Pretoria, Johannesburg, South Africa

Attractive capital of South Africa

• History tours of Pretoria
• Visit the Union Buildings
• Jan Smut’s House
• Voortrekker Monument
• Pretoria Botanical Gardens
• Visit Lesedi Cultural Village

Pretoria is often overshadowed by Johannesburg and few people know it as the country's capital. It is a pleasant city, with a number of historic buildings and a city centre that's easily explored on foot. Pretoria is famous for its Jacaranda trees and so the best time to visit is in the spring (October/November) when the whole city is purple with blossom. Founded in 1855, Pretoria was the capital of the newly independent Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek from 1860 to 1910. Pretoria offers much historical interest such as Jan Smuts House, Church Square, the Union Buildings, and the Voortrekker monument.

Church Square is where the original Boer farmers in the 1860’s would come in their wagons to the three monthly 'Nachtmaals', a time of discussion about the fledging country, of religious celebration and of courting amongst the young men and women marooned on lonely farms through the region.

The Union Buildings offers superb views of the city below. Designed by Sir Herbert Baker to commemorate the Union with the United Kingdom in 1910, this impressive red sandstone complex now serves as the President’s headquarters. It was the site of President Mandela's historic inauguration as President of the new South Africa in 1994. Formal gardens step down the hillside in terraces, dotted with war memorials and statues of former prime ministers.

The Voortrekker monument and museum dominates the Pretoria skyline and is an unabashed tribute to the ideals at the heart of apartheid. Completed in 1949, the monument commemorates the Voortrekkers, the Boer families who left the Eastern Cape in order to escape British rule in 1835-38 and 'trekked' far into the hinterland to found their own nation. The Hall of Heroes traces in its frieze the momentous events of their Great Trek, culminating in the Battle of Blood River, when a small force of Boers defeated the Zulu army without losing a single life. The Voortrekkers considered this victory confirmation of their special relationship with God, and the monument is heavy with symbolic reminders of the event.

Both the Blue Train and Rovos Rail arrive and depart from Pretoria so you may like to add a tour of Pretoria to a transfer to the railway station.