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Green Therapy for the Family: Best Parks in Pretoria for Serene Getaways
Parks are not just places to take great photos or a place just to jog whenever, but they’re also a great getaway for families.
Whenever it’s my turn to babysit my nephews and nieces, I take them to parks where they can burn their energy and meet new friends. They look forward to my babysitting duties, and I make sure they have a great time.
Looking for the best Pretoria parks to savor the fresh air and just surround yourself with families having fun? I got you! Here are my (as well as my siblings’ kids’) top favorite parks to lounge, play, and spend lazy afternoons in.
Jan Cilliers Park
Media from james.ah.campbell
Address: Corner of Wenning St & Broderick St, Groenkloof
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 24 hours
Jan Cilliers Park is a lush park with trails that lead to a bird sanctuary, a lake (which is home to some birds and koi), and a small waterfall. It’s easy to navigate, considering the entire park is just 1.3 kilometers long.
I took my nephews and nieces there a few times, and we had a picnic under the trees. There are braai facilities to cook your food, but I prefer to buy or make it at home. There’s also a playground, but my sister’s kids prefer to run across the grassy area and catch frisbee.
| Pro tips: Pack lots of water bottles! There’s no drinking fountain in the park. Keep your dog on a leash. Make your food at home if you don’t want to wait. The grilling stations are usually packed. |
Magnolia Dell
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Address: Queen Wilhelmina Drive & University Rd, Bailey’s Muckleneuk
Contact info: +27 123 5804 95
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 6:30 AM – 6:00 PM
As the name signifies, Magnolia Dell is a park that houses over 250 magnolia trees. It’s such a stunning park that it has become a place for couples’ photoshoots. If you’re coming here with your sweetheart, you should definitely lock a padlock in the Intiem Love Bridge.
I went here with my sister and her family, and the kids loved the entire stretch of the green lawn. There’s a well-maintained playground, but most kids and pets would rather run and play tag on the lawn.
| Pro tips: It’s better to visit this park during springtime, which is around September to December. You can admire the magnolia bloom during those months. If you don’t want to cook, there’s a restaurant called Huckleberry in the park. I had their chicken pie, which was savory and flakey—a must-try! Alcohol is not allowed in the park. |
Rietondale Park
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Address: 87 Van Der Merwe St, Rietondale
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 24 hours
If you’re a sporty bunch with limitless energy (like my nephews), then Rietondale Park is a place to burn off that excess energy!
It has a playground for kids, a padel court, and a tennis court for leisure and practice. It’s also wide enough for various games like baseball catch and frisbee.
My brother’s kids love to play catch with me, so I take them here on Saturdays for a few rounds. We also pack some snacks and drinks since there are concrete picnic tables available in the park.
| Pro tips: Be mindful of your belongings! There are reported thefts in the area, so never leave anything unattended. Keep your dogs on a leash, as there will be a lot of kids running around.Go early to make sure you secure a picnic table. |
Combrink Park
Media from greenspayoga
Address: 290 Combrinck St, Villieria
Contact info: +27 640 2559 63
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 24 hours
Combrink Park is a peaceful park where you can do yoga, meditation, and light reading. There are neat spaces under the trees for picnics and lazing and a playground.
I took my younger nephews and nieces here for a quick nature break, and we had a small picnic spread. They enjoyed the playground, and there were dogs too, which they loved meeting.
| Pro tips: The restrooms in the park are locked, so map out the nearest bathrooms outside. There were no ramps or proper pathways for wheelchairs, so avoid this park if you or one of your companions is a wheelchair user. |
Venning Park
Media from sams0n1te
Address: Eastwood St, Arcadia
Contact info: +27 123 5804 95
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 24 hours
Venning Park is a scenic break from the hustle and bustle of the city with its rose garden, ponds, and sunken gardens. It’s a beautiful park made for leisurely strolls and picnics, but there’s also a fun playground for kids (and adults, I’m not judging).
What made this park iconic is its east entrance pergola, which looks like it came from a fairytale book!
There are a lot of trees here that are great for picnics and naps. I mostly stayed under the shade of one of the old fig trees in the area and watched my nephews play tag.
| Pro tips: Wear comfortable shoes. There are a lot of pretty sights you need to see in this park, such as the date trees by the entrance and the pergola. Pack lots of water bottles since there are no water fountains available in this park. |
Burgers Park
Media from sine_ndumiso
Address: Thabo Sehume St & Jacob Maré Streets
Contact info: +27 123 5805 24
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 7:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Completed in 1892, Burgers Park is the oldest park in Pretoria. It’s a Victorian-style park with flowers, beautiful fish ponds, and a greenhouse to explore. With its manicured lawns and stunning magnolia trees, this park is definitely a must-see for both history buffs and nature lovers.
I brought my sister’s kids here for a quick stroll and a lazy afternoon picnic. We had snacks and tea under one of the trees and just enjoyed watching people and dogs milling around.
| Pro tips: There are no picnic tables here, so make sure you pack a folding table or a blanket to sit on. The restrooms are always locked, so check for the nearest restrooms outside of the park before you go. This is a dog-friendly place, but make sure your pup is leashed. |
Zita Park
Media from kamer_coetzee
Address: Zita St, Garsfontein
Contact info: +27 82 528 6767
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Is it a sweltering day with nothing to do with the kids? Zita Park is the perfect place for you! Families cool down during summers in this park’s paddling pool.
Aside from the shallow pool, the park also has a jungle gym and a wide grassy field for playing catch, frisbee, and tag.
My sister and I take her kids there a lot during summer since it’s a great place for them to socialize with other kids their age. We usually have a small picnic spread under one of the trees and watch the kids slide down the paddling pool.
| Pro tips: There’s an entrance fee for the park: Adults (18 and above): ZAR 10Schoolchildren (7 to 17): ZAR 6Seniors (60 and above): ZAR 6. Preschoolers (3 to 6) can enter for free. Bring your own floaties and life vests, as there’s no store nearby that rents those. This is also a dog-friendly park, but keep your pets on a leash. |
Pretoria National Botanical Gardens
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Address: 2 Cussonia Ave, Brummeria
Contact info: +27 12 843 5071
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
With its diverse specimens of trees and flowers, Pretoria National Botanical Gardens is an ideal place to learn more about nature. This botanical garden has a small waterfall hidden in its 1-kilometer trail, which is home to over 220 bird species. So if you want to visit this place, make sure to wear some comfortable shoes!
The garden also has a wide grassy space for picnics and play. My family usually comes here with a picnic spread, but they do have a restaurant called Milkplum Cafe if you don’t want to prepare food.
| Pro tips: There’s an entrance fee of ZAR 55 for adults and ZAR 20 for scholars. Cooking barbecue in the area isn’t allowed, so you should do all the cooking at home. There are wheelchairs for rent for the elderly by the entrance. |
