Essential Travel Info > 4 X 4 Holidays > Southern Africa > South Africa > Gauteng > Pretoria
Four X Four Holidays in Pretoria - Essential Travel Info
South Africa Gauteng Pretoria | four by four trails,4 by 4, 4 X 4 4X4 in Pretoria Gauteng South Africa
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Four X Four Holidays in Pretoria Gauteng South Africa (6 Results)
Leribisi Lodge & Conference Centre- Pretoria Gauteng South Africa Four X Four HolidayCome and relax in our peaceful environment and enjoy our superb cusine.
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Unicadia Self Catering Accommodation- Pretoria Gauteng South Africa Four X Four HolidayCentrally situated. Eight affordable, spacious fully-equipped apartments. Serviced, TV, M-Net, stereo radio, swimming pool and secure parking. Close to shops, restaurants, cinemas, University of Pretoria, Union Buildings, Loftus and art gallery.
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Kwalata Game Ranch- Pretoria Gauteng South Africa Four X Four HolidayKwalata Game Ranch, just north of Pretoria, hosts conference and teambuilding events up to 150 delegates. Wedding and functions are our specialities. At Phiri Adventure Camp the focus is on adventure, school, church and environmental groups. Teambuilding programmes for corporate and schools can be presented. Shebeen and cultural tours to Mandela village provide a unique experience for one and all.
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Tussen-i-bome- Pretoria Gauteng South Africa Four X Four HolidayRelax around the fire. Snuggle up under a quilt and listen to a jackal howling or a nightjar calling, before you drift off to sleep in an oxwagon. Taste fresh warm "bakoond bread". Meals available.
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Leopardsong Game Lodge- Pretoria Gauteng South Africa Four X Four HolidaySituated within the boundaries of Pride of Africa Nature Reserve in extent of 2000 ha malaria-free bushveld with 800 head of game such as giraffe, zebra, eland, kudu, waterbuck etc. Fully serviced accommodation. Meals available on request.
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Zebra Country Lodge, Conference & Wedding Venue- Pretoria Gauteng South Africa Four X Four HolidayLuxurious hideaway in a bushveld setting. Spacious accommodation in 3 different lodges. Restaurants, bomas and a variety of dining options. Guided nature drives, walking trails and horse-riding. The perfect venue for weddings, functions and leisure getaways. The colourful Ndebele Village and "Shebeen" are a highlight.
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Geography: Pretoria, the capital city of South Africa is found in the heartland of the country, nestling in the Apies River Valley about 50km north of the bustle of Johannesburg.
History: It is the executive capital of South Africa and is home to most of the government departments as well as the South African National Defence Force. Although the Nguni originally inhabited the area, the modern history of the city is closely tied to that of the ruling parties, starting with the Transvaal republic in the late 1800s. Marthinus Pretorius, son of the Voortrekker hero, Andries Pretorius, founded the town in 1854. It played an important role in the South African (Anglo-Boer) War, which it survived unscathed, and elected its first town council in 1902. City status was granted in 1931. Today it is still the city of presidents and the home of the democratically chosen leader of our country, President Thabo Mbeki, who succeeded Nelson Mandela in 1999. The corridors of crescent-shaped Union Buildings are still the home to the decision makers of the country.
Arts and Culture: Pretoria is a graceful city of historic monuments, museums and jacaranda trees and as it has more museums than most cities its size, is a treat for the history and culture buff. The life and times of Paul Kruger, the last president of the Transvaal Republic, can be seen at Kruger House. The modest home shows that he was a man of simple taste, while the magnificent Sammy Marks House shows the decadent tastes of the famous entrepreneur. Other highlights include Heroes' Acre where Kruger and Pretorius are buried, Church Square with Van Wouw's statue of 'Oom Paul', the old Raadsaal, the Palace of Justice and old Reserve Bank, the Police Museum with some rather grisly exhibits and the Transvaal Museum with its bird collection and whale skeleton. The magnificent Melrose House described as a 'Victorian Extravaganza' was where the peace treaty that ended the South African (Anglo-Boer) War was signed. The National Cultural History and Open-Air Museum is impressive, while the Voortrekker Monument with its marble frieze depicting the story of the Great Trek is worth a visit. The nearby residential area of Marabastad is often claimed to be where Marabi music of the 1950s shebeens was first played.
Science and Nature: Not only is Pretoria a city of fine buildings and museums, but it also has a host of nature reserves and parks. The National Zoological Gardens are the largest in Africa and visitors will enjoy seeing the flamingos, white lions and white tigers among the other 400 species of mammals, birds and reptiles. Close to the Zoo is the aquarium and Atlantis Water Park. The city was also the first in Africa to proclaim a nature reserve - President Kruger proclaimed Fountains Valley, where the Apies has its source in 1895. Pretoria was once known as the "town of roses", but recently owing to the more than 60 000 lilac coloured trees lining the streets, it is now known as the "Jacaranda City". The blue and mauve trees are especially colourful in October and November. A drive along Herbert Baker Drive is a must to see the rare white jacarandas in bloom. At the Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary visitors can view the blue crane, the national bird of South Africa. Other sites of interest to nature lovers include the Tswaing Crater Museum a 2,000ha site 40km northwest of Pretoria. The site is one of the youngest and best-preserved meteorite impact craters in the world. Here visitors can do a 7.2km Crater Trail, or enjoy the displays on the natural and cultural history of the area at the museum.
Entertainment: There is much to keep visitors to Pretoria entertained. The State Theatre has superb productions of ballet, drama, opera and popular musicals while the flea market in Strijdom Square is great fun. Pretoria's arcades are a delight for shoppers, very often with pavement cafés and there are fine suburban shopping centres too, such as Menlyn Park. Live music and other pubs and clubs that attract a younger crowd can be found in Hatfield while the Derdepoort Regional Park with its farmyard, playground and bushveld atmosphere is wonderful for the kids. Visitors can enjoy a picnic and the fresh air in the Fountains Valley Nature Reserve, and in the Wonderboom Nature Reserve a 1,000-year old fig tree can be seen.
Sport: Pretoria is sport mad and offers world-class facilities to the public. Fans of the Blue Bulls rugby team can watch a game at that hallowed ground, Loftus Versfeld, while the Supersport Centurion Cricket Stadium in nearby Centurion hosts many international Tests.
Did You Know? Pretoria was the first town north of the Vaal to use electricity. Also, the nearby village of Cullinan was where the world's largest rough diamond, the 3,106 carat Cullinan was discovered in 1905.
South Africa Gauteng Pretoria | four by four trails,4 by 4, 4 X 4 4X4 in Pretoria Gauteng South Africa