The National Zoological Gardens of South Africa (commonly the Pretoria Zoo) is one of the largest and best-regarded zoos in Africa, occupying 85 hectares on the banks of the Apies River in the city centre. Established in 1899, it holds over 9,000 animals across more than 700 species, with particularly strong collections of African large mammals, reptiles, and bird life.
The aerial cableway across the zoo gives a good overview of the grounds and saves time walking between distant enclosures. The zoo is one of the few in the world with a genuine African elephant herd rather than solitary or paired animals. A night tour runs on selected evenings and shows the nocturnal animal enclosures to good effect. The zoo is set partly on a hillside, so comfortable shoes are advisable; the map at the entrance is essential.