Places to Stay in Pretoria / Tshwane
Pretoria almost feels a little too elegant to be hosting games in the 2010 World Cup. In fact, it’s a 2nd tier venue hosting 5 Group games and one of the Round of 16 matches. For those who prefer the buzz of the big city, there’s no need to base yourself in Pretoria at all, as Jo’burg is just 50km down the road. However, if wide, jacaranda-lined streets, graceful government buildings (including the Union Building, South Africa’s ‘No.10’ and the place where Nelson Mandela was sworn in), peaceful parks and cultural attractions such as museums and art galleries are you thing, then it’s well worth dwelling for a couple of days.
Stadium
Loftus Versfeld (capacity: 50,000)
Weather in Pretoria / Tshwane
Pretoria enjoys a subtropical climate but its altitude (about 1300m) means temperatures in June and July will be mild in the day (up to 19-20°C) and on the parky side at night (3°C). But like most of South Africa, it’s very dry at this time of year – in fact you’re going to see more sun at this time of year than you would in the cloudier, wetter summer.
World Cup Games in Pretoria / Tshwane
Sunday, 13th June 8.30pm, Game 8 - Group D, Serbia vs. Ghana
Wednesday, 16th June 8.30pm, Game 17 - Group A, South Africa vs. Uruguay
Saturday, 19th June 8.30pm, Game 26 - Group E, Cameroon vs. Denmark
Wednesday, 23rd June 4pm, Game 38 - Group C, USA vs. Algeria
Friday, 25th June 8.30pm, Game 47 - Group H, Chile vs. Spain
Tuesday, 29th June 4pm, Game 55 - Round of 16, 1F vs 2E (6)
Things to do in Pretoria / Tshwane
As Pretoria is the official seat of the South Africa govenerment, it would seem a little churlish not to pay a visit to where its housed whilst your there. The Union Buildings are also home to the offices of South Africa's President, at present Jacob Zuma. Unfortunately, you can't get into the buildings themselves, but you can wander through the manicured gardens, admiring the numerous statues and monuments and admiring the handiwork of Sir Herbert Baker who designed the Union Buildings in the early 20th century.
It may seem a little odd to recommend a visit to a zoo in a country where you have so much opportunity to see big game in the wild, but the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa (8.30am to 5.30pm, R45) is one of the leading zoos in the world. Over 700 species of mammals, birds, reptiles and fish are represented. The highlights are the aquarium (the largest inland aquarium in the country, no less), reptile park and the cableway (an extra R7), which not only offers excellent views of the zoo but of the city as well.
Pretoria's Botanical Gardens (8am to 6pm, R18) may not be the raciest of destinations but they are a great place to chill out after a big night out. Divided into 2 distinct sections by a quartzite outcrop, visitors can stroll through different 'biomes' including savannah, forest and fynbos. The gardens are also home to almost 200 bird species, a number of reptile species and cut little baby antelopes called duikers.
Another Pretoria resident we'd recommend that you make the acquaintance of is Mrs Ples. She resides in the Transvaal Museum (8am to 4pm) and to be honest, she's a little past her best. However, by all accounts, about 2.15 million years ago she was a bit of a stunner, if you like your women petite and hairy that is. Mrs Ples is actually short for Plesianthropus transvaalensis, the name given to the most complete skull of an Australopithecus africanus (a distant relative of mankind) ever found in South Africa. To be honest, the scientists aren't 100% sure of the sex, or the age for that matter, so Mr/Mrs/Miss/Master Ples are all possibilities.
Pretoria is also home to 2 very different national monuments that represent significant events in South Africa's history. The Voortrekker Monument (8am to 5pm, R32)is a tribute to the 'Voortrekkers' who upped sticks from the Cape Colony to found new homelands to the East. The monument represents significant events in this migration, including 64 granite wagons to depict the 64 wagons that were formed into a defensive laager to ward off the assaults of the native Zulu assaults during the Battle of Blood River. The Freedom Park (R20), located on the top of Salvokop, has a broader remit with monuments to commemorate those who not only lost their lives in the struggle for freedom but all those who have died during the 8 conflicts in South Africa's history. It's also a great place to view the city from.
Nightlife in Pretoria / Tshwane
Pretoria is a student town so the nightlife has a decidedly 'student' edge. That's great if you're 18 to 21, but if you're not you might feel a little' vintage'. Still, there are benefits to tracking the students haunts - cheap beer being chief amongst them.
If you are going to follow the student crowd, then Hatfield's a good place to hit the town. It's packed with restaurants, bars and nightclubs, all within an easy stroll of each other. Head for Tings n Times for food, booze and reggae, DropZone for a bar at the cutting edge of trendy with live DJs or Crystal Restaurant & Cocktail Bar for some live, contemporary African jazz.
For a quieter evening, or just a good place to start an evening that promises to be more major, head up to the Oppikoppi Bar up by the VoorTrekker Monument. It's a great place to enjoy a sundowner whilst taking in views of the city.
