The 9 things to do in Pretoria

Are you going to visit South Africa and its capitals? Here is our presentation of the 9 best things to do to visit Pretoria!

Capital of South Africa, Pretoria – nicknamed the city of Jacarandas – is a vast conurbation of 741,651 inhabitants, founded on 16 November 1855. But South African history, created and relatted by the White settlers, did not date from the 19th century: the first traces of human occupation in the location of what will become the present Pretoria, date back to the time of the homo ergaster a human species disappeared 1.9 million years ago.

Its habitat developed “only” towards the 8th century BC. The capital of the South African Republic of the Transvaal from 1860 to 1902 and of the Transvaal colony and province until 1994, Pretoria was built at 1,500 metres of altitude. The city is crossed by the Apies River and is located in a valley east of the Magaliesberg Mountain Range. Town of farmers initially, Pretoria became a city of white officials in the early 20th century, and symbol of Afrikaner nationalism. Pretoria experienced a rapid rise after the Second World War and plunged into racial segregation during apartheid, which spread from 1948 to 1991.

You know what to do in Pretoria? Follow our guide to the nine essential things in the South African capital!

1. The historic centre

What to do in Pretoria? By visiting the historic city centre – Pretoria Central - you can see most of the historical and cultural monuments of the city. The street Church Street , known as the "longest street in the world", is surrounded by unmissable religious and cultural monuments in the city centre: the Anglican cathedral, the currency building, the old post or the court of Justice.

As a result, the main square is located, Church Square adorned with buildings dating from the Transvaal Republic, including the Paul Kruger Monument, Tudor-style buildings, the headquarters of the Supreme Court of South Africa for the Gauteng Province. Since the mid-19th century, it has been the core of the city’s political, religious, economic and social activity.

2. Monument Voortrekker

Perched on a hill south of the city, the Monument Voortrekker is one of the 10 most visited sites by tourists visiting South Africa. Built between 1938 and 1949, the building pays tribute to settlers Boers which migrated from the colony of Cape Town to settle inside the land between 1835 and 1838. This episode, called the Great Trek, is recognized as the origin of the creation of the Boer Republics of the Transvaal and the Free State of Orange. The monument is also a symbol of Afrikaner nationalism, which would lead to Apartheid.

3. The Transvaal Museum

Created in 1892, the Transvaal Museum is devoted to the natural history, ethnology and history of the country. Located in front of the City Hall, it was initially installed in a room of the South African Parliament.

In the past, the aim was to refer to fossils, minerals and specimens of indigenous animal and plant populations at the time of European colonization. There you will find a zoo, many birds and plants, a huge whale skeleton and the Austin Roberts Bird Hall, where soundtracks allow you to hear local bird spicing.

4. The Pretoria Zoo

Do you like animals? You don't know what to do in Pretoria? Don't miss the zoo coming to Pretoria. Located north of downtown, the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa is a national park founded in 1899 by Jan Willem Boudewijn Gunning. Situated on 85 hectares, it is one of the world’s largest zoos, with more than 9,000 animals of 700 different species. Amphibians, reptiles, mammals, birds and fish, including antelopes, rhinoceros, elephants, hippopotamus, lions, gorillas, bats, etc. Over 600,000 visitors explore the paths of the zoo every year. A huge water park is adjacent, which will not fail to delight both the smallest and the tallest!

5. The national botanical garden

What to do in Pretoria when we sailed along, wide and across all the museums in the city? Get green and calm Pretoria National Botanical Garden ! Located in the eastern suburbs of the city, the botanical garden covers 76 hectares, 50 of which are exclusively dedicated to local plants in South Africa. Open to the public in 1958, he was originally an experimental farm at the University of Pretoria, whose project was abandoned.

6. Freedom Park

What to do to visit Pretoria? Freedom Park , located in the south of the city centre, is both a commemorative museum of South African history and a green space where to take resurgent walks. Walking around the park allows you to (re)discover the history of the tribes that once occupied the territory and the surrounding area, several hundred years ago. It is an important part of South African history that the visitor has to explore, including the history of colonization and the struggle for independence.

7. La Moreleta Kloof Nature Reserve

Visiting Pretoria is not, like all capitals, a world of concrete where the mineral premiums on the organ. Come to visit Moreleta Kloof Natural Reserve lets you realize that. It is a free park of about 100 hectares, where to spend time in the middle of nature. A former dairy farm from the beginning of the 19th century, it is today a chapel-museum, surrounded by a very rich fauna: zebra, impalas, antelope Blesbuck, ostrich, springbuck, etc.

8. Acrobranch Pretoria Nord

Here is an activity that should delight your children and adolescents if you are looking for things to do in Pretoria. Acrobranch will blow them from liana to liana, from branch to branch like a Tarzan or a king of the jungle. Different routes of obstacles depending on the age and physical condition of tree climbers are possible. This cramped park gives you the opportunity to visit Pretoria in an unusual way, to take breathe a bowl of pure air.

9. Blyde River Canyon

What to do in Pretoria? There is still a must-see activity in the region: Blyde River Canyon – Blyderivierspoort Afrikaner, which means canyon of the river of joy in French, is the third largest canyon in the world. Blyde River Canyon lies north of the Drakensberg Mountains, Mpumalanga Province, 460 kilometres northeast of Pretoria. The fourth most important attraction in the country, the Blyde River Canyon attracts more than one million visitors a year. The canyon is 26 kilometres long and separates the Blyde River from its cliffs, with an average depth of 750 metres. The Mariepskop, the highest point of the massif, is 1,944 metres above sea level. Close to Graskop, enjoy one of the most beautiful views of the massif: “ God’s Window ", with its plunging view at 700 meters below on the lush forests of the plain.

How to get to Pretoria?

Since the airport of Pretoria is very little served from France, we advise you to fly to the airport. Johannesburg . Located 37 minutes from the city centre of Pretoria, the latter remains the best alternative: from France, you have about 10 hours of flight with or without a stopover according to the company. To anticipate your departure and find your flight at the best price, consider taking a look at our partner's website and specialist Ulysses which according to your departure dates, will find the right plan most suitable.

Once on site, it is important to know that South Africa is not a great fan of public transport. The easiest way to get to Pretoria and enjoy your stay freely, is to rent a car when you arrive at the airport: a simple and convenient way to make your trip autonomous (the best way to discover the country). Alternatively, you can opt for the train or bus that for 4 to 15 euros go offer you to reach Pretoria, especially the road companies Citu to city , Greyhound , Intercape , and Translux .

Where to stay in Pretoria?

When it comes to where to stay in a city, the most common advice is to opt for the center. For l oger in Pretoria , target Pretoria Central or Pretoria North instead. Pretoria Central is the historic district where the first settlers settled. People’s quarter, racial conflicts seem to have disappeared here today.

When at the type of accommodation you still have the choice : Airbnb, hotels, hostels, guest houses... Everything depends on your holiday desires and if you stay or are only passing through Pretoria. If you opt for the hotel, go to this Compare hotels which, for its part, lists the best offers on the subject, from luxury hotels to guest houses.