Waterkloof Glen, Pretoria

Close to the Pretoria east suburbs of Constantia Park and Newlands, Waterkloof Glen lies on the other side of the N1 from Waterkloof and Waterkloof Ridge, known collectively as ‘the waterkloofs’ where the more upmarket and sedate style homes rest. Most of the neighbourhoods to the east of Pretoria are leafy and pretty. Homes here are, for the most part, big with large gardens, although there are a fair number of townhouse village-type affairs, favoured by those downsizing or starting out.

One of the main advantages of staying in Waterkloof Glen is the access to the N1, making the drive in to Midrand, Johannesburg and Pretoria all relatively easy. Green spaces are not hard to come by and both the Groenkloof Nature Reserve, a beautiful green lung in the heart of Pretoria’s eastern suburbs with access to hiking and mountain bike trails, and the Rietvlei Nature Reserve, one of the world’s largest urban nature reserves, are close at hand.

The Menlyn Centre and Brooklyn Mall too are both within easy reach, and if you add the abundance of golf courses in the area, it is understandable that Waterkloof Glen and its surrounds are a fairly popular place to stay when in Pretoria. Over weekends, the Botanical Gardens lie right at the connection of the N1 with the N4 - a beautiful, calm way to spend the day picnicking under trees, or exploring the series of paths that wend their way in amongst the over 5000 indigenous plants. It is a wonderful escape from the drudgery of city living.