A year after opening its doors at Golden Gate Highlands National Park, the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre has reached a major milestone, welcoming its 100,000th visitor.
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The landmark attraction, which officially opened in June 2025, has quickly become one of South Africa’s standout heritage and educational tourism destinations. Located in the foothills of the Maluti Mountains in the Free State, the centre offers an immersive journey into the country’s prehistoric past through interactive exhibits, fossil displays and life-sized dinosaur reconstructions.
The milestone comes just a year after the centre’s launch, highlighting growing interest in palaeontology, geology and cultural heritage tourism among both local and international travellers.
Developed through a partnership between SANParks and the Department of Tourism, the R120-million facility was designed to showcase South Africa’s globally significant fossil record while creating new tourism opportunities for surrounding communities.
Since opening, the centre has attracted tens of thousands of visitors and generated significant economic benefits for the region. Earlier this year, SANParks reported that the attraction had already surpassed R1 million in revenue while boosting demand for local accommodation, supporting small businesses and creating employment opportunities within nearby communities.
Visitors to the centre can explore exhibits detailing Southern Africa’s ancient ecosystems and discover species such as Massospondylus, Dracovenator and Heterodontosaurus, all of which played an important role in understanding dinosaur evolution. Interactive displays also highlight the region’s archaeological, geological and cultural significance.
Situated within Golden Gate Highlands National Park, the attraction adds another compelling reason to visit one of the Free State’s most scenic protected areas. Beyond the dinosaur centre, travellers can enjoy hiking trails, wildlife viewing, sandstone cliffs and rich Basotho cultural heritage.
As visitor numbers continue to climb, the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre is cementing its place as one of South Africa’s most exciting family-friendly attractions, blending science, storytelling and tourism in a uniquely African setting.
(Source: SANParks)
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