Maropeng — Cradle of Humankind

The site is built around the fossil-rich dolomite caves that have produced some of the most important hominid discoveries of the last century, including the 2.3-million-year-old ‘Mrs Ples’ australopithecine, the ‘Little Foot’ near-complete skeleton, and more recently the small-brained Homo naledi from the Rising Star cave system. Together the caves account for nearly 40% of all hominid fossils ever found.

Maropeng itself opened in 2005 inside the Tumulus — a striking grass-covered earthworks designed to look like an ancient burial mound when approached from one direction and a glass-fronted modern building from the other. Inside, an underground boat ride takes you back through the four elements (water, air, earth, fire), opening into an exhibition that walks you through the evolution of life on Earth and of the genus Homo.

The Sterkfontein Caves are a 10-minute drive away and are visited on a separate ticket. Tours run on the hour and combine an exhibition above ground with a 60-minute walk through the cave system, including the discovery point of Mrs Ples and Little Foot. The combo ticket is the standard way to do both in one visit.

Maropeng has a restaurant with a long terrace looking back towards the Magaliesberg, a hotel on site, a children's discovery area and a busy schedule of public talks and palaeontology events. Allow four to six hours for the full experience including the caves and a meal.

Practical info: the centre is open daily from 09:00 to 17:00. A combined Maropeng + Sterkfontein adult ticket is around R190; children R115. It is 75 minutes from Sandton via the N14 and Hekpoort road, and combines naturally with the Lion and Safari Park or Lesedi for a full-day Cradle of Humankind itinerary.