The Best Day Trips From Pretoria

Seen and done everything there is to see and do in Pretoria and need to take a break from the capital city to explore the surrounding area? From museums and historical sites to amusement parks, here are some great ideas for day trips in the region that people with all interests will enjoy.

Johannesburg—city and museums

Johannesburg is just a quick 30-minute drive away from Pretoria and the City of Gold is jam-packed with things to see and do. Museum lovers can learn about South Africa’s difficult past with a visit to the Apartheid Museum. Alternatively, sit back, forget about the traffic, and gape at some of the amazing architecture of the city center while on the red Hop-On, Hop-Off bus that gives riders a tour of all of the city’s main attractions.

1. Pilanesberg National Park & Game Reserve

Park

One of the top national parks of South Africa, Pilanesberg is just a quick two-hour drive from Pretoria. The park is in a malaria-free zone, perfect for families with young children who’d like to do some Big Five game viewing. The relatively small size of the reserve makes it possible to drive through most of the park in one day and spot favorite animals while on a self-drive safari or an official park game drive. Those looking for something different, the park also facilitates walking safaris or hot air balloon rides.