Tour operator
Dlala Nje
Dlala Nje is a social enterprise based in Ponte City that runs walking tours of Ponte, Hillbrow and Yeoville, with tour income funding youth and childhood…
Curiocity Tours
Curiocity runs local-guided tours of Soweto, Maboneng and the inner city from its design-led backpacker hostel in Maboneng, from two-hour walks to full-day Soweto trips.
At a glance
- Type
- Soweto and inner-city guided tours
- Area
- Maboneng, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Official site
- curiocity.africa
Good to know
- Full-day and half-day Soweto tours
- Maboneng walk
- Inner-city walking tour
- Local guides
- Hostel base
Why we recommend it
Curiocity is a design-led backpacker hostel brand with a hostel in Maboneng, on the eastern side of Johannesburg's city centre, and it runs its own programme of tours led by local guides. Because the guides live in and know the areas they show, the tours focus on stories and everyday life as well as the well-known sights.
The Johannesburg programme includes four main experiences. The Evolution of Maboneng is a two-hour walk through the precinct, looking at how its past, present and future fit together. The Inner City Walking Tour lasts about four hours and explores the city centre on foot. For Soweto there is a half-day tour of about five hours and a full-day tour of around seven hours, which combine heritage sites with cultural stops such as shebeens and food tastings.
These tours suit independent travellers, backpackers and anyone who prefers small, informal groups to large coach tours. The full-day Soweto tour is a good option if you want to cover the township in depth with time for lunch and conversation, while the shorter Maboneng walk is easy to fit into an afternoon. Prices are published per person on the website.
Book through the website, which lists each tour with its duration and price. Wear comfortable walking shoes, bring sun protection and water, and carry a little cash for snacks and drinks. Ask about pick-up arrangements when you book if you are not staying at the hostel.
The two-hour Maboneng walk is the shortest and easiest introduction, while the full-day Soweto tour is the best choice if you only have time for one major tour during your stay. For an inner-city day, the four-hour walking tour pairs well with an afternoon at Constitution Hill or the Origins Centre. The published per-person prices make it simple to compare options before you choose.
If you are not staying at the hostel, Maboneng is a short drive from Braamfontein and Constitution Hill, and most visitors use a ride-hailing app to get there. As in any part of the inner city, follow your guide's advice about where to walk and what to carry.
Curiocity Tours FAQs
What tours does Curiocity offer?
A Maboneng walk, an inner-city walking tour and half-day and full-day Soweto tours.
How long are the tours?
The Maboneng walk is two hours, the inner-city walk four hours, and the Soweto tours about five or seven hours.
Who leads the tours?
Local guides.
What do the Soweto tours include?
Heritage sites plus cultural stops such as a shebeen and food tastings.
Where are tours based?
At Curiocity Joburg in Maboneng.
How do I book?
Through the Curiocity website, which lists durations and prices.
Do I need to stay at the hostel?
No, but ask about pick-up arrangements if you are staying elsewhere.
What should I bring?
Walking shoes, sun protection, water and a little cash.