Inaugurated in 1947, right after the Second World War, The South African National War Museum once sought to trace the country’s involvement in the most devastating war known to mankind. It was in 1975 that it changed its mission and name to document all of the conflicts that South Africa had ever been a part of. It is an arm’s length away from the Johannesburg Zoo and possesses weapons that witnessed the two World Wars along with the Anglo-Zulu and Anglo-Boer Wars. Established by General Jan Smuts, the then prime minister of the country, you can find everything from hand guns and machine guns to massive rifles from the days of yore inside the museum. The displays also include medals, uniforms, tanks, aircrafts and arms from the World War era and the Apartheid period and they are all very well preserved.

The museum has a library that is replete with documents and photographs that you can request for research purposes. Four conference venues that can host several hundreds of people can also be found on the premises. Book a guided tour in advance for a deeper insight into the 40,000 items in possession of the museum.