It’s been a while since my last blog, and for good reason — I just returned from a long but rewarding road trip to Pretoria. With 3,500 km traveled across seven days, the journey had everything from scenic views and long drives to load shedding and unexpected stops. Let me take you through it all.
The Journey Begins in Table View
We kicked off our road trip to Pretoria on a cold, rainy morning at 7 AM, leaving from Table View, Cape Town. My travel co-host Angelique was buzzing with excitement. Originally, we planned to drive through small towns away from the N1, but after just two stops, we found ourselves back on the main route. The delay cost us about three hours, so we made the call to stick to the N1 — Colesberg was our overnight stop, and time wasn’t on our side.
Stops Along the Way
Our first real pause came in Robertson, where we grabbed coffee and warmed up. Next up was Montagu for brunch — delicious food and a chance to snap a great photo of Angelique next to an old ox wagon. We rested, refueled, and pushed on toward Touws River, only to be delayed by an accident for nearly 30 minutes. We eventually reached Colesberg for our overnight stay before arriving in Pretoria East by 7 PM the next day.
Welcome to Pretoria… and Load Shedding
No sooner had we arrived in Pretoria than the electricity blackouts began. The power outage stretched beyond 9 PM that evening. Still, reuniting with friends made up for it. We caught up until midnight and geared up for a busy weekend.
On Saturday, we met more friends at Kolonade Mall in Pretoria North. While the vibe was cheerful, our experience at Total Ninja left much to be desired. The place was overcrowded, chaotic, and lacked proper crowd control. I wouldn’t recommend it for families or anyone sensitive to noise and crowding.
A Sunday of Friendship and Fun
Sunday brought some joy as Angelique and her lifelong best friend played two fun rounds of putt-putt. Later, we visited my sister’s family in Roodepoort, only to face more power outages. In some areas, electricity had been off for days — another reminder of why we moved away.
Despite that, our visit was full of laughter, especially thanks to Annelie’s English bulldog. That little whirlwind of energy kept everyone entertained.
Randburg, Shopping, and Bird Watching
Monday saw us heading to Randburg to visit Angelique’s dad. Between shopping trips (not my favorite, to be honest), we visited the Montecasino Bird Gardens. While the birds were beautiful, I couldn’t help but compare it to the World of Birds in Hout Bay — which still offers a far superior experience.
A Rough Ride Back to Cape Town
On Tuesday, we started our return trip with a planned stopover in Colesberg. Sadly, Ebenezer Guesthouse was a major disappointment: no Wi-Fi, limited TV channels, no working heater, no soap, slippery tiles, and a fridge that smelled foul. We couldn’t leave fast enough.
Just 20 km out of town, we had to turn back due to a gas spill-related accident. We rerouted via Noupoort to Hanover, then rejoined the N1. From there, things went smoothly — until we hit another accident between De Doorns and Worcester, causing more delays.
But nature had one last surprise: snow on the mountain tops. It was our first time seeing snow, and the sight made every traffic jam worthwhile.
Reflecting on the Road Trip to Pretoria
After 3,500 km and a week of memories, we arrived home safely around 7 PM on Wednesday. Although we couldn’t fit in a visit to the Voortrekker Monument or a few other places, the overall experience was enriching.
This road trip to Pretoria reminded me that, despite the joys of reconnecting with old friends, Cape Town and the Western Cape still offer the best lifestyle in South Africa.
What’s Next?
I’ll be fully back to routine by Saturday, ready to bring you more updates and travel inspiration. Until then, feel free to check out our previous blog posts to catch up on more of our journeys.
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