Freedom Park
Freedom Park
4
About
Freedom Park is the South African tale in the voice of the South African people. Using our unique culture, heritage, history and spirituality, it tells of the events that shaped us and why we are who we are today. It is the heart and soul of our nation captured in one breathtaking space.Situated close to our capital's city centre, Freedom Park stands as a memorial to what we have achieved as a nation. Most importantly, it stands as a beacon to guide all South Africans on the route of hope and patriotism to a proudly united nation. Freedom Park urge use to experience and appreciate our history, to walk where our ancestors have walked and to learn about our shared heritage as brothers and sisters.Go on a guided tour of Freedom Park at 09h00, 12h00 or 15h00; or take a self-guided tour. We are open 7 days a week, except on Good Friday and Christmas Day.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.0
201 reviews
Excellent
100
Very good
58
Average
27
Poor
7
Terrible
9
Henrice A
167 contributions
Jul 2023 • Solo
A good initiative to tell the history of South Africa through the lens of “freedom” but it didn’t quite deliver for me. Understandably the focus was on the fight against apartheid. Perhaps not to do the same as the apartheid museum, it. also tries to tell a longer history of freedom. The first few rooms are therefore about the distant past but because they haven’t got many artefacts for South Africa they focus on Africa more generally. This is Confusing - is this museum offering a history of South Africa or a history of Africa ?. But the thing that most annoyed me were the multiple and competing screens. While reading on one part of history, you’d hear one screen about some other part of hodtoryand then another about another part. While the museum is largely chronologically structured, each “section” jumps back and forth in time and theme. The sections on apartheid and creating a new democracy were the most impressive. I was underwhelmed by the park but perhaps because I visited on a cloudy and cold day.. the wall with the names was impressive but the rest wasn’t.
Written 22 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ellen W
Miami, FL9 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
This was a half day tour on the day we arrived after an 11 hour overnight flight so we were a bit tired. There is a lot of walking in the museum and on the grounds. The architecture is very interesting, designed to fit into the hill and be unimposing. We drove through a very poor area which was an eye opener.
It is NOT recommended to take the minibuses for transportation. Since we just had a few days in Pretoria, we scheduled several tours with a guide/driver through Ulysses.
The museum traces human development in a cursory way until more modern times. At that point, the exhibition was very good - filled with photos and artifacts about life and struggles of the people in So Africa. This was a good overview of the country's history to give us a better understanding. Some of the information was repeated at the Apartheid Museum which we saw later in the week. At the top of the hill, which we drove to, is a memorial to those killed in struggles over the years. They are still engraving names on the bricks. There is a building where one could light a candle in memory. Sometimes music events are held there.
I gave this an average score because the entrance was not easy to find requiring us to walk up and down looking for it. Maybe we were just tired from the flight. Also, we couldn't go into the memorial building due to a meeting there. I did like the artifacts on exhibit in the museum, especially the wall of colored fabric from around the continent. If you are not able to go to the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, then this one will give you a sense of the history of the people's struggles.
Our guide was Nick, an independent guide, meaning he doesn't work directly for Ulysses. He was called in that day due to a mix up by the company on the time of our tour. He was knowledgeable and friendly.
You should double check with Ulysses on the pick-up time at the hotel. We were following the times listed in their brochure and several times either we were early and waiting for them or they were early and waiting for us.
It is NOT recommended to take the minibuses for transportation. Since we just had a few days in Pretoria, we scheduled several tours with a guide/driver through Ulysses.
The museum traces human development in a cursory way until more modern times. At that point, the exhibition was very good - filled with photos and artifacts about life and struggles of the people in So Africa. This was a good overview of the country's history to give us a better understanding. Some of the information was repeated at the Apartheid Museum which we saw later in the week. At the top of the hill, which we drove to, is a memorial to those killed in struggles over the years. They are still engraving names on the bricks. There is a building where one could light a candle in memory. Sometimes music events are held there.
I gave this an average score because the entrance was not easy to find requiring us to walk up and down looking for it. Maybe we were just tired from the flight. Also, we couldn't go into the memorial building due to a meeting there. I did like the artifacts on exhibit in the museum, especially the wall of colored fabric from around the continent. If you are not able to go to the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, then this one will give you a sense of the history of the people's struggles.
Our guide was Nick, an independent guide, meaning he doesn't work directly for Ulysses. He was called in that day due to a mix up by the company on the time of our tour. He was knowledgeable and friendly.
You should double check with Ulysses on the pick-up time at the hotel. We were following the times listed in their brochure and several times either we were early and waiting for them or they were early and waiting for us.
Written 13 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jbushman2017
Nipomo, CA483 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
Like the other reviewers have noted, this is an unexpectedly wonderful attraction. Because I arrived in the late afternoon I did not have time to walk up to the monument on the top of the hill but I did have time to view the museum which is one of the best in South Africa. The museum is modern and provides exhibits, video, art that are terrific. The entire history of South Africa is laid out here with a clear focus on the injustices done to the natives by the European powers of the English and Dutch and Boers/Afrikaners. The museum is a counterweight to the Voortrekker Monument less than one K away and a visit to both monuments provides a crucial understanding of the underlying dynamic that can be found in South Africa today. Some of the info found in the museum can be found in the Aparteid Musuem in Johannesburg, but there is plenty that is new hear and if you come to Pretoria, this should be a must see attraction.
Written 4 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mac Tíre
1 contribution
Aug 2022 • Family
The place itself is very interesting and peaceful, but the tour guide was really phenomenal, making all fascinating. He helped explain everything, and at all times he clearly set out the complexities and controversies involved in a memorial such as this. If you are to visit (which I strongly recommend for anyone visiting South Africa) then definitely go on one of the (free) tours of the site - it transforms the experience. The tour guide was careful to find out what the group know already and were interested in, and he tailored the tour accordingly. The museum on the site is also highly recommended, going beyond a historical account to provide also mythical and spiritual perspectives on South African history. The café was great too!
Written 22 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Johannes F
6 contributions
Jun 2022
The park consists of two parts: a museum that traces the history of (South) Africa from the "craddle of humankind" up to the democratic age, and a park.
The park is very well maintained and has a lot of different parts: from a wall of names remembering those perished in fights for freedom and the wars, an eternal flame within a spacious amphitheatre, to a reflection pool. Plus, nice views over the city.
For me though, the //hapo museum was an absolute highlight. It provided a thorough walk through the history of this fascinating, yet sometimes confusing country. At the Apartheid Museum in Jo'burg, I felt a bit overwhelmed by all the information, whereas here I had a feeling I could get both a concise overview and at the same time could go deeper into details whenever I wanted to. The layout is very modern and interactive, staff is very friendly.
I absolutely recommend spending some time here - do the museum first and get a good grip of SA's history, then relax around the park! Could easily be a nice day trip from Johannesburg. I wish I had known about this earlier and planned more time!
The park is very well maintained and has a lot of different parts: from a wall of names remembering those perished in fights for freedom and the wars, an eternal flame within a spacious amphitheatre, to a reflection pool. Plus, nice views over the city.
For me though, the //hapo museum was an absolute highlight. It provided a thorough walk through the history of this fascinating, yet sometimes confusing country. At the Apartheid Museum in Jo'burg, I felt a bit overwhelmed by all the information, whereas here I had a feeling I could get both a concise overview and at the same time could go deeper into details whenever I wanted to. The layout is very modern and interactive, staff is very friendly.
I absolutely recommend spending some time here - do the museum first and get a good grip of SA's history, then relax around the park! Could easily be a nice day trip from Johannesburg. I wish I had known about this earlier and planned more time!
Written 20 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chad G
7 contributions
Jan 2022 • Family
My friend and I both grew up in Pretoria and barely knew this amazing museum and the amazing grounds existed. It’s honestly an amazing experience for locals and visitors!
The gardens are superb, the museum is immaculate and well maintained. The museum curators are extremely knowledgeable and helpful. It provides you with a spiritual, emotional and physical experience leaving you enlightened and a better person than when you arrived.
Make sure you visit the gardens (can take 2 hours) as well as the museum!
The gardens are superb, the museum is immaculate and well maintained. The museum curators are extremely knowledgeable and helpful. It provides you with a spiritual, emotional and physical experience leaving you enlightened and a better person than when you arrived.
Make sure you visit the gardens (can take 2 hours) as well as the museum!
Written 7 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GeneralShamu
New York City, NY1,058 contributions
Nov 2021
This museum was supremely informative about the history and divisions in South African society since the colonial periods. As sad as it is to read about, the history of the continent and South Africa itself was fascinating to learn about. We only had three hours here and completely ran out of time, though we tend to read into everything in a museum. If you want to just skim through it, it can be done within an hour or two but then why are you even bothering to come? To say you did it and post it on your social media feed? If you want to learn about it then it requires at least a couple hours of dedication (four to read every last bit).
We went on a weekday and it was desolate in there. We hope that is an aberration as this is surely something every chile should read and learn about to understand how difficult and unfair life can be for many.
We went on a weekday and it was desolate in there. We hope that is an aberration as this is surely something every chile should read and learn about to understand how difficult and unfair life can be for many.
Written 2 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
688gertd
Pretoria, South Africa13 contributions
Mar 2021
Nor be taken revenge of
or punished
nor blamed
IT IS THE PAST
we the people have changed the past
(only to experience injustice presently)
and corrupt leadership
or punished
nor blamed
IT IS THE PAST
we the people have changed the past
(only to experience injustice presently)
and corrupt leadership
Written 5 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pathfinder742885
20 contributions
Mar 2020
Get yourself a guided tour of the place, the guides are well informed about history and where all the names are located in the wall or remembrance.
Written 6 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
flafla_06
Europe5,463 contributions
Aug 2019
We had the guided tour with a guide who was a freedom fighter during apartheid years (sadly I don’t know the name), so talking with him was very interesting.
We visited the Wall of Names, the Isivivane (from outside) and the museum. We had a very pleasant walk on the hill with a view on Pretoria as well.
It's not a shocking place to visit like Robben Island, Old Fort Prison or Apartheid Museum, it’s more a symbolic monument, a place to reflect, but it worths a visit, especially if you have a former freedom fighter as a guide!
We visited the Wall of Names, the Isivivane (from outside) and the museum. We had a very pleasant walk on the hill with a view on Pretoria as well.
It's not a shocking place to visit like Robben Island, Old Fort Prison or Apartheid Museum, it’s more a symbolic monument, a place to reflect, but it worths a visit, especially if you have a former freedom fighter as a guide!
Written 29 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The times? What are the tour times?
RonelRogers
Pretoria, South Africa203 contributions
Not sure - as we are local and did not do the tour.
Know you can take dedicated private tours where freedom park will be a stop.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Freedom Park
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Freedom Park:
- Pretoria City Guided Day Tour (From ₹ 12,080.49)
- Pretoria & Cullinan Tours-Full Day (From ₹ 9,212.63)
- Pretoria Tour (From ₹ 9,078.49)
- Pretoria Full Day City Tour (From ₹ 9,998.33)
- The City of Pretoria Full Day (From ₹ 10,664.89)
- Hotels near Freedom Park:
- (1.28 km) Muckleneuk Manor
- (0.85 km) StayEasy Pretoria
- (1.51 km) Morning Star Express Hotel
- (0.89 km) Manhattan Hotel
- (1.89 km) Garden Court Hatfield
- Restaurants near Freedom Park:
- (2.11 km) Europa Lounge Experience
- (2.47 km) Propaganda Pretoria
- (1.95 km) The Blue Room Pretoria CBD
- (4.91 km) Blue Room Hatfield
- (0.72 km) McDonald's Paul Kruger