South African Museum and Planetarium Tours and Activities

South African Museum and Planetarium which includes interior views
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Learn about extinct and modern land and sea animals and ponder the mysteries of the universe at this popular Cape Town institution.

Enter the South African Museum and Planetarium for a scientific journey of discovery. Examine fossils that are hundreds of millions of years old, see skeletons of ocean mammals and other natural history specimens and watch fascinating projections of the night sky.

Allow at least 2 to 3 hours to wander through the museum’s corridors and exhibition halls. Go to the Wonders of Nature exhibit for the petrified skull of a 250-million-year-old mammal-like reptile. You will also see a fossilized freshwater fish from the Triassic period. At the African Dinosaurs exhibit, view dioramas of ancient landscapes and models of South African dinosaurs.

Study a cross-section of a Norfolk Island pine tree that was planted about 1850. Gather insights into Darwin's visit to the area in 1836 when you stop by the Darwin and the Cape exhibit. Observe casts of whales and dolphins and a large model of the jaw of a megatooth shark. This extinct species lived millions of years ago and was one of the largest predators the world has ever seen. Other marine exhibits include a life-size model of a giant squid.

After your museum visit, settle back for some starry action in the planetarium, housed in the same building.

The museum and planetarium are open every day except Christmas Day and Workers' Day, which is on May 1. The planetarium also closes on the first Monday of each month except school holidays. There is an admission fee, with reductions for children, senior citizens and family tickets. Children 5 years and under enter for free. Pay a separate charge for the planetarium and its celestial shows.

The South African Museum and Planetarium are in the Company’s Garden on Queen Victoria Street and are well served by buses and taxis. Drive and use the free parking. The museum is within a short drive of the shops, restaurants, aquarium and other attractions of the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront.

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Top South African Museum and Planetarium Hotel & Accommodation Deals

StayEasy Cape Town City Bowl
StayEasy Cape Town City Bowl
3 out of 5
54 Bree Street, Cape Town, Western Cape
StayEasy Cape Town City Bowl
Taj Cape Town
Taj Cape Town
5 out of 5
1 Wale Street, corner St Georges Mall, Cape Town, Western Cape
Taj Cape Town
AC Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Waterfront
AC Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Waterfront
4 out of 5
Dockrail Road, Foreshore, Cape Town, Western Cape
AC Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Waterfront
ONOMO Hotel Cape Town - Inn on the Square
ONOMO Hotel Cape Town - Inn on the Square
3 out of 5
10 Greenmarket Square Road, Cape Town, Western Cape
ONOMO Hotel Cape Town - Inn on the Square
Grand Daddy Boutique Hotel
Grand Daddy Boutique Hotel
4 out of 5
38 Long Street, Cape Town, Western Cape
Grand Daddy Boutique Hotel
Pepperclub Hotel
Pepperclub Hotel
5 out of 5
Cnr Loop and Pepper Street, Cape Town, Western Cape
Pepperclub Hotel
SunSquare Cape Town City Bowl
SunSquare Cape Town City Bowl
3.5 out of 5
23 Buitengracht Street, Corner Buitengracht & Strand Street, Cape Town, Western Cape
SunSquare Cape Town City Bowl
Hyatt Regency Cape Town
Hyatt Regency Cape Town
5 out of 5
BUITENGRACHT STREET, CAPE TOWN CITY, CENTRE, 126, Cape Town, Western Cape
Hyatt Regency Cape Town
Southern Sun Waterfront Cape Town
Southern Sun Waterfront Cape Town
4 out of 5
1 Lower Buitengracht, Cape Town, Western Cape
Southern Sun Waterfront Cape Town
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.