The Cradle of Humankind was declared a World Heritage Site in 1999 because of the area’s exceptional contribution to our understanding of humankind’s history and development, over more than 3-million years.
All together, there are 15 major fossil sites in the Cradle of Humankind, of which the Sterkfontein Caves is the most famous. The Maropeng Visitor Centre is an exciting, world-class exhibition, focusing on the development of humans and our ancestors over the past few million years.
The fossils “Mrs Ples” and “Little Foot” were both discovered here, as well as thousands more fossils of hominids, which are human ancestors, as well those of plants and animals.
Maropeng means “returning to the place of origin” in Setswana, the main indigenous language in this area of South Africa. The Cradle of Humankind is an easy drive of about an hour from Johannesburg or Pretoria. Our ancestors have lived in this area for more than 3-million years.
On arrival, you will see a massive burial mound called the Tumulus, which is your entrance to learning the secrets of our ancestry.
The exhibition is self guided and can take anything from one to seven hours, depending on your level of interest and time availability. It is highly interactive and enjoyable, and will engage visitors of all ages. Over weekends and public holidays guided tours are conducted regularly at no additional cost.
On arrival, you will see a massive burial mound called the Tumulus, which is your entrance to learning the secrets of our ancestry.
The exhibition is self guided and can take anything from one to seven hours, depending on your level of interest and time availability. It is highly interactive and enjoyable, and will engage visitors of all ages. Over weekends and public holidays guided tours are conducted regularly at no additional cost.
The Sterkfontein Caves are world famous for their fossil finds and a well-known visitor destination.
Within the caves, scientists have discovered many hominid and other animal fossils, dating back more than 4-million years, to the birth of humanity. The most important and most famous of these fossils are “Mrs Ples”, a 2.1-million-year-old Australopithecus skull, and “Little Foot”, an almost complete Australopithecus skeleton that is more than 3-million years old. These fossils, both found in the Sterkfontein Caves in the Cradle of Humankind, tell us much about the precursors of modern humans, Homo sapiens.
The tours at the Sterkfontein Caves, which start above ground and then take visitors deep into the caves, run every half hour, seven days a week.
The Cradle of Humankind covers an area of over 47,000 hectares of privately owned land in the north-western corner of Gauteng, South Africa, and is home to over 17,000 residents. The Magalies Meander and hot-air ballooning are examples of activities you can take part in after enjoying the sights and wonders of the Sterkfontein Caves, and the thrilling journey through the Maropeng Visitor Centre.
Please note: We do not only book day tours but need to book your accommodation too.
You can contact the Maropeng Visitor Centre on +27 (14) 577 9000 or go to their website for further information.
Within the caves, scientists have discovered many hominid and other animal fossils, dating back more than 4-million years, to the birth of humanity. The most important and most famous of these fossils are “Mrs Ples”, a 2.1-million-year-old Australopithecus skull, and “Little Foot”, an almost complete Australopithecus skeleton that is more than 3-million years old. These fossils, both found in the Sterkfontein Caves in the Cradle of Humankind, tell us much about the precursors of modern humans, Homo sapiens.
The tours at the Sterkfontein Caves, which start above ground and then take visitors deep into the caves, run every half hour, seven days a week.
The Cradle of Humankind covers an area of over 47,000 hectares of privately owned land in the north-western corner of Gauteng, South Africa, and is home to over 17,000 residents. The Magalies Meander and hot-air ballooning are examples of activities you can take part in after enjoying the sights and wonders of the Sterkfontein Caves, and the thrilling journey through the Maropeng Visitor Centre.
Please note: We do not only book day tours but need to book your accommodation too.
You can contact the Maropeng Visitor Centre on +27 (14) 577 9000 or go to their website for further information.