There are a number of parks and nature reserves in and around Pretoria; from the Wonderboom Nature Reserve to the National Zoological Gardens or better known as the Pretoria Zoo.
About 90ha to protect a tree? Indeed, at this truly unique reserve establishment to protect a 23m tall 'wonder tree' which, after a millenium of survival, has a 50m diameter. Enjoy a lazy lunch in one of the many picnic spots.
A 60ha recreational area at the source of the Apies River. A further 500ha have been set aside as a game and bird sanctuary. Hiking, swimming, camping, picnic, a restaurant, playpark and a small miniature locomotive are added attractions.
One of the finest zoological gardens in the world, covering 600ha of parkland in central Pretoria and home to about 3 500 southern African and exotic animals, including the world's largest antelope collection.
Other attractions include the four great apes, mammals, the rare South American Maned Wolf, Indian Gaurs and Polish Prztwalski horses.
An arial cableway runs across the gardens offering visitor a birds eye view of the attraction.
Adjacent to and part of the zoo, the complex contains a remarkable seashell collection, several species of snakes, lizards,iguana and crocodile, as well as imaginative displays of freshwater and marine species.
An 11ha park with two dams, sheltering 170 species of waterbirds including blue crane, sacred ibis and heron.
Pretoria National Botanical Garden
Features more than 5 000 indigenous plant species on 77ha. Tours last two hours and include a slide show and visit to the otherwise private nursery.
A nature trail streads its way through the city suburbs from where the Rietvlei Dam southeast of Pretoria joins the Hartbees Spruit north of the Derdepoort Regional Park.
Its course bisects Gaerie Glen Nature, which offers pleasant walks and is home to many bird species and natural vegetation stretching over 110ha, including the cabbage tree, wild plum, aloes and proteas.
