Overview

“The Jacaranda City”, Pretoria is the administrative capital of South Africa boasting lush vibrant gardens, fantastic eateries, tree-lined streets, and great nightlife and entertainment options. The academic city has a large student population due to its many universities that call Pretoria home such as Tshwane University of Technology, the University of Pretoria, and the University of South Africa. The city features stunning old architecture, fascinating historical sites, sprawling verdant parks, and over 70,000 Jacaranda trees that line the streets and light up the city with their fantastic purple blooms.

The city stretches alongside both sides of the Apies River and extends into the western foothills of the Magaliesberg mountain range. It lies at an elevation of 4,393 feet above sea level in a warm, sheltered, fertile valley. The city features a diverse culture that is reflected in its 19th-century Dutch, German, and British colonial architecture seen throughout the city. Pretoria is decorated with some of the finest structures such as the Palace of Justice, the Union Buildings, the Voortrekker Monument, and the many University buildings.

The city was founded in 1855 by Marthinus, the son of Andries Pretorius, the Boer statesman whom the city was named after. It became the capital of the Transvaal in 1860, and the administrative capital of South Africa in 1910, it became a city in 1931, and during the South African War (1899-1902), Winston Churchill was imprisoned here until his escape. It is a beautiful city to explore, a lovely quiet space with a fascinating history. Nelson Mandela was inaugurated here as the country’s first black President, at the Union Buildings in 1994. The capital city attracts tourists with its vibrant people, culture, refreshing gardens, and illustrious past.

Things to see and do

The National Zoological Gardens South Africa is one of the largest zoos in the world housing over 3,000 animals and spread over 200 acres of land with a variety of animals from all over the globe. The Apies River runs through the zoo, and exhibits include a walk-through aviary and visitors can explore the zoo on foot or via a golf cart ride. Animals that call the zoo home include chimps, cheetahs, rhinos, giraffes, and kangaroos, there is a reptile park and an aquarium on site.

The Groenkloof Nature Reserve is a game sanctuary established in 1895 by President Kruger, it was the first nature reserve on the continent. Game at the sanctuary include impala, kudu, blue wildebeest, zebra, ostrich, giraffe, jackal, and red hartebeest. The reserve covers 494 acres and was named for the 1000-year-old fig tree still standing today. The nature reserve offers visitors and nature lovers the perfect way to relax, unwind, and escape to a wilder vision of present-day Pretoria.

The Voortrekker Monument is a massive granite structure that stands 131 feet tall and is surrounded by 64 ox-wagons in memory of the Voortrekkers who journeyed eastwards from the Cape Colony during the mid-19th century to settle new lands. See the Wall of Remembrance dedicated to the lives lost with a wall of names for the fallen. The interior hall features the longest marble frieze in the world showcasing the struggles of the Voortrekkers under its shimmering yellow Belgian glass. Cenotaph Hall is where the tapestry of a million stitches relives in fabric these trials and tribulations.

The Kruger House is a historical residence of the Boer leader and President of the South African Republic, Paul Kruger, built in 1884. Milk was used, instead of water, for mixing the cement from which the house was constructed, as the cement available was of poor quality.

The Transvaal Museum is a natural history museum founded in 1892 with a large collection of Pilo-Pleistocene fossils of the earliest forms of mankind, including hominids from Sterkfontein, and our earliest ancestors from the Cradle of Life site. The museum also features a large collection of mammals, birds, and reptiles, in their earliest incarnations. There are fascinating and interactive exhibits on site, and the museum strives to track the progress of evolution.

The Pretoria National Botanical Garden is home to a beautiful collection of plants and flowers, it is an important landmark in South Africa. Located in the city’s eastern suburbs, it sits on acres of land divided into western and eastern sections housing a succulent garden, medicinal garden, cycad garden, enabling garden, and other impressive collections. There are serene paved nature trails that lead through the natural vegetation of the rocky ridge above the garden. The National Herbarium is home to the largest collection of plant specimens in South Africa with over a million species catalogued and stored here.

The Rietvlei Nature Reserve is a sprawling area of grasslands and home to various endangered flora and fauna. Visitors can take a guided drive through the grassland reserve and the park offers some brilliant picnic areas with the opportunity to view over 1500 animals. The scenic Rietvlei Dam is also housed in the park. Leopards, cheetahs, Blesbuck, black wildebeest, waterbuck, zebra, hippopotamus and more can be seen here.

Freedom Park sits on top of Salvokop Hill basting panoramic views over the city. The park traces the story of South Africa’s liberation and honors those who played an important role. The park opened in 2007, it encompasses a series of poignant memorials, and an impressive museum featuring exhibits examining the nation’s history from the dawn of humanity to the present day. Freedom Park is a monument and historical landmark spanning 56 acres in the city, it is a symbolic burial ground surrounded by eleven boulders known as Lesaka, bodies of water at the entrance and exit for baptism and drinking, and Umlahlankosi trees.

Horse riding in South Africa is one of the most popular sports in the country, there are many companies offering this fantastic pastime. Take an exclusive tour through private wildlife reserves, and get up close and personal with animals such as giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and kudu. Visitors can take a walk and play with lion cubs.

The Pretoria Art Museum covers an entire city block, established in the 1930s. The museum was originally established to house the City Council of Pretoria’s Art Collection after a large donation of 17th-century pieces from the “New Dutch” school. The museum features a large collection of South African art, with a permanent collection of over 3,000 pieces on display including South African masters like Henk Pierneef, Irma Stern, and Pieter Wenning.

Shopping

The city of Pretoria has several large malls and other retail opportunities for those looking to shop while visiting. The city is home to many designer clothing stores, shopping malls, flea markets, and souvenir shops. The main shopping malls in the city are Menlyn Park, Brooklyn Mall, Kolonnade, Wonderpark, and Irene Village Mall. Menlyn Park Shopping Center is an award-winning mall in the city and home to over 500 stores. The popular shopping center is situated in Tshwane boasting international brands and flagship anchor stores as well as dining, entertainment, and leisure opportunities.

Waterglen shopping center is a one-stop destination for all your shopping needs in the city, centrally located with several stores and dining. The Lynnridge Mall boasts a comfortable and vibrant atmosphere, the perfect place to spend a day shopping. The food court is also packed with many dining options. Check out the Pretoria Zoo market that runs on weekdays from 6:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. with a great range of traditional jewelry, African crafts, and ornaments for sale. There are vendors selling decent local handicrafts like women's rugs, and beadwork at the Union Buildings daily. Wonderpark Flea Market is open from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays with crafts, toys, and souvenirs for sale.

Music

Pretoria produced a number of South African bands and musicians including Desmond and the tutus, Bittereinder, The Black Cat Bones, Seether, mostwako rapper JR, Joshua na die Reen, and DJ Mujava.

The song “Marching to Pretoria” refers to the city, it was one of the songs that British soldiers sang as they marched from the Cape Colony, under British Rule since 1814, to the capital of the Southern African Republic. The song’s refrain puts it: “We are marching to Pretoria, Pretoria, Pretoria, We are marching to Pretoria, Pretoria, Hurrah”.

In the opening line of John Lennon’s Beatles song “I am the Walrus”, “I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together”, is often believed to be based on the lyric “Im with you and you’re with me and so we are all together” in “Marching to Pretoria”. Lennon denied this, insisting that his lyrics came from “nothing”.

There are several performing art venues in the city of Pretoria including the South African State Theatre, which houses the arts of Opera, musicals, plays, and comedic performances.

Dining

There are plenty of places to eat in the city of Pretoria and a plethora of restaurants and cuisines to choose from. South African cuisine is made up of various influences and traditions that blend together to create unique cooking styles and practices. Pretoria’s dining presents a fusion of South African flavors and International cuisine. The Jacaranda City offers a delightful array of dining experiences to tantalize anyone's tastebuds with a range of cuisines to choose from including Dutch, French, Indian, Cape Dutch, Cape Malay, and Malaysian. There are popular African fast food options like Debonairs, and Steers, upmarket restaurants, authentic pubs, quaint cafes, Michelin-starred restaurants, and boutique coffee shops. South African dishes are filled with spices such as allspice, and nutmeg and meat is the centerpiece of any South African meal, think hearty stews, and rich curries. Popular dishes like bobotie, koeksisters, biltong, sosaties, al fresco braai, and melktert.

The Hazel Food Market is one of the top things to do in the city of Pretoria, located across from the Greenlyn Village Center in the Menlo Park suburb. The market offers delicious, authentic food like freshly baked bread, fresh produce, flowers, and wine. The market is a melting pot of cultures with Dutch, Indian, Polish, Green, and Italian cuisines. Visitors can purchase fresh goods right from the source on Saturdays boasting over 70 stalls, an excellent opportunity to purchase and indulge in great food. There are opportunities to try food from across the globe with Thai, Mexican, Indian, and American Barbeque to choose from, try a sosatie (a skewer of BBQ meat) or koeksisters (deep-fried dough with syrup). There are great vibes at the market with live music to make for a great day out in the city.

Nightlife

The city of Pretoria is well known for its vibrant atmosphere and nightlife due to its large student population. There is an eclectic and exciting array of restaurants, bars, pubs, and more to choose from for a memorable night out on the town. The city boasts some prestigious nightclubs, laid-back lounges, quirky bars, and exciting pubs and bars. This capital city has no shortage of evening entertainment with live music to enjoy, and other fun evening activities like a sunset safari at teh National Zoological Gardens of South Africa. There are several areas of the city to choose from when it comes to nightlife in Pretoria, check out the famous suburbs of Hatfield, Constantia Park, Faerie Glen, Lynwood, and Time Square. Get out on the town for the night, and enjoy some of these amazing places to absorb Pretoria’s sparkling nightlife.

Sports

Pretoria is a popular city for sports, one of the most popular sports is Rugby. Loftus Versfeld is home to the Blue Bulls, who compete in the domestic Currie Cup, and also to the Bulls in the international United Rugby Championship competition. The Bulls rugby team operated by the Blue Bulls, won the Super Rugby competition in 2007, 2009, and 2010. Pretoria was the host during the Rugby World Cup, and Loftus Versfeld was used for some matches in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Pretoria has two football teams that play in South Africa’s top-flight football league, the Premier Soccer League. The teams are the Mamelodi Sundowns and Supersport United. During the 2011/2012 football season, the University of Pretoria F.C. were promoted to the South African Premier Division, the top domestic league, and became the third Pretoria-based team in the league.