Visitors' Centre and Mackaya Bella Gift Shop

Pay a visit to Mackaya Bella, the gift shop in the new Visitors' Centre near the main entrance. Aside from Mackaya Bella, the Centre contains an information office, a display/exhibition area and toilet facilities with a special baby room. The Centre also houses a kitchen and the cashier's office.

Mackaya Bella is open every day from 9h00-18h00. It is named after the beautiful forest bell bush in the Acanthaceae family. The shop sells a wide range of curios, gifts and books (including scientific books) and is an ideal place to buy enviro-friendly products.

This retail outlet is not directly operated by NBI, but is outsourced to Mrs Sheila Nolte and it will provide employment opportunities for local people based within the Pretoria Garden. This forms part of the Poverty Relief Programme.

Visitors' Centre was officially opened by the Mayor of Tshwane Father Smangaliso Mkhatshwa, on the 29 May 2002. The Centre was funded by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism's Poverty Relief Project.