History hub: Three fantastic museums you MUST visit in Pretoria

Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria. Photo: canva

South Africa’s capital city, Pretoria, is a hub for culture-enthusiasts and offers a lot to those wanting to learn more about South African culture and history. While there are plenty of incredible museums to visit in the city, we’ve listed our top three choices that should definitely be on your travel itinerary!

Voortrekker Monument, Museum and Heritage Centre

Inside the Voortrekker Monument. Photo: Dirk Human / flickr

Why you should visit: A popular heritage site in South Africa, the Voortrekker Monument, Museum and Heritage Centre commemorates the history of the Afrikaner people and all the pioneers who died during the Great Trek.

The museum displays historical Voortrekker memorabilia, and the Heritage Centre contains interactive exhibitions that aim to objectively explain the part and benefactions of the Afrikaner people to South Africa.

How much does it cost: Entrance fee is R70 per person.

Freedom Park Museum

Freedom Park Monument and Museum in Pretoria. Photo: The Michis / flickr

Why you should visit: Situated atop Slavkop Hill, The Freedom Park Museum honours and celebrates all South Africans who fought in the struggle to end apartheid.

The park is made up of a series of linked sites that explore themes of culture, heritage, history, indigenous knowledge and spirituality.

Inside the museum, you will find interactive displays of tales of Africa from millions of years ago, which include African legend, history, colonisation, industrialisation, nationalism and democracy.

How much does it cost: R65 per adult and R45 per child.

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Ditsong National Museum of Natural History

Exhibits at the Ditsong National Museum of Natural History. Photo: RViana / flickr

Why you should visit: The Ditsong National Museum of Natural History, previously known as the Transvaal Museum, is the only natural history museum in Gauteng and one of the largest museums in South Africa.

The Museum’s exhibits contain hominid fossils from the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, which includes Mrs Ples, the fossil skull believed to represent a distant relative of all humankind, as well as relics, skeletons, skins and specimens of amphibians, fish, invertebrates, reptiles and mammals.

How much does it cost: R45 per adult and R25 per child.

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Sundeeka Mungroo

Sundeeka Mungroo is a content writer, foodie and all-round adventure-seeker. She's a graduate of the University of South Africa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature, and has worked as a copywriter and editor in the digital marketing industry. Sundeeka currently writes for I Love South Africa and The South African. She lives in the beautiful Mother City and loves exploring all that South Africa has to offer.