Pretoria City Tour
The Pretoria Scenic Tour
- After collecting you from your Hotel in Johannesburg or Pretoria. We make our way to Pretoria, being the Administration Capital of South Africa is steeped in history. It's not a mere coincidence that Pretoria is called the "Jacaranda City". During the blooming season, late September to November the city turns purple with 70,000 blooming trees.
- Our first stop is the Voortrekker Monument. This massive granite structure is prominently located on a hilltop, and was built to commemorate the Voortrekkers who left the Cape Colony between 1835 and 1854.
- Here you will learn about the history of the Afrikaner. Climbing the 169 stairs to the top provides you with a beautiful overview of the city of Pretoria. Not feeling like stairs not to worry there is a lift.
- We then make our way downtown passing Melrose House, Kruger House and Church Square. Pretoria has over the years had very diverse cultural influences and this is reflected in the architectural styles that can be found in the city.
- Ranging from 19th century Dutch, German and British colonial architecture to modern, postmodern, neomodern, and art deco architecture styles with a good mix of a uniquely South African style.
- Moving onto the Union Buildings headquarters of the government. Here you can stretch your legs in the beautiful gardens and see the impressive statue of Nelson Mandela. One of South Africa’s national heritage sites. Made out of bronze, the 9m tall statue weighs 3.5 tons. Having a "wingspan" of 8m from finger tip to finger tip.
- Ending the tour we pass by the local Stadium used in the 2010 World Cup. Loftus Versfeld is the home ground of Super Rugby and Absa Currie Cup giants the Blue Bulls and leading PSL football team Mamelodi Sundowns. Which has a capacity of more than 50 000 and is frequently used to host large-scale Rugby and Soccer matches.
Optional visit into the Kruger House Museum.
Interested in a Safari see our Pilanesberg Safaris, Kruger National Park Safaris or our Overland Tours.
Want to see Apartheid Museum
The Voortrekker Monument
Situated in the northern part of Pretoria (Tshwane) region in a nature reserve. It is a unique Monument which commemorates the Pioneer history of Southern Africa and the history of the Afrikaner and is situated in a beautiful setting. The Monument was inaugurated in 1949. It was designed by architect Gerard Moerdijk. In the Hall of Heroes is the world’s longest historical marble frieze. A tapestry with more than three million stitches is housed in the Cenotaph Hall.
Melrose House
The house played an important role during the Anglo-Boer Wars, and is the site of the signing of the peace treaty that ended the 2nd Anglo-Boer war.
Kruger House
Built for the Kruger Family in the 19th-century, Afrikaans leader and Transvaal President Paul Kruger, which Kruger National Park is named after.
Church Square
Surrounded by historical buildings in varying neo-classical architectural styles, including the impressive Palace of Justice where former president Nelson Mandela and several of his comrades were tried and charged for treason during the infamous Rivonia Trial, the Old Capitol Theatre and the Ou Raadsaal (Old Government) building.
Pretoria’s Union Buildings
The official seat of the national government, house the offices of the South African president and are located atop the Meintjieskop in the Arcadia suburb of Tshwane. An important South African heritage site. The impressive building is surrounded by pretty terraced gardens that offer great panoramic views over the city. Within the gardens you’ll find various monuments to important historic South African figures, including a monument of General Louis Botha riding his horse and an imposing 9 m-tall bronze statue of Nelson Mandela that was unveiled here just after his death in 2013. An idyllic walk through the gardens is a must.