Bone Detectives – a fantastic experience says local travel blogger

Harry the Hominid came across Grannie Banana on Twitter when she blogged about her experience on Maropeng’sBone Detectives tour on her travel website. We asked this local travel expert to give us a review of the picnic and walking tour:

My initial intention was to simply visit the Sterkfontein Caves but the Bone Detectives tour caught my attention and it seemed like no other option was good enough.

I placed my order and in no time received the tour confirmation, a detailed itinerary and directions.

Arriving at Sterkfontein Caves on Saturday morning, I was a little apprehensive, not knowing what to expect (I have no background in human evolution or any related studies).

What a pleasant surprise! Brendon Billings is my favourite scientist since Saturday! Down to earth, passionate, graciously answering any questions (informed or uninformed), I cannot imagine anybody else doing this!

I found his lecture fascinating, as well as the derivative discussions on the human mind, culture and communication.

After a short time spent in the museum, Bheki Tshabalala took charge and led our little tour group towards the cave.

Bheki! Another pleasant surprise! Professional, well informed, answering all our questions, friendly and, all in all, a pleasure to be around!

Once in the cave, it took me a couple of moments to comprehend the immensity of what I was doing. It was me in a place millions of years old, surrounded by discovered and undiscovered history.

The tour ended with a wonderful picnic. In true South African hospitality, there was too much food, wonderful wine, gracious hosts and interesting tour partners, all of which made the morning of October 8 a perfect one!

Thank you to our very own Sherlock Holmes aka Brendon Billings and Dr Watson aka Bheki. The Bone Detectives tour is of a high standard and I recommend it to anyone, with no hesitation.

Thank you to our Sterkfontein hosts for making the whole experience a memorable one.

– Grannie Banana
www.granniebanana.com is a blog written by a traveller for travellers. Its main purpose is to showcase South Africa through the eyes of the people living here and provide travel advice to anyone coming to our country. My 10 years’ experience in the travel industry and passion for travel is what drives me.

Visitors still have one more opportunity to go on this tour before the end of the year. Book online for November 12, 2011