Tours with a Twist

The Apartheid Museum. A reflective place housed in an austere tenement, it's quite hard-hitting but well worth a visit - even if you think you know everything about our country's chequered past. In fact, with the World Cup just around the corner, there are certain places you absolutely need to get to grips with if you're thinking about playing unofficial tour guide, and the perfect way to get up to scratch, is to take a tour yourself. A raft have recently sprung up, from the mundane to the obscure, Jozi's got them all. Here are a few of our favourite operators?


 

For a good dose of history: Spear of the Nation Tours

Savour Joburg through the eyes of one of its most entertaining citizens, Robin Binckes. A walking encyclopaedia and a storyteller of great repute, Binkes infuses his own anecdotes into a rich experiential journey. He'll take you to places like Alexandra Township (stop for shisanyama - mandatory), Liliesleaf Farm (scene of the Rivonia raid), the Voortrekker Monument (austere) and the notorious Vlakplaas (territory of the notorious apartheid Death Squads), which is designed to give you an understanding of our poignant history. Or you can traipse after Binckes to the Constitutional Court, Maropeng, and Soweto -- where he'll point out the Archs' grey-walled house, and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela's impenetrable fortress. Phone Robin on 011-463-9905 or visit www.spearofthenation.co.za to book.

 

Hell's Angel style: BikeXplorer

Fancy yourself as a bit of a hellraiser? Didn't think so, but if you've always wanted to don a leather jacket and straddle something powerful, then consider seeing Jozi akimbo a BMW on a pillion ride. The 60-minute Mandela Bridge Blitz will set you back R950, which admittedly isn't cheap, but just imagine? the flowing curves of the fairing, the smooth lines of the fuel tank, the piercing reflections from perfect chrome, the visual muscle of the inline four cylinder engine? www.bikexplorer.co.za or 072-299-9546


Soweto, on closer inspection: Lebo's Soweto Bicycle Tours
Instead of peering at Soweto's sights and residents from the confines of an air-conditioned tour bus, tread the tarmac using one of Africa's most patronised modes of transport - the bicycle. Why not try a cycle tour of parts of Soweto with Lebo's Soweto Bicycle Tours? You have various options: a two-hour tour, a four-hour tour, a full-day tour, and a Kliptown tour. Costs range from R300 to R450. If you stay overnight in Lebo's Backpackers in Orlando West, you'll come away with an appreciation of the contrasts of life in Soweto. Phone 011-936-3444 to book.

 

Jozi's nooks and crannies: Past Experiences

"I am a Joburg, South African girl -- born and raised! I love this city and want to share its awesomeness with everyone else. I am a registered tour guide as well as a registered archaeologist. Past Experiences is my archaeological-cum-cultural tour company. As well as my love for archaeology, I love the history and people of Joburg and want to share my travels and experiences!" says Jo Buitendach, enthusiastic tour operator. She takes her charges into the obscure on tours like, "I Love Shopping!" which is an inner-city mall crawl, where participants can snatch up bargain items from hidden corners of the CBD. Contact Jo on 083-701-3046 or www.pastexperiences.co.za

Read our review here: http://www.jhblive.com/reviews/random/past_experiences_brt_tour_of_town/30161

 Randlords and architectural gems: Parktown and Westcliff Heritage Trust

The few remaining mansions of the Randlords built at the turn of the century are monuments to the colourful history of Joburg. Parktown and Westcliff are two of the oldest suburbs of Johannesburg and home to the mining magnates from 1892 till today. The concentration of power and money, combined with the exuberant and extravagant taste of these pioneers, is reflected in the homes they built on the prominent ridges which lie north of the city centre. The Trust organises tours of the houses and gardens since most are not accessible to the public. In recent years the Trust has expanded its historical tours to include other parts of this City of Gold and of Struggle. Get their tour schedule here: www.parktownheritage.co.za or call 011-482-3349. Read our review of one erstwhile-randlord tenement, here: http://www.jhblive.com/live/review_view.jsp?review_id=22098

 
Foodies: Ancient Secrets ~ Exotic Food & Travel

Ishvara Dhyan takes his charges to exotic enclaves with one thing in mind? find authentic and indigenous food. He'll reveal Jozi's Ethiopian quarter to you, where you can feast on berbere infused stews mopped up with sourdough. Unless, of course, you prefer Moroccan, in which case you'll meet him in Jozi's northern suburbs where he'll show you how to whip up a Moroccan inspired feast. And if Portuguese is more your bag, then you don't want to miss his Troyeville tour. See our review here: www.jhblive.com/live/review_view.jsp?review_id=22847

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What Others Said

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Jo- Past Experiences said
on 03 March 2010

Hey Laura

Thanks for including us- awesome!