Pretoria · Gauteng, South Africa
Pretoria Tours, Safaris & Things to Do
Discover the best Pretoria tours and things to do in South Africa’s jacaranda-lined capital: tour the grand Union Buildings and the towering Voortrekker Monument, descend into the Cradle of Humankind caves, confront history in Soweto and the Apartheid Museum, and head out on a Big Five safari at Pilanesberg or Kruger. Compare top-rated experiences and plan your perfect Gauteng trip.
525 experiences Free cancellation Top-rated tours Instant booking
Good for families in Pretoria
Children can join from a young age and pay less than adults — taken from each operator’s price list.
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Explore Pretoria by interest
Whatever brings you to Pretoria — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
What to see
Top attractions in Pretoria
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Union Buildings
Seat of power.
110+ toursView tours
Pilanesberg
Big Five park.
90 toursView tours
Cradle of Humankind
Sterkfontein Caves.
90 toursView tours
Apartheid Museum
Powerful history.
120 toursView tours
Soweto
Vibrant township.
120 toursView tours
Sun City
Resort & fun.
60 toursView tours
Kruger Park
Iconic safari.
70 toursView tours
Voortrekker Monument
Historic landmark.
80 toursView tours
1 day
Pretoria in 1 day
- 1Union Buildings
- 2Voortrekker Monument
- 3Jacaranda streets
- 4Cradle of Humankind
2 days
Pretoria in 2 days
- 1Day 1: city & caves
- 2Day 2: Soweto & apartheid
- 3Mandela House
- 4Apartheid Museum
Safari
Pretoria safari
- 1Drive to Pilanesberg
- 2Morning game drive
- 3Big Five spotting
- 4Sun City
With kids
Pretoria with kids
- 1Pilanesberg safari
- 2Sterkfontein Caves
- 3Harties cableway
- 4Sun City
~2.5 hrs awayPilanesberg
Big Five safari.
from €90View trips
~1 hr awayCradle of Humankind
Ancient caves.
from €60View trips
~1 hr awaySoweto
History tour.
from €55View trips
~2.5 hrs awaySun City
Resort & fun.
from €80View trips
Multi-day awayKruger Park
Iconic safari.
from €250View trips
~1 hr awayApartheid Museum
Powerful history.
from €55View trips
Practical guide
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Pretoria visitor asks before booking.
Autumn–winter (May–Aug)
The best time for safaris, with dry, sunny, mild days and excellent wildlife viewing at Pilanesberg and Kruger.
Spring (Sep–Oct)
A beautiful time, when Pretoria’s jacaranda trees bloom in purple across the city.
Summer (Nov–Feb)
Warm and green with afternoon thunderstorms; lush scenery but more rain.
Winter mornings
Highveld winter days are sunny but mornings and evenings are cold — bring warm layers for early game drives.
Best for safari
The dry winter months concentrate wildlife around water, making for superb game viewing.
Jacaranda season
Late spring brings the famous purple jacaranda bloom, Pretoria at its most photogenic.
One day
The city and the Cradle of Humankind.
Two days
Add Soweto and the Apartheid Museum.
Three days
Add a Pilanesberg Big Five safari.
Safari lovers
A multi-day Kruger and Panorama Route trip.
History buffs
Deeper time in Soweto and the museums.
With kids
Mix safari, caves and Sun City.
Tours & transfers
Guided tours with pickup are the easiest and safest way to see the city and reach safaris and Soweto.
Gautrain
The Gautrain rapid rail links Pretoria with Johannesburg and OR Tambo Airport quickly and comfortably.
Car & driver
Hiring a car with a driver is popular for flexibility and ease across Gauteng.
Stay aware
As in any big city, take normal safety precautions and prefer guided tours and arranged transfers.
Safari distances
Pilanesberg is about 2.5 hours and Kruger 4 to 5 hours, so plan early starts or overnight trips.
Getting there
OR Tambo International Airport near Johannesburg is the main gateway, linked to Pretoria by the Gautrain.
South African rand
South Africa uses the rand (ZAR); cards are widely accepted, but carry some cash for tips and markets.
Book safaris ahead
Popular Pilanesberg and Kruger safaris fill up, especially in peak winter — reserve in advance.
Bring binoculars
Binoculars and a zoom camera greatly enhance safari wildlife viewing.
Layer for game drives
Early morning safaris are cold even in summer — bring warm layers you can remove later.
Travel smart
Use guided tours and arranged transfers, and follow local safety advice in the cities.
Malaria-free option
Pilanesberg is malaria-free, a reassuring choice for families and first-time safari-goers.
Pilanesberg safaris
Day safaris fill up in peak season — book ahead.
Kruger tours
Multi-day safaris need planning — reserve early.
Soweto & apartheid
Popular history tours sell out — book ahead.
Cradle of Humankind
Cave tours have limited places — reserve early.
City tours
Guided city tours are popular — book ahead.
Sun City trips
Combined safari and Sun City days fill up — reserve early.
City tour
Around $35–70 for a half- or full-day Pretoria city tour.
Soweto tour
About $55–90 for Soweto with the Apartheid Museum.
Cradle of Humankind
Roughly $60–100 for a guided caves and Maropeng tour.
Pilanesberg safari
Around $90–150 for a Big Five day safari.
Kruger safari
Multi-day safaris run from several hundred dollars.
How to save
Join group tours, combine Gauteng sights and travel midweek.
When to visit
Pretoria through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
Autumn–winter (May–Aug)
May–Aug
- Best for
- Best safari.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Cold mornings.
Spring (Sep–Oct)
Sep–Oct
- Best for
- Jacaranda bloom.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Lovely time.
Summer (Nov–Feb)
Nov–Feb
- Best for
- Green, lush.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Afternoon storms.
Late autumn (Mar–Apr)
Mar–Apr
- Best for
- Mild, pleasant.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Good all-round.
People also ask
Pretoria travel FAQ
What are the best tours in Pretoria?
The highest-rated experiences are a city tour of the Union Buildings and Voortrekker Monument, the Cradle of Humankind, Soweto and the Apartheid Museum, and a Pilanesberg or Kruger safari.
What should I book in advance in Pretoria?
Reserve Pilanesberg and Kruger safaris, Soweto tours and the Cradle of Humankind ahead, especially in peak winter safari season.
How many days do I need in Pretoria?
One day covers the city and caves, two add Soweto and the Apartheid Museum, and three or more let you enjoy a Big Five safari.
Is Pretoria worth visiting?
Yes — South Africa’s capital pairs grand monuments like the Union Buildings and jacaranda-lined streets with the fascinating Cradle of Humankind, the moving history of Soweto and the Apartheid Museum, and easy access to Big Five safaris at Pilanesberg and Kruger.
When is the best time to visit Pretoria?
The dry autumn and winter months from May to August are best for safaris, while spring brings the famous purple jacaranda bloom.
Can you do a safari from Pretoria?
Yes — Pilanesberg offers an easy Big Five day safari about 2.5 hours away, and Kruger is the ultimate multi-day option.
What is the Cradle of Humankind?
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site near Pretoria where the Sterkfontein Caves have yielded some of the world’s most important early human fossils.
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