Pretoria is nicknamed as the Jacaranda City because to the blaze of purple blooms that adorn the city's many parks and gardens throughout the springtime. The city is located in the rich valley of the Apies River, which is at the foot of the Magaliesberg range. In addition to its role as the political capital of South Africa, Pretoria also shares the title of "capital city" with both Cape Town and Bloemfontein. Although it is just around 55 kilometers apart from Johannesburg, the two cities feel like they are located on completely different continents.
Pretoria is a city with a big population of Afrikaner people, and it is known for its well-kept residential areas and civil workers and diplomats that work there. In addition to its significance in the industrial sector, the town is also a center of education and culture. The University of Pretoria was established in 1930, and now, the University of South Africa, often known as UNISA, is considered to be one of the largest open universities in the entire world.
Visit the city's many historic buildings, monuments, and museums, as well as its gorgeous botanical gardens and nature reserves. Some of these locations offer superb game-viewing possibilities just a short drive from the central business district of the city. Other top things to do in the city include walking around its lovely botanical gardens and wildlife reserves. Check out our ranking of the most popular tourist destinations in Pretoria to get some inspiration on where you should go next.
1. Pretoria National Botanic Garden
A tranquil haven in the heart of the city may be found in the Pretoria National Botanic Garden, which is located in the city's eastern suburbs. The gardens include a total area of 76 hectares and feature a wide variety of South African plant life, including more than half of the country's tree species, an abundance of blooming plants, cycads, aloes, and other remarkable collections. The park is divided in two by a quartzite ridge, with the vegetation in the half of the park that faces north providing a striking contrast to the vegetation in the section of the park that faces south.
Plants are organized into categories based on the climates in which they are found, such as the savannas of the Karoo, the coastal woodlands, and the grassland plains of Namibia. Paved nature pathways can be found winding through the wild vegetation that grows on the rocky ridge that is located above the garden. The National Herbarium, which is also located on the premises, is home to the greatest collection of plant specimens in South Africa. More than a million different species have been cataloged and housed in this facility. After taking in the sights of the beautiful gardens, guests may refuel in the café that overlooks the water.
2. Voortrekker Monument
The Voortrekker Monument is a South African National Heritage site and one of the most visited historical monuments in the country. It is located on a hilltop to the south of the city center and is rather high up. In 1949, it was constructed as a monument to honor the Voortrekkers, who were Boers who traveled northward into uncharted terrain in the middle of the 19th century.
Steps lead up to the Hall of Heroes, which features 27 marble reliefs depicting the Great Trek of 1838. This 40-meter-high square granite monument is a notable landmark in the city. The wall that surrounds the monument features depictions of ox carts, which stand in for the trip wagons. On the 16th of December of each year, a shaft of sunlight shines through a hole in the dome and illuminates a cenotaph below, which reads "Ons vir jou, Suid-Afrika" ("We are for you, South Africa").
The venue is used on occasion for concerts of classical music, which are perfect for showcasing the hall's exceptional acoustics. The displays of the museum provide a glimpse into everyday life during this pivotal era. After exploring the building's inside, guests can head to the rooftop restaurant for a meal and take in breathtaking views of Pretoria after climbing to the top of the building.
3. South Africa's National Zoological Gardens and Botanical Gardens
The National Zoological Gardens of South Africa cover an area of 85 hectares and offer a full day's worth of animal-related activities for the whole family. This enormous zoo features a walk-through aviary, a reptile house with a collection of creatures from all over the world, and the only inland aquarium in the country, where visitors may witness a wide variety of fish species, including ragged tooth sharks.
The lion and tiger exhibit, as well as the hippo and elephant displays, are among the highlights of the extensive mammal collection. When going on a tour of the zoo, guests have the option of renting golf carts by the hour, riding the cableway to get a bird's-eye perspective, or walking along the walkways to get a closer look at the animals. It is recommended that visitors wear shoes that are comfortable because the grounds are wide. Nighttime excursions and camping trips lasting the entire night are also available.
4. Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre
Animal enthusiasts will get the opportunity to get up close and personal with some spectacular African wildlife at the Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre, which is located about 45 minutes by car from Pretoria. Since its founding in 1971 as a cheetah breeding project, this charitable organization has gone on to successfully breed a variety of other creatures, including African wild dogs, Cape vultures, and brown hyenas, amongst others.
Additionally, the facility was the pioneer in the breeding of the extremely rare king cheetah. The visitors have the opportunity to select from a selection of educational tours, one of which is a three-hour guided tour and touch experience. During this tour, guests accompany the keepers on the feeding rounds and have the opportunity to stroke and interact with the graceful animals. This is an incredible opportunity for photographers to get up close and personal with their subjects, and the payment goes toward funding conservation efforts.
5. Buildings of the Union
The Union Buildings are located on Meintjieskop Hill, the highest point in the city, close to the historic Church Square, which was the location of the city's earliest settlement. These buildings are surrounded by lovely gardens. This spectacular collection of sandstone buildings, which were designed by Sir Herbert Baker in 1913, incorporates elements of the Italian Renaissance, the English Renaissance, and the Cape Dutch architecture. It serves as the administrative center of the state and is home to the president's offices as well as the state archives.
Statues of former South African prime ministers Louis Botha, J. B. M. Hertzog, and J. C. Smuts are located in the gardens, which slope down in terraces to Church Street. There is also a nine-meter-tall statue of Nelson Mandela in the gardens. The Delville Wood Memorial is located in the gardens and honors the South African soldiers who were killed in the First World War. People come from far and wide to stroll through the gardens, gawk at the architecture, and take in the breathtaking panoramas of the city. The inauguration of former President Nelson Mandela in 1994 took place at this location, which is another reason why many people in South Africa have a soft spot in their hearts for this location.
6. Freedom Park
Freedom park recounts the history of South Africa's fight for independence and pays tribute to the people who were instrumental in achieving that goal. The park is located on Salvokop Hill, which offers breathtaking vistas. The memorial park was opened to the general public in 2007, and it features a number of moving memorials in addition to an amazing museum that explores the history of the country from the beginning of human civilization to the current day.
The neighboring Voortrekker Monument and a number of the city's other important landmarks can be seen from this vantage point. The Wall of Names, which is inscribed with the names of all those who sacrificed their lives in South Africa's key conflicts, an eternal flame, and the Gallery of Leaders, which provides an inspiring look at role models on the road to liberation, are some of the highlights of the memorial. The guided tours last for around two hours and provide intriguing insight into the stories that are depicted here as well as the symbolic characteristics of the architecture.
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7. Moreleta Kloof Nature Reserve
A haven for hikers and others who love nature, the Moreleta Kloof Nature Reserve is located in the foothills of Moreleta Kloof close to the city center. The reserve is 100 hectares in size. In the 19th century, the reserve functioned as a dairy farm. Today, one of the original buildings on the property functions as a restaurant, and guests may enjoy their meals on a deck that overlooks the reserve while occasionally being entertained by a parade of animals.
The park is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including springbok, impala, bushbuck, zebra, and ostrich, in addition to a large number of avian species. The hiking trails in the reserve range in length from less than one kilometer to more than three kilometers, and there is a stream that flows through the reserve that provides water for the animals.
Groenkloof Nature Reserve and Faerie Glen Nature Reserve are two additional beautiful green spaces close to the heart of the city. Groenkloof Nature Reserve features hiking, horseback riding, and four-wheel drive trails, while Faerie Glen Nature Reserve is a section of the Moreleta Spruit Nature Trail. Both of these nature reserves are part of the Moreleta Spruit Nature Trail. The Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary was named after the South African ornithologist who authored a popular handbook on the birds of South Africa. The sanctuary is a popular destination for birdwatchers. There are almost one hundred native species that call this body of water home, and there are bird hides around the shores of the reservoir.
8. The Melrose Mansion
Melrose House, which is now a National Monument, gives visitors the opportunity to feel as though they have traveled back in time to the latter half of the 19th century. This lovely Victorian home, which was constructed in 1866 by successful businessman George J. Heys, served as the location for the signing of the Treaty of Vereeniging in 1902, which was the Peace Treaty that brought an end to the Anglo-Boer War.
The mansion is a wonderful example of Victorian architecture that has been kept, and it is stuffed with antiquities. The stained-glass windows, porcelain embellishments, paintings by British painters, and exquisite architectural flourishes are some of the highlights of the building. Guided tours are offered. In addition to hosting art exhibitions, concerts, and antique fairs, the house also functions as a café that provides refreshments in the adjacent tea garden.
9. The Ditsong Museums of South Africa (all nine of them)
The Ditsong Museums of South Africa are a set of eight national museums in the country that house important cultural collections. The Ditsong National Museum of Natural History, which was once known as the Transvaal Museum, is home to an impressive collection that includes fossils, geological specimens, ancient artifacts, and mammalian and amphibian skeletons.
Visitors will have the opportunity to view more than 800 species of birds that are native to South Africa at the Austin Roberts Bird Hall. The National Museum of Cultural History is yet another museum in the Ditsong complex. It features Cape Dutch furniture, silver, and archaeological artifacts in addition to Bushman rock engravings and an ethnological department.
It is highly recommended that you pay a visit to the Sammy Marks House. This magnificent Victorian mansion, which served as home to a prosperous businessman and his family from 1885 until 1909 and maintains the majority of its original furnishings and decorations, was built in 1885. Following their tour, guests are welcome to relax in the garden with some tea and scones.
10. Rietvlei Nature Reserve
The Rietvlei Nature Reserve is located on the outskirts of Pretoria and provides a tranquil escape to the natural world as well as excellent game viewing less than twenty minutes' drive from the heart of the city. The dam was constructed in the midst of the Great Depression, and it today provides 15 percent of Pretoria's water supply. Additionally, it serves as a habitat for a variety of highveld species that was reintroduced to the surrounding area. There are a variety of creatures that may be seen in this area, including elands, red hartebeest, buffalo, blesbok, waterbuck, zebras, black wildebeest, hippos, and even cheetahs. The humorous secretary birds, the blue crane, which is the national bird of South Africa, and a breeding pair of fish eagles are all things that birdwatchers should keep an eye out for.
The reserve extends across 3,800 hectares and features undulating hills, expansive grassland, roads that are clearly designated, and, of course, the dam itself. Anglers can cast their lines from the western and northern coasts of the reservoir. In addition, there are lion excursions, hiking and horse trails, bird hides, a popular tea garden, and a playground for the children to keep them occupied and entertained.
11. Kruger House Museum
The Kruger House Museum is housed in an unassuming Victorian building on Church Street and is Pretoria's most historic and well-known residence. It was the residence of Paul Kruger, the former President of the Transvaal Boer Republic, during the years 1883 until 1900.
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It is now a museum that features artifacts and displays that relate to his life as well as the politics of the historical period. Please take note of the two stone lions that are located on the verandah. Barney Barnato, a mining tycoon in the Northern Cape, presented them to President Kruger as a birthday present on the occasion of his birthday in 1896.
12. An Africa on Horseback
Horseback Africa is a private wildlife reserve located just under 50 kilometers from Pretoria. It is one of the top attractions in the area and offers activities such as walking with baby lions and riding safaris on horseback. The Lion Tours are the most memorable experience that can be had in this location. The goal of the program is to raise awareness about the need of animal conservation while also providing participants with the opportunity to interact with juvenile lions up to one year of age.
Start off in the garden by teaching the young lion cubs some intriguing information about their species while you feed them. After that, you should go for a stroll through the preserve with the young lions. The lions need to practice their hunting abilities, thus the walks are not only entertaining for the visitors but also very vital for the lions. In spite of this, the lions frequently demand to be petted and stroked.
The reserve is known for its big cats, but it also offers horseback riding safaris that allow guests to get up close and personal with other animals, like as zebras, wildebeests, kudus, and giraffes, while riding along trails. Due to the fact that each group is accompanied by at least two guides, these trails are accessible to both novice and seasoned riders. Even though you have the option to spend the night here, most people come for a day excursion and take advantage of the reserve's package deal, which consists of a morning horseback riding safari, lunch, and an afternoon Lion Tour.
13. Hazel Food Market
On Saturdays, one of the best things to do in Pretoria is to check out the Hazel Food Market, which is styled after a market in Europe. The market includes more than 70 stalls selling anything from artisanal breads to fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers, baked products, and local meats like biltong. It is located opposite to the Greenlyn Village Centre in the Menlo Park neighbourhood.
You'll also find a diverse selection of ready-to-eat cuisine from all over the world, including Thai, Mexican, Indian, and American barbecue, to name just a few of the options from outside South Africa. Try some koeksisters, which are deep-fried dough balls filled with syrup, or sosaties, which are skewers of barbecued meat. Both of these dishes are traditional to South Africa.
14. Pretoria Art Museum
The Pretoria Art Museum has been in operation since the 1930s and spans the entirety of an entire city block. After receiving a significant donation of works from the "New Dutch" school dating to the 17th century, it was first formed with the purpose of housing the City Council of Pretoria's Art Collection.
The museum's collection has grown significantly over the years, and the majority of its emphasis is now placed on art from South Africa. More than three thousand items are currently on display in the permanent collection. Some of the artists whose work is featured in the collection are South African masters such as Henk Pierneef, Irma Stern, and Pieter Wenning. In addition to that, it possesses a collection of contemporary art that includes works by artists such as Sam Nhlengethwa, Judith Mason, and Lucas Sithole.
Because Cape Town and Johannesburg already possessed significant European art collections from the 17th to the 19th century, the museum made the decision to concentrate on South African art instead of European art. It also plays host to both national and traveling exhibitions in addition to its permanent collection. Local artists will be exhibiting their work, and you will have the opportunity to purchase some of the works.
Additionally, Pretoria is home to a number of noteworthy art galleries. The Chris Tugwell Gallery is the place to go if you're like landscape paintings and other forms of outdoor art. Tugwell is considered to be one of the most accomplished landscape artists in South Africa. He works primarily in oil, and each of his creations possesses a nuanced character that is fascinating. Ceramics, bronzes, and sculptures created by some of South Africa's most renowned artists are also on display at this gallery, which can be found within the Brooklyn Mall Shopping Center.