Standard admission to the Ditsong Museums of South Africa generally ranges from R40 to R65 for local adults, R25 to R30 for children and pensioners, and R80 to R120 for international visitors. Covering eight national heritage sites across Pretoria and Johannesburg—ranging from natural history and military archives to Victorian estates and a prehistoric meteorite crater—each facility maintains its own specialized tariff structure, tour options, and opening hours.
Overview of Ditsong Museums of South Africa (DMSA)
Ditsong Museums of South Africa (DMSA) is an official national heritage agency operating eight public museums across Gauteng. Formed through the amalgamation of the Northern Flagship Institution, the agency oversees vast collections spanning palaeontology, military conflicts, cultural anthropology, agriculture, and geology.
Seven of the sites are located in and around the City of Tshwane (Pretoria), while the National Museum of Military History is situated adjacent to the Johannesburg Zoo in Saxonwold.
Ditsong Museums Entrance Fee Comparison
Ticket prices vary slightly depending on whether the site is an urban exhibition gallery, a vast outdoor farm, or a conservation park.
| Museum Site | Local Adults | Local Children (Ages 6–18) | SA Pensioners | International Tourists |
| National Museum of Natural History | R50 | R25 | R25 | R80 (Adult) / R40 (Child) |
| National Museum of Military History | R50 | R30 | R25 | R80 (Adult) / R40 (Child) |
| National Museum of Cultural History | R60 | R40 | R40 | R120 (Adult) / R60 (Child) |
| Kruger Museum | R50 | R25 | R30 | R80 (Adult) / R40 (Child) |
| Sammy Marks Museum | R65 | R25 | R25 | R80 (Adult) / R40 (Child) |
| Pioneer Museum | R50 | R25 | R25 | R80 (Adult) / R40 (Child) |
| Willem Prinsloo Agricultural Museum | R40 | R25 | R25 | R80 (Adult) / R40 (Child) |
| Tswaing Meteorite Crater | R40 | R25 | R25 | R80 (Adult) / R40 (Child) |
Note: Children under the age of 6 generally enter free of charge. Valid identification or student cards may be requested for discounted rates.
Detailed Guide to the 8 Ditsong Museum Sites
1. Ditsong National Museum of Natural History (Pretoria CBD)
- Location: 432 Paul Kruger Street, Pretoria Central
- Operating Hours: Daily from 07:30 to 16:00 (Closed Christmas Day and Good Friday)
- Highlights: Formerly known as the Transvaal Museum (founded in 1892), this world-renowned institution houses the original fossil cast of “Mrs. Ples” (Australopithecus africanus) from the Sterkfontein Caves. Other major exhibits include the Austin Roberts Bird Hall, life-sized whale skeletons, geological minerals, and an interactive sensory Discovery Centre designed for tactile learning.
2. Ditsong National Museum of Military History (Johannesburg)
- Location: 22 Erlswold Way, Saxonwold, Johannesburg
- Operating Hours: Daily from 07:30 to 16:00
- Highlights: Opened in 1947 by Prime Minister Jan Smuts, this facility chronicles South Africa’s armed history from the Anglo-Boer Wars and World Wars I and II to the Border War and liberation struggle movements.Highlights include rare fighter planes (such as the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet), tanks, anti-aircraft weaponry, medals, and military uniform exhibits.
3. Ditsong National Museum of Cultural History (Pretoria CBD)
- Location: 149 Visagie Street, Pretoria Central
- Operating Hours: Monday to Friday, 07:30 to 16:00
- Highlights: Explores human heritage in Southern Africa across millennia. Collections feature Stone Age and Iron Age artefacts, ancient San rock art, historic ceramic ware, the pioneering history of Marabastad, and contemporary cultural exhibitions.
4. Ditsong Kruger Museum (Pretoria CBD)
- Location: 59 WF Nkomo (Church) Street, Pretoria West
- Operating Hours: Daily from 08:00 to 16:00
- Highlights: The historic 1884 private residence of Paul Kruger, President of the former South African Republic (ZAR). Visitors can explore the furnished Victorian-style rooms, personal presidential artefacts, Kruger’s private railway carriage, and monuments detailing the events of the Anglo-Boer War.
5. Ditsong Pioneer Museum (Silverton, Pretoria)
- Location: Keuning Drive, Silverton, Pretoria East
- Operating Hours: Daily from 07:30 to 16:00
- Highlights: An open-air living history museum set on an 1848 rural farmstead. It features a traditional thatched clay house with peach-pip dung floors, early farming tools, a working watermill, and interactive demonstrations including bread baking in outdoor clay ovens and butter churning.
6. Ditsong Sammy Marks Museum (Donkerhoek, Pretoria East)
- Location: Old Bronkhorstspruit Road, Donkerhoek
- Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 09:00 to 16:00 (Mansion access via guided tours)
- Highlights: The Victorian country manor “Zwartkoppies Hall,” belonging to 19th-century mining and industrial magnate Sammy Marks. The house retains more than 98% of its original Victorian furniture, porcelain, silver, and portraits, surrounded by rose gardens and a historic croquet lawn.
7. Ditsong Willem Prinsloo Agricultural Museum (Rayton)
- Location: Farm Kaalfontein, R104 Old Bronkhorstspruit Road, Rayton
- Operating Hours: Weekdays from 08:00 to 14:00 (Special events on selected weekends)
- Highlights: Showcases the evolution of agriculture in South Africa from prehistoric farming to modern mechanisation. Features an extensive collection of vintage tractors, historic steam engines, horse carriages, indigenous livestock breeds, and a traditional mampoer (fruit liqueur) distillery that hosts the annual Mampoer Festival.
8. Ditsong Tswaing Meteorite Crater (Soshanguve)
- Location: Onderstepoort Road (M35), Soshanguve North
- Operating Hours: Daily from 07:30 to 14:00 (Gate access)
- Highlights: A 220,000-year-old meteorite impact crater measuring 1.4 km in diameter and 100 m deep. Visitors can hike the 7.2 km Crater Trail leading down to a hyper-saline lake, explore the wetland biodiversity, and visit the Stone Age archaeological site.
Guided Tours, Venue Hire, and Special Rates
Ditsong museums offer several specialized tour formats and venue hire options for events, braais, and educational programs:
- Educators & School Groups: Pre-booked educational groups benefit from subsidized rates (R25 to R45 per learner). Educators accompanying groups of 30 or more learners typically receive complimentary admission.
- Special Guided Tours: Expert-guided tours, behind-the-scenes laboratory viewings, and curator walk-throughs range between R65 and R85 per person.
- Night Tours: Special after-hours torchlight tours (frequently hosted at Natural History and Cultural History) cost R160 to R170 per person.
- Picnic & Braai Facilities: Several locations (including Pioneer Museum, Military History, Willem Prinsloo, and Sammy Marks) offer designated braai stands and picnic lapas with garden access fees between R40 and R65 per adult.
Practical Tips for Visitors
- Payment Methods: Ticket counters accept major debit and credit cards (Visa/Mastercard) and cash; however, card or pre-arranged electronic payments are preferred at suburban locations.
- Bookings for Open-Air Sites: Guided activities at Pioneer Museum and access to the Sammy Marks interior mansion must be reserved in advance to guarantee tour guide availability.
- Public Holiday Closures: While most Ditsong locations operate 7 days a week, all branches remain closed on Christmas Day (25 December) and Good Friday.
- Hiking Preparation: For visits to Tswaing Meteorite Crater, bring comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, and plenty of drinking water, as the hiking trail is exposed and has steep sections along the crater rim.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the standard entrance fee for Ditsong museums?
Most Ditsong museums charge R50 to R65 for local South African adults, R25 to R30 for children and pensioners, and R80 to R120 for international tourists. Sites like Tswaing Crater and Willem Prinsloo offer slightly lower self-guided base rates starting at R40 per adult.
Which Ditsong museum houses the famous “Mrs. Ples” fossil?
The original fossil cast and related hominid discoveries are housed at the Ditsong National Museum of Natural History(formerly the Transvaal Museum) located on Paul Kruger Street in central Pretoria.
Are Ditsong museums open on weekends and public holidays?
Yes, most Ditsong museums—including the Museum of Natural History, Museum of Military History, Kruger Museum, and Pioneer Museum—are open on weekends and public holidays. However, all Ditsong branches are strictly closed on Good Friday and Christmas Day.
Do school groups and teachers get discounted entry?
Yes. Registered school tours receive discounted entry fees ranging from R25 to R45 per learner, and teachers or chaperones generally receive free admission at a ratio of one educator per group of 30 paying learners.
Can you braai or picnic at Ditsong museums?
Yes. Dedicated braai and picnic facilities are available at several outdoor Ditsong properties, including the Pioneer Museum, Sammy Marks Museum, Willem Prinsloo Agricultural Museum, and the National Museum of Military History. Garden and braai usage fees typically range from R40 to R65 per person.
Where is the Ditsong National Museum of Military History located?
The Ditsong National Museum of Military History is located at 22 Erlswold Way, Saxonwold, Johannesburg, directly adjacent to the Johannesburg Zoo.