Private tour in Johannesburg Lesley O

Pretoria and the Voortrekker Monument private tour from Johannesburg

5.0

(31) reviews

-
Hours icon 7 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 7 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

What drives people to uproot en masse and embark on a journey lasting years into a hostile, unknown land? This monument portrays the history of the Great Trek, the movement of White Afrikaner people from the Eastern Cape into the interior of the country in the 1830's. Their journey - the trials and tribulations that befell them, the battles fought - are depicted in this imposing monument on a set of marble friezes around the inside walls, one of the world's largest historical friezes. Everything in this monument, from the steps to the gates to the cenotaph is symbolic. Associated with it is a museum, beautiful indigenous gardens that are wonderful to wander through, a picnic site and a nature reserve offering hiking and cycling trails. Fort Schanskop, dating from 1887, housing the Boer War Museum, is also close by. The graceful city of Pretoria offers Paul Kruger House Museum, Church Square, and the architecture of the City Hall, the Natural History Museum and the Union Buildings

Recent Reviews

Penny R.United States
September 2023

Lesley is extremely knowledgeable and friendly. we thoroughly enjoyed our tour with her. She is entertaining and a lovely person. We would highly recommend!

Thomas G.Australia
May 2023

What a great day with Lesley. Our train never got to Pretoria but Lesley picked us up south of Johannesburg bearing refreshments. Lesley is probably the most knowledgeable tour guide we have ever had through Tours By Local. A virtual encyclopedia of the history of SA and certainly all the challenges regarding the trek and current day living in SA were explained and highlighted throughout the tour. We learned so much and were very appreciative of Lesley's experience in tour guiding.

William S.United States
October 2022

She gave a wonderful tour and was very knowledgeable about so many of the topics associated with it. I highly recommend this tour.

Lorne A.United States
July 2019

Lesley picked us up as planned and took us on a wonderful tour of Pretoria and Joburg. Lesley provided snacks and drinks, but most of all gave us a real in-depth view ( and the history) of the region. We have been on several tours with guides in many countries, but Lesley is beyond expert on the area, the highlights and the background of the social and political landscape. We always felt safe and Lesley really looked after us. We highly recommend Lesley and would say she is one of the best guides ever.

Mark V.United States
June 2019

Lesley did an exemplary job with our tour. She was prompt meeting us & providing beverages & snacks during the tour. She was very knowledgeable about the tours & history of her country. The vehicle for transportation was comfortabke & clean. I would highly recommend her services.

Noreen C.Canada
April 2019

Lesley was very knowledgeable, prompt and wonderful to share 2 full days with. She accommodated all our requests and added more.

Your Johannesburg tour itinerary

- We start with the Voortrekker monument. I give a tour of the approach, the grounds, the historical events being depicted, and the story told by the friezes. We go down to the cenotaph and the tapestries and look through the museum, then up to the top of the monument for a view over the surrounding countryside and the city. The gardens offer a wonderful walk. - Fort Schanskop has beautifully restored buildings and a museum of the Second Anglo-Boer War. This is optional. - From the Monument we drive into Pretoria to Kruger House Museum. - We walk around Church Square - We walk around the Union Buildings - We pass City Hall and the Natural History Museum. - Melrose House, which also houses a museum and was the site of the signing of the Peace Treaty in 1902. - We pass Burgers Park on our way out. This tour can be combined with a visit to Smuts House or Rietvlei Nature Reserve if time allows.

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

Air-conditioned VW Microbus that seats 7 passengers in comfort, 5 if middle seats are excluded.

What's included
Other: Snacks and soft drinks are available in the vehicle.
Private Guide
Private Transportation
Tickets: All site entries
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses. Lunch is not included in the price.
Food Drinks Snacks
Meeting location

1 Jones Road, Johannesburg, Gauteng, 1632, 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
History
Layover
Tour reference number
28576
Languages
English
Activity level
Minimal
Accessibility
Kid Friendly

Traveller reviews

5.0

FAQs

Who is this private tour in Johannesburg best suited for?

This private tour is ideal for travellers interested in history, particularly the Great Trek and the Afrikaner people's journey. It's also suitable for those who enjoy exploring historical monuments, museums, and beautiful gardens. Families with children will find it kid-friendly, and it's a great option for those who want to connect with a local guide like Lesley O. 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 7 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 7 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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