Discover Fossils, Whales & Ancient Worlds

Come face to face with creatures that roamed the Earth millions of years ago, stand beneath the enormous skeleton of a blue whale and discover the extraordinary natural history of our planet. Founded in 1825, the Iziko South African Museum is a treasure trove of fossils, ancient insects, fascinating animals and remarkable discoveries. Explore the famous Whale Well, home to a 20.5-metre blue whale skeleton, investigate prehistoric life and uncover stories about the natural world and humanity's place within it. It's the kind of museum where you arrive intending to spend an hour and find yourself still exploring two hours later.

BEFORE YOU GO
The museum is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, with shorter weekend hours of 8:30am to 4pm. Allow approximately 1½–2 hours to explore the collections, particularly if you're visiting with curious children. South African students and pensioners enjoy free entry on Fridays with valid identification, and selected commemorative days also offer free admission. The museum is situated beside Company's Garden, making it easy to combine your visit with a stroll through the gardens. The Iziko Planetarium is in the same complex, but tickets for its shows are sold separately.