LocalPlaces Tours

LocalPlaces, which grew out of the long-running JoburgPlaces walking tours, offers storytelling tours of Johannesburg, Soweto, Pretoria and Cape Town. In Johannesburg its tours are led by Charlie Moyo, while Gerald Garner, the other half of the team, is based in Cape Town. The emphasis is on understanding the city through its streets, buildings, people and food.

Johannesburg tours include Understanding Johannesburg, Evolving Johannesburg, Welcome Johannesburg, Charlie's Finest Joburg, Understanding Soweto and Viewpoints and Watering Holes, plus food-focused walks such as Migrant Cuisines, West City Food and East City Food. Walking routes typically cover the mining history of Marshalltown, the old financial heart of the city, the busy Fashion District and Little Addis, the Ethiopian quarter of the city centre. You can also design a build-your-own Joburg tour with the team.

Most tours run for half a day, and two half-day tours can be combined into a full day. Private walking tours are available for groups of four or more. The company also runs public tours and special events, storytelling lunches and events at JSE Newtown, the former Johannesburg Stock Exchange building on Diagonal Street.

These tours suit visitors who want to walk the inner city safely with someone who knows it well, and they are especially good for repeat visitors, architecture enthusiasts and food lovers. A guide makes downtown, often avoided by tourists, much easier to explore.

LocalPlaces also sells guidebooks to Johannesburg and Cape Town through its website, which are useful companions if you plan to explore further on your own. Its storytelling lunches combine a meal with a talk about the city, and they are a good alternative if you prefer not to walk far. The build-your-own option suits families or groups with a particular interest, such as architecture or food.

Most Johannesburg tours start at JSE Newtown, 17 Diagonal Street, on the corner of Pritchard Street; the exact meeting point is confirmed in your booking. LocalPlaces asks people not to phone but to send a WhatsApp message, and the team will call you back. Check availability before you travel, as tours run on set dates or by arrangement. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a hat, water and some cash for food tastings. The nearest Gautrain station is Park Station, but most guests arrive by ride-hailing app.