Entrance Fee

DITSONG Museum entrance fees: Current Prices, Discounts & Visitor Guide

General entrance fees for the Ditsong Museums of South Africa range from R40 to R65 for South African adults, R25 for children, and R25 to R30 for South African pensioners and school learners. International visitors pay a standard rate of R80 for adults and R40 for children across most sites, while specialized experiences such as night tours and behind-the-scenes visits range from R65 to R160 per person.

Overview of Ditsong Museums Admission Fees

Ditsong Museums of South Africa (DMSA) is an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture comprising eight national heritage sites across Gauteng. Admission prices are heavily subsidized to promote cultural education and heritage tourism, making them some of the most accessible family and educational outings in South Africa.

While general self-guided rates follow a unified pricing structure, slight variations exist depending on whether the site is an urban gallery, an open-air historical farmstead, or an environmental reserve.

Standard Admission Rates Summary

Visitor CategoryStandard Entry Fee (Self-Guided)Guided / Special Tours
South African AdultsR40 – R65R50 – R85
South African Children (Ages 6–12)R25R30 – R35
Pensioners (with valid SA ID)R25 – R30R25 – R30
School Learners (Group Bookings)R25 – R30R30
EducatorsFree (1 per 20–30 learners) / R30Included with group booking
International AdultsR80R70 – R85
International Children / StudentsR40R40 – R50

Entrance Fees by Museum Location

1. Ditsong National Museum of Natural History (Pretoria CBD)

Formerly known as the Transvaal Museum, this facility houses world-renowned hominid fossils (including “Mrs. Ples”), mammal collections, and an interactive sensory Discovery Centre.

2. Ditsong National Museum of Military History (Saxonwold, Johannesburg)

Located adjacent to the Johannesburg Zoo, this museum features combat aircraft, tanks, artillery, weaponry, medals, and uniforms detailing South Africa’s military history from the Anglo-Boer Wars to modern peacekeeping.

3. Ditsong National Museum of Cultural History (Pretoria CBD)

Dedicated to Southern Africa’s cultural heritage, showcasing San rock art, Iron Age pottery and figurines, the heritage of Marabastad, and various rotating art exhibits.

4. Ditsong Kruger Museum (Pretoria CBD)

The historic residence of President Paul Kruger, restored to reflect late 19th-century life in the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (ZAR) alongside his personal railway coach.

5. Ditsong Pioneer Museum (Silverton, Pretoria)

An open-air living museum centered on an 1848 thatched farmhouse, offering historic demonstrations such as traditional bread baking, butter churning, and farm animal encounters.

6. Ditsong Sammy Marks Museum (Zwavelpoort, Pretoria East)

A Victorian mansion dating to the 1880s, preserved with over 90% of its original Victorian furnishings, sprawling gardens, and croquet lawns.

7. Ditsong Willem Prinsloo Agricultural Museum (Rayton / Cullinan)

Preserves South Africa’s agricultural past from the Stone Age to 1945, featuring working historic tractors, farmsteads, mampoer distilling demonstrations, and outdoor cooking workshops.

8. Ditsong Tswaing Meteorite Crater (Soshanguve)

A 220,000-year-old meteorite impact site featuring a 7.2 km eco-trail, wetland bird habitats, and historical salt and soda ash extraction ruins.

Practical Visitor Information

Operating Hours

Payment Methods and Group Bookings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average entrance fee for Ditsong museums?

For standard self-guided visits, South African adults pay between R40 and R65, while children and pensioners pay between R25 and R30. International visitors pay R80 for adults and R40 for children. Specialized experiences such as night tours, Discovery Centre access, or guided crater trails carry nominal additional fees.

Are there discounts for school groups and educators?

Yes, school learners receive discounted admission ranging from R25 to R30 per learner. In addition, one supervising educator receives free admission for every group of 20 to 30 paying learners, provided the school booking is arranged with the museum in advance.

Can you get free entrance to Ditsong museums on certain days?

Ditsong museums frequently offer free or discounted general admission to the public on designated national and international commemorative days, notably International Museum Day (18 May) and National Heritage Day (24 September). Special events and commercial festivals hosted on those days are excluded.

Do I need to book tickets in advance before visiting?

Individual visitors and small families do not need to book in advance and can purchase entry tickets directly at the reception desks upon arrival. However, school excursions, large tour groups, and specialized activities—such as night tours, bread-baking workshops, or behind-the-scenes collections tours—require prior booking.

Which Ditsong museum is best for outdoor activities and hiking?

The Ditsong Tswaing Meteorite Crater is the premier outdoor destination in the group, offering a 7.2 km circular hiking trail around the crater rim and lake alongside picnic spots. The Pioneer Museum, Sammy Marks Museum, and Willem Prinsloo Agricultural Museum also feature extensive outdoor grounds, braai facilities, and gardens.

Are braai and picnic facilities included in the general admission ticket?

At some sites, standard admission permits access to the grounds, while at others (such as Pioneer Museum, Cultural History Museum, and Sammy Marks Museum), a separate garden and braai access fee of R40 to R65 per adult applies if using dedicated picnic zones or braai stands. Visitors planning outdoor gatherings should confirm braai facility booking terms with the specific venue beforehand.