Full Day Bike Tour - Soweto

Description

This full day tour will cover about 20 km and give you a good insight into the history and daily life of residents of Soweto.  Our local guides will give you a unique township experience. As you cycle past some of the exciting hotspots you will see street vendors plying their trade, interesting, colourful murals and men and women pushing huge trolleys of plastic and paper which they collect and deliver to recycle depots for an exchange of cash. 

Cycle down the dusty streets of an informal settlement past make shift homes and imaginative fences made from bed springs or discarded boxes. The people are friendly and will happily share their stories with you. You travel down vibrant Vilakazi Street, the only street to house two winners of the Nobel Peace Prize: Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.

You will have an idea of what apartheid meant to the local people of Johannesburg's sister city as you hear some stories about the struggle of black South Africans against Apartheid. You will have a chance to visit the Hector Pietersen Museum and get an insight into the tragic past of South Africa and the cost of the struggle for freedom. You can read of the the Soweto uprising on 16 June 1976. On that tragic day, a 12-year-old boy called Hector Pieterson was shot in a peaceful protest against teaching in schools in the Afrikaans medium. This event gave momentum to the growing struggle which cost the lives of many children as well as adults.

You cycle past the upmarket homes of Orlando West and of the mineworker's camps from the Apartheid era, see the major taxi rank and Baragwanath Hospital the largest hospital in the Southern Hemisphere. Having time available gives opportunities to be in contact with local people.  

At the iconic Orlando Towers with their bright murals, you'll have the opportunity to bungee jump [for own expense] and/or just safely enjoy the view of the township from 100 meters above the ground. There is a lift to the top. From this elevation the views are incredible.

We will visit Regina Mundi church and hear stories about the struggle by black South Africans against Apartheid.

You end your day of rich experiences back at the Hector Pieterson Museum. 

Your guide might have some pleasant surprises on the route of course.

Highlights

• Cycle through the vibrant streets of Soweto
• Interact with locals
• Enjoy some local colour  
• Trip to the top of the Orlando Towers
• Optional Bungee Jump from Orlando Towers [own account]
• Light Lunch

Itinerary

Departure: Cycle in Soweto, Cnr Litabe Street and Pela Street, Soweto (The bus parking behind the Hector Pieterson Museum): Follow the signs for "Hector Pieterson Museum".

Times: 9h00

Duration: 8 hours 

Security: The parking area has security guards.

Bike Rentals

Arrive at Cycle in Soweto: Next to Hector Pietersen Museum

• Get fitted with helmet and bike
• Cycle Vilakazi Street past the former homes of Nelson Mandela and Rev. Desmond Tutu
• Cycle down the back streets of informal settlements
• Interact with friendly locals
• Light Lunch
• Orlando Towers
• Chance to Bungee Jump [own account]
• Return to the Hector Pietersen Museum

Enjoy a coffee at the coffee shop [own account] at the Museum, before returning to your hotel

PICK UP AND DROP OFF SERVICE: COST

Johannesburg inner-city area (Gautrain park station & Melville)
ZAR 190 p.p. (minimum R550 return trip)
(optional Drop off at OR Tambo airport for R250/group extra)
Outside Johannesburg inner-city area (Sandton & Rosebank)
ZAR 275 p.p. (minimum R800 return trip)
(optional Drop off at OR Tambo airport for R250/group extra)
OR Tambo airport area (Kempton Park/Boksburg)
ZAR 325 p.p. (minimum R950 return trip)
(optional Drop off at OR Tambo airport at no additional charge)  

Important information

Operated by Cycle In Soweto