Car & Van Hire - Pretoria

Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa, is known for its history and culture. Begin your visit to the city by taking a look at the Union Buildings. Built at the start of the 20th century, these impressive, stately buildings are home to the South African government. Look out for the large statue of President Nelson Mandela in the grounds. Another historic monument can be seen in the Heroes' Acre: the Voortrekker Monument. This enormous structure is a tribute to the Afrikaners who travelled overland from the Western Cape into the interior of South Africa. Its unique shape is designed to be reminiscent of an ox wagon, the Voortrekkers' means of transport.

Pretoria is also home to a number of museums, making it a great place to learn about South African history. Smuts House, the former home of South African Prime Minister Jan Christiaan Smuts, is today preserved as a museum. Even if you know little about the man himself, its manicured gardens are well worth visiting. The Freedom Park Heritage Site and Museum honours South Africans who died in the Boer Wars, the Second World War and the struggle for freedom during the apartheid era. The Ditsong National Museum of Natural History covers an entirely different period and is home to "Mrs Ples", one of the oldest skulls in the world, at least 2.5 million years old.

Most visitors to South Africa want to see some of the country's famous wildlife. Car rental in Pretoria is a great way to do that, as there are several excellent game reserves near the city. Rietvlei Nature Reserve has an incredible variety of species, including rhinos, buffalo and the elusive cheetah. Groenkloof Nature Reserve, the first wildlife refuge in the continent, is home to a wealth of birds and animals, including zebra, ostriches, kudu and wildebeest. There are many hiking trails running through this reserve, allowing visitors to explore it on foot.

You can also use your car or van rental in Pretoria to visit the Wonderboom Nature Reserve. The name "Wonderboom" roughly translates to "incredible tree" in Afrikaans, and you'll soon see why. The tree in question, a 1000-year-old fig tree, has thirteen separate trunks and covers an area of 50 square metres. Its largest trunk has a circumference of 4 metres and reaches 20 metres into the air. It's a truly impressive sight, particularly if you're lucky enough to see some of the eagles that live nearby circling above.

Pretoria is known for its rush hour traffic, which peaks at 07:00 and again at around 17:00. Visitors have a couple of options to avoid it: first, plan your day to avoid driving during peak times. Rush hour in South Africa starts and ends earlier than in many other countries, beginning at about 06:00 and tailing off by 08:00. Secondly, choose your route carefully. There are two sides to rush hour in Pretoria: people going into the city centre or those travelling between Pretoria and nearby Johannesburg, which lies to the south. If you are heading north, east or west, you will generally encounter far less traffic.

There are many different options for parking in and around Pretoria. The larger museums tend to have their own secure car parks, some of which are free. If you’re exploring the CBD, it’s generally best to opt for a large car park, which are safer and more convenient than on-street parking. You can also leave your vehicle for longer. Many car parks offer an advance booking service, allowing you to reserve a space at a discount price.

When parking your car, you will sometimes be approached by unofficial parking attendants in orange jackets. They will offer to look after your vehicle in exchange for a tip. Even if they don’t say anything when you first park, they will expect a tip when you return to the vehicle. If you are parking on the street, ensure that you leave your vehicle facing the direction of traffic. This is a legal requirement in South Africa, and drivers who park in the wrong direction can be fined.

Roads in the city are usually in very good condition, but if you are driving out into the countryside, potholes are common. Do not drive at night outside cities. Most of South Africa's animals are active at night and can cause accidents. Don't honk your horn at animals, as it can anger them. Instead, you can either try to drive carefully around them or just wait for them to pass, enjoying the view as you do. If you see a group of monkeys, ensure your windows are fully closed. These are curious animals, and they will often try to enter your car to explore!