After a long flight, the car hire collection from car rental Pretoria, cnr Eastwood and Church was a breeze, so after a hurried meal we had an early night. We jumped into the rental car fresh for the day in Pretoria. This capital city and once domain of the “military might” of South Africa, has some interesting finds, to fill your day. We were in the right season of the year to see the Jacaranda trees in full bloom of mauve and purple. The photos you see of this spectacle, give them no justice.

Purple curtains hang overhead as you traverse streets and side roads. It is a well earned name of The Jacaranda city, and when the summer storms come, the fallen petals form a purple carpet over the streets.

Our first stop was the Kruger House, African Hero, and leader Paul Kruger gives this venue credence. The only Kruger gold coins of African legends, which we found were the fake chocolate ones covered in foil at the corner shop.

• Kruger House Museum, Pretoria
  Address:
  60 Church Street,
  Protoria,
  Gauteng

  Visiting Hours:
  Monday to Friday: 08h30-17h30;
  Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays: 08h30-17h00
  Telephone: +27 (0)12 326-9172

The next stop in our itinerary was the Voortrekker Monument. This huge sandstone monument stands like a stone sentinel, high on a hill overlooking Pretoria. The stonemasonry and wagons carved out along the walkway are impressive. You are humbled, as if entering a church, when you enter the main building. Once inside we found massive bas-relief panels that depict the story of the Great Trek (the name given to pioneers from the Cape. A huge porthole occupies the main hall ceiling. Old documents and faded photos tell of an earlier time in South Africa’s turbulent history.

• Voortrekker Monument:
  Please note that the gate on the northern side of the Monument, (Potgieter Street) is open from 08:00 to 16:00 every day.
  Address:
  Eufees Road,
  Groenkloof,
  Pretoria
  Telephone: +27 (0)12 323 0682 or +27 (0)12 324 1775

A local pointed out another place of interest to visit, literally a stone throw away on an adjacent hill. Fort Klapperkop sits proudly a hillock with a panoramic view of Pretoria. From here the generals could command the other gun emplacements protecting Pretoria against the British invaders. Our next photo opportunity was within short drive to Church Square.

Here a large bronze statue of former president Paul Kruger stands proud in the city centre. All the walking had made us hungry and we stopped at Magnolia Dell, said to be most beautiful park in the area.

We were fortunate enough to find an arts and crafts market set up in the park. After a quick snack at the tea garden we wandered around the various paintings and craft stalls.

To end off the day we took the advice of a woman at the tea garden. She told us of Fort West Village. It is only ten or so kilometres from Church Square. It once was the home for lepers and one of the biggest forts we had ever seen. A housing area set out in a village like development, making for a “homey” environment.

• Fort West Village.
  10km west of Church Square,
  halfway to Hartbeespoort Dam.
  Tel +27 (0)83 360 2999