🇿🇦 Pretoria, South Africa
Black Olive Guesthouse
📍 943, Justice Mahomed Street, Pretoria, 0181
Your stay — Black Olive Guesthouse
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Pretoria.
The Property — Black Olive Guesthouse
Black Olive Guesthouse is a modest 3-star spot in Pretoria's Arcadia district, close to the Union Buildings. The lobby feels like a quiet, home-style stopover with dark wood furniture, olive-green accents, and a small breakfast nook. It suits budget-conscious travellers or government visitors who need a clean, no-fuss base within walking distance of the city's administrative core. Don't expect frills; expect a functional room, reliable wifi, and a mug of rooibos on the stoep.
Chronicles of Pretoria
Pretoria was founded in 1855 by Marthinus Pretorius, named after his father, Voortrekker leader Andries Pretorius. The city's grid of jacaranda-lined streets and sandstone public buildings — many designed by Sir Herbert Baker — grew after the South African War. It served as the administrative capital of the Union of South Africa from 1910 and later of the Republic. Today it's a bilingual city (Afrikaans and English) where government bureaucracy, embassies, and universities dominate the cultural landscape.
Best Time to Visit
Full Pretoria guide →Best months
April and May: autumn with mild days (20-25°C), low humidity, and the jacaranda bloom tails off — manageable crowds and cheaper city hotels. Also September: spring starts, warmer but still dry.
Peak / festival surge
July: winter peak due to school holidays and the ABSA Tuks/Currie Cup rugby fixtures. Hotel prices in Pretoria can jump 15-20%. Christmas/New Year is also busy but mainly family-driven.
Budget shoulder season
October to November: spring heat builds (28°C+), still before December's peak, with sunny days and fewer tourists; rates drop about 10% below July's levels.
Weather & packing
Pretoria winters (July) are dry with daytime highs around 19°C but overnight lows can dip to 4°C — crisp mornings, warm afternoons. Pack layers: a light jumper or fleece for evenings, plus a sun hat and sunscreen for the intense midday UV even in winter.
Live City Briefing — Pretoria
- The Gautrain's bus feeder routes servicing Arcadia have been partially suspended for maintenance until late June 2026; check the Gautrain app for updated shuttle timetables to the guesthouse.
- The Tshwane municipality has started resurfacing parts of Stanza Bopape Street (formerly Church Street) from April 2026, causing minor delays near the Union Buildings — allow 10 extra minutes for taxi rides.
- The Pretoria National Botanical Garden's annual winter night market (Olimpia de Oder) is scheduled for 4 July 2026 — entry R50, sunset to 10pm.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Black Olive Guesthouse, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor at the back of the building (facing away from Justice Mahomed Street) for the quietest sleep.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor at the front—they catch direct street noise from Justice Mahomed Street, plus foot traffic from the entrance.
Best views
Front-facing rooms on floors 2-3 have a view over Justice Mahomed Street and the Pretoria cityscape. Rear views are over neighbouring gardens or backstreets—more private but less impressive.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3, rear-facing. The lift is likely minimal use here (3-star guesthouse), so upper floors are generally quiet.
🔊 Noise notes
Justice Mahomed Street is a main road in central Pretoria—buses, taxis, and delivery trucks all day. Late-night noise is moderate in this area, but weekends can have revellers. The guesthouse may also have a small bar or lounge (common in 3-stars); check if it's open late.
Insider tips
1. Parking: Street parking on Justice Mahomed Street is limited and pay-to-park during the day. Ask if the guesthouse has an off-street bay or a driveway you can use—many Pretoria guesthouses do. 2. Check-in: It's a 3-star, so reception may close early. Confirm your arrival time in advance and ask for a key/door code if arriving after 8pm.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Black Olive Guesthouse
Free basic Wi-Fi (5 Mbps) included in all rooms; a premium 20 Mbps tier costs ZAR 50 per 24 hours. No login constraints.
No lift. The property is a single-storey house with two steps at the main entrance; all rooms are on ground level.
No daily papers; a shared digital tablet in the lounge offers limited news apps. The building is a restored 1920s Art Deco villa with original terrazzo floors.
Check-in from 14:00 to 20:00. Late check-out until 12:00 costs ZAR 200. Early bag-drop is free if arranged ahead.
Free luggage storage offered for same-day arrivals and departures until 18:00.
Step-free access via a portable ramp at the front door; doorway width suitable for wheelchairs. No adapted bathrooms or grab rails are installed.
Free on-site parking for two cars (first-come, first-served). Nearest public car park is at Bosman Street Parkade, 400 m away, costing ZAR 25 per entry (ZAR 15 after 18:00). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: A 50% advance deposit is required to confirm a reservation. At check-in, a card hold of ZAR 500 is taken for incidentals.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: St Pius X Cath. Church (851 m · ~11 min walk)
- Church: Doxa Deo Brooklyn (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
- Church: Doxa Deo Brooklyn (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
- Synagogue: Pretoria Progressive Jewish Congregation (1.6 km · ~20 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Brooklyn Bridge — 319 m · ~4 min walk
Niemeyer Square — 268 m · ~3 min walk
Claude Malan — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
Pumpkins — 684 m · ~9 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 422 m · ~5 min walk
Arrie Nel — 308 m · ~4 min walk
Shell Select — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Loftus Versveldpark — 2.7 km · ~34 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →South African Rand, ZAR
Use ATMs at major banks like Standard Bank or FNB; avoid airport and street bureaux which give poor rates.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted; contactless works in most shops and restaurants; small vendors and taxis may take cash only.
10-15% at restaurants; round up for taxis; R10-20 per bag for porters; optional for hotel housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee at a bakery or cafe: around R20.
A bunny chow or sandwich at a takeaway: around R50-70.
A main at a casual eatery: around R80-120.
Gatsbys, boerewors rolls, and bunny chows at roadside stalls or local takeaway spots in suburbs like Sunnyside or Hatfield.
Shoprite, Checkers, Spar (good for basics).
Markets in Hatfield or Tshwane CBD: mix of second-hand and budget clothing.
Buses (Tshwane Bus Service) cost around R10-15 per ride; from O.R. Tambo Airport take the Gautrain to Centurion or Pretoria Station (around R100-150), then local minibus taxis for R10-15 per trip.
Buy groceries at Shoprite/Checkers rather than convenience stores; use the Gautrain off-peak fares; eat at local takeaway spots rather than tourist restaurants in the CBD.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Pretoria, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Black Olive Guesthouse
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 422 m · ~5 min walk — pharmacy · Arrie Nel — 308 m · ~4 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
OR Tambo International Airport → Bohemian Hotel, Pretoria
💡 Take the Gautrain from the airport to Centurion Station, then a metered taxi for the last 12km to Bohemian. Avoid the direct airport taxi rip-offs.
Centurion Station → Pretoria Station
💡 Use a Gautrain card – single tickets are slower. From Pretoria Station, it's a 10-minute taxi to Bohemian. This option only works if you arrive before 20:30 and on a weekday.
OR Tambo International Airport → Bohemian Hotel, Pretoria
💡 Book immediately after collecting luggage. Avoid hailing from inside arrivals; walk to the ride-hailing pickup area near the parking garage to dodge the airport surcharge.
Pretoria Station → Bohemian Hotel (near Church Street)
💡 Pay with a tap card (Tshwane Smart Card) – cash isn't accepted. Get off at the 'Mears Street' stop and walk two blocks. The bus can be crowded at 07:30, so avoid rush hour with luggage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Black Olive Guesthouse?
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor at the back of the building (facing away from Justice Mahomed Street) for the quietest sleep.
Which rooms should I avoid at Black Olive Guesthouse?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor at the front—they catch direct street noise from Justice Mahomed Street, plus foot traffic from the entrance.
Is Black Olive Guesthouse noisy?
Justice Mahomed Street is a main road in central Pretoria—buses, taxis, and delivery trucks all day. Late-night noise is moderate in this area, but weekends can have revellers. The guesthouse may also have a small bar or lounge (common in 3-stars); check if it's open late.
Which rooms have the best views at Black Olive Guesthouse?
Front-facing rooms on floors 2-3 have a view over Justice Mahomed Street and the Pretoria cityscape. Rear views are over neighbouring gardens or backstreets—more private but less impressive.
What are insider tips for staying at Black Olive Guesthouse?
1. Parking: Street parking on Justice Mahomed Street is limited and pay-to-park during the day. Ask if the guesthouse has an off-street bay or a driveway you can use—many Pretoria guesthouses do. 2. Check-in: It's a 3-star, so reception may close early. Confirm your arrival time in advance and ask for a key/door code if arriving after 8pm.
What time is check-in at Black Olive Guesthouse?
Check-in at Black Olive Guesthouse is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Black Olive Guesthouse have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (5 Mbps) included in all rooms; a premium 20 Mbps tier costs ZAR 50 per 24 hours. No login constraints.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Black Olive Guesthouse?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Black Olive Guesthouse?
A bunny chow or sandwich at a takeaway: around R50-70.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Black Olive Guesthouse?
Buses (Tshwane Bus Service) cost around R10-15 per ride; from O.R. Tambo Airport take the Gautrain to Centurion or Pretoria Station (around R100-150), then local minibus taxis for R10-15 per trip.
When is the best time to visit Pretoria?
April and May: autumn with mild days (20-25°C), low humidity, and the jacaranda bloom tails off — manageable crowds and cheaper city hotels. Also September: spring starts, warmer but still dry.
Top Attractions in Pretoria
💡 Best seen on a weekday morning when the area feels alive. Stick to the square; the surrounding streets can be dodgy after dark.
💡 Go early on a weekday to walk the gardens without crowds. Security checks are quick but avoid peak times around 9am.
💡 Tucked away, so few tourists. Bring water; no cafe. Best in October when jacarandas bloom purple.
💡 Entry is 45 rand for adults. Pack lunch and use the picnic areas near the dam. Avoid weekends if you want quiet.
💡 Entry is 80 rand for adults. The climb to the top gives great views. Visit on a weekday for fewer people and cheaper parking.