Pretoria is a city that offers something for everyone. Whether you are looking for history, culture, nature, or entertainment, you will find it in the capital of South Africa.
Pretoria is a handsome city with some gracious old architecture, significant historical sites, prosperous leafy suburbs, and wide streets lined with jacarandas that burst into a beautiful purple haze in October and November.
In this article, we will show you some of the best things to do in Pretoria, from museums and monuments to parks and sanctuaries. You will discover why Pretoria is a city worth visiting and exploring.
Water Activities and Sports
If you are looking for some fun and excitement on the water, Pretoria has plenty of options for you. Whether you want to learn a new skill, challenge yourself, or simply relax, you will find something that suits your taste and budget. In this section, we will introduce you to some of the best water activities and sports in Pretoria, from scuba diving and wakeboarding to boat rentals and shark diving. You will discover why Pretoria is a great destination for water lovers of all ages and levels.
- Geko Divers: This is a place where you can learn scuba diving and explore the underwater world of Pretoria. They offer courses, equipment, and trips for all levels of divers.
- StokeCity WakePark: This is a place where you can try your hand at skiing, kneeboarding, wakeboarding, and wakeskating for beginners to advanced. They have a cable park, a boat lake, and a beach bar.
- Boat Rentals: This is a place where you can rent a boat and enjoy a cruise on the Hartbeespoort Dam or the Roodeplaat Dam. You can choose from different types of boats, such as speedboats, pontoons, and houseboats.
- Dolphin & Whale Watching: This is a place where you can experience the thrill of seeing dolphins and whales in their natural habitat. You can join a guided tour that takes you to the best spots for spotting these amazing creatures.
- River Rafting & Tubing: This is a place where you can have fun and adventure on the water. You can join a river rafting or tubing trip that takes you through rapids, waves, and scenic views. You can choose from different rivers, such as the Crocodile River, the Vaal River, and the Magalies River.
- Scuba & Snorkelling: This is a place where you can discover the underwater wonders of Pretoria. You can join a scuba diving or snorkelling trip that takes you to various dive sites, such as reefs, wrecks, and caves. You can see colorful fish, corals, sharks, and more.
- Shark Diving: This is a place where you can face your fears and get up close and personal with sharks. You can join a shark diving trip that takes you to a shark cage or an aquarium where you can see different species of sharks, such as tiger sharks, bull sharks, and hammerhead sharks.
- Surfing & Windsurfing: This is a place where you can enjoy the waves and the wind in Pretoria. You can join a surfing or windsurfing lesson or rental that takes you to various spots, such as dams, lakes, and rivers. You can learn the basics or improve your skills with professional instructors.
Air, Helicopter and Balloon Tours
If you are looking for a different perspective of Pretoria, why not try an air, helicopter or balloon tour? These tours offer you a chance to see the city and its surroundings from a bird’s eye view, and experience the thrill of flying in various ways. In this section, we will introduce you to some of the best air, helicopter and balloon tours in Pretoria, from hot air balloon safaris and helicopter flights to skydiving and gyrocopter rides. You will discover why Pretoria is a great destination for air lovers of all ages and levels.
- Hot Air Balloon Safari: This is a tour where you can enjoy a scenic flight over the Magaliesberg Mountains or the Cradle of Humankind in a hot air balloon. You can see the sunrise, the wildlife, and the landscape from a different angle. You can also enjoy a champagne breakfast after the flight .
- Helicopter Flight over Pretoria: This is a tour where you can fly over the city of Pretoria and see its landmarks and attractions from above. You can see the Union Buildings, the Voortrekker Monument, the Pretoria National Botanical Garden, and more. You can also customize your flight according to your preferences.
- Skydiving Experience: This is a tour where you can experience the ultimate adrenaline rush of jumping out of a plane and freefalling at 200 km/h. You can choose to do a tandem skydive with an instructor or a solo skydive if you have the license. You can also enjoy the views of Pretoria and its surroundings as you parachute down .
- Gyrocopter Ride: This is a tour where you can fly in a gyrocopter, which is a small aircraft that looks like a helicopter but has a propeller instead of a rotor. You can enjoy a smooth and stable flight and see the city and its landscapes from a low altitude. You can also learn some basic maneuvers from the pilot if you want.
Nature and Wildlife Reserves
If you are looking for some nature and wildlife reserves in Pretoria, you are in luck. Pretoria has many places where you can enjoy the beauty and diversity of nature, and see some amazing animals and plants. You can explore different habitats, such as grasslands, wetlands, forests, and mountains, and learn more about the conservation efforts in the area.
Here are some of the nature and wildlife reserves:
- Rietvlei Nature Reserve: This is a reserve where you can see a variety of animals, such as rhinos, buffalos, zebras, giraffes, elands, waterbucks, and more. You can also enjoy activities such as hiking, cycling, fishing, birdwatching, and picnicking.
- Groenkloof Nature Reserve: This is a reserve where you can experience the natural beauty of Pretoria. You can see animals such as zebras, wildebeests, impalas, kudus, and more. You can also enjoy activities such as hiking, cycling, horse riding, 4×4 trails, and camping.
- Moreleta Kloof Nature Reserve: This is a reserve where you can relax and enjoy nature. You can see animals such as zebras, springboks, duikers, bushbucks, and more. You can also enjoy activities such as hiking, birdwatching, and picnicking.
- Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary: This is a sanctuary where you can see a variety of birds, such as herons, egrets, ibises, ducks, geese, kingfishers, and more. You can also enjoy activities such as walking, photography, and visiting the Blue Crane Restaurant.
- Faerie Glen Nature Reserve: This is a reserve where you can enjoy the tranquility of nature. You can see animals such as zebras, impalas, blesboks, duikers, mongoosees, and more. You can also enjoy activities such as hiking and birdwatching.
Sight Seeing Tours
Pretoria is a city rich in history, culture and natural beauty. Whether you want to explore the legacy of the Voortrekkers, admire the architecture of the Union Buildings, or enjoy the wildlife at the National Zoological Gardens, there is something for everyone in this vibrant capital of South Africa. Here are some of the best sight seeing tours you can take in Pretoria to discover its attractions.
- Voortrekker Monument: Visit this impressive granite structure that commemorates the pioneers who left the Cape Colony in the 1830s and learn about their history and culture.
- Ditsong National Museum of Cultural History: Discover the diverse heritage of South Africa through exhibits that showcase art, archaeology, anthropology and history.
- Pretoria City Tour: See the landmarks and monuments of Pretoria, such as Church Square, Paul Kruger House, Union Buildings and Freedom Park.
- Cullinan Diamond Mine: Visit the site where the world’s largest diamond was found and learn about the history and process of diamond mining.
- Sammy Marks Museum: Step back in time and experience the life of a wealthy businessman and his family in this Victorian mansion that showcases their furniture, art and personal belongings.
Fun Things to Do With Kids in Pretoria
Pretoria is not only a city for adults, but also a great destination for families with children. There are plenty of fun and educational activities that will keep your kids entertained and happy. Whether you want to enjoy some outdoor adventures, explore the animal kingdom, or have some indoor fun, you will find something to suit your preferences and budget. Here are some of the best fun things to do with kids in Pretoria that will make your trip memorable.
- National Zoological Gardens of South Africa: Enjoy a day of fun and learning at one of the largest zoos in the world, home to more than 9,000 animals of 700 species.
- Pretoria Botanical Garden: Relax and admire the beauty of nature at this 76-hectare garden that features a variety of plants, birds and insects.
- Acrobranch Pretoria: Have some treetop adventure at this outdoor park that offers zip lines, obstacle courses and swings for different ages and skill levels.
- The Grove Ice Rink: Cool off and have some fun on ice at this indoor skating rink that offers skating lessons, disco sessions and birthday parties.
- Xtreme Indoor Karting: Race with your kids at this indoor go-karting track that features high-speed karts, sharp bends and exciting challenges.
- Bounce Inc: Jump and bounce to your heart’s content at this trampoline park that offers free jumping, dodgeball, slam dunk and more.
- Brooklyn Theatre: Treat your kids to a cultural experience at this theatre that showcases various performances, such as ballet, opera, musicals and comedy.
Conclusion
Pretoria is a great destination for families with children who want to have some fun and learn something new. There are many activities that will keep your kids entertained and happy, from treetop adventures and wildlife viewing to ice skating and theatre shows. We hope this article has given you some ideas on what to do in Pretoria with your kids. Have a wonderful time in this vibrant city!
