Union Buildings
Official seat of the South African government, designed by Sir Herbert Baker, with terraced gardens, city views and the giant nine-metre bronze statue of Nelson Mandela.
- Entry
- Free
- Time
- 45–60 min
Private Day Tour
Private Pretoria Day Tour from Johannesburg
Discover South Africa's administrative capital on a private Pretoria day tour from Johannesburg. Visit the Union Buildings, Voortrekker Monument, Church Square and the jacaranda-lined avenues of one of Gauteng's most historic cities.
- Fully private
- Pro driver-guide
- A/C vehicle
- Flexible route
Starting price
From R1,700 pp
Duration
8–10 hours
Pickup
JHB · Sandton · OR Tambo · Lanseria
- Duration8–10 hours
- Tour typePrivate guided
- Starts fromJHB / Sandton / Airports
- VehicleA/C private vehicle
- GuideEnglish driver-guide
- PriceFrom R1,700 pp
Overview
What to expect on your Pretoria Day Tour
Pretoria — Tshwane — is South Africa's administrative capital, about 55 kilometres north of Johannesburg. It's a completely different city from Joburg: slower, greener, built around wide boulevards, historic sandstone buildings and jacaranda-lined avenues. A private Pretoria day tour from Johannesburg is the ideal complement to a Joburg city tour, especially for guests interested in South African political history, architecture and the Anglo-Boer War.
Your driver-guide picks you up in Johannesburg or Sandton (or from OR Tambo or Lanseria) and drives you the short freeway route into Pretoria. From the sweeping terraces of the Union Buildings — with their giant Nelson Mandela statue and views back across the city — you'll visit the granite Voortrekker Monument, historic Church Square, Kruger House and, if time allows, Melrose House and the Pretoria National Botanical Garden.
October and November are especially beautiful in Pretoria — the city's thousands of jacaranda trees bloom purple, and it's one of the most photographed times of year in South Africa. But this tour runs well year-round.
Tour highlights
Stops you can include on the day
Your day is fully private — pick and choose the stops that interest you most. Entrance fees are paid on the day and are not included in the tour price.
Voortrekker Monument
Striking granite monument to the Great Trek with marble friezes, dome viewpoint and a surrounding nature reserve overlooking Pretoria.
- Entry
- R150 adult / R100 child
- Time
- 60–90 min
Church Square
Pretoria's historic heart, surrounded by the Palace of Justice, the Old Capitol Theatre and the Paul Kruger statue. A walking stop rich in Boer republic and 1963 Rivonia Trial history.
- Entry
- Free
- Time
- 30–45 min
Kruger House Museum
Former residence of President Paul Kruger with original furnishings and 19th-century political history — small but atmospheric.
- Entry
- R100 adult / R50 child
- Time
- 45 min
Melrose House
Preserved 1886 Victorian mansion where the Treaty of Vereeniging was signed in 1902, ending the Anglo-Boer War.
- Entry
- R60 adult / R40 child
- Time
- 30–45 min
Optional add-onPretoria National Botanical Garden
Optional tranquil urban reserve with South African plant biodiversity, themed gardens and birdlife — a good addition on a relaxed day.
- Entry
- R100 adult / R50 child
- Time
- 60–90 min
Optional add-onPretoria Zoo
Optional family-friendly attraction with big cats, elephants, an aquarium and cable-car views over the zoo — a good add-on if you're travelling with children.
- Entry
- R150 adult / R100 child
- Time
- 2–3 hours
Suggested itinerary
A typical day on tour
Your route is flexible and can be adjusted on the day, but a typical private tour may follow this flow. Timings depend on traffic, opening hours and how long you'd like to spend at each stop.
- 1Pickup from your hotel08:30
Collection from Johannesburg, Sandton, OR Tambo or Lanseria in a private air-conditioned vehicle.
- 2Union Buildings09:45
Walk the terraces, learn the political history and stop at the Nelson Mandela statue.
- 3Church Square walking stop11:00
Short walking tour of Pretoria's historic centre with your guide.
- 4Kruger House or Melrose House11:45
Choose one (or both) of the small historic-house museums for context on 19th-century Pretoria.
- 5Lunch in Pretoria13:00
Lunch at a local restaurant (own account) — your guide will recommend based on what you fancy.
- 6Voortrekker Monument14:30
Visit the granite monument, walk the friezes and take in the panoramic views from the dome.
- 7Optional Botanical Garden or Zoo16:00
If time and energy allow, add a relaxed stop at the Botanical Garden or Pretoria Zoo.
- 8Return to Johannesburg17:30
Drop-off at your Johannesburg or Sandton hotel.
Private tour pricing
Clear, honest pricing
All prices are per person and based on your private group size. Entrance fees are not included and are listed separately on this page. Your tour is fully private — you never share the vehicle with strangers.
Fuel, tolls and parking included
Bottled water on board
Free pickup from Johannesburg, Sandton, OR Tambo or Lanseria
| Group size | Price / person |
|---|---|
| 1 guest | R3,500 |
| 2 guests | R2,600 |
| 3 guests | R1,950 |
| 4 guests | R1,800 |
| 5+ guests | R1,700 |
Entrance fees are paid separately depending on which attractions you choose to include on the day.
What's included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Fuel, tolls and parking
- Bottled water
- Hotel, airport or agreed-location pickup and drop-off
What's excluded
- Entrance fees
- Meals and drinks
- Gratuities
- Optional activities
Good to know
- All tours are private and can be tailored to you
- Typical duration: 8–10 hours from pickup to drop-off
- Pickup from JHB hotels, Sandton, OR Tambo or Lanseria Airport
- Route adjusted for traffic, weather and attraction opening times
Why Wanderer
Why book this tour with Wanderer?
Fully private vehicle & guide
You never share the vehicle with strangers. It's your driver-guide, your route, your pace — start to finish.
Flexible route
Swap, skip or add stops on the day. Your interests and energy levels drive the itinerary — not a fixed schedule.
Safe & professional
Registered driver-guides, air-conditioned vehicles, live tracking and 24/7 WhatsApp support during your tour.
Easy WhatsApp booking
Chat to a real person on WhatsApp — no online booking form loops. We confirm quickly, in your timezone.
Clear pricing
One transparent per-person price by group size. Entrance fees are always listed separately — no surprises.
Tailored pickup & drop-off
Complimentary collection from Johannesburg hotels, Sandton, OR Tambo Airport or Lanseria Airport.
Pickup locations
We collect you where you're staying
Complimentary pickup and drop-off is included from most of Johannesburg, Sandton and both Gauteng international airports. Just tell us your hotel or address when you enquire and we'll confirm timing.
- Johannesburg hotels & Airbnbs
- Sandton hotels (Sandton Sun, Radisson, Michelangelo, DaVinci)
- OR Tambo International Airport
- Lanseria International Airport
- Rosebank, Melrose Arch & Illovo
Frequently asked questions
Questions guests ask before booking
How far is Pretoria from Johannesburg?
Pretoria is about 55 kilometres north of Johannesburg — a comfortable 50 to 75 minutes each way depending on traffic and your pickup location.
How long is the Pretoria Day Tour?
A typical private Pretoria day tour from Johannesburg runs 8 to 10 hours from pickup to drop-off. This includes travel time, lunch and time at each major stop.
Is the Union Buildings stop included?
Yes. The Union Buildings — with the giant Nelson Mandela statue and terraced gardens — is a standard stop on every private Pretoria tour and entrance to the grounds is free.
Are entrance fees included?
No. Entrance fees for the Voortrekker Monument, Kruger House, Melrose House, the Botanical Garden and Pretoria Zoo are paid separately on the day. Current prices are listed next to each stop.
When is the best time to see the jacarandas?
Pretoria's famous jacaranda bloom typically peaks in mid to late October and continues through early November. If you're planning your trip around it, we recommend late October.
Can this tour be customised?
Yes. This is a fully private tour — you can add, skip or swap stops on the day. Popular add-ons include Freedom Park, the Voortrekker Monument nature reserve and the Nelson Mandela Capture Site en route back to Johannesburg.
Can I be collected from Sandton?
Yes. Complimentary pickup and drop-off is included from all Sandton hotels, from Johannesburg hotels and from both OR Tambo and Lanseria International Airports.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. Every Wanderer Pretoria day tour is fully private. You are the only guests in the vehicle with your own driver-guide, and the pace is entirely yours.
Explore more
Explore more Johannesburg day tours
Combine tours over multiple days or pick a different Johannesburg experience — every Wanderer tour is private, tailored and driver-guided.
Johannesburg City Tour
Constitution Hill, Mandela Bridge, Braamfontein, Maboneng and the CBD with a private driver-guide.
Soweto Tour
Vilakazi Street, Mandela House, Hector Pieterson Memorial and the Apartheid Museum with a local guide.
Cradle of Humankind Tour
Maropeng UNESCO World Heritage visitor centre, the Sterkfontein area and optional cultural add-ons.
All Johannesburg Day Tours
See every private Johannesburg day tour, safari and multi-day option.
Related tours: Johannesburg city sightseeing tour, private Soweto tour from Johannesburg, Pretoria day tour from Johannesburg, Cradle of Humankind tour from Johannesburg.
Ready when you are
Ready to plan your private Johannesburg day tour?
Tell us where you are staying, how many guests are travelling and which highlights you would like to include. Our team will confirm availability, pricing and the best route for your day.
Ref: pretoria-day-tour