Hop-On Hop-Off Buses in Africa: 11 Routes Reviewed

1.Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Optional Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 3,929 reviews · 1 - 2 days · from $23Our pick

Use a one or two-day pass to explore Cape Town by open-top double-decker bus. Ride the red, blue, and purple routes, stop at Table Mountain, Camps Bay, Kirstenbosch, and Groot Constantia, then add a harbor cruise or sunset ride if available. Multilingual audio, Wi-Fi, and frequent buses keep the day simple.

“Hop on Hop off tours anywhere in the world are a great way to be introduced to a new city. The timing was just right - red line at 1 1/2 hours. In fact, i enjoyed the tour so much I went again in the afternoon with my wife. Just a tip though, if you are sitting in the open area, do bring an extra layer and possibly a hat. the temperature may be 16C but there is a wind chill that makes it feel like 10C!”

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2.Table Mountain Cable Car, Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 3,157 reviews · 1 day · from $45

You get a Table Mountain return cable car ticket, one day on Cape Town’s red, blue, and third sightseeing routes, plus historical city and Bo-Kaap walking tours. Start at the V&A Waterfront or go straight to the cableway. Audio commentary is available in nine listed languages, and the cableway ticket remains valid for 14 days after first use.

“We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Table Mountain. The bus ride was slow, but only because road works were causing traffic jams. We only had to queue for one hour to catch the cable car which was much better than we expected.”

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3.Franschhoek Wine Tram Hop-on Hop-off

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,972 reviews · 8h 30m · from $50

Spend about 8.5 hours traveling from Cape Town to Franschhoek by air-conditioned coach, then use vintage trams and open-air tram buses to visit four or five wine estates. Choose tastings, cellar tours, lunches, or picnics at your own cost. Routes change by day, so the day rewards flexible planning.

“Great day out. Well organised. Managed to taste 14 different wines and no worries about driving”

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4.Cape Town Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour with Optional Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,793 reviews · from $20

Use a 1- or 2-day pass to explore Cape Town on three routes, with stops at Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch, Hout Bay, Camps Bay, and Constantia wineries. Audio commentary comes in 15 languages, with a kids’ option, free Wi-Fi, downtown and Bo-Kaap walking tours, and an optional harbor cruise.

“Plan adequate time for all Activities. Traffic in CT can be a nightmare and the buses are no exception!! Staff are very knowledgeable on waiting times for table top. Mountain Also the weather. Could not go first day too windy. Plan this and traffic into your stay. Wait at tabletop was 90 mins which in the heat is not pleasant. Fast pass was a blessing!”

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5.Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with Optional Soweto Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 985 reviews · 1 day · from $23

Use a one-day open-top bus ticket to see Rosebank, Constitution Hill, downtown Johannesburg, the Apartheid Museum, Gold Reef City, the Zoo, and more. Add the two-hour Soweto tour for a live local guide, Vilakazi Street, Mandela House, Orlando Stadium, and Hector Pieterson Memorial. Audio is available in eight languages.

“It was a great experience, we spend time at Johannesburg Zoo.”

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6.Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 769 reviews · from $15Best value

Use one 48-hour ticket on two Tangier bus routes. The city loop covers the medina, port, modern center, and historic sites. The longer coastal route reaches Perdicaris Park, Cape Spartel, and Hercules Caves. Audio commentary comes in eight languages, with Wi-Fi onboard and buses adapted for reduced mobility.

“great a very hot day so it was nice to sit down amd enjoy the sites. audio worked well and seem to sync well with the attractions as we went around.”

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7.Johannesburg Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour with Soweto Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 768 reviews · from $16

Explore Johannesburg by open-top bus with audio commentary in eight languages, free Wi-Fi, and flexible hop-on hop-off stops. Visit Constitution Hill, the Apartheid Museum, Nelson Mandela Foundation, Gold Reef City, Newtown, and more. Add a two-hour guided Soweto tour, led by local guides such as Muhumutsi, for a closer look at Orlando West and East.

“Pros: Group setting Commentary Guides were nice Cons: Not enough time to enjoy any of the stops No entry to Mandela house Missed Apartheid museum to make Soweto tour time Overall: Don't buy the Soweto add-on. For that additional cost you can catch an Uber from the Gold Reef Theme Park or Casino to Soweto and actually tour the Mandela house, for less cost.”

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8.Full-Day Franschhoek Hop On Hop Off Wine Tram Tour from Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 579 reviews · from $28

Ride from Cape Town to Franschhoek in a comfortable coach, then use the tram and wine buses to visit estates at your own pace. Choose from routes such as Navy, stop at four or five wineries, and pay tasting and lunch costs separately. The day runs about eight hours and returns to Cape Town in the late afternoon.

“A lovely experience. Although, we were late and was left behind by the bus to the winelands because we got stuck in traffic (Cape Town traffic is horendous duting rush hour, no joke got stuck for almost 2 hours, hence was left behind but managed to get an uber to the meeRead more”

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9.Soweto: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus, City Tour and Apartheid Museum

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 250 reviews · 1 day · from $50

Combine a Johannesburg hop-on hop-off bus ride with a two-hour guided Soweto tour. See Mandela House, Vilakazi Street, Hector Pieterson Memorial, Orlando Towers, FNB Stadium, and Constitution Hill. English, German, French, Portuguese, Japanese, Zulu, Italian, and Spanish audio commentary is included, but entrance fees are extra.

“I'm form Thailand when I visit here alway boooked this tour . 3 times for booked this tour very easy to booking ,have gide line and all places is interesting and exited Amazing Guide is the best no.1 . happy time and have experience . good memories for me . people very kind service very good . The best of tour make my trip is perfect”

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10.From Stellenbosch: Hop-On Hop-Off Wine Tour Southern Route

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 105 reviews · 1 day · from $29

Spend a flexible day touring Stellenbosch’s Southern Route by air-conditioned shuttle. Choose from Kleine Zalze, Blaauwklippen, Annandale, Alto, Peter Falke, and Cavalli, then stay as long as you like. Central Stellenbosch pickup and drop-off are included. Driver Lance has earned special praise for smooth, dependable service.

“Was a very nice tour to fantastic wine estates with trustful shuttles on the way. Perfect, thank you!”

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11.Stellenbosch Hop-On Hop-Off Tractor Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 93 reviews · 1 day · from $24

Ride a hop-on-hop-off tractor through Stellenbosch’s Golden Triangle, stopping at grand estates, boutique producers, and historic farms. You get about 65 minutes at each stop for wine tasting or lunch. English-speaking guides, including Melody and Lee, add local stories, while the open-air ride brings you onto farm roads and through the vineyards.

“The tour was very efficiently organized, the system of hopping on & off allows great flexibility in how you want to personalize your trip ….. when and where you want a tasting, enjoy your lunch, want to stay longer or shorter on a specific farm. Great value for money and great hospitality, guidance and interaction with staff and guides. 👍👍👍👍👍”

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