Pretoria Zoo, officially called the National Zoological Gardens, was established in 1899, round the beginning of the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902). It is the only zoo in the country to have a national status, which was obtained in 1916.

Being the largest zoo in the country, and one of the top ranking zoos in the world, it welcomes over 600 000 visitors each year, including many local school groups who enjoy some of the educational programmes on offer.

In ages past, zoos used to just be a collection of rare and unusual caged animals, no longer! They now rather play a vital part in the conservation of threatened species. The Pretoria zoo is a well respected research facility and is famous for its successful breeding programmes. The first white rhino to be born in a zoo was born there.  Much breeding is also carried out at the zoo's Lichtenburg and Potgietersrus Game Breeding Centres.

Since it is important to provide the animals with a natural environment to live in,  many enclosures have been revamped in the last few years. Enclosures of particular interest include an Australia section with specially air-conditioned rooms, and a large walk-through aviary. The zoo also boasts the largest inland aquarium in the country as well as a large reptile park.

You can use many forms of transportation to get around the zoo. If you choose to walk the 6kms of walkways, be sure to bring comfortable shoes! There are, however, also golf carts and children's pushcars for hire. There is also a 7 minute cable car ride that takes visitors up to the top of the mountain allowing you to look over the entire zoo and the city centre.

There are many kiosks and restaurants scattered across the 85 hectares of zoo property. There are also picnic and braai facilities available along the banks of the Apies River, which passes through the middle of the zoo.

The zoo is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, so feel free to pop in for a relaxing family excursion whenever you wish!