What to do and see in South Africa, South Africa: The Best Zoos & Aquariums

March 15, 2022 Roger Rusk

in the African Union  (light blue)
Restaurants in South Africa

1. Hoedspruit Reptile Centre

R527 Farm Blyderus, Hoedspruit 1380 South Africa +27 15 795 5203 [email protected] http://www.kinyonga.net/
Excellent
75%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 4 reviews

Hoedspruit Reptile Centre

We are a unique Reptile Centre dedicated to “conservation through education and research”. We offer a wide variety of accredited educational programs, reptile handling courses and training, photographic tours, volunteering opportunities and internships. We have a diverse variety of local and exotic reptiles, amphibians, and arachnids on display. We are open to the public seven days a week including all public holidays. We are destination for learning and excitement for all ages.

Reviewed By willsmithorg2

We booked the slightly more expensive private tour and had an amazing time. My wife didn't want to come so I just took me and my 2 boys (5 and 8 at the time). The guide started off with showing us some very venomous snakes and explaining how the venom of different snakes worked. He was clearly passionate about reptiles and snakes and loved his job. He had time for all our questions and really made the experience great. We then moved on to lizards where we spent a lot of time stroking an iguana, several other lizards, and even feeding a chameleon by holding food in our mouths! Then it was time to hold a huge python, it weighed more than we could hold. Then a tour round some other sections including snapping turtles and crocodiles. Finally the guide fed a venomous snake a mouse and we watched it eat the mouse. The guide was so kind to me and my kids, we all came away with a much greater love and appreciation of reptiles. In all we were there probably 2.5 hours.

2. uShaka Marine World

1 King Shaka Avenue Point, Durban 4001 South Africa +27 31 328 8000 [email protected] http://www.ushakamarineworld.co.za/
Excellent
56%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4,292 reviews

uShaka Marine World

uShaka Marine World is a 16-hectare theme park in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It comprises 8 attractions: uShaka Sea World, uShaka Wet 'n Wild, uShaka Sea Animal Encounters Island, uShaka Beach, uShaka Village Walk, uShaka Kids World, uShaka Dangerous Creatures and Chimp & Zee. uShaka Sea World is the fifth largest aquarium in the world. uShaka Wet 'n Wild water park has the highest slide in Africa.

Reviewed By AbelThompson - Paarl, South Africa

i loved to watch the Seal and the dolphin shows at shaka marine, i also enjoyed the park walk, i loved the food and the sea creatures in the old Marine etc

3. Crocodile Creek

77 Greylands Road 809 Greylamds, Tongaat 4399 South Africa +27 32 940 4444 [email protected] http://www.places.co.za/html/crocodilecreek.html
Excellent
57%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
3%
Terrible
6%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 191 reviews

Crocodile Creek

Reviewed By ABCG90 - Woking, United Kingdom

My partner and I went for a few hours on a Monday afternoon and this place is great. At just R95 per adult it’s great value for money. Suitable for families with kids and couples, there are thousands of crocs as well as some snakes and smalller reptiles, with the opportunity to hold or touch some under supervision. The head tour guide, who has been there for over 35 years is fantastic, he shows such passion and has superb knowledge about the animals at Crocodile Creek and is very entertaining and welcoming also. There is a small shop for souvenirs and space to take a picnic and a small kids zone where you can play with sole bunny rabbits or guinea-pigs. Ideal for an afternoon treat, where we spent almost 3 hours walking round!

4. Kwantu Private Game Reserve - Day Visits

Nelson Mandela Bay, Port Elizabeth South Africa +27 42 203 1400 [email protected] http://www.kwantu.co.za/index_main.html
Excellent
66%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
4%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 83 reviews

Kwantu Private Game Reserve - Day Visits

Reviewed By hakdent

5 star accommodation and service without a doubt. We stayed in the bush lodges near the waterhole. The rooms were spectacular as was the views as well as the staff. Being in the lodges away from the hotel is not a problem as the drivers are always around to take you back and forth. There are 3 game drives per day. We managed to see all the animals including lions, elephants and rhino's, wildebeest, giraffes and various bucks. The rangers were informative and entertaining. The food in particular was excellent and the reserve makes sure that you never go hungry. There are lions being bred in captivity as well and a fabulous game room for younger kids as well as a huge swimming pool. Thank you kwantu for providing us with good accommodation and halal food. Noerraan

5. Hippo Jessica

Essex Road P.O.BOX 1629, Hoedspruit 1380 South Africa +27 15 795 5249 http://www.jessicahippo.com/
Excellent
66%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 498 reviews

Hippo Jessica

Reviewed By G750DMpaulas - Leicester, United Kingdom

Jessica is a must if you are in the area. Where in the world do you get the chance to feed and give a bottle of tea to a fully grown hippo, and for just R100. This is an amazing experience that you really need to visit. Jessica has every opportunity to go off to the wild hippos, it is her choice to stay around humans. She is a wild animal and safety precautions are followed. Still allowing you to get close enough to touch this lovely animal, feed her corn and give her a bottle of tea. She was easy to find when on the R527 towards Hoedspruit turn left towards Essex and you will see signs for Jessica, follow the road and you will find her on the right hand side.

6. Lory Park

181, Kruger Road President Park, Midrand South Africa +27 11 315 7307 http://www.lorypark.co.za/
Excellent
54%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 181 reviews

Lory Park

Reviewed By RobFowler

This amazing animalbrehad sanctuary is open to the public and is a great way for kids and animals to see some very spectacular and endangered birds, primates and other animals including Lions and Tigers. It is well worth a visit. Lots of informative plaques and notes at each cage tell the whole story.

7. Monte casino bird park

1 Montecasino Boulevard Magaliessig, Sandton 2191 South Africa +27 11 511 1864 http://www.tsogosun.com/entertainment/bird-gardens
Excellent
49%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 612 reviews

Monte casino bird park

Reviewed By SwaziSue - Gaborone, Botswana

The children love it here, favourites are the walk through aviary and especially the venomous snake room. The show is good too. Top tip is to go early and you can have the place to yourself. The play area is nice for younger kids.

8. Dragon Rock Reptile Centre

R 600 Champagne Castle Road, Winterton 3340 South Africa +27 82 955 1404 [email protected] http://www.facebook.com/dragonrockreptilecentre
Excellent
72%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 72 reviews

Dragon Rock Reptile Centre

Dragon Rock Reptile Centre is situated in the heart of the beautiful Drakensberg in Kwazulu Natal. We are a nature and reptile centre. We believe education is the most powerful weapon with which we can change the world around us. That is why we strive to educate people about the animals we have and animals in general. Combining the nature centre with our reptile centre we aim to send people home more aware of their environment.

Reviewed By RoTaFer123

Awesome experience with a truly knowledgeable guide. It's both entertaining and educational. We loved getting up close and personal with the animals and being a part of the experience in such a beautiful place. Highly recommended.

9. Akwaaba Predator Park

Koster Road - Doornlaagte, Rustenburg South Africa +27 71 731 7103 http://www.akwaabalodge.co.za/wadditional_pages.php
Excellent
56%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 43 reviews

Akwaaba Predator Park

Reviewed By O7801DNvanessav

A super special and unique experience with lots of interaction with the lions & lemers. Thank you to all the staff and owner that made this an unforgettable & memorable experience

10. Monkey and Bird Park

Cnr Swallow and Barbet Road, Benoni South Africa +27 82 787 3932 http://www.facebook.com/benonimonkeyandbirdpark/
Excellent
50%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
20%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 10 reviews

Monkey and Bird Park

Reviewed By cleanings4

Was a great day out. Well kept small but really entertaining for my son. Some stunning monkeys a few cats. Some tortoises nice little Cafe inside. Must say well worth a few hours of your time.

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