Pretoria, adorned with purple flowering jacaranda trees, is the de facto capital of South Africa. Soon to be known as Tshwane, Pretoria is somewhat calmer – and safer - than its southern neighbor, Johannesburg. This sedate and leafy city offers a fantastic outdoor lifestyle, with plenty of parks and outdoor activities. However, don't be lulled into a false sense of security by Pretoria’s veneer of serenity; the city suffers its share of crime, which makes wandering around on foot after dark, or letting your children roam the streets on their bikes, inadvisable. Waterkloof and Groenkloof are among the beautiful older parts of town, where detached houses flank tree-lined streets. Many of these have large gardens, most with swimming pools. Families here spend most of their leisure time either at home in their garden with friends, or at other people's houses for braais (BBQs).