SECTION 4:
CITY GUIDES | < BACK |
NEXT >
4.4 PRETORIA
Pretoria/Tshwane is smaller, prettier and quieter than its bold neighbour, Johannesburg, just 50 kilometers away. South Africa's administrative capital offers a laid back pace, cultural heritage, and a compact, easily navigable city centre. Tshwane has much to offer visitors, but it's also worth exploring beyond the city limits. Just outside of Tshwane are beautiful green spaces, a 200 000 year old crater and further afield are the Cradle of Humankind site, comprising caves containing hominid fossils.
What’s on in Pretoria:
www.pretoria.co.za/whats-on.html
Restaurant Guide: www.dining-out.co.za/Tshwane-Restaurants.asp
SHOPPING
Irene Market
on the second and last Saturday of each month in Smuts House Museum, Irene,
offers a spread of organic foods, arts, crafts and collectables. ( 012 667 1659 www.irenemarket.co.za.
Brooklyn Mall is situated in the heart of Pretoria's Eastern suburbs and is the dynamic hub of this diplomatic area. With a compliment of more than 170 retail stores, we provide a comprehensive shopping choice. Spacious and elegant, Brooklyn Mall ensures relaxed shopping pleasure offering an enticing range of merchandise, entertainment, restaurants and speciality stores. ( 012 346-1063/4 http://www.brooklynmall.co.za
OUTDOOR
Magaliesberg
- discover the spectacular beauty of the mountain range, the earliest
history of mankind, wonderful birds, flowers and wildlife and exciting
adventures. www.magaliesberg.co.za
De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Centre is found at the foot of the Magaliesberg. The King Cheetah was first bred here. ( 012 504 1921 www.dewildt.co.za
Hartbeespoort Dam Surrounded
by the majesty of the Magaliesberg mountain range, Hartbeespoort dam is very
popular for weekend getaways or day trips. All water sports may be enjoyed
including para-sailing, windsurfing, water and jet skiing!!!
For the more adventurous, why not try paragliding, hang-gliding or hot
air ballooning?
We have an aquarium, a private zoo with a snake park, a cheetah trust,
an elephant sanctuary, a monkey sanctuary and a predator park. ( 012 253
1567 www.hartbeespoortdam.com
National Zoological Gardens with 4,300 animals, is one of the largest zoos in the world. There are 97 species of mammals and 160 species of birds housed in a walk through aviary. The aquarium displays 275 species of fish while and the reptile house has a collection of 105 reptiles from all over the world. ( 012 328 3265 http://www.zoo.ac.za/
Rietvlei Nature Reserve, 18 km south of the city off the R50, is excellent for birding and to spot big game such as cheetah, leopard, buffalo and white rhino. ( 012 345 2274 www.tshwane.gov.za/rietvlei.
Groenkloof Nature Reserve off Christina de Wit Road, just south of the city, offers hiking, mountain biking, horse trails and game drives. ( 012 440 8316, ( 012 341 5204, www.tshwane.gov.za/groenkloof.cfm.
National Botanical Gardens in Cussonia Avenue east of the city has paved nature trails accessing special collections of plants and ridge vegetation. ( 012 843 5172/3/4, www.sanbi.org.
HISTORIC MUSEUMS & CULTURE
Transvaal Museum of Natural History in Paul Kruger Street, Pretoria, is an impressive
sandstone building housing fossils, dinosaur replicas and interesting
artifacts. ( 012 322 7632.
The Union Buildings, headquarters of the South African government, were built in 1910, and were intended to symbolize the union of Britain and the Boer nation. The national monument is the site of Nelson Mandela's inauguration as South African president. www.visitpretoria.co.za/History/union-buildings
Voortrekker Monument, housing an impressive
27 panel frieze depicting the Great Trek. Mountain bikers, hikers and
cyclists can make use of the monument's roads and trails. ( 012 326 6770 www.voortrekkermon.org.za
Freedom Park.
It's a work in progress that stands as a monument to democracy, with a
memorial, interactive museum and garden of remembrance. It also has a
Wall of Names that lists South Africans who died in wars and strife dating
back to the 15th century. ( 012 470 7400,
www.freedompark.co.za.
EXPLORE
Cullinan Mine Tour - known for the whopping great diamond that
was discovered there in 1905.
( 012 734 1795, ( 072 344 3072 www.cullinanmeander.co.za.
Nan Hua Buddhist Temple in Bronkhorstspruit. The temple hosts Buddhist retreats and workshops and is open to the public from 09h00 to 17h00 each day except Monday. ( 013 931 0009, e mail info@nanhua.co.za.
Vintage steam trains
The Cheugnette, a 1950s class locomotive, is one of a small fleet that
has been pulled from retirement and lovingly restored by Friends of the
Rail. The group runs regular tourism trips around Tshwane, as well as
to Cullinan, Rayton and Bela Bela. ( 012 548 4090 www.friendsoftherail.com.
Tswaing Meteorite Crater. It's as if the aftershock of the blazing meteorite that blasted this 1,4 kilometer crater into the Earth's crust 220 000 years ago can still be felt. ( 076 945 5911, e mail barns@nfi.museum.
Cradle of Humankind - . Maropeng means “returning to the place of origin” in Setswana, the main indigenous language in this area of South Africa. The Cradle of Humankind is an easy drive of about an hour from Johannesburg or Pretoria. Our ancestors have lived in this area for more than 3-million years. By coming here, you are coming to the birthplace of humanity. Welcome home! www.maropeng.co.za ( 014 577 9000
Pretoria historic Tour
- The hop-on hop-off bus historic tour
( 012 3581430
www.tshwanetourism.co.za
ADVENTURE
Scenic DC3 Historic
Flights
Take a scenic flight over the Hartbeespoort Dam, Pretoria and Johannesburg
areas.
( 012 678
8221
Diamond X Ranch.
The School of Western Horsemanship offers lessons, workshops and clinics
in this type of riding for every level of experience. ( 083 228 1849 www.diamondxranch.co.za.
Adventure Fly-fishing lessons ( 012 755 6583 www.adventure-flyfishing.co.za
Groenkloof Mountain Biking ( 012 440 8316 http://www.tshwane.gov.za/groenkloof.cfm
Wonderboom Skydiving School ( 072 124 6670 http://www.saskydive.com
COOL SPOTS
Cool Runnings - Chilled out nightlife spots in Hatfield, the atmosphere is decidedly Caribbean, the drink is cheap, and the service is good. ( 012 362 0100
La Pentola
If you feel like a fantastic meal, this is the
place to visit. La Pentola has won a string of awards, which include Top
Restaurant in South Africa, Top Restaurant in Pretoria, and Top Ethnic
and Exotic Restaurant. ( 012 329 4028 http://www.lapentola.co.za/
Moerdijks
The restaurant itself is a very high standard
one, well situated in Arcadia (the typical Embassies' neighbourhood).
the food is very well prepared, presented - Karoo lamb, great "Potjie"
containing kudu meat; nice ostrich and kudu biltong (local is lekker)
( 012 344856
www.moerdijks.co.za
NIGHTLIFE
Hatfield, near the
university, has a large student population and a thriving arts community
that drive its nightlife.
Esselen Street and the surrounding area in Sunnyside also have
a number of bars, nightclubs and music venues.
ENTERTAINMENT
The Carousel Casino ( 012 718 7777
GETTING AROUND
Car hire
Africa-Car-Hire.com (
078 669 4444
Europcar ( 012 567 7756.
Tempest Car Hire ( 012 663 1368.
Sixt ( 012 342 2903.
Avis ( 012 301 0700.
Public transport
Municipal bus services start in Church Square, ( 012 358 0839.
Minibus taxis can be hailed.
| Metered taxis |
Argentina
Fans
Australia
Fans
Brazil
Fans
England
Fans
France
Fans
Germany
Fans
Mexico Fans
Netherlands
Fans
Spain
Fans
USA
Fans