Durban Cultural Exploration: Engaging Walking Tour with a Local Expert

Johnny is a true Durbanite and knows the city and it’s people like no other. Therefore, a city tour with Johnny shows the unique sides of Durban that you will never forget. The tour will take you through town to the markets and the beach by using the famous combi’s to get from one place to another. Fun and adventure guaranteed!

Duration: 5 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Victoria Street Market - After an introduction to Durbans history we will take local transport to the markets and spend the morning walking through Durban’s markets: The early morning market, the bridge market, the Indian markets, the African medicine (Muti) market, the African market and Victoria street market.
    Experience the real Durban and do…
What's Included
  • Personal guide
  • Transportation via local minibus combi for the tour’s duration
  • Lunch included
What's Not Included
  • No drinks included
  • Personal expenses
  • Pick-up from hotel
Location
169 Ninth Ave
Ninth Avenue
Meet at Tekweni Backpackers on 9th Avenue just off Florida Road in Morningside.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(100 Ratings)
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Michael_m
Jul 28, 2024
Full-on recommendation for Johnny & this tour - Booked the tour with Johnny for the whole family with two adult children. And none of us will ever forget this incredible experience. We felt Johnny was the perfect guide, showing us a scope of life in Durban we would otherwise not have seen. Sharing his insights on what makes Durban special, putting it in context with overall info on South Africa, and sprinkling it with some good humour: Johnny is a very knowledgable guide and great company.
Review provided by Viator
Mike101ireland
Jul 20, 2024
Amazing Experience - Durban is an amazing city, but it does have its issues! This was my second time in Durban and I really did not want to spend it again in the immediate area of my hotel and being bused everywhere else. After researching the options available I settled on Johhny Matthews 'Cultural Walking Tour of Durban' what a fantastic decision this was. Six of us booked a morning tour (which turned out to be a private tour) with Johnny who has 30-plus years of experience in tourism and it shows. The tour is scheduled for 4/5 hours, ours was 6 hours for which we were very grateful (if you want it shorter, tell Johnny he is very accommodating). I am writing this review as a guide myself. Because of Johnny's background and experience in tourism, he quickly assesses what his clients are interested in. He is a local and has a wealth of information on both Durban and South Africa, he gave us a wonderful insight into the history, culture, diversity, inclusion, changes (both positive and negative), and what he believes will be the future for Durban. We rode with locals on the local taxi service (white minibusses) which is an experience all in its own. We went to a wonderful lookout point with great views over the city, we walked through the suburbs all the time Johnny telling us interesting details about the buildings the people, and the neighborhoods. Then we headed for the markets, the majority of people will tell you "Do Not Go To The Markets" and I would agree with them, unless you go with Johnny. Before we got to the markets he told us that there would be only 6 white people in the markets that day, and that would be us! Johnny has been running this tour for 11 years and all the traders appear to know him, he will tell you the Do's & Dont's before you enter the markets. In the markets (which are huge) we were met with smiles and shouts of "Shoot Me" meaning photograph me or selfie with me. We spoke with traders and Johnny was on hand to explain the different items on sale that we might not be familiar with. But remember, it is a market and people rely on sales to live, so if you can, please support them, even a little. After the markets, we headed to North Beach for lunch overlooking the beach and the Indian Ocean arranged by Johnny. I know this has been a long review, but I believe it was needed to try to get across the wonderful experience we had on this tour, at no time did we feel uncomfortable or in danger. Six hours seems a lot but it flew by. Johnny Matthews is a wonderful guide and ambassador for Durban and South Africa. If you are thinking of doing a walking tour of Durban, then I highly recommend that you do this one.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Leavingsoonest
Jul 14, 2024
Excellent Experience - I really, really enjoyed this. Johnny is a delightful guide. He's flexible and friendly and the rapport he has with street vendors and others we encountered felt very authentic. His enthusiasm and knowledge about Durban made this well worth the price.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lawrence_l
May 24, 2024
Johnny is awesome! - Johnny is extremely knowledgeable and fun. He truly cares about the city and shows you what it is all about. I highly recommend this tour
Review provided by Viator
Erica_b
May 24, 2024
The real Durban - Good tour. Got to see Durban in a way that I wouldn't have on my own. I got to different parts of the city and Johnny has a wealth of knowledge and clearly respected in the community. Plus I got to taste dish that Durban is known for! If you have a chance to take a tour with him- do it!
Review provided by Viator
Jaqueline
May 2, 2024
Perfect - The experience was perfect, Jhony was very polite and cheerful, he gave us all the information throughout the tour, it was a lesson in history and geography at the same time without losing the joy and lightness, and he took us to places that we could only visit with a local guide. It was all wonderful. Good tour, good history and excellent food
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Soonerboston
Apr 26, 2024
Simply Fabulous!!!! - Absolutely loved this tour. Johnny our guide was excellent, Congenial, knowledgeable, easy to converse with, and a complete gentlemen. He gave us a history lesson from apartheid, to African healers, to produce markets, cow cheeks and Bunny Chow. A truly amazing day, we hated for it to end. If we get to Durban we will call Johnny and have him hook us up with another tour. He and his Durban tour are not to be missed. Thank Johnny!!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
225barrieh
Apr 26, 2024
Awesome tour - Johnny was great!! We really felt like we got to know the culture and the area. He is so knowledgeable and easy to be around. We loved every minute and wished we had more time. Would highly recommend him!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ranvirj2015
Apr 15, 2024
Superb, fun and insightful! Johnny is THE best! - Johnny did not disappoint on any level. He exceeded our expectations as he was genuinely interested in sharing stories and insights about the Durban of the past, present and future! His approach included walking; taking a local bus; a minivan; tasting food in local markets; interacting with shop owners; taking in panoramic views and engaging in questions about South Africa's apartheid and current society. At short notice, he coordinated a tour of the Sani Pass with an another operator which was an excellent adventure! We left behind our favourite coffee mug and he arranged for its return on our way to the airport! Johnny is THE best!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Quitneyp
Apr 5, 2024
Good Tour in Durban - My friend and I just so happened to meet Johnny as he was picking up another guest from our hostel. He was kind enough to let us join his tour. It was a wonderful experience. We really got to see a different side of Durban and gain a better understanding of the history and culture. Johnny was very knowledgeable and guided our group through some interesting areas and delicious food items. He even helped us to get a ride from the tour straight to the airport. Would highly recommend for a good tour in Durban.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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October 2024
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