Private tour in Johannesburg Lesley O

Cullinan Diamond Mine and Pretoria City from Johannesburg

4.8

(6) reviews

-
Hours icon 8 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-7 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
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-
Hours icon 8 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-7 people
Your party size

1

View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later

Lesley O.

4.9

Guide rating

303

Reviews

Tours delivered

6 hrs

Avg. response time

I love my country passionately and have always had a deep-seated interest in all it holds, especially its history and wildlife. South Africa is blessed with the most incredible variety and richness of landscape, flora, fauna and people. There is nothing I enjoy more than showing this bounty to visitors and giving my guests an insight into my world. I enjoy one-on-one communication, discussing points of interest raised by the guests. I always customize the itinerary to suit special interests, and am quite happy to change things to suit during the tour, provided no pre-bookings have been made. My special interest is wildlife, and therefore I have trained as a field guide as well as a tour guide. This allows me to add depth to any tour, but especially the Nature tours. I strive to deliver a quality, personal touring experience. No matter whether historical, cultural or natural, the journey is both unique and unforgettable. I have lived in South Africa most of my life, and have been resident in the Gauteng area for 50 years. I have a passion for history and the natural world and enjoy sharing my knowledge with others. I have a personal interest in ornithology (that's birds!) and trips to suit those with a special interest in birds and birding can be arranged with the greatest of pleasure. I believe that every place has a story. As a guide, I strive to tell such stories in an interesting and informative way. Visiting the setting around which the story evolved brings a feeling of reality to the events. Whether visiting a museum or exploring a game reserve, on a day trip or on a long journey to the lesser-known parts of the country, I plan my routes through interesting areas imparting as much local knowledge as possible along the way. Many visitors want to see where and how local people live, so I take the back routes rather than flying past on the highways. Wherever possible, I vary my return route so as to enjoy as much of this beautiful country as possible. I do not have set itineraries. I tailor each tour to suit the client - from the food to the route, the places and the people. The museum may be the same, but the route we take and what we see along the way will be planned according to the client's interests ensuring a unique, personal experience. Registered South African Tourist Guide for Gauteng, North-West and Mpumalanga provinces. Field Guide registered with Field Guide Association of South Africa. Field Guides are essentially Game Rangers, proficient to take tourists through Nature and Game Reserves.

Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Lesley O.

Overview of your Johannesburg tour

Cullinan mine started in 1903, and within a few years produced the largest diamond ever found. The stones cut from it grace the Crown Jewels. Take a guided walk around this working mine, stroll through the historic village of Cullinan and take the opportunity to browse the shops in the village. Pretoria, the administrative capital, is a bustling modern city, liberally sprinkled with historical buildings such as Paul Kruger's house, the Raadsaal, Melrose House, City Hall, the Transvaal Museum and the Union Buildings, a magnificent example of the work of Sir Herbert Baker. These buildings are now the Presidency. The history of the city area predates European settlement and makes for interesting discussion. If time allows, a visit to the Voortrekker Monument can be included, where the history of the Afrikaner people's movement into the interior is depicted in beautiful marble friezes.

Recent Reviews

John H.United States
August 2025

Leslie is a great guide. Very knowledgeable and very considerate. She will arrange your itinerary however you want and make clever suggestions.

David L.United States
July 2024

Leslie has an incredibly detailed knowledge of the history of South Africa - everything from how diamonds and gold were formed and discovered to the Voortrekker movement. All very interesting but perhaps more than we could possibly absorb in a day during which we visited the Cullinan Diamond Mine and Pretoria, in particular the Voortrekker Monument. Leslie is very generous with her large selection of refreshments so no need to spend time looking for places to eat. A very full day!

Robert S.United States
February 2020

Lesley was terrific! During the long drive to the Cullinan mine, she provided a continuous flow of information about South Africa, its history (starting with its geologic formation billions of years ago!), up to current socioeconomic and political status. Her knowledge about her home country is encyclopedic, and she delivers information in a clear, concise style. Spending the day with her was altogether pleasant, due to her engaging personality and sense of humor. Highly recommended tour!

Joe K.United States
January 2017

Lesley was our guide for the past two days (Johannesburg & Soweto and Cullinen & Pretoria) and was absolutely fabulous! Lesley is a walking encyclopedia of knowledge for these areas and so much more! We are leaving this country with a wealth of information and hope to return in the future as we just skimmed the surface of the Johannesburg/Pretoria area. Thank you Lesley for making our visit so memorable!

Gary S.United States
November 2016

Lesley did a tour of the Cullinan Diamond Mine and Pretoria for 4 of us and was excellent. She is so knowledgeable about the history of South Africa it was amazing. We couldn't imagine that there is a better guide who knew more. It was a wonderful day!

Brian S.United States
August 2014

Lesley was an outstanding tour guide. She has a wealth of knowledge in many areas (cultural, historical, wildlife), and loves to share it. Highly recommended!

Your Johannesburg tour itinerary

We travel to Cullinan for a walking tour of the mine at 10h00 or 14h00. NB. The mine insists on ID, closed shoes, and a basic medical check for those over 60. Afterwards, we stroll through the village before departing for Pretoria. This is flexible depending on whether we do the afternoon or morning tour, and whether we choose to walk through the village before or after the tour. We visit the city, Church Square and the Union Buildings. If you are interested and time allows, we will visit the Voortrekker Monument. Kruger House and Melrose House can be included. The itinerary is flexible and can be changed. Times need to be confirmed when bookings are made at the mine.

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Transport details
Type: Private Transportation / Category: Minibus

Airconditioned VW Microbus.

What's included
Other: Transportation, guide fee, all site and tour costs, snacks and soft drinks in the vehicle.
Private Guide
Private Transportation
Tickets: All site entries
What's not included
Other: The village of Cullinan has been preserved, with the houses dating from 1904 housing a variety of shops, restaurants and coffee shops. If you would like a meal or to purchase any crafts on offer this would be to your own account.
Meeting location

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

I will meet you at your hotel or place of accommodation, or meet your flight.

  • You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
History
Layover
Architecture
Tour reference number
26799
Languages
English
Activity level
Light
Accessibility
Kid Friendly

Traveller reviews

4.8

FAQs

Who is this private tour in Johannesburg best suited for?

This private tour is perfect for travellers who are interested in history, culture, and the fascinating world of diamond mining. It's also ideal for those who want to explore the beautiful city of Pretoria with a knowledgeable local guide like Lesley O. The tour is kid-friendly and offers a light activity level, making it suitable for families and those who prefer a leisurely pace.

What should I bring or wear?

Can this private tour in Johannesburg be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?

How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?

Where does the tour start and end?

Is transportation included?

How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?

What languages is this tour offered in?

What's included in this private tour, and what should I budget for separately?

Is this a private tour? What is the maximum group size and the starting price?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 8 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-7 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 8 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-7 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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