Following the strong public response to its 126th birthday campaign, the National Zoological Garden of South Africa (Pretoria Zoo) will extend its birthday admission initiative for a further 12 months as the Zoo marks its 127th birthday. Visitors can enter for R27 on the 27th of every month for another year. The extended initiative begins on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, when Pretoria Zoo marks its 127th anniversary. It will run until 27 September 2027 and applies to all admission ticket categories, excluding other paid offerings.
The year-long 126th birthday celebration drew a marked rise in general visits and school participation, while creating wider public interest in the Zoo’s conservation and education work. Attendance on the promotional dates was more than 60% higher than the corresponding historical average, showing how strongly the public responded to a more accessible opportunity to visit.
“Last year’s celebration reminded us that the Pretoria Zoo’s story is shared with the people who visit, learn and make memories here,” says Mr Leslie Mudimeli, General Manager of the National Zoological Garden of South Africa. “Extending this initiative gives more families and schools an opportunity to experience it while engaging with the conservation work that takes place here every day.”
The October programme places education and animal care at the centre of the anniversary month. Weekday school lessons will continue through much of October, while weekends will feature animal talks and the Zoo Adventure programme. Visitors can also attend selected feeding and enrichment sessions across the Zoo.
Selected October highlights include:
- 10 October: African Penguin Day and migratory bird activities, together with the weekend animal talks and Zoo Adventure programme.
- 21 October: Reptile Awareness Day, including a reptile encounter later in the day.
- 27 October: Pretoria Zoo’s 127th anniversary and the first R27 admission day in the extended initiative.
“As we celebrate 127 years, we want visitors to enjoy the Zoo and also leave with a clearer understanding of why biodiversity matters. Every school lesson, animal talk and conservation conversation that visitors experience, helps build and strengthen the connection between people and nature,” concludes Mudimeli.
The National Zoological Garden remains a place for recreation, learning, research and conservation. By continuing the monthly birthday initiative, the South African National Biodiversity Institute aims to sustain the public interest generated during the 126th birthday campaign and welcome more people to learn more about the Pretoria Zoo’s work over the year ahead.
About the National Zoological Garden of South Africa
The National Zoological Garden of South Africa in Pretoria is the largest zoo in the country and the only one with national status. The 85-hectare site is an entity of the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Its team contributes to wildlife and ecosystem conservation through research, education and recreational experiences that connect people with nature.
Media enquiries:
Sasha Maripane
E-mail: sashas@twenty8zero7.com
Tel.: 079 056 7551
