The Iziko Slave Lodge is a social and cultural history museum located on the corner of Adderley and Wale Streets in central Cape Town. This 2026 visitor guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport or parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
This guide was updated in March 2026, featuring the latest adjusted winter Saturday operating hours that may be incorrect in older guides.
Quick facts
| Feature | Details |
| Opening hours | Monday to Saturday: 09:00–17:00 (Winter Saturdays: 08:30–16:00). Closed Sundays. |
| Ticket prices | International Adults: R100. Local Adults: R60. Under 5s free. |
| Address | Corner Adderley Street and Wale Street, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa |
| Nearest public transport or parking | Adderley MyCiTi bus station; paid street parking on nearby streets |
| Typical time needed | 1 to 2 hours |
Iziko Slave Lodge opening hours
The Iziko Slave Lodge opening hours run from 09:00 to 17:00, Monday through Saturday. During the winter season, the museum adjusts its Saturday operating hours to open earlier, running from 08:30 to 16:00.
The facility is closed every Sunday throughout the year, as well as on major public holidays including Christmas Day and Workers’ Day.
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- 🦁 See the Big Five at the Aquila Game Reserve on a day trip including lunch.
- 🧗 Go ziplining at the foot of Table Mountain.
Iziko Slave Lodge ticket prices
International admission to the Iziko Slave Lodge costs R100 for adults, children aged five to 17, and pensioners. For South African residents presenting valid identification, local tickets are R60 for adults and R40 for children. South African pensioners and students pay R40, with free entry offered to this group on Fridays. Children under the age of five enter for free. Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in March 2026.
The museum is included in the City Pass Cape Town, along with other regional attractions such as the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, and Groot Constantia.
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How to get to the Iziko Slave Lodge
You can reach the Iziko Slave Lodge easily on foot if you are staying in the central business district of Cape Town, as it is situated directly adjacent to the Company’s Garden. For visitors using public transport, the museum is located a short walk from the Adderley MyCiTi bus station and the main Cape Town railway station.
Parking at the Iziko Slave Lodge
Parking at the Iziko Slave Lodge is limited to public paid street parking in the immediate city centre, which can be difficult to secure during standard working hours. Visitors may find it easier to use the paid undercover parking garages at the nearby Mandela Rhodes Place or Plein Park and walk the short remaining distance to the entrance.
How long to spend at the Iziko Slave Lodge
Visitors typically spend between one and two hours at the Iziko Slave Lodge. This allows sufficient time to view the primary ground-floor exhibitions detailing the history of slavery, listen to the audio-visual displays, and walk through the upper-level collections of ceramics and historical artefacts.
Accessibility at the Iziko Slave Lodge
Accessibility at the Iziko Slave Lodge is supported with ramps at the main entrance and lifts providing access between the ground floor and the upper gallery levels. The interior pathways and exhibition spaces are wide enough to accommodate manual wheelchairs.
What to see at the Iziko Slave Lodge
The Iziko Slave Lodge is housed in one of the oldest standing buildings in Cape Town, originally constructed in 1679 by the Dutch East India Company to confine enslaved men, women, and children. Today, the museum operates under the theme “From human wrongs to human rights.”
The primary exhibitions on the lower level focus heavily on the history of slavery at the Cape and the broader trans-Atlantic slave trade. These displays use historical artefacts, informational panels, and audio-visual media to detail the harsh realities of forced labour and the eventual emancipation of enslaved people in South Africa.
A notable feature on this level is the exhibition detailing the story of the Meermin slave ship, which provides insight into a historic mutiny and the conditions endured by captives during maritime transport.
The upper-level galleries of the building house older, permanent collections that do not focus directly on the history of slavery. These displays include international ceramics, antique silverware, and a small collection of Egyptology artefacts gathered over the institution’s long history as a general cultural museum.
An audio-guided tour can be rented at the front desk for an additional fee, offering a more detailed narrative of the building’s historical use and the living conditions of the enslaved people housed there.
Practical visitor tips
| Category | Tip |
| Timing | Visit on a Friday if you are a South African student or pensioner to receive free entry. |
| Crowds | Weekday mornings are generally the quietest times to visit and read the informational panels without disruption. |
| Layout | The ground floor contains the core slavery exhibitions, while the upper floor houses the general ceramics and silver collections. |
| Entry process | Tickets can be purchased at the main desk upon arrival without the need for advance online booking. |
| On-site logistics | Be aware that the museum may restrict access to certain audio-visual exhibits during scheduled loadshedding (power outages). |
Frequently asked questions about the Iziko Slave Lodge
| Query | Answer |
| Is the Iziko Slave Lodge suitable for children? | Yes, though the subject matter regarding slavery is serious and may require parental guidance for younger children. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the Iziko Slave Lodge? | Advance booking is not required for general admission, as tickets are available at the door. |
| Is the Iziko Slave Lodge open on Sundays? | No, the museum is completely closed every Sunday throughout the year. |
| Are bags allowed at the Iziko Slave Lodge? | Standard day bags are permitted inside the exhibition spaces. |
Things to do near the Iziko Slave Lodge
- Company’s Garden: A large public park and botanical garden located immediately adjacent to the museum.
- Iziko South African Museum: A natural history museum situated at the top end of the Company’s Garden.
- Greenmarket Square: A historic cobbled square hosting a daily market for African crafts and clothing.
- St. George’s Cathedral: The oldest Anglican cathedral in Southern Africa, known for its role in the anti-apartheid movement.
- Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum: A social history museum detailing local Islamic culture, located a short walk up Wale Street.
More Cape Town travel
Other Cape Town travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Guides to Cape Town’s Waterfront attractions, including the Two Oceans Aquarium and the Waterfront Duck.
- Guide to riding the Flying Dutchman Funicular and visiting Dias Beach at Cape Point.
- What to expect at World of Birds in Cape Town.
- Practical visitor guide to the Camps Bay Tidal Pool in Cape Town.
- A guide to tackling Chapman’s Peak Drive in Cape Town.
