Pretoria - Pretoria is infamously known as the sleepy city which goes quiet and eerie when people leave for the festive season, but there are many options for those who remain behind to have some fun.
Activities have been carefully selected and organised to ensure no one feels left out during this Christmas weekend.
At the top of these activities that are open to the public are visits to nature reserves and parks, where for a minimal fee, visitors will have access to the sights and sounds of nature, picnic areas and the many animals which roam the semi wild of the Pretoria surrounds.
Right in the city centre is the national zoo, where both land and water animals can be seen.
There is a new pair of ragged-toothed sharks, seals and a variety of fish; there are rhinos, lions, tigers and elephants, while visitors can also enjoy a view of the capital city from the cable car.
Picnic baskets and limited amounts of alcohol are allowed in. But if picnic areas are what your family or groups of friends want, they can visit the Rietvlei Dam or Groenkloof Nature Reserve, where braai facilities and open spaces are available.
There are hiking and bike trails and game drives at these places, which can be enjoyed as the weather is set to be sunny for most of the weekend, according to the South African Weather Service.
Rain has only been predicted for Christmas Day afternoon.
An experience with cheetahs can be had at the Ann van Dyk Cheetah centre on Saturday and Sunday, during which one can experience the speed of one of the fastest land animals.
The centre will be closed tomorrow but is open again on Saturday and Sunday. Visitors can watch the cheetah run at top speed from behind a fence and have a touch experience with the animal in addition to enjoying a game drive. There, they also can see a variety of wildlife such as hyenas, vultures and small antelope.
And while out walking with lions and running with cheetahs, the city’s municipal parks and swimming pools will be open for those who want to cool down and enjoy the water on Saturday.
The malls in the city are mostly closed on Christmas Day, save for a shop here and restaurant there, but they are all fully operational from Saturday, with gaming arcades and shops open for last minute shoppers ahead of next week, when festivities will switch to new year celebrations.
The wave pool at Forest Hill City mall is the first of its kind in Gauteng, and since it was opened its popularity has increased by leaps and bounds.
Those spending the Christmas weekend in the city can go there with their children for surfing and body boarding, and a stint on the mall’s Olympic-size ice rink.
Various other areas are offering lunches and specials for the weekend for city residents.
They can check in at an eatery near them to take a break from the festive cooking, and with the weather as good as it will be, there is no reason to staying indoors.
Pretoria News