The Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site named Maropeng: meaning "returning to the place of our origins" is located on 100 hectares, within easy reach of Johannesburg and Pretoria, Maropeng overlooks the magnificent Magaliesberg and Witwatersberg mountain ranges and is en route to the popular resort of Sun City.
Upon arrival, a huge ancient burial mound (the Tumulus) comes into sight and from there on it’s one thrilling experience after another as the secret to our ancestry is revealed. Along the pathway to the Tumulus stop to have a look at an excavation site.
The tools found in this excavation belong to the Acheulean period and include handaxes and cleavers.
The underground boat ride leads to 2500m² of underground exhibition space that brings the history of humankind alive by way of exciting exhibits that are entertaining, educational and interactive.The caves in this vicinity have produced nearly half of the world’s hominid fossil discoveries dating back some 3,5 million years. The Maropeng Visitors' Centre will take you on a journey to follow in the footsteps of ancient man. Within the Cradle area are the Kromdraai Wonder Cave and the Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve.
The underground boat ride takes visitors through a sensory immersion of the four elemental forces of nature: earth, fire, water and ice. After having sailed past icebergs, volcanoes and braved curtains of water, molten lava, sheets of lightning and fire walls, you land on the other side, billions of years back, to the very birth of our planet - in time for an expedition of discovery.
The exhibition is a self guided one and can take anything from 1.5 to 3 hours, it is highly interactive, the children have a wonderful time. There is also in depth information for those wanting to grapple with the topic of hominids.
At the end of the exhibition is the original fossil display, this display area houses original fossils on loan to Maropeng from various institutions across the country.Enjoy a tasty snack before embarking on your journey of discovery.
A number of curios and souvenirs can be bought at the Maropeng shop.
