This tour is private with just you and your guide in the vehicle. To the west of Johannesburg where the Highveld starts its descent to the Bushveld from the lies, an area of undulating hills referred to as the Cradle of Humankind. It gains its name from the amounts of fossil remains of early man and our more apelike ancestors discovered here in the dolomite caves just beneath its surface. The geology of the region has made it one of the richest fossil-bearing regions in the world not just of early ape-men but many other extinct creatures. Sterkfontein Caves are where the original discoveries were made but it is now closed due to flooding and so we will first visit the custodians of the discoveries at the University of the Witwatersrand Department of Paleoanthropology at the wonderfully informative Origins Centre there. Then from here to the area of The Cradle and there visit the Maropeng Mound and/or the Wonder Caves as time allows.
Inclusions & Exclusions
✔ Private transportation
✔ Hotel pickup and drop-off
✔ Professional guide
✔ Bottled water
✔ Lunch
✖ Gratuities
✖ Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
✖ Souvenirs and Curios
Additional Info: We pick up travellers from their hotel or residence or location in the greater Johannesburg or Pretoria area. Travelers to provide the address of pick up.
It's important to be easy to find you so that we do not waste any of your tour time. Please wait for the guide at the hotel reception or foyer if this is not on the ground floor. The guide will have a name badge identifying himself. If you are staying at a guest house or private residence please make sure the gate bell works and if possible for safety reasons, wait just on the inside of the property, not on the road. Also, if possible, let us have your mobile number so we/you can WhatsApp or text.
Itinerary
1
The Cradle of Humankind
To the west of Johannesburg where the Highveld starts its descent to the "Bushveld" from the gold bearing ridge of the Witwatersrand lies an area of undulating hills referred to as the Cradle of Humankind. It gains its name from the huge amounts of fossil remains of early man and our more apelike ancestors discovered here in the dolomite caves just beneath its surface. The unusual geology of the region has made it one of the richest fossil bearing regions in the world not just of early apemen but many other extinct creatures.
Duration: 2 hours
2
Origins Centre Museum
The Sterkfontein Caves are closed until further notice due to flood damage in 2021. In the meantime, we are offering a tour of the Origins Centre at the University of the Witwatersrand in its place. The Witwatersrand ( Johannesburg) University Anthropology Department administers the Caves and is custodian of all the recovered fossils from the Cradle of Humankind and many other sites throughout Southern Africa. This is followed by Lesedi Cultural Village from 11.30 am until 2.30 pm and then Maropeng Mound ( or Wondercave) before returning to your hotel.
Duration: 2 hours
3
Maropeng Visitor Centre
To attract more visitors to the area another site has been created at Maropeng to the north. At Maropeng inside a great hollow mound is a presentation on the history and prehistory of our species. It is very popular with the busloads of school children that visit the area. But the interactive displays fascinate both old and young. And to add to it's attraction the latest fossil discoveries of what purported to be a new species of early ancestor of mankind called Homo Naledi are on display. From the top of the mound are wonderful views of the countryside as far as the Magaliesberg Mountains. There is a restaurant for light meals, curio shop and footpaths have been laid to explore the "highveld" grasslands surrounding the venue.
Duration: 2 hours
4
Wondercave
OR we also can offer you the Wonder Cave instead of the Mound . This cave has the same geology as the Sterkfontein Caves created at the same time by the same processes and is bigger and more pristine than Sterkfontein. It is inside the Rhino and Lion Reserve so you will see some of the animals on the way to it. You can let us know on the day which you prefer.
Duration: 60 minutes
Additional info
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
• Children must be accompanied by an adult
• Infant meals not included
• All tours conducted by fully qualified English speaking tour guides in approved vehicles. Other language guides on request.
• A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
