Events and experiences

Registered tourist guiding, including township tours

Show visitors your area, its history, food and people, on foot or by car, as a registered tourist guide.

Some evidenceLast checked 24 Oct 2026

To startR1 000 to R10 000
First randabout 4 months
WhereIn person
Effort Some skill needed

See how this fits you, freeAbout 6 minutes, no sign-up.

Is this for you?

Best for

Friendly people who know their area's history well, speak more than one language and enjoy groups.

In South Africa: Strong in tourist areas, historic townships and towns.

What you need

A phone is enough to start
Works on everyday data
No camera needed
No cold selling
At least 8 hours a week · age 18+
SA languages (translation-level) (competent or better) or Spoken English (competent or better)

The money

What it can earn

Pocket money
A top-up
A second income
Can become a full income

Part time, most people earn a modest top-up from this. Treat bigger numbers you see online with care.

What people charge

No reliable SA figure yet

We found no published South African price list we trust for guides, so we do not quote a rand figure. Ask tour companies what they pay registered guides.

Costs to plan for

Start-up: R1 000 to R10 000
Every month: Registration renewal, data, transport, a first-aid certificate.
Payment fees: Card, EFT or through a booking site.
Margin: High once registered; your time is the cost.

How it is paid: A fee per person or per tour, or a day rate from tour companies. Our viability score for it: 55 out of 100 (how we score).

How to start

1
Test it cheaply Before you spend
- Ask two tour companies or guesthouses if they need guides for your area
- Check training costs with a CATHSSETA-accredited provider
- Good sign: a company says it would book you once registered
2
First week Days 1 to 7
- Find the Provincial Registrar of Tourist Guides for your province
- Ask two accredited training providers for dates and prices
- Write down the stories and stops of your first route
3
First month Days 8 to 30
- Start your training
- Walk your route with friends and time it
4
By three months Days 31 to 90
- Register with the Provincial Registrar
- List your tour with guesthouses and online booking sites

Training and registration come first. First income usually takes 60 to 270 days. A day-by-day version for your situation is in the full plan.

Step-by-step guide

Tourist guiding: from registration to your first paid tour

23 short lessons with scripts, templates and rand prices to copy. R149 once-off, and the first lesson is free.

See what is inside

Customers and demand

Who pays

Local and overseas tourists, school groups, tour companies needing guides.

A safe, real experience of a place with someone who knows it.

Is there demand?

Tourist guiding is a regulated job in South Africa: guides train with a CATHSSETA-accredited provider and register with their Provincial Registrar under the Tourism Act 3 of 2014. We found no reliable figures for typical guide earnings.

Walking tours of your township or townGuiding for tour companiesFood and history tours

Getting customers

Tour companies, guesthouses, online tour listings and reviews.

Partnerships with other businessesResponding to enquiriesWord of mouth and referrals

Risks and rules

Watch out for

Guiding without registration is an offence
Seasonal tourism and quiet months
Visitor safety: plan routes and know who to call

Competition: Moderate; reviews matter.

Room to grow: Grows with your own tours, partners and reviews.

Legal and tax in South Africa

You must complete accredited training and register with the Provincial Registrar of Tourist Guides before guiding for pay (Tourism Act 3 of 2014).
Register for income tax with SARS once you earn above the tax threshold, and keep a record of every sale and every cost (stock, materials, transport and fees are business costs).

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start registered tourist guiding, including township tours in South Africa?

Our research puts start-up costs at about R1 000 to R10 000. Recurring costs: Registration renewal, data, transport, a first-aid certificate.

How long until the first income?

Typically about 120 days, and between 60 and 270 days. Training and registration come first.

Can I do it with only a phone?

Yes, a smartphone is enough to start, although a laptop helps as you grow.

What about tax and legal rules?

You must complete accredited training and register with the Provincial Registrar of Tourist Guides before guiding for pay (Tourism Act 3 of 2014). Register for income tax with SARS once you earn above the tax threshold, and keep a record of every sale and every cost (stock, materials, transport and fees are business costs).

Sources (3)

Department of Tourism: tourist guide registration requirements (first-hand, checked 24 Oct 2026)
Tourism Act 3 of 2014, Chapter 6 (SAFLII) (first-hand, checked 24 Oct 2026)
SARS: how do I register for tax (first-hand, checked 26 Oct 2026)

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