October is Transport Month, and while the spotlight is often on roads, rail and airports, much of Gauteng’s movement is driven by small and medium businesses. Tuk-tuk guides weave through Soweto’s streets, cycling tours start from a backpackers in Orlando West, coach operators carry school groups and conference delegates, and travel agents in Soweto and the Vaal plan the trips.
This Transport Month, we’re shining a light on six Gauteng businesses that connect people to places, from township tours and luxury coaches to airport shuttles and holiday packages. Whether you’re planning a day out, a team trip or a holiday, here’s who to call.
Why Local Travel And Transport Businesses Matter
Tourism and transport go hand in hand. Every tour, transfer and coach trip supports drivers, guides, cooks, admin staff and suppliers, many of them in townships and smaller towns. Choosing a local operator keeps money in Gauteng’s communities, and gives visitors a more personal experience shaped by people who know the area best.
Several of the businesses below are also black-owned or women-owned, showing how transport and tourism are opening doors for new entrepreneurs.
Soweto: Tuk-Tuks, Bikes And Township Stories
1. Sowetoo Tours
Best for: guided Soweto tours, City Sightseeing combos and tailor-made trips
Founded in 2012 by township entrepreneur Kgomotso Pooe, Sowetoo Tours has grown from a Soweto start-up into a trusted name in township tourism. In 2013 it launched the Soweto hop-on hop-off tour with City Sightseeing Johannesburg, linking the famous red bus with guided tours of the township.
Daily tours leave from Gold Reef City, led by local guides. Highlights include Vilakazi Street, Orlando Towers, FNB Stadium and the Bara Taxi Rank.
What’s on offer:
- Soweto two-hour tour with a live local guide. No pre-booking is needed, and children under 4 travel free, with a maximum of two per adult.
- City Red Bus and Soweto combos over one or two days
- Tuk-tuk tours around Soweto
- Soweto bicycle extension
- Private half-day and full-day tours, including a lunch option with chesanyama or other South African dishes
- June 16 Memorial Tour
- Day trips to the Lion Park, Lesedi Cultural Village, the Cradle of Humankind, Hartbeespoort, Cullinan and Pretoria
- Team building, VIP transfers and customised tours across South Africa and the region
Contact: 079 612 2108 | [email protected] | sowetoo.co.za
Departure point: Gold Reef City, Northern Parkway, Ormonde
2. Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers
Best for: bicycle tours, tuk-tuk tours and an overnight stay in Soweto
Lebo’s story started in 1997, when founder Lebo Malepa was selling crafts on Vilakazi Street. Travellers wanted to stay overnight in Soweto, not just see it through a bus window, so he opened his grandparents’ home in Orlando West to guests. It has since grown into one of Soweto’s best-known places to stay and explore, and it has helped change how visitors see the township.
What’s on offer:
- Bicycle tours (SowetoByBike) through Orlando West and Soweto’s historic sites, with discounts for guests
- Tuk-tuk tours through back streets and historical sites
- Walking tours, storytelling and a food and cooking experience
- Accommodation: backpacker rooms, a guesthouse, private and twin rooms, self-catering options and Lebo-Land camping with tents and chalets
- An outdoor restaurant and bar in a community park, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Group experiences, responsible tourism and volunteering
Specials: family getaways with half-price stays for children up to 15, and 20% off for friends’ and couples’ getaways, with a free welcome drink.
Contact: 011 936 3444 or 081 524 2918 | [email protected] | sowetobackpackers.com
Address: 10823A Pooe Street, Orlando West, Soweto
Coaches, Shuttles And Tours: Getting Around In Comfort
3. Ulysses Tours And Safaris
Best for: airport shuttles, chauffeur-driven transport, conference transport and tailor-made tours
Named after the legendary traveller of Greek mythology, Ulysses Tours and Safaris has been on the road since 1996. Based in Centurion, with offices in Cape Town and Durban, it specialises in upmarket tailor-made tours, airport shuttles and general chauffeur-driven transport.
It’s one of Gauteng’s most awarded tour operators. Ulysses was named Best Tour Operator in Gauteng at the Lilizela Tourism Awards in 2015, 2016 and 2019, and Best Tour Operator in South Africa at the national Lilizela Awards in 2015. It also won the City of Tshwane’s Best Tour Operator award three times and was the first operator added to the city’s Hall of Excellence.
What’s on offer:
- personal meet-and-greet and door-to-door airport transfers
- scheduled half-day and full-day tours, plus private tours
- tailor-made itineraries and overnight packages, including the Kruger, Pilanesberg, Madikwe, Mapungubwe, Sun City, KwaZulu-Natal, the Garden Route and Cape Town
- conference transport and transfers countrywide
- booking agent for double-decker party and sightseeing buses
The fleet: 28 vehicles with 188 seats, including Toyota Quantums, Mercedes-Benz Vitos and E-Class sedans, and 22-seater Volkswagen Crafters.
Safety first: Ulysses says its drivers hold valid licences and Public Driving Permits, complete defensive driving and hijack prevention training, undergo background screening and are breathalysed daily. Vehicles are satellite-tracked and fitted with anti-smash-and-grab film. The company is a SATSA member and a Level 2 B-BBEE contributor.
Contact: 012 653 0018 | 082 566 5506 (24-hour emergency line) | [email protected] | ulysses.co.za
Address: 1 & 5 Johannes Drive, Hennopspark, Centurion
Office hours: 06:00 to 20:00, 365 days a year
4. Protours Coaches
Best for: coach hire for school trips, corporate events, tours and large groups
Founded in August 2020 by director Ntsako Nkuna, Protours Coaches is a 100% women-owned coach charter company and a Level 1 B-BBEE contributor. It started in the middle of the pandemic and has grown from about 20 vehicles to nearly 60. It now operates from depots in Gauteng and Cape Town.
The fleet ranges from:
- 7- and 9-seaters (VW Caravelle and Hyundai Staria) for VIP and corporate groups
- 20- and 22-seaters (Mercedes Sprinter and Toyota Coaster) for school groups, site visits and private hire
- 32- and 39-seater luxury coaches with on-board toilets for tours and corporate events
- 52-, 57- and 60-seater Scania Higer coaches for large groups and touring
The company serves tourists, corporate clients, schools and private groups across South Africa, and it can provide its passenger liability insurance details on request.
Contact (Gauteng): 082 652 9105 | [email protected] | protourscoaches.co.za
Northern depot: 1007 Ergon Avenue, Lyttelton, Centurion
Planning The Trip: Travel Agencies From Soweto To The Vaal
5. Mabika Travel And Leisure
Best for: affordable holiday packages, accommodation, bus bookings and cruises
Based in Orlando West, Soweto, Mabika Travel and Leisure is a leisure travel agency that helps clients plan local and international trips. Its team describes itself as “more like a family than a business unit”.
What’s on offer:
- airfares and bus reservations
- accommodation, from five-star hotels and game lodges to guest houses, B&Bs, self-catering cottages and camping sites
- cruise packages, including South Africa to Mozambique itineraries
- car rentals and safari and tour bookings
- group and individual bookings
- free advice on when and how to take an affordable holiday
Popular trips include Cape Town, Mpumalanga, Sun City and the Kruger National Park.
Contact: [email protected] | mabikatravel.co.za
Address: 11004 Mampuru Street, Orlando West, Soweto
6. PML Travel And Logistics
Best for: group travel, student and teacher tours, flights and transport bookings
Founded in 2018, PML Travel and Logistics is a 100% black female-owned and managed company based in Vanderbijlpark. It’s led by managing director Mantaoleng Mofokeng, and its clients include government departments, businesses and private travellers.
What’s on offer:
- domestic and international air tickets
- holiday tours and group packages to destinations in South Africa and around the world
- student groups, teachers’ groups, parents’ packages and couples’ packages
- transport bookings for all types of transport, from buses to private cars
Contact: 076 623 2587 | [email protected] | pmltravel.co.za
Address: 2nd Corner, Hobhouse and Hendrick van Eck, Vanderbijlpark
At A Glance: Which Business Is Right For You?
| Business | Area | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Sowetoo Tours | Soweto (departs Gold Reef City) | Guided Soweto tours, tuk-tuk tours, City Sightseeing combos |
| Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers | Orlando West, Soweto | Bicycle and tuk-tuk tours, stays, food experiences |
| Ulysses Tours And Safaris | Centurion | Airport shuttles, chauffeur transport, conference transport, tours |
| Protours Coaches | Centurion | Coach hire for schools, corporates and big groups |
| Mabika Travel And Leisure | Orlando West, Soweto | Holidays, accommodation, bus and cruise bookings |
| PML Travel And Logistics | Vanderbijlpark | Group, student and corporate travel, flights |
Tips For Booking Travel And Tours
- Book ahead for school holidays, December and long weekends, when coaches and tours fill up fast.
- Ask about safety, including driver permits, vehicle tracking and passenger insurance, especially for group and school trips.
- Check what’s included, such as meals, entrance fees, guides and pick-up points.
- Ask about group and family discounts. Several operators offer specials for children, couples and groups.
- Support local. Booking with Gauteng businesses keeps tourism money in local communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Can I Do A Tuk-Tuk Tour In Soweto?
Sowetoo Tours and Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers both offer tuk-tuk tours of Soweto. Lebo’s tours cover back streets and historical sites in Orlando West.
Where Can I Do A Bicycle Tour In Soweto?
Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers runs bicycle tours (SowetoByBike) from Orlando West, and Sowetoo Tours offers a Soweto bicycle extension.
Which Companies Offer Coach Hire In Gauteng?
Protours Coaches in Centurion offers vehicles from 7-seaters to 60-seater luxury coaches. Ulysses Tours and Safaris offers microbuses, sedans and 22-seaters for transfers and tours.
Who Offers Airport Shuttles In Pretoria And Centurion?
Ulysses Tours and Safaris in Centurion offers door-to-door airport transfers with meet-and-greet service.
Are There Travel Agencies In Soweto?
Yes. Mabika Travel and Leisure in Orlando West books holidays, accommodation, bus trips, cruises and car hire.
Which Travel Company Organises School Trips?
PML Travel and Logistics in Vanderbijlpark arranges student, teacher and parent group packages, and Protours Coaches provides coaches for school trips.
