Nature and Parks
See the striking Jacaranda trees in full bloom at the National Botanical Garden and bird sanctuaries. Take a walk through Groenkloof Nature Reserve and enjoy a picnic, surrounded by zebras and giraffes!
Pretoria (Tshwane) is the handsome, capital city of South Africa. With around 700,000 residents within its city limits, it is the administrative centre of the country. Pretoria is also referred to as the ‘Jacaranda City’, because of the purple Jacaranda trees aligning its wide streets. Touristic attractions include the Voortrekker Monument and the Nelson Mandela statue.
Cheap flights to Pretoria (Tshwane) are now available for a limited period of time, so get ready to pack your bags! Pretoria is the home of Wonderboom Airport (PRY), located to the north of the city, a 30-minute drive from the centre.
Flight Route | Airline | Trip Type | Travel Dates | Searched | Price From |
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See the striking Jacaranda trees in full bloom at the National Botanical Garden and bird sanctuaries. Take a walk through Groenkloof Nature Reserve and enjoy a picnic, surrounded by zebras and giraffes!
Teeming with historical vestige and bearing resemblance to its post-colonial struggle, the city is home to many national landmarks, including the Nelson Mandela Statue, Union Buildings and Sammy Marks House.
From horse-back riding to zip lining, quad biking and skydiving, there are plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Essential details you need to know before your trip
Country | South Africa |
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Currency | South African Rand |
Language | English / Afrikaans |
Hub Airport | Wonderboom Airport (PRY) |
Airline | South African Airways |
Time Zone | GMT+2 |
Travel Adaptor | Type D / M / N |
The best time to visit Pretoria is during spring, falling between September and November. You will understand why Pretoria is known as the ‘Jacaranda City’ as the purple Jacaranda trees start to flourish into full bloom. Summer time is also lovely, but this marks the start of the Christmas season (December-January), so prices escalate and accommodation gets booked out early. The Jazz Indaba Festival takes place throughout the year, and local and international artists will treat music lovers to a spectacular show. In October, you can catch the annual Jacaranda Festival, where the streets are lined with purple Jacaranda flowers and colourful markets and concerts provide entertainment for the whole family!
Average temperature (°C) & rainfall (mm) per month
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Low °C | 16°C | 16°C | 14°C | 11°C | 6°C | 2°C | 2°C | 5°C | 9°C | 13°C | 14°C | 16°C |
High °C | 29°C | 28°C | 27°C | 25°C | 23°C | 20°C | 20°C | 23°C | 26°C | 28°C | 28°C | 29°C |
Rainfall (mm) | 128 | 89 | 80 | 48 | 19 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 19 | 69 | 112 | 115 |
Pretoria, or Tshwane, as it is often referred as, is more than just a bronze Paul Kruger statue or a flurry of Jacaranda trees. As the administrative capital of South Africa, the city is shrouded in deep history and is an integral part of the country’s development. Apartheid has shaped South Africa, and especially Pretoria, into the city it is today, from the politically-centred Union Buildings to the Voortrekker Monument, an Afrikaner National Heritage Site. Peruse the various museums scattered around the city, including the Transvaal Museum, Kruger House and Melrose House, in its preserved Victorian splendour.
Apart from its colonial significance, Pretoria has some of the most beautiful scenery and breathe-taking architecture. The National Botanical Gardens is perfect for a family day out, where you can relax on the lawns or examine the indigenous plants. Hartbeespoort Dam is another favourite as there are many things to do and see from the unparalleled views experienced from the Ama Zwing Zwing zip line, to embarking on a beautiful cruise around the dam.
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