Culture Walking Tour Of Durban

Johnny was a fantastic host for the walking tour. His knowledge was outstanding and he knew that I wanted to experience a part of Durban that tourists would normally not go to. Johnny was well known to many of the stall holders in the markets and put me at ease, especially with the taxi rides. The taste experiences we had were wonderful.

Johnny was an absolutely brilliant guide. Saw a very different side of Durban, which was exactly what I wanted. He explained everything very well and is such a knowledgeable person. I learned so much and was thrilled with the tour.

We’ve been travelling through southern Africa for many years and have done countless tours – but our day with Johnny in Durban was the absolute highlight. To be honest, we hesitated at first, because it isn’t cheap. But it’s worth every single cent ten times over. Johnny didn’t just show us Durban – he explained it, put it in context, brought it to life. One unforgettable moment was riding the bus-taxis with him – an experience that opened up the city and its everyday rhythm in a way no ordinary tour ever could. And visiting the traditional markets alongside Johnny was simply outstanding: with him beside us, we didn’t just look at them, we truly stepped in, understood them, and lived them. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth it: absolutely, without a doubt. Thank you, Johnny!

Johnny was a fantastic hosts who was flexible in accommodating me as a solo guest. In general, tours are cancelled if there aren’t 2 or more guests. So from the start, I was already appreciative. He was very knowledgeable about the city, with in-depth information and a great city route that provided a true glimpse into the unique and diverse attributes that make up Durban. A couple of the many highlights of the tour: * Cow head (cheeks). With the bread and the broth, dip sauces etc. oh man that was fire. *Walking through the local markets and getting a real inside look amongst the people *The look exclusive look-out spot that was actually closed but Johnny had access to! Got some great footage *I always appreciate a guide who can take some good photos/videos lol (no shame) *The myriad of informative fun-facts along the way *Johnny a very cool individual as well! (Makes a huge difference when your guide is a vibe) Would highly to anyone visiting Durban.

We had a very interesting city tour with Johnny. In addition to cultural insights, he also gave us a historical overview of Durban. The view at the start of the tour was amazing, followed by an interesting tour of Durban’s markets. Johnny is a very friendly guide who knows a lot about the city. I highly recommend this tour.

My visit to Durban was short and Johnny’s tour took in all the interesting parts of the city to see. He also shared lots of interesting info about the city. It was a great tour👍

Johnny was an excellent guide- very easy going and knowledgeable. Extended his time and went out of his way to visit some bucket list items. Thank you!

Johnny did a great job. It was informative and interesting. I was the only one on the tour but he made me feel comfortable and took his time to explain a lot of things.

perfect guide (Johnny) eye-opening experience of Durban Went places I would never dream of going - and enjoyed it

Johnny was an incredible guide. He shared so many different insights to the history and culture of Durban and the region. The combination of walking and local bus use got us around efficiently with just the right amount of time to amble and take things in. He is clearly a thoughtful and considerate person who makes sure his guests are treated well by all while offering perspectives of Durban’s past and present. I felt like I was walking around with a favorite, connected family member who was sharing his favorite topics and genuinely wanted me to have and understand the life of local people. I highly recommend Johnny/ Spot On as a resource for visitors to this area as I have no doubt he will make one’s experience memorable and enjoyable.

This was a great tour! Johnny shared so much about hoe Durban has changed over the years, and all the interesting spots to check out. I learned so much about the region and the city, and ate my first bunny chow! It was also great to see some of the lesser-known places and meet the locals, who were all very friendly. Would definitely recommend.

We really enjoyed the tour. It's easy to arrange and communicate via the booking platform to WhatsApp. Johnny is a lovely and knowledgeable person, who walked us through the local markets as well as having the local tasty food. We definitely highly recommend them to whoever coming to visit Durban.

This cultural city tour with Johnny was amazing! There were 8 of us and it turns out we were all on the same cruise! Before Johnny met the 8 of us , we all said why are we going to 6 markets. After the tour , our questions were answered. His knowledge, passion and wanting to help his people were simply amazing. We all felt this was a great tour and would recommend it!

Good fun day out using public transport getting to see the south African life through the markets and the traditional remedy market is not for everyone but authentic and finishing with bunny chow is great

An excellent tour, expertly led by the vastly experienced, passionate and knowledgable Johnny. You will be taken on a journey through downtown Durban that few outsiders get to or choose to experience, using local transport, visiting local markets, trying local food and meeting local people. Johnny is the ideal host - engaging, open to conversation on various topics and offered a fascinating insight into Durban’s past and present. A great way to spend the afternoon and experience a more authentic side of the city

My husband and I learned so much about the past and current future of Durban, SA. Such a wonderful and authentic experience. Durban is not inlay a beautiful city but also has resilient people. Johnny our guide is not only knowledgeable but passionate about his love for Durban.

Johnny is a local and experienced tour guide who has been in the industry for a very long time and presents his perspective on Durban in a non-pretentious, matter-of-fact way, without much fluff. If you're looking for a light-hearted, fun, yet incredibly authentic and gritty experience, this is for you. In fact, it was even more authentic than I imagined it to be, and at certain stages not for the faint-hearted, but in a good way. I’d even say that the description of Johnny’s tour does not do justice to the richness that his experience provides. It’s a glimpse into Durban from the perspective of a straight man with a distinct cultural heritage. Johnny has his views on life, history, and politics, and he does not hold back from sharing them. I personally did not always agree with what he said, but that’s cool. What I would have wished for, however, is more engaging storytelling. I think the experience could be deeper and more meaningful if he asked his guests questions or involved them in a way that creates dialogue, where different viewpoints and perspectives can be discussed. I would also have wished for at least a mention of the legacy of slavery, as it played a significant role in the history of indentured Indian labourers in South Africa. He also said that South Africa has the largest Indian population outside of India, which is incorrect. It’s not a tour for history geeks and certainly not for travellers who feel easily offended by politically incorrect remarks or commentary which, by the way, did not bother me at all, except for not getting the opportunity to respond or engage. I did feel like there wasn’t much room for asking difficult questions or having a debate. I tried to get a word in at the beginning to respond to certain subjective viewpoints, but was shut down quite quickly by one of the participants who did not appreciate me interrupting the guide. However, I only interrupted because I had been trying to raise my hand consistently and was ignored. I eventually surrendered to the fact that this was a monologue, a one-way presentation, and I got the sense that other opinions or perspectives were not really valued, or there simply was no interest. I personally think a more interactive approach, where tour guides allow room for dialogue, is where the magic happens, because we are all continuously learning from each other. The moment we think we know it all and our own perspective is the only one that matters, it becomes uninteresting to me. I’d book this experience again and give him 5 stars, because he deserves it, especially because we need more authentic experiences in tourism like Johnny’s. But I recommend a bit more depth, including the mention of Gandhi, the legacy of slavery, and a bit less of the “good old days” narrative.

Walk incl Golden Mile Stretch, O.R.Tambo Parade, Addington Hosp, Florida Street, Moses Madiba Stadium, U Shaka Marine, Durban Port, TransNet train track.

If you want to get submerged in every day life of the Durbanites, let Johnny take you on a stroll. You’ll in depth info on the city and its history, experience the Bus-Combi community taxis, walk through a few local markets and end 5-6 hours, after “take-off”, at the beach for a lovely lunch. We couldn’t have picked a better guide

Johnny is a local from Durban, with extensive historical and cultural knowledge. He provided us with a fun tour of the city and several local markets, using the mini bus system as well as walking. He showed us the real vibe of the city and ensured we had a great lunch at the end of the tour all inclusive. A must do if you have a free day in Durban

Johnny is great! A truly enriching experience. I highly recommend this over the other city tours - you'll get very in-depth local tour through more parts of the city than just touristy areas. As a solo traveler he also gave me so much helpful info to help get acquainted with the city and explore more outside of the central district. Definitely recommend.

Johnny was first-rate as a guide, taking us round the local markets ( reflecting the cultural heritage of the area ) and also educating us about the history of South Africa and in particular Durban. We were lucky enough to be the only people on the tour. This was a long tour but made use of local buses so more of a talking than a walking tour. We ended up at the oceanfront eating Bunny Chow, a local curry and an experience itself. We’d thoroughly recommend it.

Johnny was good and took us to see what the locals did. If you are interested in that, it is well worth the trip.

An excellent tour I would recommend it to anyone who wants to experience the real Durban downtown. Johnny is warm and knowledgeable has great historical stories.

We had a fantastic day. Johnny was funny, very informative and we felt safe and secure even when we were certainly the only tourists around! We saw some areas of Durban and experienced things obviously not seen on your regular tour. Would highly recommend to anyone wanting to see the real Durban.

Highly recommended if you want to dive into Durbans daily life besides the obvious tourist paths. Johnny is a great guide with tons of knowledge and made this trip really enjoyable.

It was raining on the day of our tour so Johnny adjusted the tour to suit. He tailored the tour so that we got the most out of our experience. Johnny has a great connection to the community and the local vendors know him well, he shows a side of Durban that tourists rarely get a glimpse of. I highly recommend Johnny!

Johnny was amazing! Walking tour was exactly as described. It was the closest we felt to the local culture and community on our entire trip. We had the privilege of riding local mini buses to get around, walking through local food markets, clothing markets, and even herbal/medicine markets. We finished at the beach where we enjoyed a local lunch. If you’re looking for a “high-class” experience, this is not the tour for you. If you’re looking for seeing, hearing, tasting and touching the local culture, then look no further. Johnny had a great relationship with all the locals along the way, we felt very comfortable at every stage, and that would not have been true if we tried to do this one on our own. He was able to explain the history of Durban city and South Africa and speak freely on cultural, political, and social changes throughout his lifetime of living here.

Tour was a great way to see the city that would not have seen otherwise. It’s a great 1/2 day tour that includes lunch and a whole lot of history of Durban, as well as a little shopping at the local markets. (Bring some cash if you want some souvenirs, the local market is a great place to shop, I cannot believe what I all got for what I paid)

Johnny was our guide, and we got so much information we could not retain at all. We got to see a lot of of the city and a lot of the history behind it. We went to the markets, and it was nice to have a guide through the local markets. It was great to stop and try a local dish for lunch along the beach. We got a lot of great pictures and seen a lot of things we would not have seen otherwise. If you have a day and you want to learn a little bit more about Durban history, this is the tour to do.

Not the best use of time. Political a bit. Also others were shocked the tour took us where it did and those locals didn’t think it was too safe .

Knowledgeable host, very interesting tour. Knowledgeable host, very interesting tour. Knowledgeable host, very interesting tour.

An engaging and knowledgeable guide to Durban. We had an overview of the city and its history, a tour of the downown area and the markets. Only drawback was that some members of the group only wanted to shop on the market where they spent a huge amount of time. Would have been better if they had been set a deadline.

We had an awesome experience on this tour! It was both educational and engaging. Johnny, our guide, truly knew his history and facts, sharing fascinating insights about the area’s rich past and cultural significance. The tour felt very safe throughout, with Johnny ensuring everyone was comfortable and well-informed. I was especially impressed by how the tour covered a lot of ground, giving us a comprehensive understanding of the landmarks and local traditions. It was also a fantastic cultural experience, immersing us in the unique heritage of the region. The added bonus? Plenty of opportunities for shopping for gifts, with Johnny pointing out the best local spots for authentic souvenirs. Highly recommend this experience to anyone looking for a blend of history, culture, and fun. Would recommend that you let your guide know if you have time constraints. We thought this was a 3-4 hour tour and it was 6+ hours. Highly enjoyable, just longer than we expected.

We had an amazing experience getting to experience central Durban in ways we definitely wouldn't have otherwise. Our guide was amazing and super knowledgeable about everything Durban. It was all around wonderful and we would definitely recommend if you are in Durban.

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

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!!!!

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!!

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!

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.

This experience is like other. We got to explore places in Durban we would never see on our own. The tour included a unique view into the landscape, people and resourceful transportation in and around the neighborhoods, city, and Durban Beach. Johnny is a great guide! We tried new and unique food and had time to do some local shopping. I bought a beautiful skirt and love the looks on the faces of the people at our resort when they learned where I got it.

Johnny was a fabulous guide. We learned the history, culture,politics of Durban while visiting neighborhoods,African markets, and tasting delicious African food that we wouldn't even know to order. We walked, we rode the local buses and we finished with a lunch of bunny chow on the beach The tour could not have been better! Highly recommend our guide Johnny and this tour!

I couldn't have thought of a better first impression of Durban than what I got through Johnny! He has so many stories to tell and so much information about south africas politics, culture and people and he takes you to beautiful, authentic markets you'd probably never visit on your own. I can really recommend this tour to anybody coming to Durban!

Johnny was a perfect tour guide and his infos on Durban were fantastic. Really a great experience and I highly recommend this tour :)

The tour with Johnny is a must! You get to see places that are normally hidden from the typical tourist. He took a lot of time and explained everything very well, which was great fun. Great experience, I would recommend it to anyone!