WHAT AWAITS YOU IN THE CRADLE OF HUMANKIND?

The Cradle of Humankind is a 180-square-mile site northwest of Johannesburg, home to the oldest hominid fossils ever found. The Maropeng Visitor Center contains a museum that explores the history of the area. On display are fossils of mankind’s earliest ancestors, as well as hands-on science exhibits, and a collection of photographs and artefacts.

The Sterkfontein Caves are also on this site, and they alone have provided a third of all early hominid fossils ever found. This includes the extraordinarily complete “Little Foot,” an Australopithecus Prometheus skeleton.

The caves contain an underground lake that has never been fully explored - the last time an expedition was launched to chart it, it lead to a diver’s death.

FACTS

Gauteng Province of South Africa.
The capital is Johannesburg.

Lanseria International Airport [Lanseria]
OR Tambo International Airport [Johannesburg]

The Cradle of Humankind is a 47 000ha World Heritage Site which supports a unique and diverse collection of fauna and flora. Several hundred plant species are found in the area, making it one of the most diverse plant communities in the world.

The Cradle of Humankind is pretty dry with only approx. 150 rainy days every year. The winter months runs from May to September [low season] while the summer runs from October to April [high season]. The summer averages 27C [81F] while winter temperatures average 21C [70F].

English, Tswana and Afrikaans

Rand [ZAR]
US Dollars are not accepted.
Foreign exchange services are available in big cities and airports.

Paleoanthropology
UNESCO Bucketlist Collectors
Hiking