Hey kids (and dinosaur lovers)! Fancy walking in the same footsteps of dinosaurs right here in South Africa? You’re in luck! And you have the Minister of Tourism, ms. Patricia de Lille and SANparks to thank.

Minister de Lille, along with the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment: Dr Dion George, SANPARKS CEO Hapiloe Sello and King Morena e Mohol of Basotho land, opened the world-class Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre, over the weekend, thanks to the financial support of the European Union.

  

Kgodumodumo is located at the site of a globally significant palaeontological discovery – fossilised eggs of the dinosaur species Massospondylus, which are the oldest dinosaur embryos known to man. This find grabbed the attention of global scientists who keen to visit the Golden Gate Highlands National Park outside Clarens, in the heart of the Free State.

This isn’t just any museum — it’s a super cool place where you can:

  • See real fossils of one of the oldest baby dinosaurs ever found (called Massospondylus!)
  • Learn what the Earth was like over 200 million years ago;
  • Hear amazing stories from the Basotho people about a giant mythical creature called Kgodumodumo;
  • Explore fun things like camping, hiking, horse riding, and even a zipline coming soon!

This museum also helps tell the story of South Africa’s past — both the history of dinosaurs and the history of the people who live here. And guess what? Local communities helped build it and are already part of running it too!

The museum hosts exhibitions about the paleontological, scientific and cultural significance of the area. This facility has a strong potential for tourism growth. The attraction offers visitors an innovative, creative and quality demonstration of scientific knowledge (paleontological, archaeological and geological), with a broader appreciation of cultural heritage through interactive exhibitions.

“Our country is blessed with many natural resources,” Minister de Lille told JoBurg Style Magazine. “The rocks of Golden Gate Highlands are 200 million years old, and their fossils tell a unique story about earth’s history.

She added: “The South African fossil record is unique and provides evidence of the earliest single-celled life from 3.5 billion years ago, to the earliest four-legged fish to crawl out on land some 350 million years ago, to the deepest origins of mammals, dinosaurs, turtles, lizards, and of course our ancestors in the dawn of human culture.”

So grab your backpack and your love for dinos — and visit the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre. It’s where science, stories, and adventure come alive!

In recognition of this significant development, South African National Parks (SANParks) who runs the museum, announced that starting today until 30 September 2025 there will be free entry to the centre for all visitors.