Pretoria Attractions

The Grahamstown History and Natural Science Museums displays fossils, settler artifacts and Xhosa dress and hut.

Pretoria National Botanical Garden

The magnificent Pretoria National Botanical Garden is located on a 35m high quartzite outcrop (Silverton Ridge) to the east of Pretoria lies the Botanical Garden.

This outcrop divides the Garden into two sections. Its frosty south-facing section and the north-facing, warmer section present two different worlds to the visitor and botanist. There are paved walkways and nature trails to view the natural vegetation with its diversity of indigenous fauna and flora and an artificial waterfall in the forest adjoining the tea garden.

The Desmond Cole Lithops Collection (succulents known as ‘flowering stones’) and the Hardy Collection of plants from Namaqualand, Madagascar and Namibia are on display.

Cullinan, Witbank, Middelburg and Boitshabelo
 
Cullinan: 

The South African town of Cullinan was developed around the Premier Diamond Mine and has beautiful terraced Victorian cottages. The famous Cullinan Diamond, 3,106-carat is the largest rough gem ever found was recovered from this mine. It was presented to King Edward VII and forms part of the British Crown Jewels.

There are a number of tours available to enter the mine shaft, hoist room and big hole. 10km north of the town is the Pretorius Agricultural Museum which is on an old farmstead dating back to 1880. View the historic house, outbuildings, stables and there are exhibits of old agricultural implements.

Witbank: 

The name Witbank (White Ridge) is named after the white sandstone outcrop where wagon transport drivers rested. It is mainly a coal mining town and the first shaft was sunk in 1896. Of historic interest, Winston Churchill hid in the mine shaft at the Transvaal and Delagoa Bay Mine after his escape from Pretoria.
 
Middelburg:

The town of Middleburg in South Africa lies in an area rich in coal deposits. Its original name in 1866 was Nazareth but renamed Middelburg in 1874. Places of interest are the White Church, built in 1890 for the Dutch Reformed Church, the concentration camp cemeteries south of the town and on Kanonkop, and the sandstone Meyer Bridge built in 1895 over the Little Olifants River.

Botshabelo: 

In 1865 this town was established as a mission station, it is a Sotho name meaning ‘place of refuge’. It is 8km from Middelburg. The main attraction is the South Ndebele open-air museum with displays of Ndebele history and culture. A living museum depicts the development of Ndebele architecture from the early dome-shaped grass homesteads to mud-walled homes with their famous mural decorations. Guided tours are available. A nature reserve surrounds the mission and can be explored along day walks.
 

Tswaing Crater and Bela-Bela Warmbaths
 
Tswaing Crater: 

The famous Tswaing Crater in South Africa is the best-preserved meteorite impact crater in the world which was formed 220,000 years ago. The diameter is just over 1km and it has a depth of about 120m.

A brine lake lies in the centre of the crater. The Tswana name means ‘place of salt’. A guided tour is offered but displays on the natural and cultural history is on site. Visit the Tswaing Crater Museum and view the living village of the Ndebele culture.

Bela-Bela / Warmbaths: 

Bela-Bela / Warmbaths is world renowned as a holiday and health destination. Its original name was Hartingsburg but in 1920 it was renamed Warmbad (warm bath) after a hot spring surfaced and once again renamed to Bela-Bela which means ‘boiling boiling’ in North Sotho.

The hot mineral springs bubble out of the earth at about 22,000 litres per hour and the temperature is 53oC and is rich in sodium chloride, calcium carbonate and other mineral salts that have healing properties. The spring resort, has a hydro spa, outdoor pool complex, water slides, wave pool and river ride. Cable water-skiing is one of many leisure and recreational activities on offer.  

Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa:

A Pretoria landmark, the Sir Herbert Baker designed Union Building complex is the official seat of South Africa's government, housing the Presidency and Department of Foreign Affairs. Set on its very own acropolis of Meintjieskop – the highest point of the city – and surrounded by a lovely terraced garden that is open to the public.

The Union Buildings in Pretoria are the seat of the South African government. The building is 275m long and was designed by Sir H. Baker. It is the official residence of the presidency and parliament is held here during the winter months, during the summer months it is held in Cape Town. The view over the city is magnificent.

Location:

Church Street, Arcadia, Pretoria, South Africa

An architectural icon that commemorates the early pioneering days of South Africa and the history of the Afrikaner people. Designed by architect Gerard Moerdijk, the massive monument stands as an architectural translation of the Great Trek and the lives of the Voortrekkers. The site contains a number of significant attractions, including a wall of remembrance, a Heritage Centre and Fort Schanskop.

Location:

Eeufees Road, Groenkloof, Pretoria

Telephone number:

012 326 6770