Spend your school holidays travelling through time
Prehistoric humans, fossils and a glimpse of Earth’s story over millions of years, will keep adults and children alike enthralled as they tour Maropeng’s Visitor Centre, the official visitor centre for The Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site.
Begin your journey of discovery of the origins of humankind with an introduction to Maropeng and its major themes of evolution, diversity, sustainability and the unique characteristics of being human.
You then descend into the depths of the Earth taking a boat ride back in time through the four elements – earth, air, fire and water, before entering a swirling vortex, and emerging in front of planet Earth projected on a giant globe. Here discover how the continents as we know them today came to be.
Next enjoy the large interactive zone where some of the science relating to the study of evolution is demonstrated in fun, giant displays including the formation of fossils, DNA, and life on Earth. The next section highlights various species in hominid evolution. These include our earliest relations. The tour ends with an original fossil display.
Maropeng is also stone’s throw to Sterkfontein Caves, world renowned for their fossil finds. They are credited with many of the famous discoveries including the world famous “Mrs Ples” and “Little Foot”, an almost complete Australopithecus skeleton dating back more than 3-million years. Tours at the Sterkfontein Caves start above ground and then take visitors deep into the caves.
Opening times
Maropeng 09h00 – 17h00 daily, the last boat ride departs at 16h00
Sterkfontein Caves 09h00 – 17h00 daily, tours run every half hour
Rates and specials
Buy online and get 10% off
Maropeng Adults R160 │ Children (4-14) R90
Children under 4 free
Pensioners R85
Students R100
Sterkfontein Caves Adults R165 │ Children (4-14) R97
Children under 4 free
Pensioners R85
Students R100
Combination ticket
Adults R215 │ Children (4-14) R143
Address:
The Maropeng Visitors Centre is situated on the R400, just off the R563 Hekpoort Road, Sterkfontein.
For more information, call (014) 577 9000.