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My favorite time to visit Pretoria (also known as Tshwane) is around mid-October to mid-November when the ornamental Jacaranda trees are in full bloom. This is the time when Pretoria gets all dressed up in purple, colloquially called Jacaranda City, as a result.
A fun fact of Pretoria is that despite it being known as the Jakaranda city, it is actually Johannesburg that is the South Africa city with the most Jacaranda trees! The nursery owner William Nelson is credited with bringing the Jacarandas to Johannesburg.
The spectacular blooms are also the first indicators that it’s time for university students to prepare for their final exams! So, it’s quite appropriate then that the Jacaranda tree represents wisdom, wealth, rebirth, and good fortune. In fact, according to legend, if a Jacaranda flower falls on your head, you sure are in for some good fortune!
The Jacaranda trees were brought into South Africa from Argentina, and later also from Brazil. Thus, not an indigenous tree.
In 1888 two Jacaranda trees came into South Africa. They were planted in Celliers Street by JD Celliers and stand inside the grounds of Sunnyside Primary School.
There is plenty of controversy about the exact date when the Jacarandas came into Pretoria. Some say it was in 1888, while others claim that the Jacaranda trees on the corner of Stanza Bopape and Eastwood streets are the oldest ones in the city. It’s also been claimed that the Jacarandas from Brazil came into South Africa in 1829.
The blossoms create their own beautiful carpet as they drop to the ground. If you drive over such a purple carpet, do yourself a favor and roll down the car’s windows. Drive slowly and listen to the sounds of the blossoms popping under the wheels. It sounds like popcorn popping! Of course, it can be quite slippery then so be careful when you walk on the blossoms that cover the sidewalks.
Another Jacaranda treat is to explore Pretoria and find an avenue of these trees. There are many such avenues, you won’t struggle to find them. The suburb of Waterkloof is lined with the Jacarandas. Truly an amazing sight. The joy of this travel tip is that you get to inhale the soft sweet honey smell of the Jacaranda blossoms. Once popped they have a soft musky smell to them.
South Africa’s administrative capital city Pretoria is also the home of the rare white Jacarandas. In fact, Herbert Baker Street in Groenkloof (Pretoria) is the only street in South Africa with an abundance of white Jacarandas.
Over time, they multiplied and classified as invasive tree species. At one stage the government started taking the trees down, to the disgust of the residents. The outcry was so loud, that the chopping down of the Jacarandas stopped. Instead, a new decree was published. Today, you’re not allowed to plant new Jacaranda trees in South Africa, while you may keep the existing ones.
Slowly the face of Pretoria will change over the month of October as these beautiful trees will disappear. Apparently, the Jacaranda trees live for up to 2 centuries. And in this time, as they die, they will be replaced by indigenous trees instead.
The high season is usually over public holidays such as Easter and Christmas. So, if you travel to Pretoria in October you not only get to witness the Jacarandas’ beautiful display, but it’s less crowded because the students are studying.
The summer school holidays are over most of December and usually runs a week or two into January. During this time accommodation prices are higher than usual. Thus, another reason why you should visit Pretoria in October.
Travel Tip(s)
Look for free cancellation options: Some hotels offer free cancellation up until a certain date. Booking accommodations with free cancellation can provide flexibility in case your plans change.
Check the map view: Booking.com has a map view feature that shows the location of hotels. This can help you identify accommodations in areas that are both desirable and affordable.
Pretoria is so well located that besides just the activities in Pretoria alone, you stand to enjoy a variety of memorable day trips.
The sightseeing guide for Pretoria will give you information on the best places to see and things to do in and around Pretoria.
…is about 4000 hectares (40 km2) in size and a great half-day family excursion. The reserve has various hides, and the roads are also well-maintained. There is an abundance of birdlife in the reserve, so I suggest you pack your binoculars, have your camera fully charged, and add a bird book to a basket with some snacks and drinks.
Read more about the reserve before you plan your trip, so you are informed of their latest news. For instance, you won’t see the Big Five here. But the tranquility of the reserve more than makes up for it. It really is a place to chill after a busy week! In addition, it’s a few minutes by car to get here. It’s worth visiting to re-connect with Mother Nature at Rietvlei Nature Reserve in an otherwise busy lifestyle or travel program.
Travel Tip(s)
An excursion to Cullinan is synonymous with Pretoria. Cullinan is famous for the discovery of the largest rough gem-quality diamond ever found. Known as the Cullinan Diamond, it was named after Sir Thomas Cullinan, the diamond’s owner at that time.
…is famous for about 3 000 plant species over approximately 3.5 hectares of the University’s Hatfield west campus.
…in Pretoria is also the home to South Africa’s President Paul Kruger’s meeting room. The enormous granite monument (constructed in 1949) commemorates the Voortrekkers who left the Cape Colony between 1835 and 1854.
Altogether, there are 299 steps to climb when you visit this hilltop beauty.
Union Buildings in Government Avenue. Allow an hour for a walking tour of the grounds in front of Union Buildings and a photo opportunity with the Madiba (Nelson Mandela) statue.
Anton Smit is one of South Africa’s most famous artists. He speaks his own language through his art and is the embodiment of poetry.
The Anton Smit Sculpture Park is a must-do half-day sightseeing activity if you’re into sculpting. Even if you’re not, you will walk away amazed at such talent to create the most astonishing artwork.
There is a small restaurant for light refreshments which I recommend. It’s a lovely little set-up where you can relax with a true sense of tranquility.
Anton Smit’s work can be seen all over the country but in particular at Menlyn on Main in Pretoria.
The only way to get here is to drive either in your own vehicle or book a reliable taxi service. I recommend the first option.
The highest daytime temperatures are around January and December when it can average between 28°C to sometimes 32°C. The average temperature in October is usually around 26°C to 27°C. It comes with thundershowers in some of the afternoons, which usually don’t last long. Just enough to cool everything down.
Nighttime temperatures in Pretoria are at their coldest around June/July. For instance, around 4°C/5°C on average. The pleasant 14°C to 16°C nighttime temperatures in October make for some amazing evenings around a boma fire, socializing with special friends and loved ones.
Pretoria on its own is well worth staying for 4 to 5 nights. This way you get to enjoy the nightlife, fabulous restaurants, all the main sights and so on. If you use Pretoria as your base, which I recommend, then you could easily increase your stay to 8 to 10 days.
With so many things to do and places to go, this beautiful city is well worth it.
Via the R21, it’s a 40-minute drive from the O R Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. This is the nearest international airport in the Gauteng Province, which includes the cities of Pretoria and Johannesburg.
By train, you can commute from the airport to Pretoria via the Gautrain. There is however a very short (3-minutes) transfer at Marlboro station. You buy your tickets either at the vending machines or the ticket office at the respective train station(s). Once you have your Gautrain card, you can top it up online.
Also note that there are 2 stops in Pretoria, one in central Pretoria and one in the Hatfield suburb.
There is no shortage of variety in the city’s lodging options. From luxury hotels to bed and breakfast establishments, to game reserves, to budget hotel stays to country lodges, and more. With over 500 different choices for you to pick from, in Pretoria alone, there is a bed waiting for you. Booking.com is the leading and preferred booking platform in South Africa. Go ahead and have a look at what they’ve got. Also, make your booking direct with Booking.com.
The above costs are average travel costs collated from real travelers. Therefore, it’s a great travel tool when it comes to your travel budget and planning your dream vacation.
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