Pretoria’s presidential Bryntirion Estate

Located in the small Pretorian suburb of Bryntirion, the Bryntirion Estate is the official residence of the president and vice president as well as many cabinet ministers.

The Mahlamba Ndlopfu house, the Official Residence for the President. (Photo by Adrian de Kock.)

The Bryntirion Estate contains 28 properties, 15 tennis courts, a 9 hole presidential golf course and a landing area for helicopters.

The Estate is just around the corner from The Union Buildings, the official seat of the South African government and official offices of the President of South Africa.

The estate is 107 hectares and surrounded by a 8.1km electrified detection fence. The main entrance to the estate is situated in Nassau street.

The Bryntirion Estate incorporates the Mahlamba Ndlopfu house, which serves as the Official Residence for the President of South Africa. The house was designed by architect Gerard Moerdijk, also known for designing the Voortrekker Monument.

The house is surrounded by impressive gardens.

Built in 1937, the Oliver Tambo House is the Official Residence for the Deputy President and designed in a traditional Cape Dutch style.

The Oliver Tambo House is much smaller than the Mahlamba Ndlopfu house, but is surrounded by beautiful manicured gardens, formal rose gardens and water features.

Although not generally open to the public, guided tours of the estate is occasionally presented for the media or special guests.

The OR Tambo Building can be accessed via the OR Tambo Building gate, situated in 460 Soutpansberg Road, Rietondale.

Although neither the OR Tambo House, Mahlamba Ndlopfu house or the Bryntirion Estate itself is open to the public – interesting other historically and politically related museums and sites in the area includes:

Union Buildings

Administrative headquarters of the South African government. Terrace gardens are open to the public, and entry is free of charge.

Physical Address: Government Avenue, Pretoria Central, Pretoria, 0001

Kruger House Museum

House that once was the home of President Paul Kruger. Open Mondays to Fridays 08:30 to 17:30 and Saturdays and Sundays 08:30 to 17:00.

Address: 60 Church Street, Pretoria Central, Pretoria, 0001

Voortrekker Monument

Built to commemorate the Voortrekker pioneers, the 40m-tall monument is one of Pretoria’s most visited tourist attractions.

Address: Eeufees Road, Groenkloof, Pretoria, 0027

Embassies and Consulates

Pretoria is the seat of government and hosts all the foreign embassies and diplomatic missions, including more than 114 foreign embassies and consulates.