Kids Animal Activities in Johannesburg: Prices & Entrance Fees
Finding fun, educational, and engaging animal activities for children in Johannesburg is one of the best ways to spend weekends and school holidays. Whether your kids want to feed farm animals, view big cats on a safari tour, marvel at exotic birds, or explore a world-class municipal zoo, Joburg offers a rich variety of animal attractions tailored for all age groups and budgets.
Quick Answer Intro
Visiting kids’ animal attractions in Johannesburg ranges from budget-friendly farm outings at R50 per person to full predator safari drives costing R400+ per adult (with free entry for kids under 12). On average, general entry to popular zoos, bird gardens, and reptile parks costs between R70 and R135 for adults and R50 to R100 for children.
- Best Budget Option: Rietvlei Zoo Farm (R50 per person; kids under 2 free).
- Best Full-Day Zoo Experience: Johannesburg Zoo (R135 adults / R81 kids).
- Best Interactive Birds & Reptiles: Montecasino Bird Gardens (R105 adults / R70 kids).
- Best Big Cat & Safari Experience: Lion & Safari Park (Free park entry; Self-Drive from R400 per adult with kids under 12 free).
Top Animal Attractions for Kids in Johannesburg & Pricing
1. Johannesburg Zoo (JCPZ)
Spanning over 55 hectares in Parkview, the Johannesburg Zoo is home to more than 320 animal species and over 2,000 animals. It is a premier location for family day trips, offering spacious grassy lawns, play areas, golf cart ferry rides, and night tours.
- Location: Upper Park Drive, Parkview, Johannesburg
- Opening Hours: Daily from 08:00 to 17:30 (Last entry at 16:00)
- Key Attractions: Big Five animals, Amazon exhibit, farmyard section, golf cart ferry tours, and “Zoo Trot” events.
| Visitor Category | Entrance Fee |
|---|---|
| Adults | R135.00 |
| Children (Ages 3–12) | R81.00 |
| Students & Pensioners | R81.00 |
| Children Under 3 | Free |
| Parking (Cars & Vans) | R20.00 |
| Ferry Ride (Weekdays / Weekends) | R8.00 / R14.00 per person |
2. Montecasino Bird Gardens
Located in Fourways, Montecasino Bird Gardens is an enchanted walkway featuring over 60 species of birds, reptiles, and small mammals. Children love the outdoor “Flight of Fantasy” bird show and walking through the large, lush aviaries.
- Location: Cnr William Nicol Dr & Montecasino Blvd, Fourways
- Opening Hours: Open daily from 09:00 / 10:00 to 17:00 / 18:00
- Key Attractions: Walk-through aviary, poison dart frogs, flamingos, lemurs, and daily educational bird shows.
| Visitor Category | Entrance Fee |
|---|---|
| Adults (13–59 years) | R105.00 |
| Children (2–12 years) | R70.00 |
| Pensioners (60+ years) | R70.00 |
| Toddlers (Under 2 years) | Free |
3. Lory Park Animal & Owl Sanctuary
Lory Park in Midrand provides an intimate, close-up animal experience. Unlike larger municipal zoos, Lory Park allows visitors to get up close to birds of prey, owls, big cats, and small farm animals, making it especially popular for toddler birthday parties and school outings.
- Location: 180/1 Kruger Road, President Park, Midrand
- Opening Hours: Daily from 10:00 to 16:30
- Key Attractions: Owl encounters, reptile handling, big cat talks, and animal contact zones.
| Visitor Category | Entrance Fee |
|---|---|
| Adults | R110.00 – R130.00 |
| Children (2–11 years) | R80.00 – R100.00 |
| Pensioners (60+) | R50.00 – R70.00 |
| Children Under 2 | Free |
4. Lion & Safari Park
Situated in the Cradle of Humankind area north of Johannesburg, Lion & Safari Park offers an authentic bushveld experience close to the city. Entrance to the property, curio shop, and restaurants is free, while activities like self-drive safaris, guided predator tours, and giraffe feeding are priced individually.
- Location: R512 Pelindaba Road, Broederstroom (near Lanseria)
- Opening Hours: Daily from 08:00 to 17:00
- Key Attractions: Lions, cheetahs, wild dogs, hyenas, giraffe feeding platform, and kid-friendly playground.
| Activity / Category | Price |
|---|---|
| Park & Restaurant Access | FREE |
| Self-Drive Safari (Adult) | R400.00 (Incl. conservation fee) |
| 1-Hour Guided Safari (Adult) | R575.00 |
| Kids Under 12 (Safari Tours) | FREE (1 free child per paying adult) |
| Giraffe Feed Bag | R85.00 |
| Kiddies Horse Ride (Ages 3–12) | R220.00 |
5. Rietvlei Zoo Farm
Rietvlei Zoo Farm in Johannesburg South is an ideal spot for family picnics, braais, and outdoor farm fun. Children can pet friendly domestic animals, ride ponies, take tractor rides, or play on the jungle gyms.
- Location: 101 Swartkoppies Road, Liefde en Vrede, Johannesburg South
- Opening Hours: Daily from 09:00 to 17:00
- Key Attractions: Petting farm, pony rides, tractor rides, splash park, bicycle trails, and picnic spots.
| Activity / Category | Price |
|---|---|
| Day Visitor Entrance Fee | R50.00 per person |
| Children Under 2 | Free |
| Pony & Tractor Rides | R20.00 – R30.00 per ride |
| Animal Feed Packet | ~R20.00 |
6. Croc City Crocodile & Reptile Park
For brave kids interested in cold-blooded creatures, Croc City in Chartwell offers hands-on crocodile and reptile experiences. Children can hold baby crocodiles, observe venomous snakes safely, and zip-line directly over crocodile enclosures on the Flyover zipline.
- Location: Cnr Cedar & R114, Chartwell / Nietgedacht, Johannesburg
- Opening Hours: Daily from 09:30 to 16:30
- Key Attractions: Baby crocodile holding, reptile displays, guided tours, and the Flyover Zipline.
| Visitor Category / Activity | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult Entrance | R100.00 |
| Child Entrance (Under 12) | R70.00 |
| Croc City Flyover (Zipline) | R100.00 per person |
Comparison Table: Johannesburg Kids Animal Activities
| Attraction | Location | Adult Fee | Child Fee | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johannesburg Zoo | Parkview | R135 | R81 (Ages 3–12) | Massive zoo with 320+ species & picnic areas |
| Montecasino Bird Gardens | Fourways | R105 | R70 (Ages 2–12) | Walk-through aviaries & live bird shows |
| Lory Park Zoo | Midrand | R110–R130 | R80–R100 | Up-close owl & reptile encounters |
| Lion & Safari Park | Lanseria North | R400 (Self-Drive) | FREE (Under 12 w/ adult) | Predator enclosures & giraffe feeding |
| Rietvlei Zoo Farm | Jhb South | R50 | R50 (Under 2 Free) | Budget farmyard, pony rides & picnics |
| Croc City | Chartwell | R100 | R70 | Hold baby crocs & zipline over enclosures |
Tips for Visiting Animal Attractions in Joburg with Kids
- Pack Sun Protection & Comfortable Walking Shoes: Most attractions span large outdoor areas. Sunscreen, broad-brimmed hats, and comfortable footwear are essential.
- Bring Cash or Cards for Add-ons: While main entrance fees accept card payments, small activities like pony rides, animal feed bags, or tractor rides often require small cash amounts or quick on-site tokens.
- Check Animal Feeding Schedules: Attractions like Lory Park, Montecasino Bird Gardens, and Lion & Safari Park host live feedings and educational talks at specific times, usually at 11:00 and 14:00 on weekends.
- Arrive Early: Early morning visits ensure cooler temperatures, more active animals, and less crowded parking.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the most budget-friendly kids’ animal activity in Johannesburg?
Rietvlei Zoo Farm is one of the most affordable options in Johannesburg, with general admission starting at just R50 per person and free entry for toddlers under 2. Visitors can pack their own picnic basket, enjoy the farm atmosphere, and pay a small extra fee (around R20) for pony rides or animal feed.
2. Are toddlers and kids under 2 required to pay entrance fees?
At most Johannesburg animal attractions—including Montecasino Bird Gardens, Lory Park Zoo, Rietvlei Zoo Farm, and Lion & Safari Park—children under 2 years old enter for free. At the Johannesburg Zoo, children under 3 years enter free of charge.
3. Where in Johannesburg can children interact directly with and feed animals?
For direct animal interaction and feeding, Rietvlei Zoo Farm allows children to feed domestic farm animals, Lion & Safari Park offers giraffe feeding platforms, and Lory Park Animal Sanctuary provides supervised reptile and bird encounters.
4. Are Johannesburg zoos and animal sanctuaries open on weekends and public holidays?
Yes, nearly all major animal attractions in Johannesburg (including Johannesburg Zoo, Lory Park, Croc City, Montecasino Bird Gardens, and Lion & Safari Park) are open 365 days a year, including weekends, public holidays, and school holiday periods.
5. Can families pack their own picnics when visiting these animal venues?
At Johannesburg Zoo and Rietvlei Zoo Farm, families are encouraged to bring their own picnic blankets, food, and non-alcoholic drinks. However, venues like Montecasino Bird Gardens and Lion & Safari Park restrict outside food due to on-site restaurants and food outlets.
6. Do you need to pre-book tickets online before visiting?
For standard day visits to venues like Johannesburg Zoo, Montecasino Bird Gardens, Croc City, and Rietvlei Zoo Farm, tickets can easily be purchased at the entrance gate on arrival. However, pre-booking online is recommended for peak school holiday periods or special guided safari drives at Lion & Safari Park.
7. What is the best time of day to visit animal attractions with children in Johannesburg?
The best time to visit is during the early morning (08:30 to 11:00). Animals are most active during cooler morning hours, and children avoid the midday African sun. Additionally, morning visits coincide with early feeding schedules at many sanctuaries.