The Pretoria Zoo entrance fees, activities, and camping costs for 2024
The National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, commonly known as the Pretoria Zoo, is an 85-hectare zoo home to numerous species of amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. It is an excellent spot for tourists, school groups, and families. Discover the Pretoria Zoo entrance fee today.
Source: UGC
Pretoria Zoo has the largest inland marine aquarium in South Africa. The wildlife park is also one of the best places to view wild animals. More than 600,000 people visit this place annually. Find out the current Pretoria Zoo entrance fees and more about the zoo.
Pretoria Zoo entrance fees: all details you need to know
Pretoria Zoo is located on 232 Boom Street in Pretoria, about 5.4 km from Pretoria University. The facility is divided into sections.
The aviary and other enclosures are near the entrance, the African Savanna section is in the middle, and the reptile section is along the western end. Below is an overview of the animal species you can expect to see when you visit Pretoria Zoo.
| Group | Species | Animals |
| Mammals | 209 | 3117 |
| Birds | 202 | 1358 |
| Fish | 190 | 3871 |
| Invertebrates | 4 | 388 |
| Reptiles | 93 | 309 |
| Amphibians | 7 | 44 |
| Total | 705 | 9087 |
Updated Pretoria Zoo entrance fee in 2024
J.W.B. Gunning established the Pretoria Zoo in 1899. The place has beautiful zoological gardens that facilitate world-class scientific and innovative research projects. Local scientists are also allowed to do their research in the facility.
How much is the entrance fee at the Pretoria Zoo?
The Pretoria Zoo entrance fee in 2024 ranges from R70 to R120 per day. Children aged two years and above must pay an entrance fee. Below are this wildlife park's current entry fees:
| Category | Entrance fee |
| Child (2-15 years old) | R70 |
| Adult | R100 |
| Student in a school group (Monday to Wednesday) | R50 |
| Student in a school group (Thursday to Friday) | R70 |
| Parking fee (per vehicle) | R30 |
NB: Note that the price of online tickets at Pretoria Zoo is the same as the amount payable at the gate. The wildlife park is open throughout the year. It opens at 09:00 am and closes at 17:30 pm. You can buy tickets on the zoo's official website or at the gate. Tickets are sold from 09:00 am to 16:30 pm daily (at the gate).
Pretoria Zoo parking
The next thing people want to know after learning about the Pretoria Zoo entrance fees in 2024 is the parking situation. Well, the facility offers secure parking opposite the main entrance, on the corner of Paul Kruger and Boom Streets. The parking fee is R30 per vehicle.
Pretoria Zoo activities
There are numerous fun activities one can engage in at this wildlife park. After paying the entrance fees, you will incur other charges depending on the recreational activities you participate in.
Note that you will only pay for some activities because some are free. Here are some of the most common and exciting things to do at the Pretoria Zoo.
Animal viewing
Source: UGC
Animal viewing is the primary activity at this facility. Visitors walk through the wildlife park, viewing the different land, air, and sea animals.
The wild dog night run
Trail Adventures company sponsors the wild dog night run. Visitors choose between the 4 km and the 8 km run through the gardens. You should bring a flashlight to the event.
Children’s parties
You can hire a birthday party venue at the Pretoria Zoo for R3500. You can use the premises for your child’s birthday party or any other children's event.
As consideration for the health and safety of the animals, balloons, jumping castles, or noisy toys are not allowed. The R3500 payment covers the following:
- Entrance fees for 20 kids
- The grounds (venue)
- Tables and chairs
- 1 Braai stand
- 5 refuse bags
- 20 plates
- 20 knives and forks
- 2 round tables of 10 people for adults (20 chairs in total)
Picnics
There are numerous picnic spots throughout the zoological gardens. The picnic areas have Braai facilities right next to the Apies River. You also can relax under the shade of huge trees.
Camping
Source: UGC
If you are feeling adventurous, you can extend your stay past the regular hours by camping overnight. Camping is allowed on Fridays and Saturdays from the beginning of September to the end of March.
Camping spots in the wildlife park accommodate different group sizes. Book the number of people, the type of activity, and the venue simultaneously.
If you are going camping, carry your own food, camping gear, and cooking equipment. You will be provided with electric power to boil water.
All campers have to vacate the wildlife park by 7:30 am the following day. Here are the Pretoria Zoo night/ camping fees for children, adults, and school groups.
| Activity | Sunset Safari | Zoo Camp |
| Camping fee per child | R100 | R120 |
| Camping fee per adult | R130 | R180 |
| Camping fee per head (school group) | R80 | R100 |
Cable car rides
Most people who visit this place enjoy riding cable cars. Pretoria Zoo cable car prices range from R20 to R35 per person. Note that the cableway is currently closed until further notice.
Golf cart rides
Golf cart rides are also available at the facility. You need a valid driver's license to ride one. You can rent a 4 seater for R150 an hour or a 6 seater for R180 an hour.
The golf carts are operated by a contracted concessionaire. They are limited in number and are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Other activities
Below is a summary of the other activities you can engage in at the facility.
| Activity | Prices |
| Children's pushcarts | R120 for a single-seater for a dayR140 for a double-seater for a day |
| The big wheel ride | R4 per ride |
| Jungle Train ride | Under maintenance until further notice |
How do you get to the Pretoria Zoo?
Here are different ways of reaching this wildlife park.
- Self-drive: If you are driving to the Pretoria Zoo, you will find ample space for R30 per vehicle. The management advocates for carpooling.
- Gautrain bus service: The place is easily accessible via public means. When the Gauteng Train (the Gautrain) leaves the Pretoria station, the Pretoria Zoo is its 7th stop.
What animals are at the Pretoria Zoo?
Here is a list of some of the wild animals one can expect to see at this wildlife park.
- Bears
- Seals
- Rhinos
- Elephants
- Monkeys
- Gorillas
- Birds (different species)
- Giraffes
- Lions
- Sharks
- Komodo dragons
- Hippopotamus
- Gorillas
- Tigers
- Zebras
- Pythons
Source: UGC
What are the animal feeding times at the Pretoria Zoo?
Animals at this facility feed at different times of the day:
- Lions and tigers: 2:30 pm on alternate days
- Penguins: 3 times daily at 9:30 am, 12:00 pm, and 15:30 pm
- Bears: 9:30 am to 10:00 am every day
- Elephants: 10:30 am every day
- Sharks: Wednesday and Sunday at 12:00 pm
- Red river hawks: 14:00 pm daily
- Vultures: Wednesday and Sunday at 14:00 pm
Rules and regulations for visitors
The wildlife facility has simple guidelines explaining the dos and don'ts for visit
- Do not feed, tease, torment, poke, or throw things at the animals or in the water.
- Do not ride bicycles, skateboards, or rollerblades between enclosures.
- Do not drive off the identified roads.
- Do not bring a watercraft of any kind.
- Do not bring motorcycles or quad bikes.
- Do not remove or collect any plant or related material (dead or alive).
- Do not remove, pick or collect any animal or related material or parts (dead or alive).
How to become a friend of the Pretoria Zoo
If you wish to become a friend of the facility, you can join the Friends of Pretoria Zoo (FOTZ) club, which attracts an annual subscription. Members get cheaper entrance fees and discounts on various activities. These are the FOTZ packages:
- Single-person membership card: R125
- Family membership card (two adults and three children): R300
- Family membership card (two adults and more than three children): R30 extra for each child
Pretoria Zoo contact number
You can contact the facility using the contact details below.
- Physical location: 232 Boom Street, Pretoria, South Africa
- Phone: +27(0) 12 339 2700
- Email address: sanbi@behonest.co.za
- Fax: +27(0) 12 323 4540
Source: UGC
Is food allowed at the Pretoria Zoo?
Yes, carrying food is allowed. Feel free to bring food, drinks, and utensils. You will be provided with tables, chairs, charcoal, and braai facilities to prepare your meals.
Can you bring alcohol to the Pretoria Zoo?
Alcohol is permitted, but only for people holding private events. The alcohol must be limited to the specific event venue. Visitors are not allowed to walk around this wildlife park with alcoholic drinks.
Can you visit the zoo at night?
Yes, you can. If daytime visits do not work for you, join the sunset safaris organized by the management. These events take place overnight.
Does a 2-year-old pay at the Pretoria Zoo?
Yes, everyone aged two years and above must pay the entrance fee.
Does the Pretoria Zoo have sharks?
Yes, the facility has two sharks. They were sourced from the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town and will stay at this wildlife park's aquarium for an agreed period.
Can you camp at the Pretoria Zoo?
Yes, you can. bring your own food and camping gear.
Can you buy tickets at the Pretoria Zoo's gate?
Yes, tickets are sold from 09:00 am to 16:30 pm daily.
How much is the entrance fee at Pretoria Zoo?
The entrance fee is R70 for children between two and 15 years, and R100 for adults.
Which zoo is better Johannesburg or Pretoria?
Both facilities offer multiple activities. It is challenging to pinpoint the better one. Local and international tourists are encouraged to visit both.
How many animals are in Pretoria Zoo?
There are over 9,000 animals in this animal facility. All species are well taken care of by the zoo officials.
When is there free entrance at Pretoria Zoo?
Unless otherwise stated, there is no free entrance in the facility for humans above two years. Everyone must pay the entrance fee.
Pretoria Zoo is one of the most captivating places for nature-loving people to visit in South Africa. The current Pretoria Zoo entrance fees are affordable and offer value for money. The wide range of activities at affordable rates makes it the ideal place for families, students, and tourists.
DISCLAIMER: This article is not sponsored by any third party. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!
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Peris Walubengo (Lifestyle writer) Peris Walubengo has vast experience in search engine optimization through digital content generation, research, editing, and proofreading. She joined Briefly.co.za in November 2019 and completed the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. You can email her at perisrodah254@gmail.com.
Jackline Wangare (Lifestyle writer) Jackline Simwa is a content writer at Briefly.co.za, where she has worked since mid-2021. She tackles diverse topics, including finance, entertainment, sports, and lifestyle. Previously, she worked at The Campanile by Kenyatta University. She has more than five years in writing. Jackline graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics (2019) and a Diploma in Marketing (2015) from Kenyatta University. In 2023, Jackline finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques and Google News Initiative course in 2024. Email: simwajackie2022@gmail.com.
