About Pretoria

Pretoria is situated in South Africa, in the Gauteng Province. Pretoria budget travel holidays include a divers range attractions for visitors to experience.

Pretoria Budget Travel

Pretoria budget travel is very easy with great value for money backpacking tours and fantastic highlights. Below is useful information on Pretoria to help you plan your budget holiday in Pretoria. We offer a variety of budget tours and backpacking advice in Pretoria.

Airports

Nearest Pretoria airports include the following:
• Sun City Pilansberg Airport
• OR Tambo Johannesburg International Airport

Birdlife

Pretoria birdlife is rich and abundant, with a large number of endemic and migratory species to be found. Key bird watching areas include Buffelsdrif Conservancy, Rust de Winter Nature Reserve, Chamberlain Bird Sanctuary, Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary and Pretoria Zoo, all of which offer varied habitats and beautiful and diverse bird populations.

Conservation

Pretoria conservation plays an important role in the preservation and protection of plant, bird and animal species without the area and surrounding habitats. There are a large number of conservation areas across Pretoria, spanning a number of habitats from wetlands, lakes, rivers and streams, woodlands and forests. Projects such as the Cheetah and Wildlife Fund also play a key role in conservation efforts in Pretoria.

Culture

Pretoria cultures include the following:
• Music and dance has a variety of styles and forms
• Performing arts are popular with a number of theatres in the city
• Museums play a key role in the city’s heritage and history
• Sports is a vital part of modern culture
• Food and drink has a multi-cultural influence

Customs

Pretoria customs allows for free import of the following:
• Wine - up to 2 litres
• Spirits and other alcoholic beverages - up to 1 litre in total
• Cigarettes - up to 200
• Cigars - up to 20
• Cigarette or pipe tobacco - up to 250g
• Perfume - up to 50ml
• Eau de toilette - up to 250ml

Health

Pretoria health facilities are generally good ' with a wide range of excellent private clinics and hospitals, and overcrowded but fair government sponsored facilities. There are a wide number of pharmacies and local doctors available, and with safe drinking water, no malaria and very few major health risks, Pretoria visits are generally fuss-free.

AIDS

Pretoria HIV/AIDS basic precautions include the following:
• Don’t ever share needles or syringes
• Practice safe sex at all times
• Equipment should be sterilized
• If you require self-administered injections, take an adequate supply of your own needles
• Avoid tattoos, acupuncture treatment or body piercing from suspect or un-sterile operators

Vaccinations

Recommended inoculations for travel to Pretoria are:
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Typhoid
• Polio
• Rabies
• Tetanus

Languages

Pretoria languages include the following:
• Pedi 22.14%
• Afrikaans 21.29%
• Tswana 17.11%
• Tsonga 9.99%
• Zulu 7.61%
• English 6.54%
• Ndebele 4.94%
• Sotho 3.95%
• Swati 1.91%
• Xhosa 1.91%
• Venda 1.77%
• Other 0.83%

Malaria

Pretoria is a malaria free zone, so you will not have to worry about malaria medication, unless you are planning to travel to a malaria zone in South Africa or to a known malaria zone country in Africa. If you are travelling to a malaria zone after your visit to Pretoria, talk to a local doctor about malaria medication you will need to take.

Money

Pretoria money and banking information includes:
• Banks are open Monday to Friday from 9h00 ' 15h00, and Saturdays from 8h30-11h30
• ATMs can be found across the entire city, especially within malls or shopping areas
• Online banking can be done at any internet cafe
• Foreign exchange facilities are widely available at malls, airport, hotels and banks
• Credit and debit cards are widely accepted at almost all shops, hotels and restaurants

People

Pretoria people include the following groups:
• Black 73.81%
• White 19.90%
• Colored 3.82%
• Indian/Asian 2.47%

Phrase

Pretoria local phrases in Tswana include:
• Hello - Dumela
• How are you? - O kae?
• I am fine - Ke teng
• Goodbye/Go well - Tsamaya sentle
• How much is this? - Ke bokae?
• Thank you - Ke a leboga

Vaccinations

Recommended inoculations for travel to Pretoria are:
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Typhoid
• Polio
• Rabies
• Tetanus

Plants

Famous for its brilliantly coloured jacaranda trees, Pretoria plants play a key role in this pretty and green city. A large number of plants and trees can be found lining roads and adoring gardens, and the beautiful Pretoria Botanical Gardens has a riot of colourful exotic and endemic plant species.

Religion

Pretoria religion includes:
• Christianity
• Islam
• Traditional beliefs
• Judaism
• Hinduism
• Buddhism

Safety Tips

• There is a fairly high level of crime in Pretoria so be sure to take basic safety precautions when visiting
• Avoid Central Pretoria ' especially after dark, crime in this area is very common
• Wear seatbelts when driving in Pretoria and be cautious in heavy traffic and on highways ' road accidents are common
• Keep valuables safe and out of sight in a moneybag under your shirt, and don’t keep money or phone in your back pockets ' pick pocketing is rife
• Avoid large crowds or street demonstrations which may turn violent

Transport

Pretoria local transport options include:
• Car
• Taxi
• Bus

Travel Books

Pretoria recommended travel books include the following:
• Pretoria Street Map by MapStudio
• The Rough Guide to South Africa by Tony Pinchuck, Barbara McCrea and Donald Reid
• Pretoria: Webster's Timeline History, 1985 - 1997 by Philip M. Parker
• South Africa - Culture Smart!: a quick guide to customs and etiquette by David Holt-Biddle
• The City of Pretoria and Districts by Pretoria Municipality

Visa Requirements

Get more information on visas in South Africa

What To Buy

• Pretoria guide book with a good map
• Plug adapter for UK and US visitors
• Good sized backpack plus a decent moneybag
• Sleeping bag if you are on a camping or overland tour

What To Pack

• Camera, spare batteries and film or memory cards plus binoculars
• Sunglasses, sunhat and sunscreen
• Casual clothes plus smart clothes for dinner or drinks at night
• Comfortable walking shoes plus sandals
• Warm jacket for cooler summer days and warm clothes for winter visits

When To Go

• Summer is generally mid-October to mid-February
• Autumn is February to April
• Winter is May to July and is wet and cold
• Spring falls between August and October

Wildlife

With a number of small reserves including the beautiful Cheetah and Wildlife Trust where a range of species can be found including cheetah, African wild dog and karakal. The Pretoria Zoological Gardens also offers a chance to view a wide selection of animals from across Africa and beyond.