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Top 10 Petting Zoos in and near Johannesburg

Top 10 Petting Zoos in and near Johannesburg

Petting zoos are great venues where you and your loved ones (especially young children) can bond over some pretty cool and cute animals. Here in Johannesburg, there are a couple of petting zoos that can bring out the nature lover in you!

Some of them feature barn animals like goats while some showcase more cute ones such as fluffy bunnies. To help you choose which ones to visit, we listed the best petting zoos for you to check out in and near Johannesburg!

1. Pinkpini Party Animal Farm and Events

Address: 115 B Floors Street, Withok Estates Brakpan

Distance from JO: 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PikininiPartyAnimalFarm

Contact Number: 081 709 9027 / [email protected]

Operating Hours: By appointment basis

Cost: Contact them for more information

Pikinini Party Animal Farm is a charming and intimate venue designed for memorable celebrations. With both indoor and outdoor play areas, it provides a fun-filled experience for children while ensuring convenience for parents. The venue includes a party hall, two thatched outdoor areas, a kitchen, and braai facilities, making it an excellent choice for self-catering events.

A standout feature is the variety of activities available, including pony and train rides, an animal petting zoo, and animal feeding experiences. These interactive elements create an engaging and unique atmosphere for kids’ parties. Additionally, the venue offers optional themed decorations and extras to personalize any event.

Pikinini Party Animal Farm values exclusivity, hosting only one function at a time to provide a private and stress-free experience. This ensures that each event receives full attention and allows families to enjoy their celebrations without outside distractions.

Pro Tip: Book your event in advance to secure exclusive access and personalize your celebration with themed decorations and fun activities!

2. Rest ur Ass Donkey Sanctuary 

From byjoaophotography

Address: 753 Cypress Rd, Zonnehoewe AH, Roodepoort, 2040, South Africa

Distance from JO: 44 minutes

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ResturAss/ 

Contact Number: +27 84 611 0089

Operating Hours:

  • Tuesday and Thursdays, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
  • Closed on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to Sunday

Cost:

  • ZAR 50 per guest

Rest ur Ass Donkey Sanctuary might have a wacky name, but this sanctuary is pretty serious when it comes to caring for its resident donkeys. Each one has a name, and you’ll note that all of them are groomed and pampered by their caretakers.

Moreover, these donkeys move freely within enclosures where you and your family can enter to pet these sweet animals. The donkeys here are so chill and used to human contact that you won’t have a problem posing for a selfie with them!

Pro Tip:
We recommend checking out their social media for any scheduled special events. Rest ur Ass Donkey Sanctuary regularly hosts markets where you and other guests can buy souvenirs and food items (such as biscuits and jams).

3. Asher’s Farm Sanctuary

Address: Plot 37 Tweedragt, Boschkop Pretoria East, 0001, South Africa

Distance from JO: 1 hour and 7 minutes

Website: https://www.ashersfarmsanctuary.org/ 

Contact Number: +27 83 784 5554

Operating Hours:

  • Wednesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
  • Closed on Monday and Tuesday

Cost:

  • ZAR 100 per guest

Asher’s Farm Sanctuary is a great sanctuary to bring your kids and loved ones to if you want them to better appreciate the value of treating wildlife right. 

If you’re an animal lover, you’ll appreciate the stories of the animals here and how they were rescued! The animals featured include cuties like Mr. T. the cow, Babe the piglet, and Beverley the goat.

You won’t see the animals in poor conditions, as they’re all obviously well-fed, groomed, and spoiled by their caretakers. Most of the animals here can be called a bit “chubby,” but they’re perfectly cute especially if you take a selfie with these huggable fur babies!

Pro Tip:
Aside from the company of the animals in this sanctuary, you can also improve your health by ordering some vegan food items from the restaurant. If you want to bring home some vegan treats, they also have a store selling some. 

4. Rietvlei Zoo Farm

Address: 101 Swartkoppies Rd, Alberton, 1448, South Africa

Distance from JO: 25 minutes

Website: http://www.rietvleilifestylecentre.co.za/web/index.asp 

Contact Number: +27790411488

Operating Hours:

  • Monday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Cost:

  • ZAR 40 per guest

Rietvlei Zoo Farm is the perfect all-in-one spot to bond with your family, especially if you have young kids! Aside from allowing you to ride horses and pet ponies, you can also go hiking, biking, picnicking, and even going to a spa for some R&R!

The ponies and horses of Rietvlei Zoo Farm are all well-trained and well-groomed, and they are a joy to ride and feed. 

However, if you want something more relaxing, you can simply pet the different farm animals (such as goats and cows) and take pictures with them!

Pro Tip:
We recommend coming in early if you want your kids to enjoy a pony ride. Ponies in this sanctuary are in high demand, and if you come in a bit late, the lines for the pony rides might take a long wait time!

5. The Farm Corner

Address: 41 Knoppieslaagte Road Timsrand AH, Plot 783, Mnandi

Distance from JO: 47 minutes

Website: https://thefarmcorner.co.za/ 

Contact Number: +27 76 569 0038

Operating Hours:

  • Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM
  • Closed on Sunday

Cost:

  • ZAR 3,000 for 30 guests or less

The Farm Corner isn’t a petting zoo for small groups or individuals but rather a party venue provider that you can rent for large guests on special occasions. The best part about hiring them for your event though is that they bring their animal friends with them!

During your celebration, the venue will have horses, donkeys, bunnies, and sheep that you and your kids can pet and interact with as your party or event goes on. Our favourite fur babies would most certainly be their cute piglets asking for attention!

Pro Tip:
Their rates are reduced the more guests you invite to your event! For example, 30 guests or less will cost you ZAR 3,000 while those with 31 to 69 guests will only be charged an additional ZAR 400 (ZAR 3,400 total). 

6. Donkey Dairy

Address: Portion 23 of the farm Boschfontein Magaliesburg, Maanhaarrand, 0346, South Africa

Distance from JO: 1 hour and 44 minutes

Website: https://www.thedonkeydairy.com/ 

Contact Number: +27 72 262 5369

Operating Hours:

  • Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Cost:

  • ZAR 45 per guest

The Donkey Dairy is more than a petting zoo, as it offers guests a chance to enjoy a genuine farm experience. Aside from getting to meet its resident fur babies such as goats, sheep, and ponies, you can also bottle-feed baby animals.

Other activities you can try out here include donkey milk tasting, donkey rides, and donkey grooming sessions. After enjoying a day of interactive fun with these cuddly animals, head on over to their Farm Shop to purchase some souvenirs or snacks!

Pro Tip:
Before you visit the Donkey Dairy, you need to book a reservation to secure your slot. You can visit their website to make your online booking, or you can also call them if you have any inquiries about the farm! 

7. Crazy Kids Farmyard

From ntandokazi_thezulugirl

Address: 9 Daniel St, Daniel Brinkpark, Randburg, 2194, South Africa

Distance from JO: 35 minutes

Website: https://www.crazykidzfarmyard.co.za/ 

Contact Number: +27 72 190 5900

Operating Hours:

  • Monday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Cost:

  • ZAR 75 for kids
  • ZAR 25 for adults

Your kids will go crazy over Crazy Kids Farmyard with its authentic-feeling farm venue and its colourful playground. There are also bike tracks here, so your little ones can do a loop or two around the venue on one of the cute bicycles available onsite.

This venue has a day visit option and packages for large groups or outings, which you can book for special occasions such as birthdays or school activities. Outing packages include interactive activities (like feeding and petting) with piglets and sheep!

Pro Tip:
If you decide to book their school outing package, you have to pay extra per guest to have snacks served. Each snack pack costs ZAR 50 and includes a hotdog, a fruit, some juice, and a sweet treat.

8. Tres Jolie Restaurant and Kids Party Venue

Address: Plot 22, Peter Road, Ruimsig (between Honeydew &, Peter Rd, Muldersdrift, 1724, South Africa

Distance from JO: 40 minutes

Website: https://www.tresjolie.co.za/ 

Contact Number: +27 11 794 2473

Operating Hours:

  • Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  • Closed on Monday

Cost:

  • Free for restaurant patrons

Tres Jolie Restaurant and Kids Party Venue is a restaurant cum petting zoo that will let you and other guests enjoy sumptuous cuisine while interacting with some cute and friendly animals.

While chomping down on their delicious mains (e.g. steak with chips), you can also have fun with the animals freely roaming the grounds of the resto. Choose one of the picnic tables outside so you can play around with their donkeys, ponies, and llamas!

Pro Tip:
Tres Jolie Restaurant and Kids Party Venue will often have special promos for its guests during special events (e.g. Easter Sunday). They sometimes have free carnival rides during these dates, so check their social media out! 

9. Tiny Town at the Bronberg Hub

Address: Corner of Boschkop &, Graham Rd, Pretoria-East, 0081, South Africa

Distance from JO: 1 hour and 6 minutes

Website: https://thebronberghub.co.za/ 

Contact Number: +27 76 452 6182

Operating Hours:

  • Monday to Thursday, 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
  • Friday, 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM
  • Saturday, 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM
  • Sunday, 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Cost:

  • Depends on the event

Located in Pretoria’s Bronberg Hub, Tiny Town is an amazing venue to encourage your kids’ love for animals. They have some really cute animals such as goats, donkeys, ponies, and sheep that aren’t just friendly but are also well taken care of.

Your children will also have tons of fun onsite with its inflatable jumping castle, a play area filled with sand, and a grassy wide open space where kids can run around or just relax in the grass. Combine all of these, and you have one great party venue for kids!

Pro Tip:
Located inside the Bronberg hub, this petting zoo is the ideal location if you want to try other establishments in the Pretoria area. These include restaurants serving local and international fare and bars that offer amazing cocktails.

10. The Bunny Hop Haven

Address: 59 Frederick St, Observatory, Johannesburg, 2187, South Africa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebunnyhophaven/ 

Contact Number: +27 72 817 5968

Operating Hours:

  • Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
  • Closed on Monday

Cost:

  • ZAR 50 for kids
  • ZAR 40 for adults

If you’re looking for a place that is ideal even for very young kids, then the Bunny Hop Haven might be the location you’re looking for. As its name implies, it has tons of adorable bunnies that you and your kids can interact (pet and cuddle) with.

They also have other cute fur babies for you to meet such as tortoises, turkeys, goats, pigs, and ducks. The best part about all of this is that you and your guests can feed these animals to appreciate the importance of these lovable creatures better!

Pro Tip:
This haven is also dedicated to ensuring the well-being of its animals. As such, your payment of ZAR 30 to 50 will help a long way in feeding these creatures, but you can always donate some more if you want to!

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