'''Pretoria''', the administrative capital of South Africa, is in Gauteng.
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Understand
History
The area known today as Tshwane Metro Council, with Pretoria (City) at its centre, was occupied by the Sotho people for many centuries. During the 15th century the Ndebele people also migrated into the area and settled along the banks of what is today called the Apies River. Around 1820 the Matabele under the leadership of Mzilikaza also entered the region, leading to local conflicts between the Matabele newcomers and the already established Sotho and Ndebele tribes as well as the European ''Voortrekkers'' who were steadily moving northward through the country. These conflicts came to an end when the Matabele were defeated by the ''Voortrekkers'' in 1837 at Mosega.
By 1855 there was no known tribe in what is known as Pretoria area today. Only nomadic groups passed through this area, with a leader/person Tshwane (so it is alleged) one of the them. Pretoria was founded in 1855. Initially the capital of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek was Ohrigstad, but Pretoria became the capital of the then ZAR. Later on Pretoria became the capital of the Transvaal province (old ZAR) after the Anglo-Boer War. The city was named after Andries Pretorius, the ''boer'' leader at the Battle of Blood River where the ''Voortrekkers'' defeated the Zulus under King Dingaan. In 1856 the area today know as Arcadia was acquired in exchange for a pony and added to the town.
In 1899, during the Anglo-Boer War, Winston Churchill was captured and held as a POW in Pretoria until his eventual escape to Mozambique. British forces captured Pretoria in 1900 and held control over the city until the signing of the Peace of Vereeniging treaty in 1902.
When the Union of South Africa was established in 1910, Pretoria was elected the capital and is still the administrative capital of the Republic of South Africa today.
Climate
Pretoria is located in a summer rainfall area with hot days regularly followed by short and intense afternoon thunderstorms. The thunderstorms are often accompanied by lightning and occasionally result in hail. Summer temperatures range between 16°C at night to 30°C during the day. Winters are mild and dry with temperatures averaging between a minimum of 5°C and a maximum of 20°C.
Get in
By car
Five highways join in the Gauteng region, making it accessible from all cities in the country. This would include the N1, N3, N4, N12 and N14 national highways.
By air
The closest international airport is OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. The Albertina Sisulu Highway or ''R21'' leads from there to Pretoria. Airport shuttles are available on the airport or can be pre-booked:
<listing name="JIATA Taxi Assosiation" address="P O box 1899
Kempton Park
South Africa
1620
" phone="+27 (0)11 390 1857" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="http://www.taxi-pretoria.co.za">Johannesburg based company. Will get you from piont A to point B.</listing>
<listing name="Your Choice Tours" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="+27 (0)84 580 4802" url="http://www.yct.co.za/" hours="24/7" price="" lat="" long="" email="info@yct.co.za?Subject=shuttle (ref wiki)" fax="">Reliable shuttle service, tours and transport.</listing>
<listing name="Ants Events and Tours" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="+27 (0)82 557 9604" url="http://www.antsevents.com/" hours="" price="" lat="" long="">Very reliable and friendly. Contact +27 (0)12 346 2400 or e-mail: info@antsevents.com</listing>
By bus
Major bus companies like Greyhound, Translux, Intercape Mainliner and the BazBus offer connections to all big cities in South Africa.
By train
The train station is on the corner of Andries and Railway streets, just south of the city centre.
There are frequent commuter trains to Johannesburg, other outlying towns and many suburbs of Pretoria. The railway system is unreliable and notoriously unsafe, and is best avoided.
There are inter-city trains to Johannesburg (south), Polokwane, Musina (north), Witbank, Nelspruit and the Mozambique border (east).
A high-speed rail link [http://www.gautrain.co.za] is being constructed between Pretoria, Johannesburg and OR Tambo International Airport, east of Johannesburg. It should be at least partially complete by 2010, in time for the World Cup.
Get around
Either use a taxi, rent a car, use the municipal bus service or, if you really must, use the minibus taxis. Walking after dark is definitely not recommended.
<listing name="Tempest Car Hire" phone="+27 (0)12 663 1368" email="reservations@tempestcarhire.co.za" fax="+27 (0)12 663 1387" url="http://www.tempestcarhire.co.za">Affordable car rental service available at all major locations in South Africa.</listing>
<listing name="HeinRich's Taxis" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="+27(0)12 343-3331" url="http://www.taxi-pretoria.co.za" hours="" price="" lat="" long="" email="kochhw@intekom.co.za?Subject=taxi (ref wiki)" fax="">Safe and professional taxi service.</listing>
<listing name="Rixi Taxi" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="+27 (0)12 362-6262" url="" hours="" price="" lat="" long="" email="" fax="">Safe and professional taxi service. Not the cheapest means of getting around.</listing>
<listing name="Municipal bus routes and timetables" url="http://www.tshwane.gov.za/bus.cfm">Not extensive coverage or very regular, but is fairly reliable.</listing>
See
Botanical Gardens. 27 (0)12 843-5194. ttp://www.sanbi.org/frames/pretoriafram.htm. pen 8AM to 6PM daily. 15 entrance fee. retoriagarden@sanbi.org. 18 on special event days.
National Zoological Gardens (The Zoo). 32 Boom Street. ear the city center. 27 (0)12 328-3265. 10 for secure parking plus R36 entrance fee. For those not inclined to walk, golf carts are available at R80 per hour. nfo@zoo.ac.za. AM. o. aily. Aquarium, reptile park and all the larger mammals. One can also camp within the zoo on Friday and Saturday nights.
The Union Buildings. Church Street. 27 (0)12 323-5649. The location of the South African presidency with beautiful gardens. Building designed by sir Herbert Baker.
The Wonderboom (Wonder tree). onderboom Nature Reserve. ttp://www.tshwane.gov.za/wonderboom.cfm. A fig tree over 1000 years old
Museums and Galleries
Correctional Services Museum. ttp://www.museumpark.co.za/dcs.htm. 27 (0)12 314-1766. pen 9AM to 3PM Monday to Friday.
Melrose House Museum. 75 Jacob Mare Street. 27 (0)12 322-2805. elrosehouse@tshwane.gov.za. Where the peace treaty that ended the Anglo-Boer War as signed in 1902.
National Cultural History Museum. 49 Visagie Street. 27 (0)11 324-6082. ttp://www.nfi.org.za/NCHM/nchmindex.htm. Learn about the people and the cultures of
<listing name="University of South Africa (UNISA)" url="http://www.unisa.ac.za/" phone="+27 (0)11 670-9000" fax="+27 (0)11 471-2987" email="study-info@unisa.ac.za" address="Preller Street, Muckleneuk, Pretoria">Located in Pretoria, this university offers distance learning courses. </listing>
<listing name="Tshwane University of Technology" phone="+27 (0)2 382-5911" address="Staatsartillerie Road" email="general@tut.ac.za" url="http://www.tut.ac.za"></listing>
Work
Buy
Shopping Malls
Menlyn Park. ttp://www.menlynpark.co.za/. Located in the East. A large mall, it includes a roof top drive-in theater.
Brooklyn Mall. ttp://www.brooklynmall.co.za/. Just East of the city center with its art galleries and movie theaters for both mainstream and independent films.
Kolonnade. ttp://www.kolonnadecentre.co.za/. In the North with its ice rink and other entertainment.
Centurion Mall. ttp://www.centurionmall.co.za/. South of Pretoria, in Centurion as an alternative if you have to be in Pretoria at those times.
Budget
Formula 1. ttp://www.hotelformula1.co.za/. 27 (0)11 807-0750. ll@formule1.co.za. 249 per room (max 3 people).
North South backpackers. ttp://www.northsouthbackpackers.com/. 27 (0)12 362-0989. 55 Glyn Street, Hatfield. rom R140 for a single and R180 for a double room.
Pretoria Backpackers. ttp://www.pretoriabackpackers.net/. 25 Farenden Street, Clydesdale. 27 (0)12 343-9754. nfo@pretoriabackpackers.net. rom R50 for camping, R80 for the dorms and R125 for a room.
Word of Mouth backpackers. ttp://www.wordofmouthbackpackers.com/. 27 (0)12 343-7499. om@mweb.co.za. 30 Reitz Street, Sunnyside. rom R100. (''Skype:travelinafrica'')
1322 Backpackers. ttp://www.1322backpackers.com/. 27 (0)12 362 3905. eception@1322backpackers.com. 322 Arcadia Street, Hatfield. rom R70 for a dorm>
Kia-Ora Lodge. ttp://myweb.absamail.co.za/hostel/index.htm" address='257 Jacob Mare Street, Berea. 27 (0)12 3224803. ostel@absamail.co.za. rom R220 per room>
Villa Zieshaan. 340m. 23 Minnaar Street, Central Pretoria. irections:. 12 3205618/0828554354 . illazieshaan.co.za. 2h00. 1h00. 350 per room. 25.7533. 28.195.
Midrange
City Lodge. ttps://www.citylodge.co.za. 27 (0)11 557-2600. nfo@citylodge.co.za. rom around R400 sharing.
The Farm Inn. ynnwood Road. 27 (0)12 809-0266. arminn@farminn.co.za. ww.farminn.co.za. rom R370 per person sharing. Provides a uniquely South African experience.
Ithiliens Grace Guest House. 7 Kamperfoelie Street, Amandasig. he guest house is easily accessible from all major highways leading in / out of Pretoria and will be a nice hub from where you can access Pretoria and surrounding areas.. 2779 892 2376. nfo@ithiliensgrace.co.za. ttp://www.ithiliensgrace.co.za. rom R280 up to R900.
Protea Hotels. ttp://www.proteahotels.com/. 27 (0)21 430-5000. nfo@proteahotels.com. rom R200 per person sharing.
Southern Sun. ttp://www.southernsun.com/. 27 (0)11 461-9744. ontactus@southernsun.com. Wide range of accommodation from budget to splurge
Splurge
Sheraton Pretoria Hotel. nr of Church and Wessels Streets. 27 (0)12 429-9999. retoriasouthafrica.reservations@sheraton.com. 27 (0)12 429-9300.
Villa Sterne. ttp://www.villasterne.com/. 27 (0)12 346-2255. 12 Johann Rissik Drive Waterkloof Ridge.
Contact
Complete GSM coverage with GPRS, 3G and HSDPA and Edge available almost everywhere.
WiFi
Always-On [http://www.alwayson.co.za] , ''+27'' (0)11 575-2505, provides prepaid WiFi access in a number of locations in and around Johannesburg. Simply connect to the access point and you will be given the opportunity to pay for access by credit card. Pricing starts at around R15 for 10 minutes or R60 for 100 MB.
Coverage areas include:
<listing name="Cafe Dulce">Centurion Mall.</listing>
<listing name="City Lodge">Courtyard in Arcadia.</listing>
<listing name="JB Rivers">Lynwood</listing>
<listing name="Holiday Inn">Arcadia</listing>
<listing name="Mugg&Bean">Just about all of them.</listing>
<listing name="Villa Sterne Boutique Hotel and Health Spa">Waterkloof Ridge</listing>
<listing name="Wimpy">Doornkloof</listing>
Stay healthy
Hospitals
<listing name="Unitas Hospital" address="Clifton Avenue, Lyttelton, Centurion" phone="+27 (0)12 421-6700">Caters for 24 hour accident and emergency treatment.</listing>
Stay safe
Avoid walking around after dark, even in a group.
Important telephone numbers
From a fixed line
'''107''' - Emergency
'''10111''' - Police [http://www.saps.gov.za/]
'''10177''' - Ambulance
'''082911''' - Netcare911 [http://www.netcare911.co.za]
From a mobile phone
'''112''' - Emergency
'''911''' - Netcare911 [http://www.netcare911.co.za]
Cope
Get out
Fly out of OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg [http://www.airports.co.za/].
Rent a car from one of the many outlets. Note that the N1 North, towards Limpopo Province, is a toll road, so have some cash on hand (or a credit card).
Catch a bus at the station ''S25 45.473 E28 11.321''.
Mpumalanga Escarpment in a weekend
Rietvlei Nature Reserve, a small and quiet nature reserve with a number of wildlife species and lots of bird watching opportunities.
Visit '''Hartebeespoort Dam'''. There are hot air balloon rides over the Savanna, a cable car, a golf course and watersport.