11 Top Things to See and Do in Pretoria

Although the Union Buildings, seat of the South African government, are not open to the public, the gardens are and it’s a popular picnic spot on warm summer days. There are tall trees to wander underneath, manicured gardens to admire, a statue of Nelson Mandela to pay your respects to and grand architecture to stand in awe of. Not to mention the view over Pretoria from the top Meintjieskop hill!

Pretoria has a plethora of museums covering a variety of interesting topics, especially relating to the history of South Africa. No visit to Pretoria would be complete without a few hours at the Voortrekker Monument, an impressive edifice erected in the memory of the Afrikaner pioneers who settled the interior of the country. You may also want to make a stop at Freedom Park to learn more about those who lost their lives during various South African wars, including the Apartheid era. And if you’re interested in old buildings with period furnishings and interesting artifacts, then the Kruger House, Sammy Marks House or the Pioneer Museum will be right up your alley.

With more than 500 shops and over 177,000 m2 (211,690 yd2 ) of floor space, Menlyn Park shopping center is the largest mall in Africa. Everything from fashion to food to fun can be found here, including high street brand names, some of the best restaurants, cafes and bars in Pretoria, and one of only four 4DX cinemas in the country. There is even a large outdoor space with an oversized chess set and fountains to keep the little ones entertained while mum and dad rest their weary feet.

The best bars in Pretoria serve not only our local SAB brands, but also a selection of craft beers for the more refined palate. If you know your lager from your ale and your tongue can tease out the tastes each micro brew has to offer, then you’ll be happy to know the capital city has you covered. One of the most popular places for craft beer tasting is the Capital Craft Beer Academy restaurant and bar in Menlo Park. Come for beer with your mates, stay for the good food and great atmosphere.

Would you believe you can see four of the Big Five roaming around within the borders of a nature reserve just on the outskirts of Pretoria? Admittedly, the predators are confined within their own encampment which you can visit on an escorted game drive and perhaps even take part in the feeding. However, the rest of the 3,800 hectare Rietvlei Nature Reserve is yours to explore by car and chances are good you’ll encounter rhino, buffalo, black wildebeest, Burchell’s zebra, springbok and a variety of other antelope and smaller animals on your drive. Guided hiking and horse trails are also available upon request.

Do yourself a favor and get up before the birds do one fine Saturday morning to visit the Pretoria Boeremark farmer’s market, which has been popular with lovers of fresh, local produce for more than 20 years now. You can find anything from farm produce to homemade milk tart, cheese and fruit preserves, to local handcrafts, spices and flowers for sale.

South Africans are obsessed with rugby and here in Pretoria it’s almost become a religion. If you want a true taste of local culture, then don’t miss out on a Blue Bulls game at Loftus Versfeld stadium. The crowd may be rowdy but they’re friendly and you’ll soon be arm in arm with your fellow supporters, and perhaps even meet up afterwards for a pint or two at the local sports bar. Come dressed in blue and you’ll be welcomed with open arms any day of the week.

Pretoria is also home to the South African State Theater, the largest theater complex in Africa. Come dressed in your Sunday best (or in jeans and sneakers, it’s really up to you) to get your culture on with the best performing arts shows from the community, the country and abroad. Performances range from ballet, opera and musicals to stand-up comedy, poetry readings and jazz evenings.

The luxury Blue Train departs from Pretoria Station and is a bucket list item for many, but few can actually afford it. But if a trip on a train appeals to you, then consider taking a day-trip on a steam train from Pretoria to the nearby little mining town of Cullinan with Friends of the Rail. Sit back and relax in one of the 60-year-old railway coaches while the train goes clickety-clack and the locomotive whistles and steam pours past the window. Point out the familiar sights of Pretoria as the train passes by the Union Buildings, Loftus Versfeld, Unisa and more, until you leave the city behind and head for Cullinan, where you can spend the afternoon exploring a diamond mine or taking in the sights of this quirky town.

Regardless of how you feel about the ethics of zoos, there is no denying that seeing wild animals up close is an experience that will leave you both amazed and aware of the need to protect them. The National Zoological Gardens, situated in the Pretoria CBD, is the largest zoo in the country and also features an aquarium and reptile park. It’s a fantastic place to spend the day, where you can see anything from African elephants to hippos to lions to lemurs to komodo dragons. The zoo is home to more than 3,000 animals and there is ample room to have a picnic under the tall trees next to the Apies River.