Pretoria Favorites

Favorite thing: Listed below is the website of the Gauteng Tourism Authority, which I have only found fairly recently.
It's clearly been developed by people who know a thing or two about travel and is actually quite a good resource for planning purposes, since it contains details of tourist attractions in the Pretoria and Johannesburg region: http://www.gauteng.net/

The telephone number of the Gauteng Tourism Authority is +27 11 639 1600, but I would hesitate to suggest that you call them unless you have no choice. My experience of dealing with them by phone is that the staff are badly trained, with little personal knowledge of the tourist attractions and very limited capacity to anticipate a tourist's needs. Rather rely on the Tourism Authority website and contact the place you're interested in directly (or, more reliably, consult their websites, which are usually also listed)

Favorite thing: The greater municipal area is called Tshwane.
Afikaans is widely spoken, although English is spoken and understood by most people.
People are very friendly and wil help where they can
You might find that renting a car will make it easy to get around, as public transport is not always the best option.
There are plenty ATM's which accept VISA and MASTER cards
Climate : Summer months Nov - Feb , Winter months May - July
Pretoria is served by OR Thambo International Airport (Johennesburg Int Airport), which is about 40km from Pretoria (with the R21).

Favorite thing: Laptop repairs are difficult. No one want to touch laptops. there is the Notebook company on the corner of Duncan St. and Pretorius in Hatfield. they take two weeks minimum. If you can do without your laptop for two weeks, you don't need a lap top.

Fondest memory: Then there is Jimmy in Centurion. Phone number 012-654-9633. He is quick, good, and hugely expensive (US$80/hour), but cheaper than buying a new laptop.

Favorite thing: Laptop repairs are difficult. No one want to touch laptops. there is the Notebook company on the corner of Duncan St. and Pretorius in Hatfield. they take two weeks minimum. If you can do without your laptop for two weeks, you don't need a lap top.

Fondest memory: Then there is Jimmy in Centurion. Phone number 012-654-9633. He is quick, good, and hugely expensive (US$80/hour), but cheaper than buying a new laptop.

Favorite thing: The Farm Inn just outside of Pretoria is the largest structure "under thatch" in SA or possibly the world. A great place to stay with wonderful breakfasts and accomodations. Hearing the on-site lions and hyenas at night was exhilerating..

Fondest memory: We used "Friends of Mine" tour operators in Pretoria. Hennie Van der Berg (owner) was absolutely wonderful! He created a custom tour for us which my wife and I will never forget. Not only did we see the "tourist traps" but he took us to wonderful little restaurants, B&B's, shopping, and sight-seeing off the beaten track. He even cooked us a typical South African braai - 3 meat courses!
You absolutely must use him! Now Hennie is a "friend of ours"!
Thanks, Hennie.

Favorite thing: PRETORIA IS THE CAPITAL , BUT IT HAS ALOT OF HISTORY , THE OLD HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA FROM THE BOER WARS , BUILDINGS, STATUE`S

Fondest memory: I BASICALLY GREW UP IN PRETORIA , AS I WAS ONLY 12 WHEN WE CAME OVER FROM SCOTLAND SO I`VE SPENT THE MAJORITY HERE , GREAT PLACE GOT A LOT TO DO IN AND AROUND PRETORIA

Favorite thing: To be honest with you, there's nothing really of interest in Pretoria for the tourists.It is the capital of South Africa, but thats about the only interesting fact about that city.On the positive side it's safer than the rest of the South African cities.

Favorite thing: There are a lot of steps to climb at he Monument , so I would suggest to take it easy , even for the people that our in good physical condition it will be a long climb. Take it easy you are on vacation.