Cradle of Humankind

Good for groups

The Cradle of Humankind is a paleoanthropological site and is located about 50 km (31 mi) northwest of Johannesburg, South Africa, in the Gauteng province. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999, the site is home to the largest concentration of human ancestral remains anywhere in the world. The site currently occupies 47,000 hectares (180 sq mi)[6] and contains a complex system of limestone caves. The registered name of the site in the list of World Heritage Sites is fossil human hominid sites South africa The Maropeng Visitor Centre is an award-winning, world-class exhibition, focusing on the development of humans and our ancestors over the past few million years. Take a journey through time, starting with the formation of the planet and moving all the way through the evolutionary processes that culminated in the world as we know it today. Choose to visit the Lesedi Cultural Village and discover South Africa's unique and beautiful culture. Learn about the country's 4 main ethnic groups through dance and more.

Make a trip to the must-see tourist destination, Lion & Safari Park, situated only 13km from Lanseria Airport and only 40min from Johannesburg. Enjoy amazing views as it is nestled in the beautiful Magaliesberg mountain range and also within the Cradle of Humankind, a world UNESCO heritage site. This self-drive option allows you you get up close to the predators and other wildlife. No guide is provided so you can drive with your family and friends in your own time through the lion, wild dog, and cheetah enclosures as well as an extended game drive to view antelope and other species. You can watch the lion feeding at 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM on weekends and public holidays.

Get a taste of the African bush just a short drive from Johannesburg. Enjoy the convenience of a hotel pickup and head to the heart of the Cradle of Humankind where the Bothongo Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve is located. Your first stop on arrival in the park is the Wonder Cave. This natural limestone cave is estimated to be around 2.2 billion years old and is the third-largest cave chamber in the country. Climb down 87 stairs to access the cave before taking an elevator another 18 meters below the ground. Spend some time exploring this fascinating natural site and learn about the stalactite and stalagmite formations, some of which are up to 15 meters high. Emerge from your caving experience and head to the reserve's Wildlife Center to begin your safari. Learn about the amazing conversation work that this park is doing. Meet the animals serving as ambassadors for their species, many of which were rescued and hand-reared and some of which are being rehabilitated. See four of Africa's Big Five as well as African wild dogs, cheetah, tigers, zebras, roan antelope, sable antelope, and more. Following your safari experience, choose one of the three restaurants located in the reserve for lunch. Dine at the Thatch Café for a family-friendly experience or enjoy your lunch on the deck of the Boma Restaurant to admire fantastic views of the park while you eat. For foodies, the Neck and Deck Restaurant offers a fantastic selection of Afro-Fusion dishes. After a laid-back lunch, make your way back to your tour bus and end your day with a return transfer to your hotel.

Begin your private tour with a convenient pickup from your accommodation and set out to visit the UNESCO World Heritage site located near Johannesburg. Stop at the Maropeng Visitor Centre to discover a world-class exhibition showcasing the evolution of humankind over millions of years. See fossils, learn about the birth of humanity, view ancient stone tools, and more. Next, make your way to the Sterkfontein Caves, a series of limestone caves known to have produced many of the most famous hominid fossils in the world, including "Mrs. Ples" and "Little Foot." Spend some time exploring the Cradle of Humankind Origin Farm and take part in some of the experiences offered here as you learn more about the history of humankind. Your tour comes to an end with a comfortable return transfer to your accommodation, leaving you time to reflect on your newfound knowledge and giving you a deeper appreciation of our place in the story of life on Earth.

Discover the birthplace of humanity and see the place where our collective umbilical cord lies buried on a day tour to the Cradle of Humankind. Start your morning with a convenient hotel pickup and head to the UNESCO World Heritage Site located just outside of Johannesburg, the Cradle of Humankind. Begin your sightseeing adventure with a tour of the Wondercave which is located at the Cradle of the Humankind Follow your guide as you explore the exhibition above ground before heading deep into the caves. Learn about the fascinating history behind this archeological site and the discoveries that have been made here, some dating back more than four million years. Next, head to the Maropeng Visitor Center to see the award-winning, world-class exhibition focused on the development of humans and our ancestors. Take a journey through time and learn about the evolutionary processes that worked together to create the world as we know it today.

Private Safari and Fossil Experience. Maximum 3 people. Pick up at your Hotel or any location in Johanneburg or Pretoria. Its an hour drive from Johannesburg central. We first visit the amazing Rhino and Lion park in the heart of the Cradle of Humanlind. The Safari introduces you to South Africas finest wild life. Brown and White Lion, Cheetah, Rhino, South Africa's favourite The Wild Dog, many varieties of Antelope including the magnificient Sable the Huge Gemsbok and the scarcely seen Eland. So many more it will astound you. The visit is approximately 3 hours We then travel 30 minutes to the Cradle of Humankind museum Maropeng. This museum was built by Wits University to showcase the fossils of Africa including the famous Mrs Pletz (2 million years old) The history of Humankind is displayed to perfection. This visit is between 1 and 2 hours

Discover the Cradle of Humankind on this full-day tour from Johannesburg. Explore the Lion and Safari park, go on an underground cave tour, and enjoy Maropeng's interactive exhibits. Begin your day with a pickup from your Johannesburg hotel. Head to the Lion and Safari Park and see lions, cheetahs, wild dogs, giraffes, and antelopes up close. Snap photos of these beautiful animals before going on an open-vehicle safari through the lion enclosures with your guide. Next, enjoy some time to experience the 5 dome shopping center before going to the Cradle of Humankind. Go on a 1-hour tour of the Sterkfontein caves, marvel at the beauty of these magnificent caves, and see where archaeologists discovered hominid fossils. Next stop, Maropeng, a world-class interactive exhibition center and museum. Learn about evolution and the discoveries at the Sterkfontein caves before returning to your Johannesburg hotel.

Discover the Bothongo Rhino & Lion Safari, an established tourist destination. The park offers a wealth of exciting activities including a 4x4 game drive for 2.5 hours. With over 600 game, this is the perfect setting for admiring nature on your doorstep. More than thirty species of game, including three of the big five, can be viewed from open vehicles in the presence of an experienced registered local guide. These include Kruger Lion, White Rhino and Buffalo. Endangered species, such as wild dog have been reintroduced into the area. Cheetah, hippo, crocodile and more than 20 species of antelope will also be part of this experience. From a vulture hide, the visitor has the opportunity to view and photograph the rare Cape Vulture. After visiting the Bothongo Rhino & Lion Park, continue to the Cradle of Humankind Sterkfontein Caves (Subject to availability), here you can see the oldest hominid fossils from the cradle which are more than 3 million years old. Visit the exhibition center, which showcases geological concepts such as cave formations and fossils of early life form. It is highly interactive and enjoyable, and will engage visitors off all ages.

Depart from your accommodation in Johannesburg and begin your tour, which is full of history and culture. Drive through the suburbs of Johannesburg North, heading to the Cradle of Human Kind. Your tour guide will answer any questions you may have about the destination you are heading to. Legend has it that African ancestors lived here for 3 million years and that it is the birthplace of Humanity. Explore the WonderCave and the Maropeng Visitor Center to learn more about why this place is called the Cradle of Human Kind. See different fossils and discover a lot of information about the birthplace of humankind. Continue on to the Lesedi Cultural Village to learn about the different cultures of South Africa and how they shape the modern lifestyles. African culture is very rich and the Lesedi Cultural Village provides the perfect opportunity to explore the rainbow nation of diverse cultures. Wrap up the day with a famous African dance that will be a wonderful end to your tour. After Lesedi, the driver will bring you back to your accommodation. 

Lesedi Cultural Village gives you a unique experience of the Zulu, Xhosa, Pedi and Sotho villaged, how they live, eat, dance, sing and there amqzing culture. Next it's the Cradle of Humankind where the Maropeng museum hosts the story of Mankind. 2million year old fossil of Mrs Pletz is the oldest perfect fossil of a homo sapiens skull. Lesedi Village also offers a fantastic South African meal not to be missed. The cultural shop is where you can buy orginal African beads and arts made by local South Africans. This program is also designed that the benefits go to the local population. The Song and Dance ritual is the best you will find in Africa and is a bucket list for culture in South Africa.