Zoos & Animal Attractions Entrance Fees in South Africa
Quick Answer: South Africa Zoo & Animal Sanctuary Ticket Prices
Visiting a zoo, aquarium, or animal sanctuary in South Africa is one of the most accessible and popular family activities. Ticket prices vary depending on whether the facility is municipal, privately managed, or a specialized conservation site:
- Standard Municipal & Regional Zoos: Entrance fees typically range from R60 to R150 per adult and R40 to R100 per child (ages 2 to 12) or pensioner.
- Aquariums & Marine Parks: Major marine sanctuaries range from R170 to R250+ per adult and R120 to R190 per child, reflecting higher operational and filtration infrastructure costs.
- Small Wildlife Reserves & Sanctuaries: Specialized bird parks, reptile centers, and farm sanctuaries range between R15 to R130 per person, with low-cost options like Mitchell Park Zoo starting at just R15 per adult.
- Toddlers & Discounts: Children under 2 or 3 years old enter free at almost all South African wildlife attractions. Pensioners (ages 60+) and registered student cardholders receive 20% to 40% discounts.
Overview of Top Zoos & Animal Attractions in South Africa
South Africa hosts a vast range of animal attractions, spanning historical city zoos, bird parks, marine aquariums, and rehabilitation centers. Below is a breakdown of key destinations across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape, and the Free State.
1. National Zoological Garden (Pretoria Zoo) – Gauteng
Stretching across 85 hectares, the Pretoria Zoo is the largest zoo in South Africa and houses over 9,000 animals across hundreds of species. It features an inland marine aquarium, a reptile park, and a cableway offering panoramic views of the facility.
- Adult Ticket: ~R120 – R150
- Child Ticket (Ages 2–12): ~R80 – R100
- Pensioner Ticket: ~R80
2. Johannesburg Zoo – Gauteng
Located in Parkview, the Johannesburg Zoo spans 81 hectares and is home to over 2,000 animals, including white lions, gorillas, and hippos. It offers spacious picnic lawns, night tours, and golf cart rentals for easy navigation.
- Adult Ticket: ~R120
- Child Ticket (Ages 3–12): ~R70
- Pensioner / Student Ticket: ~R70
3. The Natal Zoo & Lion Park – KwaZulu-Natal
Situated near Cato Ridge, the Natal Zoo and Lion Park blends traditional zoo exhibits with open-air safari drives. Visitors can observe big cats, hand-feed elephants, visit the splash pad, or enjoy family braai areas.
- Adult Ticket: R100
- Child Ticket (Ages 2–12): R70
- Splash Pad Access: R50 (1-hour) / R100 (all-day)
4. Lory Park Zoo & Owl Sanctuary – Midrand, Gauteng
Lory Park is an intimate, accredited sanctuary specializing in birds of prey, small primates, reptiles, and big cats. It offers regular keeper talks and close-up owl and reptile encounters on weekends.
- Adult Ticket (Ages 12–59): R130
- Child Ticket (Ages 2–11): R100
- Pensioner Ticket (60+): R70
5. Exotic Animal World – Klapmuts, Western Cape
Formerly known as Butterfly World, Exotic Animal World in the Cape Winelands rescues and rehabilitates abandoned exotic pets, lemurs, meerkats, marmosets, and tropical birds inside climate-controlled sanctuaries.
- Adult Ticket: R88
- Child Ticket (Ages 3–12): R49
- Pensioner / Student Ticket: R79
- Family Package (2 Adults + 2 Kids): R225
6. Two Oceans Aquarium – V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Positioned where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet, this world-renowned aquarium displays sand tiger sharks, giant kelp forests, African penguins, and rescued sea turtles.
- Adult Ticket: ~R250
- Child Ticket (Ages 14–17 / Students): ~R190
- Child Ticket (Ages 3–13): ~R120
- Pensioner Ticket: ~R190
Entrance Fee Comparison Table
To help you plan your outing budget, here is a side-by-side fee comparison for popular zoos and animal attractions across South Africa:
| Attraction Name | Location | Adult Fee | Child Fee (2–12 yrs) | Pensioner Fee | Key Features & Add-ons |
| National Zoo (Pretoria Zoo) | Pretoria, Gauteng | R120 – R150 | R80 – R100 | R80 | Aquarium, Cableway, Night tours |
| Johannesburg Zoo | Johannesburg, Gauteng | R120 | R70 | R70 | Big cats, Golf carts, Picnic braais |
| Natal Zoo & Lion Park | Cato Ridge, KZN | R100 | R70 | R70 | Elephant feeding, Splash pad, MTB track |
| Lory Park Zoo | Midrand, Gauteng | R130 | R100 | R70 | Bird sanctuary, Keeper talks, Owls |
| Exotic Animal World | Paarl/Klapmuts, W. Cape | R88 | R49 | R79 | Sanctuary rescue, Indoor tropical dome |
| Emerald Animal World | Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng | R60 – R70 | R40 – R55 | R40 – R55 | Game drive combo option available |
| Mitchell Park Zoo | Durban, KZN | R15 | R10 | R10 | Budget-friendly, Walkways, Playgrounds |
| Two Oceans Aquarium | Cape Town, W. Cape | R250 | R120 | R190 | Touch pools, Penguin exhibit, Turtle rescue |
Important Visitor Information & Tips to Save Money
- Leverage Family Packages: Facilities like Exotic Animal World offer structured family passes (2 adults + 2 children) that reduce overall entry costs compared to purchasing individual tickets.
- Pack Your Own Picnic: Most land-based zoos (such as Johannesburg Zoo, Pretoria Zoo, and Natal Zoo) welcome visitors to bring their own food, drinks, and braai equipment, saving significantly on restaurant spending.
- Check for Off-Peak Discounts: Venues located inside resorts, such as Emerald Resort’s Animal World, offer discounted rates on weekdays outside school and public holidays.
- Annual Memberships & Season Passes: If you live near a major attraction (like Two Oceans Aquarium or Johannesburg Zoo), an annual pass pays for itself in just two to three visits and includes free express queue entry.
- Factor in Activity Extras: Basic entry grants access to animal enclosures, but extra experiences—such as animal treat buckets (R50), cableway rides, splash pads, or golf cart rentals—require separate payment at gate counters.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the average entrance fee for zoos in South Africa?
On average, entrance fees for municipal and private zoos in South Africa range from R60 to R150 per adult and R40 to R100 per child. Budget-friendly municipal parks like Mitchell Park in Durban cost as little as R15, while specialized aquariums cost between R170 and R250 per adult.
2. Do South African zoos offer discounts for pensioners and students?
Yes. Almost all major South African zoos and wildlife parks provide discounted entry rates for senior citizens (ages 60+) and valid student ID holders. Pensioner rates typically offer a 20% to 40% saving off the standard adult ticket price.
3. Do I need to book zoo tickets in advance online?
For most municipal zoos, tickets can be purchased directly at the entrance gate via credit card or cash. However, booking online in advance is highly recommended for high-capacity attractions like the Two Oceans Aquarium or uShaka Marine World to skip long admission queues during weekends and school holidays.
4. Are picnic and braai facilities allowed inside zoo grounds?
Yes, many open-air zoos, including the Johannesburg Zoo, Pretoria National Zoological Garden, and Natal Zoo, permit visitors to bring picnic baskets, lawn chairs, and braai equipment. Dedicated public braai areas with built-in stands are provided on site.
5. Do entrance fees cover all activities inside the zoo?
General admission fees cover access to all standard animal enclosures, walking trails, and public educational talks. Optional extras—such as golf cart rentals, ride-on trains, cableways, splash pad water parks, or animal feed buckets—incur additional small charges ranging from R20 to R100.
6. Which zoo in South Africa is the largest, and how much does entry cost?
The National Zoological Garden of South Africa (Pretoria Zoo) is the country’s largest zoo, covering 85 hectares. Adult tickets cost approximately R120 to R150, while children and pensioners pay between R80 and R100.