Pretoria
Just north of Johannesburg lies Pretoria, South Africa’s administrative capital. It is a slower paced and more relaxed city than its neighbor, Johannesburg. Pretoria is known for its beautiful purple jacaranda trees that bloom in October and November. Jacarandas are actually native to South America but were brought to Pretoria in the late 1800s and have become a symbol of Pretoria like the Japanese cherry blossoms are to Washington D.C. Take a walk down the streets and admire the soothing touch they have on the city. There is even more flora to behold on a stroll through the Pretoria Botanical Gardens. Here you will discover an impressive variety of colorful South African plant species and maybe even small animals scurrying about. Looking to view South African art? Head over to the Pretoria Art Museum, and cast your eyes upon its extensive South African art collection that line its walls with pride. There are also monuments in Pretoria that reflect upon the country’s past. Pretoria’s Freedom Park pays tribute to those that died in the long fight for freedom against apartheid, and the Voortrekker Monument is a place where you can follow the journey of the white pioneers as it commemorates the history of the Afrikaners. You can also embark on a memorable journey on the Blue Train from Pretoria, and make your way down to Cape Town on the most luxurious mode of transportation South Africa has to offer.
Drive Times
- To Johannesburg – 50 min
- To Durban – 6.5 hours
- To Port Elizabeth – 10 hours 45 min
- To Madikwe Game Reserve – 4.5 hours
- To Pilanesberg Game Reserve – 3 hours
- To Kruger National Park – 3.5 hours
- To Cape Town – 14 hours 15 min
**IMPORTANT for travelers under age 18**
- Children under the age of 18 traveling to/from South Africa are required to produce (in addition to their passports) an unabridged birth certificate (showing both parents’ particulars).
- If a child is traveling with just one parent, the child is also required to provide (in addition to their passport) a stamped affidavit from the other parent listed on the child’s birth certificate consenting to the travel or a court order granting full parental responsibilities, or legal guardianship of the child, or the death certificate of the absent parent. The affidavit should be no more than 4 months old from the date of travel.
- For any child traveling with a person other than their parents, they must be in possession of the child’s passport, an unabridged birth certificate for the child, an affidavit from the parents or legal guardian of the child confirming that he or she has permission to travel with the child, copies of the identity documents or passports of the parents or legal guardian of the child and the contact details of the parents or legal guardian of the child.