Pretoria Full-Day Tour: Union Buildings & Voortrekker Monument

Walk beneath blooming jacarandas to explore Pretoria’s hidden history and landmarks

A full-day guided tour of Pretoria visiting the Union Buildings, Voortrekker Monument, Freedom Park, Church Square and the Paul Kruger House Museum, with a live English-speaking guide, private transport and bottled water. The tour runs seven to eight hours and includes hotel pickup. Choose between a small group shared rate or a private tour rate at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Voortrekker Monument45m
2. Union Buildings45m

Explore Pretoria's historic landmarks

• Visit Voortrekker Monument
• Explore Freedom Park memorial
• Drive past Pretoria Central Prison
• Tour Paul Kruger House museum
• Visit Church Square
• See Union Buildings
• Drive past Victorian mansion

The experience

The tour starts with pickup from your hotel and moves through Pretoria's major sites in a single arc. You'll see the Voortrekker Monument, a granite structure on a hilltop south of the city built to commemorate the Voortrekkers who left the Cape Colony between 1835 and 1854. Freedom Park comes next: a memorial and museum honoring South Africa's struggle for freedom, where you walk through the Wall of Names and the Garden of Remembrance. The guide drives past Pretoria Central Prison, now a correctional facility with significance from the apartheid era, then stops at the Paul Kruger House Museum in downtown Pretoria, a modest space that outlines the life of the 19th-century Transvaal President.

Church Square, at the historic centre of the city, was the site of Pretoria's first church, built in 1855. Originally a marketplace and sports field, it's now the grandest civic square in the city. The Union Buildings (the official seat of the national government and offices of the South African president) close the tour. They're among the most recognizable heritage landmarks in Tshwane. If open, you may step into a Victorian mansion that played a role during the Second Anglo-Boer War. Throughout the day, you travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with bottled water provided and free Wi-Fi access.

Pretoria is known as "Jacaranda City" for the Jacaranda trees that turn the streets purple every October. Founded in 1855 and named after Voortrekker leader Andries Pretorius, the city serves as the seat of South Africa's administrative government and is one of the country's three capitals. The tour is paced to cover these sites without rushing, and the guide speaks English throughout.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• free Wi-Fi access.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• live English-speaking guide for the full seven to eight hours.

Options for this experience

2 options

Small group, shared rateUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English · 08:30Lasts 8 hours; includes pickup by car or bus

Private Tour RateUp to 30 per booking · Guide in English · 08:30Includes pickup

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (under 12)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 5 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 16 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Stephenson Adventures

Is this one for you?Book the small group option if you're traveling solo or with one companion and want to split costs. Choose private if you're with your own party and prefer a dedicated guide for the full day.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 12).

What is the Voortrekker Monument and why does the tour start there?

The Voortrekker Monument is a massive granite structure on a hilltop south of Pretoria, built to commemorate the Voortrekkers who left the Cape Colony between 1835 and 1854. It's one of the tour's anchor stops and sets the historical context for understanding the city's founding.

Does the tour include entry to Freedom Park and the museums?

The tour visits Freedom Park, a memorial and museum honoring South Africa's struggle for freedom, where you explore the Wall of Names and the Garden of Remembrance. Entry to the Paul Kruger House Museum is also included. Specific museum entry fees, if any, depend on current opening hours and policies.

Can I choose between a shared group tour and a private tour?

Yes. At checkout you select either the Small Group Sharing Rate, which travels with other guests, or the Private Tour Rate for your own group. Both include the same guide, transport and itinerary.

What's included in the tour price?

Private transportation, bottled water, an air-conditioned vehicle and free Wi-Fi are included. Hotel pickup is part of the booking. Meals and beverages beyond water are not included.

How long does the full-day tour take?

The tour runs seven to eight hours from pickup to drop-off, covering all the major sites without a rushed pace.

Is this tour suitable for someone with mobility concerns?

The operator notes the tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health, as it involves walking between sites and standing at various attractions. It is suitable for all physical fitness levels otherwise.