TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

We are the only city in the world, yes, in the entire world, that has a Big 5 game reserve within the city! Elephant, Rhino, Leopard, Lion and Buffalo roam freely on the plains of the Dinokeng Big 5 Game Reserve just north of the city centre.

Just twenty minutes drive from the Pretoria city centre is the quaint little town of Cullinan where time seems to have stood still. The big hole at the Cullinan Diamond Mine is 4 times the size of the Kimberley 'Big Hole'. It was here that the largest gem diamond ever found in the world, the Cullinan Diamond (which now forms part of the British crown jewels) was discovered.

Pretoria is located in a summer rainfall area with hot days regularly followed by short and intense afternoon thunderstorms. The thunderstorms are often accompanied by lightning and occasionally result in hail. Summer temperatures range between 16°C at night to 30°C during the day. Winters are mild and dry with temperatures averaging between a minimum of 5°C and a maximum of 20°C.

How to get around

By car: Five highways join in the Gauteng region, making it accessible from all cities in the country. This would include the N1, N3, N4, N12 and N14 national highways.

By air: The closest international airport is OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. The Albertina Sisulu Highway or R21 leads from there to Pretoria. Airport shuttles are available on the airport or can be pre-booked.

By bus: Major bus companies like Greyhound, Translux, Intercape Mainliner and the BazBus offer connections to all big cities in South Africa.

By train: A high-speed rail (Gautrain) links Pretoria to Johannesburg, OR Tambo International Airport as well as the east of Johannesburg.