The imposing South African Museum, dedicated to natural history and the human sciences, contains a huge variety of fascinating exhibits from entire chunks of caves bearing rock art, to traditional arts and crafts from several African tribes. The natural history galleries are full of mounted mammals, dioramas of prehistoric reptiles and a collection of whale skeletons, which can be viewed with the eerie sound of whale song echoing in the background. Alongside the museum is the Planetarium, which has a changing programme of thematic shows involving the southern constellations. Booking ahead is necessary for Planetarium shows.

Address: 25 Queen Victoria Street, Gardens

E-mail: info@iziko.org.za

Website: www.iziko.org.za

Telephone: 021 481 3800 (museum), 021 481 3900 (planetarium)

Opening times: Daily 10am to 5pm. Planetarium shows at 9am, 10:15am, 11:30am and 12:45pm.

Admission: Museum: R15 (adults), R5 (children); Planetarium: R20 (adults), R6 (children)