Updated in September 2026, this Lawnwood Snake Sanctuary guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking, accessibility and what to see.
Lawnwood Snake Sanctuary is a reptile park in The Crags, near Plettenberg Bay on South Africa‘s Garden Route. Adult admission is now R300, up from the R280 many older reviews still quote. This guide was updated in September 2026 to reflect the current rate. You can book in advance through Viator before your visit.
Quick facts about Lawnwood Snake Sanctuary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | N2, The Crags, Plettenberg Bay, 6602 |
| Opening hours | 9am–4pm (May–Oct); 9am–5pm (Nov–Apr) |
| Adult admission | R300 |
| Teenager admission | R250, ages 13–17 |
| Child admission | R200, ages 2–12 |
| Pensioner admission | R250 |
| Typical visit duration | 1 hour, plus time for the forest walk |
Why book Lawnwood Snake Sanctuary tickets?
- 🏛️ Over 100 snakes: See species native to the Garden Route alongside Africa’s most famous mambas, cobras and pythons.
- 🎟️ No need to book: Turn up on the day and join the next guided tour on the hour.
- 🌿 A day-rate ticket: Your entrance fee covers full-day access, including two optional forest walks.
- 📜 Hold a friendly constrictor: Some snakes are used for hands-on education, with touching and holding encouraged.
- 💰 Free for the very young: Children aged 2 and under go free.
Opening hours at Lawnwood Snake Sanctuary
Lawnwood opens daily from 9am to 4pm between May and October, and 9am to 5pm between November and April. The gates stay open all year round, with Christmas Day the only exception. No booking is needed to visit; guests simply arrive and join the next scheduled tour.
Ticket prices for Lawnwood Snake Sanctuary
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | R300 |
| Teenager (13–17) | R250 |
| Child (2–12) | R200 |
| Pensioner | R250 |
| Under 2 | Free |
Entrance is a day rate, so your ticket covers full-day access to the sanctuary and forest walks. Card payment only; cash isn’t accepted. School groups, large parties and tour operators can enquire about discounted rates directly. Prices are current as of September 2026 and may change without notice. You can book through Viator ahead of your visit.
How to get to Lawnwood Snake Sanctuary
By car, Lawnwood is on the N2 at The Crags, roughly midway between Plettenberg Bay and Knysna.
By tour, several Garden Route wildlife tours combine Lawnwood with nearby Monkeyland and Birds of Eden.
There’s no public transport route directly to the sanctuary, so a hire car, taxi or organised tour is the practical way to arrive.
Parking at Lawnwood Snake Sanctuary
Free on-site parking is available at the sanctuary entrance.
How long to spend at Lawnwood Snake Sanctuary
Guided tours last about an hour. Since entry is a day rate, many visitors also use the two optional forest walk routes or bring a picnic to enjoy on the lawns afterwards.
Accessibility at Lawnwood Snake Sanctuary
Lawnwood’s facilities are wheelchair accessible, with the exception of the curio shop. The forest walk trails are less formal, so comfortable, closed shoes are recommended for anyone attempting them.
What to see at Lawnwood Snake Sanctuary
The guided tour. An hour-long walk with an expert guide introduces snakes native to the Garden Route before moving on to some of Africa’s most famous species.
Famous African snakes. Adders, mambas, cobras, tree snakes and giant pythons live in large, naturalistic enclosures across the park.
Other reptiles. Nile crocodiles and both rock and water monitor lizards share the sanctuary alongside its snake collection.
Touching and holding. Some of the sanctuary’s friendlier constrictors are used for hands-on education, letting visitors touch or hold them under guidance.
The forest walk. Two optional short hikes lead through the surrounding 20-hectare indigenous forest, home to birds and other forest animals.
Practical tips for visiting Lawnwood Snake Sanctuary
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| No need to pre-book | Just turn up and join the next tour, which run roughly every 90 minutes. |
| Bring a card | The sanctuary no longer accepts cash. |
| Pack for the weather | Umbrellas are provided if it rains, since Lawnwood operates in all conditions. |
| Wear comfortable shoes | The forest walk trails aren’t paved. |
| Book tickets in advance | Advance booking is recommended in peak season, and you can book through Viator. |
Frequently asked questions about Lawnwood Snake Sanctuary
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do I need to book ahead? | No, there’s no need to book, though advance booking is available and useful in peak season. |
| What are the current opening hours? | 9am to 4pm from May to October, and 9am to 5pm from November to April. |
| How much does admission cost? | Adult admission is R300; some older reviews still quote R280. |
| Is Lawnwood wheelchair accessible? | Yes, apart from the curio shop. |
| Should I book in advance? | It’s optional, but advance booking is recommended in peak season. You can book in advance through Viator. |
Things to do near Lawnwood Snake Sanctuary
Monkeyland is a free-roaming primate sanctuary a couple of kilometres away, home to rescued lemurs, gibbons and spider monkeys.
Birds of Eden, right next to Monkeyland, houses thousands of birds in the world’s largest single-dome free-flight aviary.
The Elephant Sanctuary offers close-up elephant interactions elsewhere in The Crags.
Bramon Wine Estate has a restaurant set among the vines, a short drive from the sanctuary.
The Robberg Nature Reserve, in Plettenberg Bay, offers coastal hiking trails with sweeping ocean views.
Alternative attractions to Lawnwood Snake Sanctuary
The Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary, in the same area, is a big-cat sanctuary with guided tours past lions, tigers and leopards.
Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness Centre, a couple of kilometres from Lawnwood, runs guided tours focused on rescued wild cats.
The Garden Route Wolf Sanctuary, between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, offers guided encounters with rescued timber wolves.
Knysna Elephant Park lets visitors walk alongside rescued elephants, about 40 minutes’ drive away.
The Featherbed Nature Reserve, in Knysna, combines a boat cruise with a guided nature walk, about 45 minutes’ drive away.
More South Africa travel
Other South Africa travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Kynsna Elephant Park visitor guide: Entry fees and how the elephant encounters work.
- Knysna Old Gaol: What to expect and when it’s open.
- Highgate Ostrich Show Farm in Oudtshoorn: Learn everything there is to know about ostriches and watch them race.
- How to see the Boulders Beach penguins and Cape of Good Hope in one day.
- World of Birds visitor guide: Why this Hout Bay wildlife attraction is more than just an aviary.
