Pretoria Zoo School Group Rates & Excursion Guide

Quick Answer: Pretoria Zoo (National Zoological Garden of South Africa) offers discounted educational entry rates of R50.00 to R70.00 per learner for pre-booked weekday school groups. Accompanying educators and adult chaperones pay the standard adult tariff of R110.00 to R135.00. Standard school group entry includes access to the main zoo grounds, the inland marine aquarium, and the reptile park. Bus parking costs R34.00 to R35.00 per bus. Advance booking through the SANBI Biodiversity Education department is mandatory to qualify for group tariffs.

The National Zoological Garden of South Africa in Pretoria is one of the largest and most renowned zoos in the world, spanning 80 hectares of land and housing thousands of animal species. It serves as a major destination for Life Sciences, Geography, and Environmental Education school excursions across Gauteng and surrounding provinces.

Discounted entrance fees are provided for formal educational groups visiting during school terms. Planning an excursion requires understanding current tariffs, add-on activity pricing, booking requirements, and venue rules.

Pretoria Zoo School Group Tariff Breakdown

School group pricing applies strictly to organized educational visits booked in advance through the zoo’s education division for weekday visits.

Visitor / Service Category	Tariff (Incl. VAT)	Details & Conditions
School Group Learner (Mon – Wed)	R50.00 per learner	Pre-booked formal school group rate (weekdays only).
School Group Learner (Thu – Fri)	R56.00 – R70.00 per learner	Weekday school excursion rate (special Gautrain partner promos apply at R56.00).
Educators & Adult Chaperones	R110.00 – R135.00 per adult	Standard adult entrance rate applies to accompanying teachers/parents.
Bus & Coach Parking	R34.00 – R35.00 per bus	Secure parking fee for 30–120 seater buses.
Mini-Van / Vehicle Parking	R20.00 – R25.00 per vehicle	Secure parking fee for passenger vans or cars.

Note: General public rates (Adults R110–R135 / Children R75–R81) apply if a school group arrives without an approved formal booking. Prices are subject to change per SANBI municipal tariff updates.

What Is Included in the School Group Entrance Ticket?

Your school group general admission ticket provides full-day access to three primary learning areas inside the 80-hectare complex:

1. The Main Zoological Gardens:Home to big cats, elephants, white rhinos, primates, ungulates, and over 9,000 animals along 6 km of shaded walkways.
2. Inland Marine Aquarium: The largest marine aquarium in South Africa’s interior, featuring both saltwater and freshwater species.
3. Reptile Park: Houses a comprehensive collection of native and exotic snakes, lizards, crocodilians, and amphibians.

Add-On Educational Activities & Transport Pricing

Schools can supplement standard self-guided visits with organized tours, aerial views, or transport options across the grounds.

Cableway & Internal Transport

• Cableway (School Rate):R20.00 per learner return ride. Provides aerial views over the zoo enclosures and the Magaliesberg mountain ridge. (Subject to weather and maintenance schedules).
• Zoo Choo-Choo Train Ride:R5.00 – R14.00 per person. Ideal for younger foundation-phase learners traversing distance between exhibits.

Guided Educational Day & Night Tours

• Curriculum-Aligned Day Tours:Flat rates around R104.00 per group session. Led by zoo education officers covering topics such as biodiversity, animal adaptation, and conservation.
• School Night Tours:R147.00 per learner flat group rate. Guided evening walks focused on nocturnal species behavior.
• Zoo Snooze Overnight Stays:R216.00 – R277.00 per learner (depending on group size).Includes an overnight camping/sleeper experience, night tour, and morning zoo access.

Step-by-Step Excursion Booking Process

To qualify for discounted school tariffs and secure access, schools must complete the formal pre-booking process:

1. Select a Weekday: Schedule your visit during school term weekdays. Discounted educational rates are not available on weekends or public holidays.
2. Contact the SANBI NZG Education Department:Request a School Group Booking Form via official Pretoria Zoo channels (or email [email protected] / [email protected]).
3. Submit Excursion Details: Provide exact learner numbers, grade levels, accompanying teacher counts, bus numbers, and desired add-ons (e.g., cableway or guided lectures).
4. Receive Quotation & Invoice: An official invoice will be generated detailing entry fees and parking fees.
5. Pre-Payment via EFT: Confirm the reservation by transferring payment before the excursion date. Cashless payment systems are enforced at arrival gates.

Visitor Rules & Tips for School Groups

• Supervision Ratio: A recommended ratio of at least 1 adult per 10 to 15 learners should be maintained throughout the grounds to ensure learner safety and animal protection.
• Lunch & Picnic Areas: Dedicated shaded lawns and picnic areas are available near the Apies River banks. Schools may bring their own packed lunches and cooler boxes.
• Footwear & Sun Protection:Walkway routes span over 6 km. Learners and teachers should wear comfortable walking shoes, hats, and sunscreen.
• Arrival Hours: Gates open at 08:00 AM. Arriving between 08:30 AM and 09:00 AM maximizes time before peak midday heat.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the entrance fee for learners visiting Pretoria Zoo in a school group?

Pre-booked weekday school groups pay between R50.00 and R70.00 per learner, depending on the day of the week and specific promotional partnerships.

2. Do teachers get free entry with school groups?

Accompanying teachers and adult chaperones generally pay the standard adult entrance fee (R110.00 to R135.00 per adult) unless a specific educational concession is granted on invoice during booking.

3. Is bus parking available at Pretoria Zoo?

Yes. Secure bus parking inside the main boom-gate parking area costs R34.00 to R35.00 per bus.

4. What exhibits are included in the school group ticket?

Standard entry includes access to the full 80-hectare zoo grounds, the inland marine aquarium, and the reptile park complex.

5. Can school groups bring their own packed lunches?

Yes. Schools are welcome to bring packed meals, drinks, and snacks to enjoy at designated picnic lawns throughout the zoo grounds.

6. Is the Cableway included in the standard school entry fee?

No. The Cableway ride is an optional add-on available at a discounted school group rate of R20.00 per learner.

7. How far in advance should a school group book?

It is recommended to submit booking requests at least 2 to 4 weeks in advance, particularly during peak excursion months (September to November), to guarantee slot availability and process EFT documentation.