South African Travel Digest

The best time of the year to visit the capital of South Africa, Pretoria, is during the months of October and November each year.  This is when Jacaranda trees transform Pretoria into a beautiful purple carpet when about 70 000  are in bloom.Jacaranda trees are not indigenous to South Africa but to South America but were imported from Argentina in the 1880s. However, over the years, Pretoria has become well-known for its Jacaranda trees. Pretoria is therefore often referred to as the Jacaranda city, with even a local radio station named Jacaranda FM. Residents are looking forward to this sight each year as it also represents the start of the summer season. Students studying at the University of Pretoria even believe in the good luck of Jacaranda trees. If a Jacaranda blossom falls on your head you will pass your year-end exams.     Jacaranda trees are also protected by the Pretoria City Council as it is so much part of this city's culture. Because a rapid b...

The main street in Cullinan. Cullinan diamonds, a steam train from Pretoria, various antique shops and historical buildings. Cullinan has it all. Cullinan, also referred to as the "gem" of the Gauteng province, is a small town about 30 kilometres east of Pretoria named after Sir Thomas Cullinan, a well-known diamond magnate.  It was also here in Cullinan where the famous Cullinan diamond, the largest ever rough-gem diamond, was found    at 3,106,75 carat with 621.35 g and worth about $400 million.  If you are interested in Cullinan's diamond history, you can also visit its big diamond hole which apparently is four times bigger than the one in Kimberley.   An antique shop close to the railway station. Various Edwardian period buildings in the renowned Oak Avenue with its Oak trees,  picket fences, small porches and gardens as well as interesting restaurants and coffee shops provide for a  fascinating experience.  The ...

A Kulula.com aircraft about to take off at Lanseria. Domestic flights in South Africa were definitely given a boost when Lanseria International airport was expanded with a much bigger runway.  With this move, as South Africa's only privately owned airport it fulfilled a much wanted need for Gauteng residents  seeking  an alternative to the Oliver Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park for domestic flights. Situated in Airport Road in Lanseria, Lanseria International Airport is about 56 km from Pretoria and 55 km from Oliver Tambo International airport.  It is not a new airport and was already established in 1974.  But with the bigger runway, bigger aircraft can now land and  take off. It now offers daily flights between Lanseria and Cape Town and Lanseria and Durban with Mango and Kulula.com airlines although limited. Apparently more flights from Lanseria airport  will be added soon to which I am looking forward to. I was impr...

As a family of dog lovers we often go on weekend breakaways and   take our dog with us.  We thus over the years booked with various self-catering pet-friendly accommodation in the Limpopo and North West provinces in South Africa.  I hope that this post will help you to make a decision  where to book the next time you want to take your dog(s) with you on a well-deserved weekend breakaway.  The quality of pet-friendly accommodation has definitely improved.  Stonehill A cottage at Stonehill. Stonehill boasts four-star, self-catering pet friendly cottages catering for different family sizes and is situated in Magaliesburg.  It has stunning views and you and your four-legged friend(s) will have ample opportunity for walks.  What I particularly enjoy are the beautiful sunsets while having a braai or sitting around the camp fire.  All cottages are fully fenced which makes them very convenient for bringing your dogs along.  We are ex...

Another well-liked and child-friendly restaurant is the Harvard Cafe at the Grand Central Airport in Midrand which offers a unique venue situated right next to the runway.  While eating you and your children can watch the planes and helicopters taking off and landing.  Apart from the view, it offers a real versatile menu, catering from breakfasts to lunches.  Their   breakfast  and lunch buffets are real winners and you will want to come back for more.   The kiddies playground with its airplane slide will keep the young ones busy for long while the adults enjoy their conversation.  The cafe also caters for functions.  A booking is recommended if you want to sit inside instead of outside on the terrace as the winter wind can be chilly.  The waiters are friendly and the service has always been excellent. You can check out their website at Harvard Cafe . The kiddies playground at Harvard Cafe. Children usually enjoy the runway nex...

Pretoria has several child-friendly restaurants but it is not always easy to find one that also has good food and service.  I have been a regular visitor to child-friendly restaurants in Pretoria for almost 11 years.  My top child-friendly restaurants in Pretoria not only have great food and service, but also playgrounds and activities that would keep children busy. Even though there are several other child-friendly restaurants in Pretoria, my list was chosen based on my own experiences.  They are (in no particular order of preference): C'est la Vie in Centurion C'est la Vie playground . C'est la Vie (translated that is life ) in Centurion is definitely a favourite in that it has great food and lots of fun activities to keep children busy.   It boasts a centrally located coffee shop and separate play areas for young and older children.   A water slide and three wheels go karts for the older children add to all the fun. Children aged two and youn...

Mini trains at Cedar Junction Theme Park. Want to take your children for an outing? The school holidays or weekends can be the ideal time to take them for a train ride to keep them busy. Pretoria has some remarkable train rides to offer.   Having a young kid myself, I know how exciting it is for them to ride on the trains and to hear their sound.  But you can also take them for a ride in a real train. Here is my list of favourite train rides in Pretoria. Centurion Society of Model Engineers Each Sunday the Centurion Society of Model Engineers meets and offers rides on their mini locomotives with little carts for a small fee. These ride are really value for money with some interesting scenery. They can be found each Sunday at Kwikkie Crescent Street, Zwartkops, very close to the Centurion Gautrain station. Barry rides most Sundays in Centurion, except for the third Sunday of each month. Below to the right is one of the many steam trains. Childre...

Photo credit: There are some great things to do in Pretoria if you are a first-time visitor.  Pretoria is the administrative capital of South Africa and situated in the Gauteng province.  It is very close to Johannesburg and the Oliver Tambo International Airport. Although it is a big city with a population of about 2.3 million, it is still small enough to create a feeling of being in a large town. The best time of the year to visit Pretoria is in October and November when all the Jacaranda trees are in full bloom (the reason why the city is also known as the Jacaranda city). Here are my top 5 places to visit in Pretoria if you are a first-time visitor to the capital: The Union Buildings Source: South Africa Travel Net. The Union Buildings Visiting the Union Buildings should be first on your list of things to do in Pretoria.  These buildings form the official seat of the South African government and also house the offices of the Presidency. ...

Farm life in South Africa can provide a unique travel experience to the visitor looking for something different. Visitors are treated to wide open spaces and lots of fresh air. Numerous guest farms opened their doors to tourists and visitors. As a South African, I have experienced several farm stays in addition to also visiting our beaches, different lodges, going on safaris and life in our different cities. Staying on a farm as a guest has always been enjoyable and energizing. Overlooking a mountain in the Magaliesburg district while staying at a guest farm. Having a full-time career and family commitments can be exhausting, and therefore we often go weekends away to nearby guest farms. Apart from experiencing true hospitality of the hosts, being away from the city in a tranquil environment with the most beautiful scenery is truly peaceful. Nothing is as relaxing to me as watching the sunset surrounded by bushes and the sound of the farm animals in the distance. Farm stays o...