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A repository for natural and social history
Natal Museum
Natal Museum
© South African Tourism
Did you know?
The Natal Museum is home to the largest research library in South Africa.
The Natal Museum is one of South Africa's oldest major regional museums which was first opened to the public in November 1904. The museum is dedicated to the understanding of the natural world and the history of humankind.
If you're interested in South African heritage, this museum is a must-see as it hosts several of South Africa's most important heritage collections. The internationally renowned collections feature regional archaeology, African cultural products, European settler history, seashells, insects and other fauna.
In addition, the Natal Museum is a proud custodian of one of the most important collections of Zulu objects d'art in the world.
The museum's in-house Department of Human Sciences includes a team of archaeologists and cultural heritage technicians who specialise in multiple disciplines covering both South Africa's past and its material culture.
Discover the fascinating research being carried out on human cognition and modern behaviour, the history of hunter-gatherers and farming communities, as well as rock art and Nguni history.
Make time to visit the exhibition department where educational and entertaining exhibitions are rotated to keep travellers returning for more. The displays are interactive to encourage dymanic learning and to stimulate interest in South Africa's cultural diversity. A number of temporary and travelling displays, incorporating multimedia technology, are also created by the exhibition team.
The Natal Museum is also home to the Natal Museum Library, South Africa's largest research library, which is dedicated to the collection, preservation, study and exhibition of objects of cultural and scientific value, particularly in the field of natural and human sciences.
Travel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
How to get here
The Natal Museum is easily accessible by car, bus and taxi. There is adequate parking in the area.
Get around
The museum and grounds are small enough to walk around.
What will it cost
Admission to the museum is free of charge.
Length of stay
You will not need more than half a day to visit the museum.
Where to stay
Pietermaritzburg has a wide range of hotels, guest houses and B&B's for overnight visitors.
What to eat
There is a range of eateries in the vicinity.
What's happening
Consult the museum's website for updates on exhibitions and special events.