops at Melrose Arch, the Mandela Foundation, passes Mandela's Homes in Houghton, we make a scenic Photo Stop at Munroe Drive, Constitution Hill, the Mining District in central Johannesburg, the Apartheid Museum and Gold Reef City Casino Hotel. We have a tour office here to ensure that you can join the optional Soweto extension tour. (See details of this extension tour below) From there, the hop on hop off tour also stops at Newtown to visit the Sci Bono or Museum Africa, Braamfontein to visit the Neighborhoods Market (open on Saturdays only), before we stop at the Johannesburg Zoo and the Military Museum from where the tour returns to Rosebank. The 2 hour, small group tour of Soweto is accessed whilst on the hop on, hop off tour at the “Gold Reef City” Bus stop. There are staff on duty to make sure this is safe and easy for you. Described as the “New York of Africa", this small group tour is live guided by a Soweto resident guide. Reconnect with Nelson Mandela's past, and get an understanding of where he started his fight against apartheid at his family home in Soweto. Now a museum, Mandela House follows the story of the legendary leader in the single-story matchbox house is located at number 8115 Vilakazi street. A short distance up the road is Tutu House, the home of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu. This tour includes visits and Stops at the Fnb Stadium, a photo stop at the famous "Welcome to Soweto" sign, Chris Hani Baragwanath, the Orlando Stadium and Hector Pieterson before we arrive at Mandela's Vilikazi street House. Return to Gold Reef City and re-join the open top bus tour back to Rosebank.

Hartbeespoort: 2-Hour Dam Cruise with South African Food

Hartbeespoort: 2-Hour Dam Cruise with South African Food

Enjoy a scenic 2-hour boat cruise on the placid waters of the Hartbeepoort Dam. With 3 tours departing daily, at 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 4:00 PM, pick the time that fits your schedule and hit the water. Located within the Kommando Nek Nature Preserve, gaze at the protected nature that surrounds you, showcasing the abundance of South Africa’s flora and fauna. Upon boarding the boat, you’ll be treated to a welcome drink as you depart to survey the stunning dam’s waters. With all daily cruises, enjoy a gourmet spread of traditional South African hot and cold finger foods. After your cruise is over and you return to the dock, your entrance pass to the Beach Cafe will still be valid, so come join us for a cocktail at and explore the beauty of the South African countryside next to the shores of Hartbeespoort Dam

Soweto: Walking Tour with a Local Guide and Lunch

Soweto: Walking Tour with a Local Guide and Lunch

Soweto is known for its vibrant culture, rich history and pivotal role in South Africa's journey to freedom, this Walking tour offers you an immersive experience into the heart of this iconic township, with the opportunity to explore the bustling streets, meeting the locals and indulge in our local culinary delight with a Sowetan Native Guide. Our tour begins at the Hector Peterson Memorial, where you will learn about the significance of the 1976 Soweto Uprising, a significant turning point in the Apartheid system. We will then walk down Moema Street, retracing the steps of the historic march. As we continue down Vilakazi Street, we will visit Nelson Mandela's house, where you will have 20 minutes to explore inside where he lived until he's 27 years imprisonment (entrance fee not included). Next, we will stop at Desmond Tutu's house, another landmark in Soweto's history. Following this visit, we will enjoy a delicious lunch at a local shop. After lunch, we will take a minibus taxi to Orlando East, giving you a taste of the local mode of transport to the famous Soweto Towers. Our final stop will be at an informal settlement called Nomzamo Park, where you will gain insight into the daily lives of many Soweto residents.

Jo'berg in 1 Day: Soweto, Apartheid Museum & City Tour

Jo'berg in 1 Day: Soweto, Apartheid Museum & City Tour

After collecting you from your hotel or residence in Johannesburg, your guide will give you a quick pre departure tour briefing before departing to Soweto (South Western Township). On your way to Soweto you pass by the National Football Stadium City, which hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the World Cup 2010. You enter the Diepkloof area, where you will take a walk past vendors selling just about anything. In Orlando West you visit Vilakazi Street - drive past the former home of Nelson Mandela and past the home of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. You will have an opportunity to read about the Soweto uprising on 16 June 1976. On that tragic day an innocent little boy called Hector Pieterson gave up his life and kick-started the liberation of South Africa. During this tour you will pass by the Mandela House. A visit into the museum is optional. You continue your tour driving into one of the shanty towns where you get to interact with some of the locals. By now you will have seen the good, the bad and the ugly facets of Soweto. You drive past the Soweto Campus of the Johannesburg University and end your tour with a stop at the largest hospital in the world: Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. After Lunch on your own account, you will arrive at the world famous Apartheid Museum. Here you will learn about the history and struggle of South Africa during apartheid. Once you are done with the Apartheid Museum, you head into Johannesburg City and start with the view of the impressive 269 metre Telkom Tower, as seen on many postcards of Johannesburg. You then enter the inspiring Constitution Hill – and Court (when not in session) Political activists like Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi were once held here. During a tour inside you will learn about some of the legal history of Johannesburg. On your way to Newtown you pass by the longest southern African bridge, named Nelson Mandela bridge. At Mary Fitzgerald Square you can walk on the Jazz Walk of Fame. In short, this tour offers you a unique Johannesburg experience at an affordable rate.

Johannesburg: Full-Day Tour with Soweto and Apartheid Museum

Johannesburg: Full-Day Tour with Soweto and Apartheid Museum

Begin your full-day tour of Johannesburg with a convenient pickup directly from your hotel. Then, hop aboard a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle and set out to discover the City of Gold. The first stop on the tour is the Old Fort on Constitution Hill. Built by President Paul Kruger in 1983, the fort is just seven years older than the city itself and served as a prison in the early 1900s. Here you'll also get to see the Constitutional Court, a substantially more modern structure inaugurated on March 21, 2004, South Africa's Human Rights Day. From here, your tour continues to the old Johannesburg CBD. See historic buildings and landmarks, providing a glimpse into the city's past architectural grandeur as well as its story of growth and development. Then, visit the Apartheid Museum and learn about the rise and fall of apartheid, South Africa's racial segregation system that remained in force until the early 1990s. Spend two hours exploring the museum, embarking on a journey through the country's history, from the dark days of oppression to a time of healing founded on the principles of democracy. Discover what life under apartheid was like, learn about political executions, the significance of June 16, 1976, Nelson Mandela's release from prison and his election as South Africa's first black president, and more. After you visit the museum, your tour continues with lunch, where you'll get the opportunity to sample some local fare at a Soweto eatery (cost not included), before embarking on a tour of Soweto. See the colorful Soweto Towers and pass by Mandela House, the home of the iconic anti-apartheid activist and former president Nelson Mandela between 1946 and 1962, as well as the Tutu House, the former home of the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Finally, visit the Hector Pieterson Memorial, a museum dedicated to preserving the memory of the 1976 Soweto uprisings, before being taken back to your hotel, where your tour comes to an end.

Hartbeespoort Dam: 1 Hour Standard Scenic Boat Cruise

Hartbeespoort Dam: 1 Hour Standard Scenic Boat Cruise

Beautiful and Scenic 1 Hour Cruise around Hartbeespoortdam taking in all the history, fauna and flora of the dam and amazing views, music, service and ambience. The cruise includes a 1 Hour experience, no catering with cash bar onboard. Cruise Times: 12h15 / 16h00 / 17h15 Enjoy a delicious cocktail or something to eat at our Zanzibar Beach Cafe before or after your cruise. Departing from Harties Harbour in Kommando Nek Resort, we cruise towards Pecanwood Estate and further down past the Islands towards the bridge. We cross the dam and then continue past Caribbean Estate and then Kosmos all the way close to the dam wall. Our return takes in the zoo and Yacht Club.

Hartbeespoort: Lion and Safari Park Guided Tour

Hartbeespoort: Lion and Safari Park Guided Tour

Hop into a game truck and ride around the park to observe the animals. Drive by the antelope area to watch these animals walking around. Go to the lion enclosures and see the cheetahs, hyenas, and leopards. Hear facts about the animals from your guide. Buy lunch and souvenirs when you finish. Come directly to the safari park to start your tour. Meet your guide and hop into the game truck to explore the different areas of the park. Visit the antelope safari area, and then check out the lion enclosures. Pass by the cheetah and wild dog enclosures too. Listen to commentary from your guide. Take some photos during the drive. Feel free to buy lunch in the restaurant after your safari ride. Have a drink at the bar as well. Also, buy some souvenirs of your safari to take home with you.

From Johannesburg: Lion & Safari Park Half-Day Tour

From Johannesburg: Lion & Safari Park Half-Day Tour

On this half-day tour, your tour guide will collect you from your accommodations in Johannesburg and take the Lion Park, a natural habitat located not far outside of Johannesburg.  Upon arrival at the Lion Park, you will enjoy 1-hour open vehicle safari drive where you will have the opportunity to view these wonderful animals up close and personal. You will then be driven back to your accommodations in Johannesburg.

Hartbeespoort: Predator Safari with a Guide

Hartbeespoort: Predator Safari with a Guide

Take a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see some of South Africa's most famous predators up close. Watch lions, wild dogs, and cheetahs roam around within this amazing park. Look carefully and you might glimpse other wondrous wildlife such as giraffes, zebras, springboks, and impalas. Learn about these incredible animals from a qualified guide during an unforgettable 1-hour tour. Experience the sight of lion-feeding by visiting the park at weekends or public holidays, and come away with memories to treasure.

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What people are saying about North West

Overall rating

4.6
(3,425 reviews)

This was a great tour in the upcoming Maboneng area. It's very good to see a different side of Johannesburg. The guide was very knowledgable and the street art so beautiful. It was one of our highlights of our stay.

I booked this trip for my two teenagers at the very last minute. They thoroughly enjoyed the trip, and the guide was fun, informative, and professional. I highly recommend this tour!

Very interesting day which allowed us to discover Pretoria and the Cullinan diamond mine and which allowed us to better understand South Africa

Tour was excellent. thanks to our excellent guide Michaela. The animals were active and snap ready.

The tour was informative and the guide knew a lot about Soweto.