Things to do near
Akasia
*Distances are shown as the crow flies and not necessarily the actual travelling
distance.
Galleries and Museums
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Pretoria (Tshwane) (11 km from Akasia) The Kruger House was built in 1884 for Paul Kruger, president of the Transvaal region between 1883 and 1900. The house has been restored to capture the atmosphere of what it was like to live in luxury during that era.
The house was one of the first homes in Pretoria to have electricity, and has been graced with the presence of many famous personalities, such as John Cecil Rhodes and Mark Twain.
Visitors can arrange a guided tour or visit the museum's antique shop.
Animal Parks
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Pretoria (Tshwane) (11.6 km from Akasia) One of the top ten zoos in the world, The National Zoological Gardens of South Africa offers animal lovers a staggering 9 500 animals to view. Situated on 85 hectares in the heart of ‘Jacaranda City’, it’s the largest zoo in the country and is home to mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians alike. The spacious grounds house some rare species of antelope, white rhino, elephant, hippos, lions, cheetah, gorillas and even bats!Over 600 000 people visit the zoo every year, and there’s so much to see. It’s worth enquiring about what tours are on offer. You can hire a golf cart or take the Zoo Choo-Choo Tractor Train if you’re not up for the six kilometres of walkways. For a birds-eye view, take the cableway and ride above the zoo and on both sides of the Apies River.The largest inland marine aquarium in the country, The Aquarium and Reptile Park, also form part of the zoo facility. Kids will love watching the endangered Komodo dragon, ragged-tooth sharks and other weird and highly poisonous beasties.Dotted around the zoo are a number of picnic spots where you can relax under giant shade trees. Braai facilities are available at the picnic area on the banks of the Apies River. You can also opt for a sit down meal at the restaurant.Visiting hours:Open seven days a week, 365 days a year. Tickets are sold from 8:30 to 16:30 daily and the zoo closes at 17:30.
Animal Parks
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Pretoria Central (11.7 km from Akasia) The largest zoo in South Africa, the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa also is proudly associated with the National Research Foundation.
In addition to the zoo, there is an aquarium and reptile park. Children and organised groups are most welcome. Special tours can also be arranged. The cafeteria and restaurant has a wide range of food offerings, and there is ample parking. Pop in for a visit; open all week from 8:30 to 16:30.
Galleries and Museums
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Pretoria (Tshwane) (11.8 km from Akasia) The Pierneef Museum is a restored 19th Century house dedicated to the famous landscape painter Jacob Hendrik Pierneef. Pierneef was born in Pretoria in 1886 to a Dutch builder and returned to Holland during the Boer War.
He studied at the Rotterdamse Kusakademie in Holland and became one of South Africa's most prominent artists upon his return. The museum showcases a large collection of his artwork and personal momentos.
Visitors can also enjoy refreshments at the in-house coffee shop.
Galleries and Museums
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Pretoria (Tshwane) (12.3 km from Akasia) Formerly known as the Transvaal Museum, the Ditsong National Museum of Natural History was founded on 1 December 1892 and houses Mrs Ples - the nickname attributed to a fossil skull believed to represent a distant relative of all humankind he is a natural history museum situated in Pretoria, South Africa.
Features:
Genesis I: Hall of Life
Genesis II: Mammal Hall
Austin Roberts Bird Hall
GeoScience Museum
General Information:
The museum is open every day
from 8:00 - 16:00
(except Christmas Day & Good Friday)
Entrance Fees are payable, prices upon request.
Conducted tours
Tour of Research Departments
Discovery Centre
Night Tours
Behind the Scenes tour of Research Departments
Broom Room/ Paleontology:
Science Magic Show
Bars Nightclubs
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Pretoria (Tshwane) (12.6 km from Akasia) Legends is Pretoria’s hottest
gay nightclub. Not only does Legends boast the latest music
on its
large dancefloor
and smaller second funky floor - complete with
AV screens and projectors - but it also
offers
all
the
comforts
and style of cutting-edge contemporary
clubbing.
And the finest in DJ talent ensures
that you experience only the best house
music. Legends
is open every
Saturday, Friday, Wednesday and Sunday night.
Galleries and Museums
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Pretoria (Tshwane) (12.6 km from Akasia) Situated in the heart of Pretoria, The South African State Theatre offers a variety of exciting venues for performances. Attend world-class shows ranging from Opera, Ballet, Musical, Drama, Cabaret and Children's Theatre.
The Theatre has been host to blockbuster shows like Cats, Sarafina!, The Phantom of the Opera, The Sound of Music to name but a few.
Galleries and Museums
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Pretoria (Tshwane) (12.8 km from Akasia) Melrose House was built in 1886 and used as the headquarters for the British military during the Anglo Boer War. The Peace Treaty of Vereeniging ending the war was signed at Melrose House in 1902.
The house is furnished in a typical Victorian style with lavish carpeting, stained glass windows, and decorative ceiling panels.
Visitors can enjoy a light meal and a drink at the tea garden situated in the stables at Melrose House.
Galleries and Museums
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Pretoria (Tshwane) (12.8 km from Akasia) Situated in the heart of Pretoria, the South African State Theatre is much more than just a complex of theatres hosting world-class shows ranging from Opera, Ballet, Musical, Drama, Cabaret and Children's Theatre.
Functioning as a receiving house this unusual, stylish, centrally situated venue can accommodate almost any performance, function or special event. It offers a variety of exciting venues for performances, conferences, festivals, product launches, fashion shows, film festivals, weddings, parties, matric dances and farewells, lunches and dinners.
Popular Attractions
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Arcadia (13.8 km from Akasia) Pretoria has a complex and fascinating past. Initially the capital of the independent Boer republic of the Transvaal, it moved on to became one of the three capitals of South Africa and an international symbol of Apartheid.Then the turnabout came in 1994 with the jubilant inauguration of former President Nelson Mandela, South Africa's first democratically elected President. Suddenly the Union Buildings transformed from a symbol of white, supremacist domination to one of genuine unity in this beautiful and culturally rich city.The Union Buildings still form the official seat of South Africa's government and houses The Presidency as well as the Department of Foreign Affairs. Built at the loftiest point of South Africa's capital city, the elegant buildings preside like an ancient temple adorning and presiding over the city it governs. Designed by Sir Herbert Baker, the building was completed in 1913. Herbert Baker chose Meintjieskop for the site because it reminded him of the acropolises of Greece and Asia Minor. The overall design is influenced by the neo-classic architecture of the Italian Renaissance as well as Cape Dutch.
Big Event Venues
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Thaba Tshwane (13.9 km from Akasia) One of the largest indoor venues in Pretoria, the Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria is host to a number of big live music concerts and exhibitions.
The Main Arena has hosted popular events such as the Metro FM Awards Show, Godly Revolution Music Concert, Baba Indaba Expo and advert productions for Coke and Nestlé. A range of facilities offer versatility and seating for 80 to 4 500 people.
Large events are supported by the VIP areas, holding rooms, theatre, board rooms, media room, rehearsal studio and other facilities. Well situated between Centurion and Pretoria, access to Heartfelt is convenient and there is ample on-site parking.
+27 (0) 12 651 2251.
Galleries and Museums
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Pretoria (Tshwane) (14.4 km from Akasia) The National Cultural History Museum houses a large collection of historical documents and archaeological objects dating back to the Stone Age.
There is a San art exhibition with paintings and engravings bearing clues about the belief system of the original inhabitants of South Africa.
The Hananwa exhibit showcases the Iron Age culture of the Sotho-Tswana people that migrated across the Limpopo River into South Africa over 2,000 years ago.
The Marabastad exhibit displays the flourishing life of urban black communities before Apartheid.
Visitors can walk around the curio shop, listen to talks in the auditorium, or browse through the fascinating collection of books in the library.
Galleries and Museums
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Groenkloof (14.4 km from Akasia) Much of South Africa’s architectural heritage goes far beyond broekie-lace and gables. The austere Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria pays homage to the gritty trekkers who deserted the Cape Colony in the mid 1800s.
The entire 62-metre high structure is loaded with symbolism, from the assegai motif entrance, to the rippling patterns and friezes of the ‘Hall of Heroes’ and the 64 laager wagons surrounding the building. There’s even an opening in the dome roof that allows the sun’s rays to light up the cenotaph every year at 12 noon, 16 December. In essence, the monument functions as a giant sundial.
Situated on top of Skanskop and within a nature reserve, the monument boasts lovely views of Pretoria. Shops, a restaurant, art gallery and various activities including horse rides are on offer.
Popular Attractions
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Muckleneuk (14.9 km from Akasia) The University of South Africa, or UNISA as it is commonly known, is a distance education university with the main campus and headquarters in Pretoria. You cannot miss the gigantic, mind-blowingly ugly buildings.With over 200 000 students enrolled, it is highly regarded and is one of the largest universities on the planet.Founded in 1873, UNISA was initially an examining agency for Oxford and Cambridge universities as well as something of a ‘mother ship’ to other establishing universities in South Africa. In 1946 it became a distance education university, offering certificate, diploma and degree courses up to doctoral level. It was able to remain interracial during the years of apartheid largely because it was a distance education university. Famous students and professors include:Nelson Mandela, former President of South AfricaDesmond Tutu, South African cleric and political activistRobert Mugabe, current president of ZimbabweAhmed Kathrada, South African politician and anti-apartheid activistTokyo Sexwale, South African businessman and former politician, anti-apartheid activist, and political prisonerWalter Battiss, South African abstract painter and creator of the quirky 'Fook Island' concept, UNISA Professor of Fine Art.
Sports Stadiums Clubs
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Sunnyside (15.6 km from Akasia) One of South Africa’s top stadiums with a seating capacity for 50 000 people, Loftus Versfeld Stadium is situated in South Africa’s capital Pretoria (Tshwane). It was one of the 2010 FIFA World Cup venues, hosting five first-round matches and one second-round match.
Home turf of the Premier Soccer League dynamos Mamelodi Sundowns, the Blue Bulls Currie Cup rugby team and the Bulls Super 12 rugby squad, it was also one of the primary venues for the 1995 Rugby World Cup. In addition to being one of South Africa’s premier sporting venues, Loftus Versfeld is also a thriving venue for big concerts.
Tshwane, Pretoria, "Jacaranda City," ePitoli - this graceful city has enormous appeal, a fascinating history and is now a symbol of South Africa's true unity. It's an elegant, quiet city in complete contrast to its bustling neighbour, Johannesburg, which is just 50 kilomtres apart and less than an hour's drive away.