Instawalking through time at Maropeng

If pictures say a thousand words, visitors who’ve enjoyed the breathtaking views and fascinating artefacts at Maropeng will know that the Visitor Centre to South Africa’s Cradle of Humankind World Heritage site has enough sights to fill volumes.

We decided to take views of Maropeng to another level this weekend though, by inviting popular Instagrammers to spend a night stargazing at Maropeng, and see the significant site through their eyes.

Those on the guest list included Africa’s top Instagrammer, Gareth Pon, who boasts a following of more than 200 000 people on the world-famous photo-sharing social network, as well as top travel bloggers and travel tweeters Kate Els (@kate_els), Merushka Govender (@Mzansigirl), Ishay Govender-Ypma (@thefoodandthefab) and Heather Mason (@2summers).

Prominent journalist and radio personality Kate Turkington and her equally famous daughter, CEO of Flow Communications,Tara Turkington, also attended Maropeng’s very first Instawalk.

The intrepid group explored the world’s richest hominid fossil site, the Sterkfontein Caves, where more than 500 hominid specimens have been recovered to date.

IGers in the Sterkfontein Caves.

The lighted path through the cave looks enchanting.

They then enjoyed a sumptuous three-course meal at our boutique hotel …

This dessert tasted as good as it looks. Macerated gariguette strawberries with strawberry cheesecake served up at the Maropeng Hotel.

… before turning their eyes to the skies for some stargazing with our resident astronomer, Vincent Netmann.

It's not often that you can see a crescent moon up this close, much less take a photo of it on your smartphone. You can if you come stargazing at Maropeng.

The next day, the group headed off for a tour of the renowned Maropeng Visitor Centre. Here are some of their posts about the experience:

I think I posted this same shot the last time I went to Sterkfontein, and @garethpon posted it too. I don't care though - it's still epic. I had such a good time at Sterkfontein and Maropeng this weekend. Thanks @maropengsa and team for the great trip. Nice to see you again @foodandthefab @mzansigirl and @kate_els, and nice to meet you @kateturkington1 and everyone else. And last but not least, thanks @intotheabis for making everything more fun. #maropeng #meetsouthafrica #visitgauteng @meetsouthafrica #southafrica
A photo posted by Heather Mason (@2summers) on
Jan 25, 2015 at 11:20am PST

Starry night at the Maropeng Hotel. I also saw Jupiter and four of it's moons last night. Thanks to everyone for all the birthday wishes, your comments are greatly appreciated and I'm forever greatful to all of you for your kindness! Shot on the #nx1 #spotthegprocket #maropeng @maropengsa
A photo posted by Gareth Pon (@garethpon) on
Jan 24, 2015 at 10:39pm PST

The pale blue dot. Last night we got to identify some of the more prominent stars and constellations visible at this time, learning about the relationship between earth, moon, sun and the galaxies as well as the discoveries in South Africa in the field of astronomy. Begs the question: are we alone here? #Maropeng #earth #astronomy #stars
A photo posted by Ishay Govender (@foodandthefab) on
Jan 25, 2015 at 2:04am PST

Want to take your own snaps of our World Heritage site? Book your tickets here and join our growing Instagram community here.

Maropeng and Sterkfontein Caves