SANBI gives South African residents aged over 60 free entry on Tuesdays at the gardens that publish the concession, and sells reduced pensioner membership from R375 a year. The Tuesday concession excludes public holidays and requires ID.
Free Tuesday Entry
| Garden | Pensioner concession | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Kirstenbosch | Free on Tuesdays | SA resident 60+, with ID, not on public holidays |
| Pretoria NBG | Free on Tuesdays | As published on the garden’s information page |
Gardens that do not publish a day rate online also do not publish a pensioner concession. Ask at the gate rather than assuming the Tuesday rule applies network-wide.
Reduced Annual Membership
| Tier | Pensioner membership | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| National | R600 | Kirstenbosch and all national botanical and zoological gardens |
| Regional One | R480 | Pretoria NBG, Pretoria Zoo, Walter Sisulu NBG |
| Regional Two | R375 | Free State, Hantam, Harold Porter, Karoo Desert, KZN, Kwelera, Lowveld, Thohoyandou, Mokopane |
Pensioner membership is priced the same as student membership on every tier, at 75% of the adult rate.
Which Is Better Value
If you can visit on Tuesdays, free entry costs nothing and membership is unnecessary. If you visit at weekends or travel between gardens, National pensioner membership at R600 covers about six visits at the R110 Kirstenbosch resident rate before it pays for itself.
Proof of Age
South African ID showing age 60 or over is required, both for the Tuesday concession and to buy pensioner membership. The concession applies to South African residents, not to international visitors over 60.
Official Price Source and Last-Checked Date
- SANBI — Annual membership
- SANBI — Kirstenbosch visitor information
- SANBI — Pretoria NBG visitor information
Last checked: 5 September 2026. The Tuesday concession was confirmed for Kirstenbosch and Pretoria; other gardens did not publish one at the time of checking. Prices are set by SANBI and can change without notice — confirm on the official page before you travel.