Hop On Bus Tours

I got a two day bus tour package that included Soweto loop, so this was the transport method to Soweto, the Apartheid Museum and Constitution Hill. I didn't get off at any other stops, but got some good views of the city, doing the complete loop twice.
Joburg is a young city, only being settled in 1886 with the discovery of gold and the world's largest gold rush. It has grown to an urban size of about 15 million.
It is a city of contrasts with fantastic wealth and extreme poverty all mixed together, both of which are well seen from the top deck of this tour.
Melrose Arch is a luxury city within a city with Rolls Royce and Mclaren dealers. The northern suburbs, including the tony district of Houghton was home to three of four of the presidents since 1994 and also exclusive private schools. All the homes and townhouses, whether middle class or mansions are surrounded by high walls and barbed wire or electric fences.
Going into the Central Business District, it is hard to tell if this is a city on its way up or down. Many building have been bricked up or taken over by squatters, but the grand Late Victorian office and bank buildings are apparently being renovated and put back on the market.
Street life is certainly vibrant in many places with the usual busy shopfronts and sidewalk vendors scratching out a living.
To the south are the industrial areas and working class areas such as Booysens and then Soweto. Here also is the redeveloped area called Gold Reef City with a Casino, hotel, and theme park.
The western suburbs are again very upscale with some amazing mansions and beautiful tree-lined streets.Read more