Things to do near
Wonderboom
*Distances are shown as the crow flies and not necessarily the actual travelling
distance.
Animal Parks
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Pretoria (Tshwane) (6.2 km from Wonderboom) 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.
Popular Attractions
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Arcadia (6.3 km from Wonderboom) 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.
Animal Parks
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Pretoria Central (6.5 km from Wonderboom) 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) (6.5 km from Wonderboom) 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) (6.6 km from Wonderboom) 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.
Galleries and Museums
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Pretoria (Tshwane) (7.2 km from Wonderboom) 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.
Bars Nightclubs
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Pretoria (Tshwane) (7.2 km from Wonderboom) 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) (7.3 km from Wonderboom) 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
Galleries and Museums
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Pretoria (Tshwane) (7.3 km from Wonderboom) 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) (7.5 km from Wonderboom) 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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Pretoria (Tshwane) (7.5 km from Wonderboom) 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.
Sports Stadiums Clubs
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Sunnyside (7.8 km from Wonderboom) 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.
Popular Attractions
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Hatfield (8.2 km from Wonderboom) The University of Pretoria, fondly called ‘Tucs’ by students, is ranked as the leading research university in South Africa. Also one of the top three universities in the country, it draws a large number of new students every year, with 39 000 students enrolling in 2010.The university has six campuses and numerous operational sites such as the Pretoria Academic Hospital. The Hatfield campus has a beautiful setting and attractive historic buildings, making it one of the more striking universities in South Africa.Visitors usually make their way to the Ou Lettere building to view the amazing archaeological finds from Mapungubwe. Here you can see the gold rhinoceros, jewellery, figurines, pottery and other artefacts at least 700 years old.The Hatfield campus has contributed to the reputation of Hatfield as the most vibrant suburb of Pretoria with numerous trendy cafés, bars and restaurants.
Shopping Malls
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Hatfield (8.2 km from Wonderboom) Situated in the heart of Pretoria is Duncan Yard, a distinctive boutique lifestyle centre and must-do lunch spot. Here visitors amble through quaint stores and eateries along cobbled stone walkways and castle turrets.
The alfresco centre provides a unique shopping experience with over 15 restaurants and shops. Its picturesque location is reminiscent of a rustic Italian village and provides a refreshingly exotic experience.
Renowned for the popular Papa’s Real Food restaurant and the Deli on Duncan’s delectable array of delicacies, Duncan Yard also features an enticing selection of stores offering boutique clothing, jewellery, indoor and outdoor décor, and carpet and florist services. Both the beauty and hair salon are idyllically situated for complete relaxation and pampering.
Trading Hours:
Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:00
Saturday 09:00 – 15:00
Sunday 10:00 – 14:00
Public Holidays 10:00 – 14:00
www.duncanyard.co.za
+27 (0) 12 362 2224 / 4054
Popular Attractions
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Muckleneuk (9.3 km from Wonderboom) 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.