Pretoria Travel Guide
For details of what to do and see in Pretoria, South Africa check out our Pretoria guide to car hire in Pretoria.
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Pretoria is the political capital of South Africa, and the seat of its government. It is a surprisingly elegant and quiet city, where the heart of the country beats and most of its history was written.
The city was founded about 150 years ago by Andries Francois du Toit, and became the capital of Transvaal in 1860. The government machine, with the parliament building - known locally as the 'Raadzaal' and the Palace of Justice dominating two sides of it, surrounds the central focus of the city, Church Square.
The main attraction for visitors to Pretoria is the city zoo. It was founded in 1899 as a place where the civilised ruling classes of South Africa could see the majestic wildlife of the country without the inconvenience of travelling into the countryside and having to get too close to the natives. It is now ranked in the top 10 of world zoological gardens, and is the largest in Africa, boasting an unrivalled collection of local wildlife.
Pretoria is located about 30 miles north of Johannesburg, and popular attractions nearby include the Kruger National Park, and Sun City. Its quiet leafiness makes it a popular place to visit in favour of Johannesburg, and although it lacks the excellent shopping available in its neighbour, Pretoria still has plenty to offer.