Discovering the Wonders of Nature: A Family Day at the Ditsong Museum of Natural History

Visiting the Ditsong National Museum of Natural History in Pretoria offers a splendid blend of learning and wonder that makes for an excellent family outing.

Situated at 432 Paul Kruger Street, in the heart of Pretoria, the museum occupies a building with deep roots. Originally established as the Staatsmuseum of the old South African Republic on 1 December 1892, it evolved over time into the former Transvaal Museum before becoming part of the Ditsong group in 2010. Today its halls house one of the richest and most comprehensive natural history collections in South Africa.

Inside you will find a fascinating range of exhibits spanning palaeontology, zoology, geology, and anthropology. Among the centrepieces is the skull of Mrs Ples, a famed Australopithecus africanus specimen unearthed in the nearby Cradle of Humankind. The museum also displays extensive fossil collections including therapsids from the Karoo and other prehistoric fauna. Living biodiversity is represented by large taxidermied specimens and skeletons of mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians, insects, and other invertebrates, giving children a real sense of the variety of life on Earth.

For younger visitors, the museum offers a hands-on learning space called the Discovery Centre. In that area, children can use their senses to explore specimens and geological samples in a tactile, interactive way – an ideal setup to spark curiosity and engage young minds.

A visit is affordable too. Local adults pay R60 and children R35 for a self-guided tour. Pensioners also pay R35, while guided tours for children cost R40. Special tours such as behind-the-scenes or night tours are available for those seeking more immersive experiences.

For a family with young children, the benefits are many. It offers an educational outing that brings textbooks to life through real fossils, bones, and preserved animals. It encourages curiosity about natural history and evolution, while the interactive Discovery Centre ensures kids stay engaged. The central location makes it easy to combine with other Pretoria sites and getting there on public transport is feasible.

Moreover, it gives children a sense of the deep and diverse heritage of the African continent – from prehistoric life to modern biodiversity – an experience that is both grounding and inspiring.