From fossils and scientific specimens to interactive exhibits and more, science comes to life at The South African Museum.

The South African Museum is a fascinating museum for all the family. Home to more than one and a half million specimens of scientific importance, the collections include fossils almost 700-million years old to insects and fish caught recently. In the numerous exhibits that bring to life everything from Dinosaurs to the Earth’s movement, mythical sea creatures, and Darwin’s theory, you will be captivated from the moment you arrive and learn just how diverse the earth’s biological and cultural make up really is.

Highlights:

  • Over 1,500,000 scientific specimens
  • Fossils, insects, fish, stone tools, traditional clothes
  • Specimens range from 700-million years old – present day
  • Educative experience of the earth’s biological and cultural diversity
  • Exhibitions on: Virtual Earth, Darwin and the Cape, African Dinosaurs, and Marine Exhibits – and more!

The Experience:

Journey through time, space, and matter with the spectacular exhibits held at the South African Museum. The World of Water is the Marine Exhibit which depicts life in our oceans, a forest of kelp, animals of the open ocean, as well as a 5m shark, leatherback turtle, and swordfish. Norfolk Island Pine Exhibit charts the life of a pine tree planted in the 1850s and felled in 1939 through its cross section. The Giant Squid Exhibit heralds one of the greatest mysteries of the sea, Architeuthis, who has never yet been spotted alive. This mythical and legendary creature has captured people’s curiosity since the 16th century… Whale Well Exhibit is made up of real whale casts and skeletons – including that of a 20.5m blue whale!

Learn about Our Place in the Universe through a cosmic zoom display, viewing the universe on an ever-increasing scale. The 300-million-year-old Karoo, fossil mammals and ancient reptiles of the Cape can be learnt both in Stone Bones and the Boonstra Dioramas Exhibits. The Wonders of Nature Exhibit showcases a selection of 20 objects highlighting the beauty and diversity of the wonders of nature, across space and time – including fossilized freshwater fish from the Triassic period.

If you’re into dinosaurs, don’t miss the African Dinosaurs exhibit which looks at these ancient creatures from an African perspective with fleshed out reconstructions of South African dinosaurs to really bring them back to life. Darwin and the Cape celebrates Charles Darwin and his legacy since the publication of his book, On the Origin of Species, his theory on the evolution of species through natural selection. Virtual Earth Exhibit is housed within an interactive digital theatre which projects animations of the earths movements onto a giant screen.

IMPORTANT: This experience is normally R30 but is included in your SmartPASS, see the prices for all Passes HERE.

see the: full list of attractions included »

Monday 10.00 - 17.00
Tuesday 10.00 - 17.00
Wednesday 10.00 - 17.00
Thursday 10.00 - 17.00
Friday 10.00 - 17.00
Saturday 10.00 - 17.00
Sunday 10.00 - 17.00

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Address:

25 Queen Victora Street, Gardens, Cape Town

Telephone:

+27 21 481 3800

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