Johannesburg - Visitors getting to know Joburg and Soweto by hopping on the iconic red double-decker open-top buses can now also get to know one of the city centre’s most vibrant neighbourhoods - on foot.
City Sightseeing Johannesburg has partnered with tourism entrepreneur Bheki Dube, who runs walking tours of Maboneng.
Maboneng means “Place of Light” and is a privately developed urban neighbourhood with a thriving community – home to artists, art galleries, a hotel, restaurants and coffee shops, cinemas, a community park and residential apartments.
Tour-goers just have to get off the red bus at the Carlton Centre stop (Bus Stop 3), where staff will get them on a shuttle to be dropped off at the departure point for the Discover Maboneng walking tour.
Each day this walking tour has a different focus. For example, on Thursdays it is architecture, on Fridays it is “Hidden Gems” and Saturday it is public art.
On Sunday there is no walking tour, but regular shuttles still take place every 30 minutes from the Carlton Centre to take you to Maboneng’s famous market, Market on Main.
Adult tickets cost R80 while for kids between the ages of 4 and 17 they cost R40. Tickets for the Sunday shuttle cost R40. Tickets are available directly from the shuttle guide as you step on the shuttle at Bus Stop 3.
On Thursdays to Saturdays, the first shuttle departs at 10am, returning at 11.55am. Another leaves at noon, returning at 13.55pm.
On Sundays, the shuttle departs every 30 minutes, with the first one departing at 10am and the final shuttle returning from Maboneng at 13.30pm.
Tour-goers are advised to come equipped with comfortable walking shoes.
“This new shuttle service connects City Sightseeing to one of the city’s most exciting neighbourhoods, and will be very beneficial to both local businesses and visitors,” says Christine Tworeck, general manager for City Sightseeing Johannesburg & Soweto.
“We are delighted to be working with another entrepreneur with vision and drive that is assisting to make tourism a success in Johannesburg.”
The Star