Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa, is in Gauteng. Its wide avenues are lined with purple-flowered jacaranda trees and stately architecture. The city has many museums and art galleries, and a large student population that gives its centre a boisterous atmosphere.
Understand
[edit]Pretoria is part of City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality.
History
[edit]The area known today as Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, with Pretoria (City) at its centre, is believed to have been occupied by the Sotho people for many centuries. During the 15th century the Ndebele people also migrated into the area and settled along the banks of the Apies River. Tshwane [tsʰwane] is the Setswana name of the Apies River. Around 1820 the Matabele under the leadership of Mzilikaza also entered the region, leading to local conflicts between the Matabele newcomers and the already established Sotho and Ndebele tribes as well as the European "Voortrekkers" who were steadily moving northward through the country. These conflicts came to an end when the Matabele were defeated by the "Voortrekkers" in 1837 at Mosega.
By 1855 there was no known tribe in what is known as the Pretoria area today. Only nomadic groups passed through this area, with one of the Setswana people (so it is alleged) led them. Pretoria was founded in 1855. The first capital of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (South African Republic) was Ohrigstad, but the capital was moved to Pretoria. After the Second Boer War, the ZAR become Transvaal province, and Pretoria its capital. The city was named after Andries Pretorius, the Boer leader at the Battle of Blood River where the Voortrekkers defeated the Zulus under King Dingaan. In 1856 the area today known as Arcadia was acquired in exchange for a pony and added to the town.
In 1899, during the Second Boer War, Winston Churchill was captured and held as a POW in Pretoria until his eventual escape to Mozambique. British forces captured Pretoria in 1900 and held control over the city until the signing of the Treaty of Vereeniging in 1902.
When the Union of South Africa was established in 1910, Pretoria was elected the capital and is still the administrative capital of the Republic of South Africa today.
Climate
[edit]Pretoria is located in a summer rainfall area with hot days regularly followed by short and intense afternoon thunderstorms. The thunderstorms are often accompanied by lightning and occasionally result in hail. Summer temperatures range between 16°C at night to 30°C during the day, with occasionally higher temperatures (up to about 36°C). Winters are mild and dry with temperatures averaging between a minimum of 5°C and a maximum of 20°C. Winter nights and (occasionally winter days) can be surprisingly cold and buildings are generally not well insulated. Bring warm clothes if you're visiting during the winter months.
Get in
[edit]By car
[edit]Five highways join in the Gauteng region, making it accessible from all cities in the country. This would include the N1, N3, N4, N12 and N14 national highways.
Most National Routes (N) are toll roads. Open road tolling (e-toll) is available on the freeways around Johannesburg and Pretoria.
By plane
[edit]The closest international airport is O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB IATA) in Johannesburg. The Albertina Sisulu Highway or R21 leads from there to Pretoria. Airport shuttles are available on the airport or can be booked:
- JIATA Taxi Association, ☏ +27 11 390-1857. Johannesburg-based company.
- Ants Events and Tours, ☏ +27 82 557-9604, +27 12 346-2400, [email protected]. Very reliable and friendly.
By bus
[edit]- Major bus companies like Apm, Citiliner, Greyhound, Translux, City to City, Intercape Mainliner offer connections to all big cities in South Africa.
- there are also lots of bus lines that have buses to Zimbabwe.
- Citiliner fare to Bulawayo is R410. The trip takes 15 hours.
- Apm bus lines have a bus from Pretoria to Capetown every day at 16:00 with a fare of R450.
- Intercape has a sleepliner bus from Pretoria to Knysna every day at 14:00 with a fare of R569.
- Citiliner has a bus going to Mbombela every day at 09:00 with a fare of R200. The trip takes 6 hours.
- Citiliner has a bus going to Kimberley every day at 09:45 with a fare of R275. The trip takes 8 hours.
- Apm has a bus going to Durban every day at 10:30 with a fare of R220. The trip takes 9 hours.
- The Baz Bus also stops in Pretoria.
By train
[edit]A convenient high-speed rail link, Gautrain, is available between Johannesburg, OR Tambo International Airport and Pretoria. Travellers can access this direct link from the arrivals hall in the airport building. Safe, comfortable Gautrain buses serve local routes from the different stops in Pretoria. The fare from International airport to pretoria is R164. There are frequent commuter trains from Johannesburg which cost R16.50 one way. Metrorail also services other outlying towns and many suburbs of Pretoria.
Long-distance trains from other parts of South Africa generally arrive in Johannesburg, however trains from Musina via Polokwane and from Komatipoort via Nelspruit call in Pretoria.
- 1 Pretoria railway station
Get around
[edit]Although crime in South Africa is higher than in many other parts of the world, common sense precautions should prevent incidents. Be especially aware of your surroundings after dark and don't travel alone. Main shopping centres are reasonably safe.
Either use a metered taxi, rent a car or use the municipal bus service. There is also a very extensive network of informal, cheap minibus taxis, mostly used by local commuters. These taxis used to have a reputation for being unsafe, but this has greatly improved and most taxis are now relatively luxurious and not overcrowded, except during peak times. Accidents are rare. Ask locals waiting at taxi stops about routes and rates.
Walking is a good option during the day, but may be unsafe after dusk in certain areas, such as central Pretoria.
- Train service. Pretoria Main railway station.
- Tempest Car Hire, ☏ +27 12 663-1368, fax: +27 12 663-1387, [email protected]. Affordable car rental service available at all major locations in South Africa.
- HeinRich's Taxis, [email protected]?Subject=taxi (ref wikivoyage). Safe and professional taxi service.
- Hendrick Metered taxi and Shuttles, 0826742075, www.hendrickcabs.co.za
- Rixi Taxi, ☏ +27 12 362-6272. Safe and professional taxi service. Not the cheapest means of getting around.
- Tshwane Bus Routes. Graphical map of bus routes and timetables and some information on using Minibus Taxis. R8 within the central business district, and R16 for long-distance journeys. Not extensive coverage or very regular, but is fairly reliable. Main office at church square. Timetable available there. Bus stops have poor indication of bus direction. So ask or wait. Bus frequency is best during rush hours. Very old fashioned but good for nostalgists.
- Uber. Uber is available in Pretoria, but there is a zone surrounding the Gautrain station where pickups and drop-offs are not permitted. The availability of Ubers is not as great as in Johannesburg, so you may encounter difficulties finding one at some of the more distant sights like the Voortrekker Monument.
See
[edit]- 1 Botanical Gardens
- 2 National Zoological Gardens (The Zoo)
- 3 The Union Buildings
- 4 The Wonderboom
- Streets with jacaranda trees, South of Union Buildings. In September, the jacarandas have purple flowers. Many streets are lined with these trees. A good place to view lines of them is the Union Buildings.
- 5 Church Square
Museums and galleries
[edit]- 6 Correctional Services Museum (Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre), ☏ +27 12 314-1766. Tu-F 09:00-15:00. Historical articles show the development of the penal system in South Africa from the most barbaric methods to the modern penological system of today. The pursuit of hobbies by prisoners is portrayed by matchstick work, art objects, wood and stone carvings. Objects illegally made by prisoners and which are confiscated, are displayed, such as dagga pipes, forged keys and money, tattooing machines, and stabbing and cutting weapons.
- 7 Melrose House Museum
- 8 National Museum of Cultural History, 149 Visagie St, ☏ +27 12 492 5708. Daily 08:00 – 16:00. Learn about the people and the cultures of South Africa, from the Iron Age till today. (Wheelchair accessible). Exhibitions include rock paintings and engravings of the San people; 1000-year-old Iron Age figurines from Schroda in the Limpopo Province (described as “the best known artifacts indicating ritual behaviour in the Early Iron Age”); the Art Gallery presents an overview of South African culture through time, using cultural objects, crafts, sculpture and paintings and an exhibition on Marabastad is a true example of a cosmopolitan and fully integrated rainbow nation before apartheid. Adults R35, children R20, seniors R20.
- 9 Pioneer Museum
- 10 [dead link]
- 11 [dead link]
- 12 Voortrekker Monument and Fort Scanskop
- 13 Freedom Park
- Willem Prinsloo Agricultural Museum, R104 Old Bronkhorstspruit Road, Rayton, ☏ +27 12 736 2035, [email protected]. M-F 08:30 – 16:00, Sa Su and public holidays 09:00 – 16:00. The history of the development of agriculture in South Africa and a collection of old vehicles (donkey and horse carts, ox-wagons, coaches, carriages and spiders) are displayed in the main building. Visitors can explore the 1880 and 1913 house museums and outbuildings, and two Ndebele homesteads from different eras. Indigenous farm animals include the Nguni and Afrikaner cattle, Kolbroek pigs, Speckled Persian sheep and indigenous chickens like the Ovambo, Koekoek, Venda and Naked Necks.
- 14 Kruger House Museum
Do
[edit]Experiences
[edit]- 1 Friends of the Rail, alongside Miechaelson Street, Hermanstad, ☏ +27 12 767 7913. Daily 09:00 - 12:00. Take a step back in time and circle Pretoria on a steam train or visit Cullinan, birth place of the world's largest diamond. The train runs two or three times per month, check timetable on website for exact dates. R250.
- 2 Klitsgras Drumming Circle, Tierpoort, Garsfontein Rd (take the Garsfontein Road (M30) in the eastern direction; 14 km after crossing Hans-Strijdom Drive, turn left onto Plot 62; it's next to the Excel service station), ☏ +27 83 311 0025, [email protected]. Daily 19:00 till late. Drumming circle out in the bush. Once you have a drum, food and drink you can sit down in the amphitheater around a cozy fire where the professionals and novices are drumming together and everyone joins in. Everyone takes lead from these people even if you do not know what you are doing, you just follow their drumming. So you are not only here to watch, but to be part of the entertainment! And then as a visual bonus the fire dancers move to the groves of the drumming. Didgeridoo players and percussionist frequent the venue. Held every second Friday night. R40 for drum rental.
- Skydive Pretoria, Wonderboom Airport, ☏ +27 81 499 5739.
Performing arts
[edit]- 3 State Theatre, corner Pretorius and Prinsloo Streets, ☏ +27 12 392 4000, [email protected]. Opening times dependent on performances. The State Theatre in Pretoria, South Africa is the largest theatre complex in Africa. Tickets for performances can be booked via Computicket
Sports
[edit]- Rugby Union: Bulls play in the United Rugby Championship (formerly Pro14), the multi-national European professional league. The playing season is Oct-March, with home games at Loftus Versfeld Stadium (capacity 52,000) in the Arcadia district. Loftus Versfeld is also home to the Blue Bulls, a developmental side for the URC Bulls that plays in the domestic Currie Cup from January–June.
- Cricket: Pretoria Capitals play in the southern town of Centurion, where they share the stadium with Titans.
Outdoors
[edit]- 4 Groenkloof Nature Reserve
- 5 Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary
- Fountains. Barbque resort
Events
[edit]- 6 Africa Aerospace and Defence Expo, Air Force Base Waterkloof. A combined airshow and trade exhibition, also open to the public, taking place biannually in September. There are planes on display, aerobatics and parachuting shows and hands-on activities for kids.
Learn
[edit]Buy
[edit]Shopping malls
[edit]- 1 Menlyn Park
- 2 Brooklyn Mall
- 3 Kolonnade. In the north with an ice rink and other entertainment.
- 4 Wonderpark. In the north just as you get onto Brits road off the Mabopani highway. Skatepark and hundreds of stores.
- 5 The grove, Lynwood Cnr Simon Vermooten (head to Lynwood Rd East). Larger mall. No free parking. Also good for middle budget eating out.
- 6 Hatfield Plaza Shopping Centre, Burnett St. 08:00-19:00. Has a Pick N Pay supermaket and many places to eat.
Other shopping
[edit]- German bakery and Alma German butchery. Tu-Su. East of Pretoria, Offramp Rossouw, then turn north, after 200 m. Serves coffee. You can also buy some imported products.
Supermarkets
[edit]- Shoprite, U Save, Checkers, Supermarkets, Whittle Lane, 218 Scheiding Street, and Brooklyn mall. Daily 08:00-19:00. All three stores are part of Shoprite.
- Pick N Pay Supermarket, Hatfield Plaza mall. Daily 08:00-19:00.
- Game (part of Wal-mart USA), Brooklyn Mall. Daily 08:30-17:00.
- Spar, Burneet Street (next to Hatfield Plaza). Daily 08:00-19:00.
Banks & ATMs
[edit]- First National Bank, Hatfield Plaza. ATM 24 hours. Has a Mastercard/Visa card ATM. no-fee at ATM for overseas cards.
Eat
[edit]This page uses the following price ranges for a typical meal for one, including soft drink: | |
Budget | Under R60 |
Mid-range | R60 to R120 |
Splurge | Over R120 |
The renowned restaurants include Cynthia's, the Hillside Tavern and Pachas. There are also many franchised diners throughout the city.
Budget
[edit]- Centurion Mall Express Sandwich Baron ([email protected]), Shop 30A, Cnr Hendrik Verwoerd and Embankment, Centurion Mall, Centurion, ☏ +27 12 643-1144. Sandwich Baron produces freshly made platters and sandwiches and holds no ready-made products in stock. Also has a catering service.
- Mimmos. Italian restaurant chain, incl. SA-Food. Good prices, take aways, wifi.
Mid-range
[edit]- Toni's Pizza Toni's is a great place to get the best pizza in town.
- Panarotti's Panarotti's is a national chain with several Pretoria branches.
- Spur. A national chain of Native American-themed steak-houses. Several branches in Pretoria.
Splurge
[edit]- Kream Restaurant, 283 Dey Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk, ☏ +27 12 346-4642. This new restaurant has a fresh upmarket urban feel and offers splendid food at very reasonable prices. Around R150 per person.
- La Pentola, 5 Riviera Galleries, Well Street, Riviera, ☏ +27 12 329-4028, fax: +27 12 329-5464. M-F 12:00-15:00 and 18:00-22:00, Sa 18:00-22:00. Excellent food. From around R150 per person.
Drink
[edit]- Pretoria's nightlife is concentrated in Hatfield (near the university), which boasts a number of bars and night clubs. Menlyn Square (just off the Menlyn shopping centre) is also a popular location which contains several venues but caters for the more upmarket crowd.
- Exclusive Books. EB is in many shopping centres and offers coffee while reading their books.
Sleep
[edit]This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room: | |
Budget | Under R300 |
Mid-range | R300 to R1000 |
Splurge | Over R1000 |
Being the capital, there are many posh hotels (including the Sheraton) and guest houses and all the usual hotel chains have one or more hotels. With so many hotels owned by the same chains, in particularly Tsogo Sun. Make sure you note the address when booking so you go to the right hotel. When Parliament is in session and when there are other state events it can be almost impossible to find a mid-range or splurge room. Consider nearby Centurion as an alternative if you have to be in Pretoria at those times.
Budget
[edit]
- 1322 Backpackers, 1322 Arcadia Street, Hatfield, ☏ +27 12 362-3905, [email protected]. very clean backpackers hostel with single/double rooms and dorm beds. Has a nice garden with a swimming pool, bar, TV room, free Wifi, breakfast and tea and coffee. Dorm R180 per person. double room R380..
- Khayalethu Guest House, 1291 Arcadia Street, Hatfield, ☏ +27 12 362 5947, [email protected]. Free breakfast. Dorm bed R240 per person..
- Pretoria Backpackers, 425 Farenden Street, Clydesdale, ☏ +27 12 343-9754, [email protected]. Double rooms and free breakfast. From R250 per person.
- Pumbas Backpackers, 1232 Arcadia Street, ☏ +27 12 362-5343. Great backpackers, managed by the friendly owners Frank and Corné. Free wifi and breakfast! Offers doubles, dorms and camping. Has two friendly dogs walking around and a nice central location in Hatfield. dorm R170 per person. camping R90 per person.
Mid-range
[edit]- Dark Chocolate Guest House Pretoria, 25 Catherine Street, Shere, ☏ +27 12 809-0626. Standard rooms, all equipped with plasma TV, bathroom and shower. Facilities and services are swimming pool, restaurant and bar/lounge. From R1,040.
- Khayalethu GuestHouse, 1291 Arcadia Street, Hatfield, ☏ +27 12 362-5403. Khayalethu GuestHouse has 10 en suite rooms, off-street parking and free internet access.
- City Lodge, ☏ +27 11 557-2600, [email protected]. From around R400 sharing.
- The Farm Inn, Lynnwood Rd, ☏ +27 12 809-0266, [email protected]. Provides a unique South African experience. stuffed and alve animals around. Also excellent for day visitors. From R510pps.
- Ithiliens Grace Guest House, 47 Kamperfoelie Street, Amandasig (easily accessible from all major highways), ☏ +27 79 892-2376, [email protected]. R280-900.
- [dead link] The Village in Hatfield _, 1252 Arcadia Street, Cnr. Glyn & Arcadia Streets, Hatfield (N4 into PTA-Hatfield, near Duncan Street), ☏ +27 12 362-3737, [email protected]. Several family homes were converted into sleeping rooms. lots of space, quiet. Next to sports university. Functions possible. Free Wifi. From R500 single.
- The Waterhouse Guesthouse, 439 Stonewall Street, Faerie Glen (easily accessible from all major highways), ☏ +27 12 991-2823, [email protected]. R670 single, R1400 double.
- Morning Star Express Hotel, 327 Visagie St, ☏ +27 12 442-0600. A/C spacious rooms equipped with TV with cable channels, double bed and bathroom. Some of its facilities and services are restaurant, Wi-Fi internet, massage service, and 24-hour front desk. From R480.
- 1 Victoria Hotel, 200 Scheiding St, ☏ +27 12 323 6054. Budget hotel next to the railway station. Notable for being the oldest hotel in the city, it first opened in 1880.
Splurge
[edit]- 2 Ellensgate Guest House, 849 Church St (Entrance at Eastwood Street), ☏ +27 12 342-4089, fax: +27 86 572-6549, [email protected]. From R860 per person with breakfast.
- Protea Hotels, ☏ +27 21 430-5000, [email protected]. From R500pps.
- 3 Sheraton Pretoria Hotel, 643 Stanza Bopape St, ☏ +27 12 429-9999, [email protected]. Close to Union building. Good breakfast buffet. From R1750pp.
- Southern Sun, ☏ +27 11 461-9744, [email protected]. Wide range of accommodation from budget to splurge. From R750pps.
- 4 Villa Sterne, 212 Johann Rissik Drive, Waterkloof Ridge, ☏ +27 12 346-2255, [email protected]. From R650pps.
Connect
[edit]Complete GSM coverage with GPRS, 3G, 4G, HSDPA and LTE is available almost everywhere.
Buy a local simcard (at airport, railway station, most major chain stores or mobile phone stores) for your overseas mobile phone. You will need your foreign ID or passport for registering your new sim card at the shop. Airtime and data bundles can be bought at most shops and fuel stations.
WiFi
[edit]Always-On, +27 (0)11 575-2505, provides prepaid WiFi access in a number of locations in and around Johannesburg. Simply connect to the access point and you will be given the opportunity to pay for access by credit card. Pricing starts at around R15 for 10 minutes or R60 for 100 MB.
Coverage areas include:
- Cafe Dulce. Centurion Mall.
- City Lodge. Courtyard in Arcadia.
- Holiday Inn. Arcadia
- Mugg&Bean. Just about all of them.
- Villa Sterne Boutique Hotel and Health Spa. Waterkloof Ridge
- Wimpy. many wimpy branches now offer wi-fi
- Mimmos. Italian low-middle-budget restaurant with Wifi.
Stay healthy
[edit]Hospitals
[edit]- Unitas Hospital, Clifton Avenue, Lyttelton, Centurion, ☏ +27 12 421-6700. Caters for 24-hour accident and emergency treatment.
Stay safe
[edit]Pretoria is considered to be a relatively safe city by South African standards and violent crime against tourists is somewhat rare. That said, basic common sense should still be used. Ask locals before you do things. Life after sunset stops a bit and moves to the big shopping centers outside the city. Avoid walking around after dark, even in a group or at Union Buildings. The city centre becomes deserted after nightfall, so it would not be wise to hang around at these times. The shop owners will close their security blinds to protect their property so there is little to see. Hatfield Plaza and all other major shopping centers are busy with shoppers, students, tourists, police and car minders until approximately 22:00 there is very little chance of any real trouble happening, but it can be annoying and daunting for tourists as the beggars are quite insistent but occurs less in guarded shopping centers. That said, the Hatfield area is usually perfectly safe. Consider that you still have to move from the safe area to your hotel through an unsafe area. In case of trouble, here are important telephone numbers. Be especially vigilant at night by traffic lights and stop signs. Car-jacking and smash and grab thefts do occur.
From a fixed line
[edit]- 107 - Emergency
- 10111 - Police[dead link]
- 10177 - Ambulance
- 082911 - Netcare911
From a mobile phone
[edit]- 112 - Emergency
- 911 - Netcare911
Cope
[edit]Embassies and High Commissions
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Go next
[edit]- Irene is a small town to the south of Pretoria with a day spa and a dairy farm.
- Mpumalanga Escarpment in a weekend
- Kruger National Park in a (very long!) weekend
- Soutpansberg, north, for lonely weekends in nature
- Cradle of Humankind, with caves to view ancient caves, digging sites and skulls
- Magaliesberg, a very old mountain range.
- Rietvlei Nature Reserve, a small and quiet nature reserve with a number of wildlife species and lots of bird watching opportunities.
- Visit Hartebeespoort Dam. There are hot air balloon rides over the savanna, a cable car, a golf course and watersport. Souvenir shops, shopping, and a snake farm are nearby.