Half Day Tours in Johannesburg
Are you looking for half day tours in Johannesburg but don’t necessarily have the time or do not want to travel far? We have the perfect solution for you. Choose from our selection of half day tours in Johannesburg that showcase some of the most iconic tourist attractions. These include a variety of tour categories from safaris to cultural and historical experiences. All or tours are led by an experiences and passionate guide, so you are ensured the best possible experience.
My name is Thys and I and a proud Johannesburg local who was born and raised in this fascinating city known as the City of Gold. When someone asks me what best half day tours in Johannesburg they should go on when visiting Johannesburg, I don’t always know where to start as there’s so many things to do. There are so many types of tours that you can choose from depending on what you are looking for.
I have written this article to showcase the best half day tours in Johannesburg. Hopefully I can give you some cool insight and advice on how best to utilise your experience. I have also summarised the tours so you can get a better understanding of the tour durations, pick up times and what the experience involves.
What do our half day tours in Johannesburg include?
We are not into playing ‘hide n go seek’. This is also our policy when it comes to our tour inclusions. There are no hidden costs. (We flushed them out using some secret Johannesburg potions given to us by the local witch doctor). Only joking. We save the potions for unruly travelers. All our half day tours include the following:
- Free pick up from any location within Johannesburg and Pretoria. And that includes hotels, guest houses, airbnb’s, private houses and jails.
- All the entrance fees and permits are included into the various attractions. (in the case of the safari tours, all the wildlife game drives are also covered)
- All the return transfers and logistics to the various spots are covered. All you need to do is chill and take in the views and soak up the experience.
- You will be accompanied on all the half day tours with one of our knowledgeable and passionate Johannesburg tour guides for the duration of the experience. He is responsible for all aspects of the tour.
- Yes, Johannesburg can get pretty hot, especially in the summer months. So, we have included bottled water to help keep you hydrated for the duration of the tour. Dehydration can lead to grumpiness and we don’t like grumpy clients.
What is not included?
The tour does not include the cost for lunch or any other beverages (alcoholic or not). There are plenty of facilities available during the tour where you can buy food or maybe an ice-cold beer or 20.
Are you looking at getting up close and personal with the wildlife South Africa is famous for? We have several half day safari options that we recommend:
What are the pick-up times for this tour?
We have several daily departures to choose from: 7am, 10am and 1pm.
How long does this tour last and what does it include?
The total duration of the tour is about 5 hours. That would include the travel time to and from the lion and safari park as well as a 2.5 hour safari.
What makes this tour quite unique and remarkable?
We just need to mention the word ‘African Lion’ and most people are sold. Yip, you guessed it, you will get up close to the king of the African jungle-the lion. There are about 50 lions that you will get see. They are kept in various enclosures separate from the other wildlife. South African law prohibits free roaming lions if the reserve is less than 5000 hectares. This is a conservation decision that ensures the overall balance of nature is kept. Basically, the lions would devour the other animals if they were integrated into the rest of the park. If you would like to see free roaming lions in their natural habitat, then making look at visiting the Pilanesberg. What other animals can be seen? Besides the lions, we will take you on a guided safari around the park where you will get to see a host of iconic South African wildlife from zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, impala, springbok, hyena, cheetah and warthog. This half day tour is perfect for nature and wildlife enthusiasts.
What are the pick-up times for this tour?
We have 2 daily pick up times to choose from: 7am and 1pm
How long does the tour last and what does it include?
The total duration of the tour is about 6 hours. That would include the travel time from Johannesburg to Dinokeng, a 3 hour safari and the drive back.
What makes this tour quite unique and remarkable?
So if the lion and safari park is not your thing, then your next best option is this incredible half day safari to the Dinokeng private game reserve. Situated 75 minutes from Johannesburg in the North West Province, this natural reserve is a getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. The tour includes a 3 hour safari with the resident ranger who will track the wild animals and spend time at each sighting explaining the various fun facts about the species you find. This half day safari option is a lot less commercialized than the lion and safari park option above.
What are the pick-up times for this tour?
We have 1 daily pick up times foe this half day tour and that is 8am
How long does the tour last and what does it include?
The total duration of the tour is about 4 hours. That would include the travel time from Johannesburg to Glen Afric, a 1 hour walk with the lions in their natural environment, lunch and the drive back.
What makes this tour quite unique and remarkable?
This is the only half-day tour from Johannesburg where the tour guide is an elephant. How cool is that? And the best part is that it is done in their natural environment. The elephants can roam freely. Which is good with us from an ethical perspective. They are also not made to do tricks and you are not allowed to ride them. Which is also good with us from an ethical perspective. So what is the tour all about? Well, as it says. You get to walk with 3 elephants in their natural environment. How far you will walk is totally up to them. Sometimes they just chill and break down a tree. Sometimes they swim. Sometimes they decide to walk to greener pastures. All in all, you shouldn’t land up walking more than say 2km. Is it safe? Totally safe. They are semi habituated and where rescued from being culled in the Kruger Park. So, they are used to humans. This half day tour is also very non commercialized, and the wellbeing of the elephants is the main priority. Only 1 tour a day with a maximum of 10 people are allowed. This is purely for the well-being of the these majestic animals.
Are you looking for a more cultural and historical experience? We have several half-day options that we recommend:
What are the pick-up times for this tour?
We have 2 daily pick up times to choose from: 10am and 3pm
How long does the tour last and what does it include?
The total duration of the tour is about 6 hours. That would include the travel time from Johannesburg to the Lesedi Cultural Village, a 90 minute tour of the village, 45 minute drumming and dancing session, lunch ( or dinner if you select the later time slot) and the drive back.
What makes this tour quite unique and remarkable?
If you want to learn about the various tribal units that make up the rainbow nation known as South Africa, then Lesedi is the place to be. The tour is led by a charismatic zulu warrior who will take you on a walking tour of the village. Don’t stress about the distance, we only cover about 1km. You will visit the 5 main tribal units of South Africa, namely the Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele, Pedi and Basotho people. Each place is unique in their cultural differences and way of life.
The highlight of this half day tour is the drumming and dancing session by the locals. The energy and power of the drums beating is mesmerizing. My favourite part is the ‘Zulu War Dance’ at the end-so glad I didn’t have to face the might of this mighty nation in battle. We finish off the tour with a traditional meal that includes crocodile, ostrich, beef and many other types of food from salads to vegetables.
What are the pick-up times for this tour?
We have 2 daily pick up times to choose from: 9am and 1pm
How long does the tour last and what does it include?
The total duration of the tour is about 5 hours. That would include the travel time from Johannesburg to Soweto, a 1-hour tour of the Oppenheimer Tower and cultural centre, 1 hour walk meeting the locals in Kliptown, 1 hour at Nelson Mandela’s house and the Hector Pieterson Memorial and the drive back. (I’m sure a lot of attraction names that mean nothing to you. But after the tour you will have a greater understanding of the significance of each).
What makes this tour quite unique and remarkable?
This half day tour of Soweto is one of the most informative tours you can go in. Our guide will take you back in time and retrace the unfolding scenarios and incidences that shaped Johannesburg, the rise and fall of Apartheid and the struggles in-between. Learn how the discovery of Gold was the ultimate reason Johannesburg now exists.
The tour is led by Lebo, a Soweto borne and bred local. You have to excuse his whacked out nature but, wow, he will leave you with incredible first hand knowledge of this iconic township. What I really like about this tour is that we also visit a lot of the ‘noncommercialized’ touristy places and get a real feel for the soul of Soweto.
What are the pick-up times for this tour?
We have 2 daily pick up times to choose from: 9am and 1pm
How long does the tour last and what does it include?
The total duration of the tour is about 5 hours. That would include the travel time from Johannesburg to Pretoria, a 1-hour guided tour of the Voortrekker Monument ( an iconic attraction that illustrates the “Great Trek’ by the Boers from Cape Town, 45 minutes at Smuts House ( the First president of South Africa), 45 minute tour of the Union Buildings ( the first Presidential Building that has much history) and a 45 minute drive through the Pretoria City centre visiting the various iconic attraction spots.
What makes this tour quite unique and remarkable?
Pretoria is city of history. Our guide will take you on a journey of discovery as you go back in time. You will visit the majestic Union Buildings built in 1910 and has been the seat of many presidents including the late Nelson Mandela.
You can imagine what kind of decisions have been made here, from the decisions to go to war (or not) to the implementation of Apartheid to more recent political decisions. The next interesting attraction you will visit is the Voortrekker Monument. This was built in 1949 to commemorate what is known as the “Great Trek’ by the Boers to escape British rule in Cape Town.
Are you looking for a more archaeological and historical experience? We have several half-day options that we recommend:
- Half day Sterkfontein Caves and Maropeng tour
What are the pick-up times for this tour?
We have 2 daily pick up times to choose from: 8am and 12pm
How long does the tour last and what does it include?
The total duration of the tour is about 6 hours. That would include the travel time from Johannesburg to the Cradle of Humankind where both the caves and Maropeng are situated, a 1 hour guided underground walking tour of the Sterkfontein Caves, a 1 hour guided experience of the Maropeng Exhibition Centre and a 45 minute drive through the Cradle of Humankind, and the drive back.
What makes this tour quite unique and remarkable?
The Sterkfontein Caves are phenomenal to say the say the least. The tour starts with a 200-step descent into the labyrinth of the cave world. It is here you will get to see some of the most incredible stalactite and stalagmite formations. The cave is still an active archaeological area, so a lot of the area is off limits to the public. Scientists are finding fossils and bones on a monthly basis. But of course, the process of uncovering them takes time.
Sometimes up to 5 years just to chip away at 1 section of bone so you don’t damage it. What made Sterkfontein caves famous was the discovery of the oldest known hominid fossil now know as ‘Little Foot’ dating back some 3.67 million years. Sterkfontein is now considered the richest fossil site in the world. The second part of the tour involves a journey back in time at the Maropeng Exhibition Centre. The guide will take you on a makeshift boat through the centre illustrating the flow of time from millions of years ago to the present day.
