Ditsong National Museum of Natural History, Pretoria
The Ditsong National Museum of Natural History, commonly known as the Transvaal Museum, is a natural history museum that houses some of the most important paleo-anthropological fossil specimen discovered in the Cradle of Humankind site.
The Ditsong National Museum of Natural History, commonly known as the Transvaal Museum, is a natural history museum that houses some of the most important paleo-anthropological fossil specimen discovered in the Cradle of Humankind site. Its best known exhibit is Mrs Ples – the most complete skull of an Australopithecus africanus specimen that is over 2 million years old, among other Plio-Pleistocene fossils, including hominids from Sterkfontein, Swartkrans and Kromdraai. Also of note is the Austin Roberts Bird Hall which displays over 875 species of stuffed birds indigenous to South Africa, with information on their migration, feeding and flight patterns. The museum has a Discovery Centre for children with interactive exhibits that offer a hands-on experience of natural history.
Hours
Sun
8:00
16:00
Mon
8:00
16:00
Tue
8:00
16:00
Wed
8:00
16:00
Thu
8:00
16:00
Fri
8:00
16:00
Sat
8:00
16:00
About Ditsong National Museum of Natural History
432 Visagie St, Pretoria Central, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
+27 12 322 7632
Ditsong National Museum of Natural History and Nearby Sights on Map
Melrose House
Built in 1886 by local businessman George Jesse Heys, the Melrose House is a stately mansion and museum in Burgers Park in Pretoria
Church Square
The Church Square is the historic centre of Pretoria that was designated as a market place and churchyard by the founder of the city Marthinus Pretorius
Paul Kruger House
The historical residence of the President of the South African Republic Paul Kruger and his wife Gezina is now open to visitors as a house museum
Freedom Park
Sprawling over 52 hectares on Salvokop, the Freedom Park in Pretoria commemorates those killed in the South African Wars, World War I, World War II as well as during the apartheid era
National Zoological Gardens of South Africa
The National Zoological Gardens of South Africa is the largest zoo in the country and one of the largest zoos in the world, spread over an area of 85 hectares on the banks of the Apies River
Union Buildings
Overlooking the city from the top of Meintjieskop which is the highest point in Pretoria, the Union Buildings are the official seat of the South African government
Voortrekker Monument
The Voortrekker Monument honors the pioneering Voortrekkers or Boer pastoralists from the frontiers of the Cape Colony who migrated eastwards during the Great Trek to escape the British colonial administration
Groenkloof Nature Reserve
The Greenkloof Nature Reserve in the Fountains Valley was established in 1895 as South Africa’s first nature sanctuary
Sammy Marks Museum
Situated 20 kilometres to the east of Pretoria, Zwartkoppies Hall in Donkerhoek is a grand Victorian mansion that was home to industrialist and entrepreneur Sammy Marks and his family from 1885 to 1909
Ann Van Dyk Cheetah Centre
The Ann Van Dyk Cheetah Centre, better known as the De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Centre, is a captive breeding and conservation facilities for cheetahs that is situated 40 kilometres to the west of Pretoria