This modern business district between Pretoria and Johannesburg has a cricket stadium, aerospace facilities, and several upscale shopping centers along with quiet suburban areas.
Centurion, a city of 237,000 people, sits between Pretoria and Johannesburg in South Africa's Gauteng Province. Watch international cricket matches at SuperSport Park, walk among vintage fighter jets at the South African Air Force Museum, or spot zebras and rhinos in Rietvlei Nature Reserve. Take a Saturday morning stroll through the Irene Village Market's 300 craft stalls, visit the working dairy farm from 1889, or explore the restored rooms of Smuts House from 1909.
Getting to Centurion
The city sits at the intersection of major highways N1 and N14, making it easily accessible from both Pretoria and Johannesburg. Take the Gautrain high-speed rail service from OR Tambo International Airport to Centurion's central station. The trip takes about 35 minutes with one transfer at Marlboro station.
Weather and Climate
Centurion experiences hot summers from October to April, with temperatures reaching the mid-30s Celsius. Expect afternoon thunderstorms with heavy rains and lightning. Winter days stay dry and sunny with temperatures around 20°C, dropping to 5°C at night. The city runs a few degrees warmer than Johannesburg throughout the year.
Sports and Recreation
SuperSport Park has become one of South Africa's main cricket grounds since 1986. Watch the annual Boxing Day Test match or other international games throughout the year. Play a round at Blue Valley Golf Estate, designed by Gary Player, or try the historic 18-hole course at Zwartkop Country Club, which dates back to the early 1900s.
Air Force Museum
Walk through hangars filled with military aircraft at the South African Air Force Museum at Swartkop Air Force Base. Examine fighter jets up close, step inside transport planes, and learn about South African pilots' experiences through personal artifacts and photographs. The base operates next to Waterkloof Air Force Base, one of South Africa's main military airfields.
Natural Areas
Drive or walk through Rietvlei Nature Reserve's 3,800 hectares to spot wildlife including zebras, rhinos, and various antelope species. The Hennops River creates green corridors through central Centurion, though visitors should note it can overflow during the rainy season's heavy storms.
Markets and Local Food
Browse more than 300 stalls at the Irene Village Market every Saturday on the Smuts House Museum grounds. Visit the stone buildings of Irene Dairy Farm, operating since 1889, where you can buy fresh milk, cream, and baked goods from the farm shop.
