Getting around Johannesburg & Soweto & South Africa;

 This section is aimed at permitting the more adventurous visitor to get through Johannesburg and into Soweto while they appreciate the magic that exists, as economically as possible.

Use this section in combination with the traditional Street Maps and guide books.

Taste of Africa will assist with any enquiries via This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , provided you make enquiries seven days ahead of your visit. For those visitors who make use of a Taste of Africa guiding services through Soweto, we will support you throughout your stay in Johannesburg should you wish to venture through Johannesburg on your own.

‘Local taxi’ a negative in the suburban South African communities, but the daily mode of transport for 65% of the South African community.

You will be amazed at just how helpful all the commuters are, assistance will come from every corner, just do not let an assistant become too posessive, do not become too reliant.

When boarding a taxi always have your fare ready, do not use large notes early in the morning. The fares are passed from the rear of the taxi to the passenger sitting alongside the driver, or alternatively to the driver. Where possible you are expected to collect fares and take change during the process to relieve the driver of the load.

 Always ensure that the driver knows where you wish to be dropped, and do not hesitate to talk to your fellow passengers if you are not sure.

Our support information will prepare you for what you can expect when you arrive at the terminal in order that you do not give the appearance of being lost on arrival.

Throughout the world you need to be aware, do not be careless with your camera, do not flash your wallet around, and decline an offer of any ‘tout’ who wishes to show you around.

Read up before you venture into the area know what you are visiting and the times that they are open.

In these high-density pedestrian traffic areas that you will go through at the taxi terminals, the community are very aware of your level of anxiety. The more relaxed you are, the more you are respected.

Cedric de la Harpe +27 82 565 2520 

Bree Street Rank:

The Bree Street Rank reflects the vast changes of South African life. The ranks, when I was younger, 30 to 40 years ago, were the public parking garages, used mainly by the whites. Then, as the whites moved out of the Central Business District, and the parking garages stood empty for years, the taxi industry were housed in these buildings. The City of Johannesburg, as part of their beautifying the city project, has commissioned numerous interesting pieces of art that surround these ranks.

The Bree Street rank services the Soweto, Melville to Rosebank areas.

Both on the ground floor, and the upper-level, there are hawkers and small businesses providing for the commuters daily needs. Almost every commuter requires to use two, maybe three taxi rides to get to work in the morning. and often, the closest that the commuters get to shopping, is while they are changing from one taxi route to another.

Noord Street:

The Noord Street rank gives you the impression of chaos. If you relax and enjoy, it soon becomes a market place, that provides taxi's to the Northern parts of Johannesburg, Sandton, Alexander, and parts of Soweto.

I love this area, you could spend the morning in the taxi rank area, the shopping mall, the Johannesburg Art Gallery, and the deteriorating Drill Hall.

Noord Street links the Long Distance Taxi between the rank and Park Station, permitting you to link your travels.

a Tate of Africa introduced the use of the local taxi to our international visitors back in 2005. We have never had an incident and the visitors really enjoy the experience.

The sign that you require to stop your taxi, appears complicated, but through communication, you can't be wrong.

The organized queuing is an experience, and then the paying system used in the taxis almost unique. This is one of the reasons that we do not include the taxi fare in the cost of our services, you will regret it if you did not participate. 

a Taste of Africa will provide you with a guide to move you to every corner of Johannesburg, and, is you have used our services in Soweto, we will give you direction and support, should you wish to use the local taxi service without a guide.

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