Hartbeespoort Snake & Animal Park

Welcome to Hartbeespoort Dam Snake & Animal Park

Snuggled against the foot of the Magaliesberg on the eastern shore of Hartbeespoort Dam, lies this most remarkable private park, surrounded by massive stone walls, like those of a medieval castle.

Within these walls, a world has been created, where visitors can experience the essence of what makes Hartbeespoort Dam so unique – the presence of animals, water lapping at stonewalls and jetties, giant tress, exotic foliage and towering cliffs.

Visitors can see a great variety of species including lions, tigers and other big cats. Visitors will also see other primates, hyenas, wild dogs, otters, birds and reptiles.

We have one of the finest reptile collections in Southern Africa.

Beginning about 56 years ago, the park has grown to become an institute, determined to contribute to the understanding and preservation of our wildlife.

Map of the Park

Welcome to Hartbeespoort Dam Snake & Animal Park

Snuggled against the foot of the Magaliesberg on the eastern shore of Hartbeespoort Dam, lies this most remarkable private park, surrounded by massive stone walls, like those of a medieval castle.

Within these walls, a world has been created, where visitors can experience the essence of what makes Hartbeespoort Dam so unique – the presence of animals, water lapping at stonewalls and jetties, giant tress, exotic foliage and towering cliffs.

Visitors can see a great variety of species including lions, tigers and other big cats. Visitors will also see other primates, hyenas, wild dogs, otters, birds and reptiles.

We have one of the finest reptile collections in Southern Africa.

Beginning about 56 years ago, the park has grown to become an institute, determined to contribute to the understanding and preservation of our wildlife.

Map of the Park

Boating at Hartbeespoort Snake & Animal Park

Weekend visitors can enjoy a scenic ferryboat cruise on the dam.

The Ferryboat ride is approximately 25 minutes and we able to seat 100 people.

We cater for a variety of functions i.e. conferences, corporate functions, kitchen teas, sunset cruises, weddings and birthday parties… (Finger snacks | Sit down meals | Cash bar available on request).

Our vessels and skippers are SAMSA registered.

Harties Watersport Centre also offers speedboat rides, water toys as well as Jet Ski rides.

The Snake and Animal Park has been a favourite to our younger generations for many years. We provide an educational experience for the young and old visiting our park. The Park provides special programmes for the groups in an educational yet natural experience.

Schools visiting the Park

This is where your school comes to visit the animals at their home at Hartbeespoort Dam Snake & Animal Park.

On arrival, your group will be escorted to the arena where they will watch an informative and entertaining snake and seal demonstration (approx. ½ hour).

After the demonstration, the group could go on a ferry ride (approx. ½ hour) if booked, afterwards the children will experience an exciting guided walk around the Park.

Worksheets for your group can be obtained from the ticket officer.

Hands-on

We are offering the special ‘hands-on’ programme at the park.

The programme takes approximately ¾ hour and takes place in a private area. A short interesting talk is given on each animal (4 species of animals). The animals are then shown to the children.

The trusted success of this has made it a firm favourite with schools, thereby offering children the compelling experience (many for the first time in their lives) of close contact with creatures from the wild.

Information and worksheets on the animals used can be provided.

Venue for graduation or farewell

We offer an air-conditioned venue where you will be able to have your graduation or farewell at the Park.

We offer tables, chairs, a PA system and inside restrooms. After the function, you will be able to have a guided walk around the park and finish it off with a ferryboat ride.

Snake Courses at The Snake & Animal Park

The park offers snake awareness lectures. Beginners & advanced courses to the general public and other professional bodies like mining companies, paramedics and hospital staff, nature conservation officers, game park field officers, SA Police Service, SA Defense Force, Fire and Ambulance services.

The Beginner and Advance and our specials courses is registered with the Wits Health CPD Office and medical doctors and other health professionals that pass the tests can claim 9 CPD ( Continued Professional Development point ( For both courses completed).

We offer the following types of lectures and courses either at the park or other venues within South Africa or other African countries.

SNAKE AWARENESS LECTURE

General Lecture and demonstration on snakes, how they live, their behaviour, snakes found in the area, snakebites and how to avoid being bitten, first aid and anti-venom treatment etc. No handling of snakes is involved. 1½ to 2 lecture using approximately 6 different live snakes. This lecture is aimed at general personnel and is suitable for large groups. More than one lecture can be done in one day.

BEGINNER SNAKE COURSE

This course is aimed at those people who find snakes fascinating but don’t know too much about them and would like to learn more about these interesting creatures. The course covers general information on the types of snakes in South Africa, their distribution, the venomous and benign species, their dentition, locomotion, identification, feeding, prey and predators, breeding and other interesting information. Each student will receive a manual containing all the above mentioned information.

The course takes place from 09h00 to approximately 12h00 and various live snakes are introduced during the course. Each participant will sign an indemnity form before taking part in the Beginners Course.

A chart – “GUIDE TO VENOMOUS SNAKES OF SOUTHERN AFRICA” is included.

Cost: R1000-00 per Participant (When presented and attended at the Snake and Animal Park).

ADVANCED SNAKE COURSE

This course is aimed at those people who have already completed the Beginners Course and need more theoretical and practical experience. It is also an ideal course for senior personnel in an industrial environment where first aid on a snakebite may be required.

The course recaps on the general information and goes on to include more in depth detail on snake venoms and treatment for snakebites. It includes snake behaviour, the parasites and diseases of snakes. It also covers snake catching and handling of snakes.

There are 2 parts to this course, which also takes place on a Weekday (Special request for a Saturday). Beginning at 09h00 the 1st part will last until approximately 12h00. There will be a break with lunch until the 2nd part, which will continue from 13h00 until completed, where each participant will learn to catch various snakes. Each student will receive a manual containing all the above mentioned information.

Participants will complete a questionnaire which will be graded according to ability. Each participant will sign an indemnity before taking part in the Advanced Course.

If the Beginners Snake Course and Advance Snake Course is completed successfully the participants will receive a certificate showing their results. (A lunch is included with the Beginner and Advanced Snake Course).

Cost: R1200-00 per Participant (When presented and attended at the Snake and Animal Park).