The Voortrekker Monument dominates the skyline of Pretoria and commemorates the early pioneering days of the country. It was designed by renowned South African architect Gerard Moerdijk to commemorate the Great Trek of 1838 when around 15 000 pioneers (known colloquially as Voortrekkers) of mainly Dutch, French and German descent left the Cape by ox-wagon to move into the interior of the country in search of independence and freedom from colonial rule. The foundation stone was laid on 16 December 1938.
Facilities on site include the Heritage Centre Museum, art gallery and Fort Schanskop. Horse and ox wagon rides can also be undertaken in the surrounding nature reserve.
Address: Eeufees Road (M7), Tshwane
Tel: + 27 (0)12 326 6770
Set in an attractive terraced garden with magnificent views of the city, the imposing Union Buildings complex is a famous landmark in Tshwane. The buildings form the official seat of South Africa’s government and house the Presidency and the Department of Foreign Affairs. Designed by Sir Herbert Baker in 1909, building started in 1909 and was completed in 1913.
This landmark saw the advent of democracy in South Africa with the inauguration of South Africa’s first democratically elected head of state, former President Nelson Mandela here in May 1994. Former President Thabo Mbeki was also inaugurated here, as well as President Jacob Zuma in May 2009.
The landscaped gardens contain a number of memorials including the Delville Wood war memorial, a tribute to South Africans who died during the First World War, and statues of former South African prime ministers, Generals Louis Botha, JBM Hertzog and JC Smuts.
Address: Church Street, Pretoria
Church Square, in the centre of Pretoria, is steeped in history and was originally the market place where farmers gathered with their ox-wagons and tents when they came to town for “nagmaal” or Holy Communion. The square is dominated by Anton van Wouw’s statue of Paul Kruger, the last president of the former Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (Transvaal Republic) and is surrounded by strikingly beautiful old buildings.
Buildings on the northern façade include the Palace of Justice where many struggle heroes (including former President Nelson Mandela) were tried, and the Reserve Bank and Old Mutual buildings, both in the classical style of the 1930s. On the western façade you will see the General Post Office, Café Riche, the Ou Nederlandsche Bank Building (which accommodates the tourism information office) and the Capital Theatre, where an African market is now operational.
The southern façade consists of the Old Council Chamber and the First National Bank Building. The eastern façade sports Our First People’s Bank, a good example of Cape architecture, and the Tudor Chambers.
Johann Says: “You have to pop in at Café Riche, a bistro in the historical heart of Pretoria. Have a look at the wonderful old photo’s of Pretoria in its early days hanging on the walls, and then admire the old buildings while sitting at one of their tables on the sidewalk. Great coffee, and even better South African beers!”
Café Riche is a fully licensed bistro situated on Church Square in the centre of Pretoria. Originally established in 1905, it was closed down and re-opened in 1994. The Café Riche building celebrated its centenary in 2005, making it the oldest café and bistro in Pretoria. The Café is frequented by South Africans as well as tourists from all over the world.
Café Riche bakes fresh pastries from six until about twelve at night, so you are assured that the popular baguettes and croissants will always be fresh. Also popular are their Mediterranean Fussily Pasta with Tabouleh style vegetables. The salads are a refreshing choice for the hot Pretoria summer or you may choose from different daily specials. Café Riche is open daily before and after concerts, which makes it an ideal after-theatre stop. Several famous Belgian beers are also available.
Every last Friday of the month. This youthful seven year old multi-cultural Philosophy Cafe, the first in South Africa, is open to any premeditated ideas. We regularly host, within the informal atmosphere of the bistro, famous local and international speakers. Discussions at the FilosofieKafee has been held in English, French, Greek, isiZulu and Afrikaans!
Freedom Park is a 52-hectare site located on Salvokop, offering a panoramic view of Tshwane and its other famous landmarks. The park is a one-stop heritage precinct that provides a broad new perspective of South Africa’s history and tells the country’s story in a visual and interactive way. It is a symbol of acknowledgement of the heroes of the struggle for freedom in South Africa and a tribute to the truth and reconciliation process in the country.
Address: Entrance off Potgieter Street, across Pretoria Central Prison, Salvokop
Tel: + 27 (0)12 470 7400
The National Zoological Gardens of South Africa is the largest zoo in the country and the only one with national status. More than 600 000 people visit the zoo annually. The 80 hectares accommodate 2 586 specimens. An aquarium and reptile park form part of the zoo. A cableway provides a panoramic view of the gardens and the modern enclosures in which the animals are kept. The walkways cover about six kilometres, but golf carts can be rented.
Address: 232 Boom Street, Pretoria (see website for directions)
Tel: + 27 (0)12 328 3265 / 6020
The Pretoria Art Museum hosts the largest collection of South African art, boasting works of the old masters like Pieter Wenning, Henk Pierneef, Frans Oerder, Irma Stern and Maggie Loubser. The museum also focuses on contemporary developments in Southern Africa and includes traditional art.
Address: Cnr Wessels and Schoeman Streets, Arcadia
Tel: + 27 (0)12 344 1807/8
The 500 ha Groenkloof Nature Reserve is well known for its hiking trails and view of the Fountains Valley and was the first proclaimed game sanctuary on the African continent. It provides sanctuary to various game, small predators and bird species.
The hiking trail caters for up to two days’ hiking and offers overnight accommodation. This is also a very popular mountain bike destination and bikes can be hired on the premises. The 4×4 trail is very popular and there are drives to choose for the advanced as well as the less experienced 4×4 driver.
Address: Drive up to the Fountains Circle, take Fountains Valley turn-off, Groenkloof, Tshwane
Tel: + 27 (0)12 440 8316
Johann Says: “Don’t miss out on the fantastic MOYO restaurant, set in ‘n park in the reserve. You will forget that you are actually in the city, within minutes. Listen to some crossover jazz while you enjoy their delicious African meals (the Lamb Tagine and Pomegranite Pork Belly Ribs are my favourites!), after you had your face decorated and your hands washed and blessed. They also have an extensive winelist and cocktails menu if you just want to sit back, and kick your feet up on their comfy couches outside.
The Rietvlei Nature Reserve covers an area of 3 800 ha and supports around 1 600 head of game which includes buffalo, white rhino. Hippo, eland, zebra, springbuck, waterbuck and cheetah. More than 240 bird species unique to the area can also be viewed here.
Address: Take the Irene/Rietvlei off-ramp from the Fountains Circle and turn left. After turning right at the junction follow the signs. The reserve is on the left.
Tel: +27 (0)12 345 2274
The Tswaing Meteorite Crater was formed when a meteorite hit the earth 220 000 years ago and is one of the youngest and best-preserved terrestrial meteorite impact craters in the world. It is 100 m deep and 1, 3 km wide. The crater is the first eco-tourism site in South Africa and is situated 40 km northwest of Tshwane. The site has been developed into an enviro-museum and a national destination for eco-tourism, environmental education, research and recreation.
Guides are available to take visitors to the impressive crater and to explain the cosmic and geological forces responsible for it. Visitors can also take one of the nature trails or visit the authentic Ndebele village and wetland nearby.
Address: Some 32 km north of Onderstepoort, off M35 (Soutpan Road), towards Soshanguve (follow signs).
Tel: + 27 (0)12 790 2302
Natural history museum founded in 1892, the museum houses large collections of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects. The Austin Robert Bird Hall contains a comprehensive collection of South African birds depicted audio-visually. The museum is
open seven days a week. The Transvaal Museum was amalgamated with the Pretoria-based National Cultural History Museum (also known as the African Window) and the South African National Museum for Military History in Johannesburg.
Address: Paul Kruger Street, opposite the Pretoria City Hall
Tel: + 27 (0)12 322 7632
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A Bonus at the Union Buildings for visitors on Saturday. Not only the beautiful gardens but on Saturday mornings many souvenir stalls come alive around 10:00 a.m. They are located on the street right in front of the Union Building Gates.