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Pretoria City - Tshwane Gauteng South Africa
Pretoria, or Tshwane as it has been renamed, once had
the dubious distinction of being South Africa’s most staidly city.
But it has been in the throes of renaissance following the first free
elections in 1994 and it is now widely regarded as one of the country’s
finest cities.
It has got the mix of vibrant life and tranquil suburbia just right; made
all the more beautiful in spring by the flowering of the ubiquitous jacaranda
trees that turn the city purple overnight.
Jacaranda City, as it is popularly known, is home to
many of the international diplomatic corps as well as the official seat
of government, the Union Buildings, giving the city a cosmopolitan edge.
While it’s proximity to Johannesburg – an hour by car –
makes it the ideal alternative for tourists wanting a little less hustle
and bustle. And it has a multitude of attractions for the visitor.
Exploring the Past
Founded in 1854, Pretoria has been at the centre of South Africa’s
troubled past, which makes it rich in history. Start where it all began
in Church Square, which is surrounded on all sides by beautifully preserved
historic buildings. Also in the centre of town are smaller, more specialised
sites such as Kruger House, the Eksteen Transport Technology Museum, the
Police Museum and the Transvaal Museum. A short walk from here will bring
you to the Museum of Natural History and Melrose House, an exquisite example
of Victorian architecture. Moving further afield you will find the Fort
Klapperkop Military Museum and the famed Voortrekker Monument. Not far
from here is Jan Smuts’s old house in Irene, which is open to the
public.
Honouring the Struggle
Pretoria, too, played a leading role in the freedom struggle. Township
tours will take you to important liberation sites in Atteridgeville, Mamelodi
and Mandela Village. By far and away the most ambitious monument of all
is Freedom Park, a one-stop heritage precinct situated on Salvokop close
to the Voortrekker Monument. It will only be completed in 2009, but it
is possible to arrange private tours of the site through the Freedom Park
Trust.
All the World’s a Stage
Theatre lovers are well catered for in Pretoria. The bigger musical and
dramatic productions, as well as a plethora of ballet, opera and cabaret
shows can be seen at the State Theatre complex in the centre of town.Smaller,
more experimental fare and cabaret can be seen at other independent theatres
around town. The best of these is the historic Breytenbach Theatre, home
to the excellent student productions put on by the Tswhane University
of Technology’s drama and musical theatre departments.
Art Smart
Pretoria is an art-mad city, as evidenced by the wide variety of art galleries
dotted around town. Among the best are the Pretoria Art Museum, where
both travelling and permanent exhibits of South African art are on show,
and the African Window for contemporary and ethnic artwork.
Dance the Night Away
Night owls can party until the sun rises at a variety of nightclubs, pubs
and live music venues.A must for any visitor is Tings an’ Times
in Hatfield. A reggae and pita bar, it is arguably the most popular party
spot in town and often features DJs and live bands playing everything
from hard rock to mellow jazz. For a more reserved night out don’t
miss the Cuban Café or Rhapsody’s, the two best venues for
sundowners.
The Great Outdoors
Pretoria is blessed with a fantastic climate and there are plenty of sports
facilities, as well as a variety of day walks and other outdoor excursions.
A pleasant way to spend the afternoon is watching birds from a hide at
the Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary in Brooklyn, relaxing on the grass of
Magnolia Dell, or strolling through the beautiful Pretoria Botanical Gardens.Animal
lovers will not want to miss a trip to the excellent National Zoological
Gardens, with an equally good snake park and aquarium next door.And if,
by some miraculous chance, you find yourself without anything to do, Pretoria
is a great base from which to explore the northern parts of the country
where game reserves and adventure sports are king.
Wag 'n Bietjie, B&B
133 Van Der Merwe Drive,Meyerpark,Pretoria 0184, Tel: +27 (0)83 632 7689
8.80128E+11
www.wagnbietjie.co.za
Rchtersveld Challenge, Self Catering
142 Springbok 8240 Dinokeng/ Pretoria, Tel: +27 (0)12 711 0264
www.adventureaddicts.com
Arcadia Hotel
P.O.Box 26104, Arcadia, Pretoria, Gauteng, 0007, South Africa,
Tel: +27 (0)12 326 9311
Bella Bonni Guest House, Self Catering
P.O.Box 26933, Monument Park, Pretoria, Gauteng, 0105, south Africa,
Tel: +27 (0)13 697 3898
Bush Lodge
Private Bag 20017, Grasfontein, Pretoria, Gauteng, 0042, South Africa,
Tel: +27 (0)12 470 5300
Court Classique Suite Hotel
P.O.Box 12025, Hatfield, Pretoria, Gauteng, 0028, South Africa,
Tel: +27 (0)12 344 4420
www.courtclassique.co.za
Forever Resorts
Private Bag X16, Hatfield, Pretoria, Gauteng, 0028, South Africa,
Tel: +27 (0)12 423 5611
www.foreversa.co.za
Illyria House
P.O.Box 2390, Brooklyn Square, Pretoria, Gauteng, 0073, South Africa,
Tel: +27 (0)12 344 5193
www.illyria.co.za
Legend Lodges, Hotels & Resorts
Private Bag 20017, Grafontein, Pretoria, Gauteng, 0042, South Africa,
Tel: +27 (0)12 470 5300
www.legend
lodges.co.za
Marlin Lodge
P.O.Box 15013, Sinoville, Pretoria, Gauteng, 0129, South Africa,
Tel: +27 (0)12 460 9410
www.marlinlodge.co.za
Mountain Lodge
Private Bag 20017, Garsfontein, Pretoria, Gauteng, 0042, South Africa,
Tel: +27 (0)12 470 5300
www.legendlodges.co.za
Nonhlanhla's B&B
P.O.Box 58058, Karen Park, 0118, City of Tshwane, Gaureng, 0118, South
Africa,
Tel: +27 (0)21 549 0610
Sentinel Hotel, Self Catering
P.O.Box 14247, Hatfield, 0028, Pretoria, Gauteng, 0028, South Africa,
Tel: +27 (0)12 343 3440
www.sea.co.za
Arrowood, Self Catering
Arlon Place 7, 1229 South Street, Hatfield, Pretoria,
Tel: +27 (0)12 362 5499 www.arlon.co.za
Whistletree Lodge
P.O.Box 11156, Queenswood, Pretoria, Gauteng, 0121, South Africa,
Tel:+27 (0)12 333 9915
www.whistletree.co.za
Zebra Country Lodge
Private Bag 20017, Garsfontein, Pretoria, Gauteng, 0042, South Africa,
Tel: +27 (0)12 470 5300
www.ledendslodges.co.za
