Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa, is known as the "Jacaranda City" owing to the more than 50,000 Jacaranda trees that line the streets and carpet the city in purple during spring. It is a city steeped in history and culture, offering a variety of attractions for visitors. To fully experience all that Pretoria has to offer, consider car hire to gain the flexibility of discovering several hidden gems and visiting many iconic landmarks.
With a rental car, you can conveniently drive to Transvaal Museum, Freedom Park, Voortrekker Monument, and Pretoria Zoo. Overall, car rentals in Pretoria let you explore unlimited locations.
The Union Buildings in Pretoria, a must-see landmark.
Top Attractions in Pretoria
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. Be on the lookout 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 traveled overland from the Western Cape into the interior of South Africa.
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 honors 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.
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Indian Wildlife Sanctuaries
Most visitors to South Africa want to see some of the country's famous wildlife. Renting a car 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. You can also use your rental car or van 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 1,000-year-old fig tree, has thirteen separate trunks and covers an area of 50 square meters. Its largest trunk has a circumference of 4 meters and reaches 20 meters into the air.
The iconic Wonderboom tree in the Wonderboom Nature Reserve.
Car Rental Options in Pretoria
Whether you prefer automatic to manual transmission, no problem. If you want a petrol, diesel or hybrid engine, we’ve got you covered. Should you need to rent a van while you’re in Pretoria, all our vans can be driven on a standard license and are modern, clean and easy to drive.
Multiple airports serve flights to Pretoria. They include Pretoria Wonderboom Apt. Airport (PRY), Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport (JNB), and Lanseria International Airport (HLA). They are about 13 km (8 miles), 56 km (34.7 miles), and 63 km (39.1 miles) from the city center, respectively. If you arrive at PRY, the car rental desks are in the terminal building across from the baggage claim area. The car rental counters at JNB are at the north end of the dedicated rental car lot in the airport precinct. Travelers arriving at HLA can find rental counters on the ground floor in the multi-story parkade.
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Popular car rental agencies in Pretoria include:
- Europcar
- Hertz
- Avis
- Sixt
- SANI SIXT
- 1First Car Rental
- Tempest Car Hire
Driving Tips for Pretoria
Generally, driving car rentals in Pretoria is manageable due to well-established roads within the city. But like in other cities worldwide, driving in Pretoria has its fair share of challenges, requiring you to remain attentive. Look out for pedestrians who may overlook traffic regulations and jaywalk. Keep a keen eye on commuter bus drivers who occasionally stop in the middle of the road when they sight potential passengers. Motorbikes use the same lanes as vehicles, so be careful with them as they may overlook traffic regulations.
Pretoria is known for its rush hour traffic, which peaks at 7:00 am and again at around 5:00 pm. 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 6:00 am and tailing off by 8:00 am. Secondly, choose your route carefully. There are two sides to rush hour in Pretoria: people going into downtown or those traveling between Pretoria and nearby Johannesburg, which lies to the south.
Like other cities in South Africa, Pretoria experiences considerable traffic congestion during peak travel hours. Although most city roads are well-established and maintained, finding unpaved roads outside urban areas is unsurprising. Road construction also contributes to road delays. Many residents usually access the city with private vehicles. Typically, the city experiences traffic snarl-ups from 6:30 am to 9 am and 5 pm to 7 pm. Use alternative routes like Herbert Baker Street, Pretoria’s Church Street, or Duncan Street.
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, make your windows are rolled up all the way.
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Observing the speed limits when driving your car rentals in Pretoria is critical, as it saves you from trouble with traffic authorities. It also keeps you and other road users safe since speeding is one of the major causes of accidents in the region. If not posted, the speed limit in Pretoria is 56 km/h (35 mph) on urban roads, 112 km/h (70 mph) on rural multi-lane highways, and 40 km/h (25 mph) around schools and hospitals. Also, pay attention to the posted speed limits.
Parking in Pretoria
There are many different options for parking in and around Pretoria. The larger museums tend to have their own secure parking lots, some of which are free. If you’re exploring the central business district (CBD), it’s generally best to opt for a large parking lot, which are safer and more convenient than on-street parking. You can also leave your vehicle for longer.
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, make sure you leave your vehicle facing the direction of traffic.
Finding a parking lot for your car rentals in Pretoria is manageable due to many options. Consider checking parking spots in downtown Pretoria. Places worth considering include 226 Nana Sita Street, Bothongo Plaza West, 226 Francis Baard Street, Pretoria Parkade, 326 Sisulu St, and 125 WF Nkomo St. The locations that charge a parking fee operate on a pay-per-display system. They charge around R15 (about $0.78) per hour.
Car Rental Costs in Pretoria
On average a rental car in Pretoria costs $21 per day. But prices differ between operators and you can save money through a price comparison of car rental deals from different agencies. 25% of our users found rental cars in Pretoria for $18 or less. Small rental cars in Pretoria are around 53% cheaper than other car types, on average. The cheapest price for a car rental in Pretoria found in the last 2 weeks is $16.
The cheapest month to rent a car in Pretoria is February at an average cost of $24/day. November is the most expensive month to rent a car in Pretoria when prices are $38/day on average, which tends to be 35% above the yearly average rental price for Pretoria.
Average Daily Car Rental Prices by Car Type:
| Car Type | Average Price |
|---|---|
| Small | $20 |
| Medium | $88 |
| Large | $87 |
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tags: #Africa
