Private tour in Johannesburg Lesley O

Johannesburg and Soweto - Half Day or Layover private tour from Johannesburg

4.8

(28) reviews

-
Hours icon 6 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 6 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

This is a city of contrasts - modern, brash, a melting pot of different cultures and people, and yet very young. From the earliest Iron Age peoples to the financial powerhouse of Africa - this city has seen it all. Why is this city here? No water, on rocky slopes - an unlikely setting for a city this size. Growing from farmland to a city of over 120, 000 in just 4 years, weathering a war, foiling a coup, violent strike action resulting in armed insurrection to the final struggles against apartheid - it all happened here. From the City, we visit Soweto. Our travels through this sprawling township trace the sites of the struggle against apartheid and give some idea of what was achieved. The Freedom Charter, the basis for our constitution, was drafted here, and the 1976 Student Uprising is commemorated. From rich to poor, the suburbs of Soweto reflect life in all its variety.

Recent Reviews

Cindy L.
August 2025

Leslie knew so much about the history and culture of South Africa and Johannesburg and we enjoyed learning much more than we had expected. As is the case with learning from an expert, I wanted to rush out and dig deeper. The day went quickly. Thanks, Leslie for an inspiring and educational tour!

Andrea K.United States
June 2025

Leslie was informative, delightful, knowledgeable and extremely easy to spend a day with!!! We highly recommend her!!!

Barry K.United States
December 2024

Lesley is a fantastic, informative guide. While driving to the various sights , she takes you from the early history of the Bushman to the modern day. We did not know much about South Africa and it’s a really interesting history. We learned a lot about the impact of the discoveries of gold and diamonds. It’s also eye opening to learn about the tragic impact of especially British Colonialism. We also stopped at a couple of antique shops at my request and she was certainly supportive of any of our requests. It’s a very comfortable vehicle and she’s an excellent driver in highly variable conditions!! One of my favorite tours. I highly recommend Lesley !!!

Carol T.United States
May 2024

Lesley is the most amazing guide we have ever encountered on our travels! You will be very lucky to learn so much about Joburg with Lesley’s vast knowledge of its history and people! She’s warm, reliable and a very good driver! We were so pleased!

Michael C.United States
May 2022

My wife and I took this tour with Lesley. We use Tours by Locals when on holiday and Lesley was one of, if not the best guide we ever experienced. She brought us to parts of the city we never would see on other tours or on our own. She also tailored the tour to not conflict with other excursions. Lesley is a true professional! Thank you Lesley!

Allan K.United States
May 2020

Very informative and educational. Falls short of a full five first because of logistics which probably were not the guide's fault but we spent a lot of time in traffic and didn't see as much as we hoped. A second small deduct was a slight apparent bias towards the earlier Afrikaner point of view and a tendency to tar all black Africans with the corruption of the current regime. But all in all, we learned a lot and she was a very charming and informed hostess.

Your Johannesburg tour itinerary

- Travel through the suburbs of Johannesburg, new to old, including Sandton, Rosebank, Parkhurst, Melville and Brixton to George Harrison Park where gold was discovered. - Into the city to Mary Fitzgerald Square, MuseumAfrica and Newtown - Chancellor House where you can visit the outdoor museum - Down Diagonal street, past the Library to Main Street Mining Mall and Hollard Street - past City Hall and the old shopping district to the Carlton Centre. - Down to Soweto, where we drive through the township to Hector Pietersen Memorial - Nelson Mandela House Museum - Past Archbishop Tutu's house and on to and Freedom Square. - Past Baragwanath Hospital and the Orlando Towers This itinerary can be varied to suit your special interests. and time available.

Want to customize this tour?

Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.

Transport details
Type: Private Transportation / Category: Minibus

An air-conditioned VW Microbus, carrying a maximum of 7 passengers.

What's included
Other: Snacks and soft drinks are supplied in the vehicle.
Private Guide
Private Transportation
Tickets: Museum entry
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses.
Meeting location

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

At the airport or your place of accommodation

  • You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
Layover
City Highlights
History
Tour reference number
26793
Languages
English
Activity level
Minimal
Accessibility
Kid Friendly

Traveller reviews

4.8

FAQs

Who is this private tour in Johannesburg best suited for?

This private tour in Johannesburg is perfect for travellers interested in the rich history and cultural contrasts of the city and Soweto. It's ideal for those who want to explore the historical sites related to the struggle against apartheid and gain insights into the city's development from a small settlement to a major metropolis. With Lesley O. as your guide, you'll have the opportunity to connect with a local expert for deeper insights.

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 6 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 6 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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