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South Africa Travel + Tourism Guide: Pretoria

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Pretoria

administrative capital of South Africa - 1 million inhabitants
50km north of Johannesburg, in northern part of Gauteng Province
translates from the Afrikaans as 'fountain of flowers"
city dates back to 1855 and Marthinus Pretorius
1,370m above sea level
Pretoria or Tshwane? Name change debated
located in the central north east of South Africa
industrial center and university town

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Pretoria Skyline.

Pretoria is the attractive administrative capital of South Africa and is also known as the "Jacaranda city" due to it's wide avenues of purple flowering jacaranda trees. It is also an old university town with subsequent music and arts scene. The population of the city is approximately one million people.

Loftus Versfeld the stadium which will play host to the 2010 event is a modern international arena presently used by the rugby fraternity.

First round games and the third place play off game will be played in the stadium which is being upgraded for the World Cup, and will hold 42,000 spectators.

Depending on the World Cup fixture list, Pretoria, or its outskirts, is conveniently situated for use as a northern accommodation centre for first round matches due to it's proximity to Polokwane (250 km) , Rustenberg (120 km) and Johannesburg (58 km along a 3 lane highway) , and one feels less threatened here than in a huge city.

The stadium is 3 kilometres from the city centre and surrounded by the more pleasant eastern and university suburbs of Sunnyside, Arcadia and Hatfield. It is conveniently situated to the N4 major route, heading towards Nelspruit and the Kruger National Park, which in turn connects to the N 1 route from Johannesburg, the airport, and southern cities.

Known historically as the bastion of conservative Afrikanerdom, Pretoria was the capital of the old South African Boer Republic before and during the Anglo-Boer war.

There are numerous reminders of that conflict around the city. Winston Churchill after his capture in the Anglo-Boer war, was imprisoned in Staats Model School and escaped detention to flee to Mozambique.

The University of Pretoria, the largest in South Africa, has always been predominantly Afrikaans and now the community has a modern vibrant outlook on life.

Church Square, in the city centre, is the focal point of the civil service and is surrounded by many fine buildings, including the Raadsaal (parliament), Palace of Justice and old Reserve Bank. A statue of President (and Boer soldier) Paul Kruger dominates the centre.
Paul Kruger House Museum (Tel: 012 326 9172) is Kruger's old house and now a national monument and interesting though cluttered museum.

One of the major sites, on Monument Hill to the south western edge of the city is the huge Voortrekker Monument (Tel: 012 323 0682), a tribute to the independence, courage and determination of the pioneers that left the Cape Province and travelled the 1,000 miles in their ox carts, to escape British authority.

Situated on Roberts Heights, just to the north of Loftus Versfeld, overlooking the city, and housing the Presidency and Foreign Offices are the Union Buildings and terraced gardens. Cecil Rhodes appointed Sir Herbert Baker as the architect to design the buildings, which were completed in 1913, and which are still the administrative headquarters of the country.

Built to commemorate the unification of the country, the two outer wings represent the Afrikaaner, and the English population. Other museums in Pretoria include the Museum of Anthropology (Tel: 012 322 7632) and the quirky, not for the faint-hearted South African Police Museum (Tel: 012 321 1678) on Pretorius Street.

The Premier Diamond Mine at Cullinan, 30 kilometres east of Pretoria is renowned for the discovery of the largest gem diamond, 621 grams, ever found. It now comprises of 9 large stones (and many smaller "brilliants") , all part of the Crown Jewels or owned by the British Royal Family.

The original mine village, with its houses, church and offices is conserved as a living museum and is part of a tour which also includes a visit to the large old open cast pit and the more modern surface area of the underground mine (underground tours are available on the last Friday morning of the month).

In the same area but more to the north is the Tswaing crater, one of the best preserved meteorite impact sites in the world. Visits to the crater rim and museum are available.

Pretoria Zoo (Tel: 012 328 3265) is the largest zoo in South Africa and one of the best ten in the world. Situated north of the city centre it is renowned for its snake park and aquarium.

Night life, including late night clubs, is centred around Hatfield, close to the stadium, and Centurion, a pleasant modern suburb, which is to the south of the city enroute to Johannesburg. Centurion has a vibrant waterfront area and a range of hotels and guest houses.

There are all manner of accommodation options in and around Pretoria from 5 star hotels to budget hostels within sight of the stadium; to game lodges, African cultural villages, mountain retreats and luxury golf estates within half an hour's drive of the city.

Within easy range to the west are Magaliesberg Mountains and Hartbeespoort Dam. The mountains rise to almost 1800 metres and are a favourite venue for the climbers of the Johannesburg Mountain Club.

Conveniently situated for the world cup venues of Rustenberg, Polkwane, Johannesburg and Pretoria, the mountain area is a protected nature zone and is home to over 300 species of bird life including hawks eagles and buzzards, and has a variety of wildlife from giraffe, buck, baboons, zebra and the occasional leopard.

Within the area you can visit a Cheetah Research Centre, Snake Park, Cultural Villages, Small Game Reserves, wild animal orphanages, Eco adventure centres, dam resorts, old gold mines, and Anglo-Boer battle sites.

The range of accommodation is just as diverse from 5 star guest lodges, exclusive game lodges, golf estates, through to chalets and camping at the many holiday resorts.

Pretoria is a sister sister of Basel in Switzerland.

Tourist Offices

The Tourist Information Center (Tel: 012 358 1430) is in the Old Nederlandsche Bank Bldg. Church Square.
The HQ of the South African National Parks (Tel: 012 428 9111) is at 643 Leyds Street, New Muckleneuk.

Getting There

Air

OR Tambo International Airport lies to the north east of Johannesburg and is easily accessible from Pretoria. The route from the airport and cities to the south enter Pretoria along the N1 highway and join the N4 going east through the city to the World Cup stadium.

OR Tambo International Airport (Tel: 011 921 6262) has direct air links with many cities in Europe including London, Amsterdam and Frankfurt. In the USA, New York and Atlanta have direct flights as do Perth and Sydney in Australia. From Asia there are direct flights from Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore.

OR Tambo International Airport (formerly Johannesburg International Airport), has flights to Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein and other major cities as well as many other African destinations.

Rail

The inter city rail service into Pretoria connects to all major cities, and the new high speed Gautrain service, presently being built, will link the eastern suburbs of Pretoria to Johannesburg town centre, the International airport and Soweto, passing close to Soccer City and Ellis Park – the two Johannesburg match venues.
There are trains to Nelspruit via Pretoria (Komati), Cape Town (28 hours) via Kimberly (Trans Karoo) and Polokwane (Bosvelder).
The luxury Blue Train begins in Pretoria for Jo'burg and Cape Town. Pretoria train station is in the east of the city south of Church Square.

Bus

The N4 highway enters Pretoria from Nelspruit and Kruger Park in the east and from Rustenberg and the Magaliesberg Mountains nature area in the west.
The N1 to the north of the city is the direct route to Polokwane, Zimbabwe and the rest of Africa.
The N3 from Durban forms part of the eastern ring road of Johannesburg so one can drive around that city to get to Pretoria.
Luxury coach services link Pretoria with all major domestic cities and destinations within southern Africa. Buses mainly depart from outside Pretoria train station.

Getting Around

There are taxi ranks at Church Square and JG Strijdom Square. City bus servicesa radiate from Church Square.

Security

The South African government are aware that public safety is a major issue and are determined to increase the quantity and proficiency of the police force over the next couple of years.

Car Hire

All the major car hire companies are well represented in all major cities and at the airports. Cheaper less exclusive local companies also offer vehicles for hire.

Rent A Car With Holiday Autos

Rent A Car With Sixt

Accommodation

Featured Hotels

Town Lodge Hotel
Arcadia Hotel - 3 Star Hotel
Hatfield Holiday Inn - 4 Star Hotel
Holiday Inn - 4 Star Hotel
Protea Capital Hotel - 3 Star Hotel
Sheraton Hotel - 5 Star Hotel

Book Accommodation in Pretoria

Eating

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Drinking

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Internet Cafes

List your internet cafe here for FREE! Contact Us

Surfingzone Internet Cafe
www.surfingzone.co.za
Open 7 days a week.
internet R10 for 15 minutes; R55 for 2 hours; Games R10 per hour
414 Jacqueline Drive. Garsfontein, Pretoria (Gauteng)
Tel: 27123619917; Fax 27123484286
email info[at]surfingzone.co.za

Football Teams

Rugby stronghold Pretoria has a number of teams including Supersport United, a premier team club, that plays at the 2010 World Cup venue, Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
Mamelodi Sundowns known as "The Brazilians" due to similar colors play at the 25,000 capacity Atteridgeville Super Stadium.
The University of Pretoria Football Club, aka Tuks FC, play in the Mvela Golden League at the Tuks ABSA Stadium.
Garankuwa United are based in nearby Garankuwa and play at the 60,000 capacity Odi Stadium.

The South African professional soccer season runs from September to May.

Weather

The climate in Pretoria during the World Cup should generally be mild with no rain, the night time temperature can occasionally get down to freezing point but the days are bright and clear, and should average about 18 degrees Centigrade, slightly warmer than Johannesburg.

Kevin Wilyman