Plan your Visit

Operating Hours are as follows:

Location

The Origins Centre is located on the West campus of the University of the Witwatersrand in Braamfontein.

Address: Yale Road & Enoch Sontonga Ave, Johannesburg, 2050

How to Get Here

Bus

The centre is located on the inner city circular route of the Rea Vaya. Look out for the Rea Vaya bus stop signs in Jorissen or De Korte streets. This bus service also makes a convenient connection from Park Station in central Johannesburg, which is now served by the superfast Gautrain from Pretoria, the airport and the northern suburbs of Johannesburg. Rea Vaya operates weekdays from Monday to Friday from 5am to 9pm and weekends 5am - 6pm. Buses run at a 5-minute frequency (every 5 minutes) during peak hours, which are from 5am to 08:30pm. Buses run at a 15-minute frequency (every 15 minutes) during off-peak hours, which are from 08:30am to 14:59pm. On Saturdays, buses run from 5am to 7pm at a 30-minute frequency (every 30 minutes).

Getting on to Campus

• Coming by car: You will need to get through Wits security, please bring ID and let them know you are coming to Origins Centre. The closest entrance to us is on Yale Rd, cnr Enoch Sontonga, but you can also enter on Yale Rd off Empire Rd. There is a parking lot in front of Origins Centre for visitors to park. Contact us for more information on parking.
• Coming on foot/uber: Please bring your ID. The best entrance to come through is Sutton Close on Jorissen Rd, about 100 m down from Origins Centre.

Recommended Length of Stay

The average museum experience takes between 90 minutes and 2 hours, but for the enthusiast, there is an unsurpassed wealth of additional multimedia material detailing Africa’s past.

Tours

Guided tours are available but need to be booked in advanced. Email Bookings.Origins@wits.ac.za or call +27 11 717 4700.

The Cafe

There is a cafe that is conveniently situated at the entrance of the Origins Centre, the cafe is open Monday to Saturday from 8:00 to 16:00.  However, there are several cafes in Braamfontein and on Wits Campus.