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Maropeng Tour: Human Evolution Journey
3.9
27 Ratings
Maropeng Visitor Centre
Explore human origins at Maropeng and Sterkfontein Caves, a World Heritage Site. Discover ancient secrets and evolutionary wonders near Johannesburg.
Explore human origins at Maropeng and Sterkfontein Caves, a World Heritage Site. Discover ancient secrets and evolutionary wonders near Johannesburg.
Duration:
5 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Maropeng Visitor Centre - Begin the day with a picturesque 45-minute drive from Johannesburg or Pretoria to the Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage site. At 10:00 AM, delve into the Sterkfontein Caves, guided by an expert, to discover fossils such as “Mrs. Ples.” Enjoy exclusive access to the caves and admire the breathtaking stalactites….
- Maropeng Visitor Centre - Begin the day with a picturesque 45-minute drive from Johannesburg or Pretoria to the Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage site. At 10:00 AM, delve into the Sterkfontein Caves, guided by an expert, to discover fossils such as “Mrs. Ples.” Enjoy exclusive access to the caves and admire the breathtaking stalactites. At 12:00 PM, unwind with a local snack near the caves. By 12:30 PM, head to the Maropeng Visitor Centre to engage with interactive exhibits and enjoy an underground boat ride that explores the origins of life. An optional fossil-hunting demonstration is available. At 2:30 PM, indulge in a South African lunch while taking in the views of the Magaliesberg. At 3:30 PM, visit the gift shop to find unique souvenirs. Return between 5:00-6:00 PM with a memorable keepsake and a sense of wonder.
What's Included
- Expert guide with palaeoanthropology expertise.
- Unique keepsake (e.g., mini fossil replica or Cradle of Humankind postcard).
- Entry to Maropeng Visitor Centre.
- Air-conditioned transport with complimentary pick-up and drop-off from Johannesburg or Pretoria.
- Guided Sterkfontein Caves tour.
- Bottled water.
- Expert guide with palaeoanthropology expertise.
- Unique keepsake (e.g., mini fossil replica or Cradle of Humankind postcard).
- Entry to Maropeng Visitor Centre.
- Air-conditioned transport with complimentary pick-up and drop-off from Johannesburg or Pretoria.
- Guided Sterkfontein Caves tour.
- Bottled water.
What's Not Included
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
- Travel insurance.
- Personal expenses (e.g., additional snacks or beverages beyond what’s provided).
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
- Travel insurance.
- Personal expenses (e.g., additional snacks or beverages beyond what’s provided).
Additional Information
The Maropeng Visitor Centre offers an exhilarating, world-class exhibition that highlights the evolution of humans and their ancestors over the past few million years. “Maropeng” translates to “returning to the place of origin” in Setswana, the predominant indigenous language in this region of South Africa. This area has been home to our ancestors for…
The Maropeng Visitor Centre offers an exhilarating, world-class exhibition that highlights the evolution of humans and their ancestors over the past few million years. “Maropeng” translates to “returning to the place of origin” in Setswana, the predominant indigenous language in this region of South Africa. This area has been home to our ancestors for over 3 million years.
Located approximately 50km from Johannesburg, the Sterkfontein Caves are renowned for their significant contributions to the understanding of human evolution and have been recognized as a World Heritage Site. If Africa is indeed the cradle of humanity, as most palaeontologists assert, then the Sterkfontein Caves are undoubtedly one of the continent’s revered sites. These caves have been acclaimed as the ‘anthropological treasure-house of the world.’
Location
Maropeng Visitor Centre
R400 off R563 Hekpoort Road, Sterkfontein
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
3.9
(27 Ratings)
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1 star
Aaypan
Sep 21, 2022
Amazing Experience! - We had a great experience with MoAfrika Tours. We were picked up in time, the ride was comfortable, and we were given enough time to explore the caves.
We would consider them for our future trips to South Africa.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Patrick
Aug 13, 2022
Essential history of humanity - Two parts to this review- first, MoAfrika: we had Sunny for our guide at our request (we had him earlier in our trip as well) and he was friendly and professional, and was great with our family. He did a great job keeping us on track, ahead of school groups that might have caused major delays, and answering questions. Highly recommend MoAfrika as a tour provider and Sunny as a guide. I've rated this excellent based on that.
We did the Sterkfontein Caves first- really interesting exhibits before the tour, a funny guide through the caves, and they really are an amazing site- an above-average cave walk versus commercial US caves. If you are tremendously out of shape, parts of the cave tour may not be easy for you (this was true for others we were put with in the cave). The history and importance of discoveries in this area can not be overstated, and the combination of museums brings that home.
Maropeng Visitor Center is visually attractive, but some of the information gets redundant. It is, however, perfect for school-age children (especially say 8-14 years) and is very well done overall. The food options at Maropeng are solid if you need lunch during the day.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Raymondadvisor
Mar 17, 2020
Essential Prehistory of Humans - We went into a cave where an australopithecus was found. They explained that he had fallen to his death from a hole at the top of a cave. They showed bones (some casts) of several ancestors. Fascinating.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Elliottt148
Dec 30, 2019
Great day! - I booked literally at the last minute because I didn’t know to much about the sights in Johannesburg and after my tour in Soweto the day before I was thinking of other things to do and MoAfrica delivered Within an hour!
The tour was great and eye opening and gave me a new perspective on how we came to be as beings. My guide was super friendly and we had some great conversations. Book with this company, they are very exceptional.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mattes1969
Jul 16, 2019
Amazing Day with tour guide Sugar - During our short stay in Johannesburg we booked a tour with Mo Africa to the Cradle of Humankind. Sugar, our tour guide came right on time to our hotel and picked us up. Sugar knows well what he is talking about and probably is the most funniest and reliable guide ever. We had a very good time with him and the tour was very informative and amusing. Coming back in a couple of months we will definitely book our next tour with Mo Africa and Sugar.
Thank you my friend, we had a great time with you!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Aneesaspatwary
Oct 7, 2022
Partially good - The caves were very cool and informative. Museum I could’ve done without. The museum was better geared towards children than adults. Andrew our guide was very nice
Review provided by Viator
R8695mnheikeb
Sep 15, 2022
Well worth a visit - We really enjoyed this half day tour. Our driver didn't really know where we were going so we only arrived at the caves a few minutes before the tour started and didn't really have time to look at the fabulous displays. The actual tour was great though, really informative and interesting. The museum at Maropeng had some great exhibits. We particularly enjoyed the boat ride at the start.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Scott_m
Jan 21, 2020
Cradle of Human Kind - The cave and cave guide were excellent. The displays at the cave building were interesting. The museum seemed aimed at young people but, we did get some information.
Review provided by Viator
Inthewilds
Nov 19, 2019
Trip to Cradle of Humankind - It was great to get out of Johburg and visit this site - there's two main attractions, the Maropeng visitor centre and the Sterkfontein Caves. Personally I found the visitor centre a bit of a let down (the water ride was, how should we say it, kitsch - and the centre is really designed to cater to kids), but the caves and the attached museum are great and should be visited, particularly by anyone with an interest in either geology or palaentology. We went with MoAfrika Tours who were great, very punctual and our guide was very informative.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Historyfanatic99
Feb 12, 2019
A day out - I went with Mo Afrika tours to the Cradle of Humankind on a half day tour. The bus picked me up on time and first we went to the Sterkfontein caves. At the end of the cave visit we had to go looking for the driver who was sleeping in the minibus. He had a late night before and was quite tired. Not my problem and I shouldn't have had to go and find him.
Then we went to the Maropeng Center - at the end of this part the driver was there and ready.
For this tour I felt that Mo Afrika did not do much other than provide transportation. The driver did not give any information. If I had known this I would have arranged a private car from the hotel and then would have been able to go and return in my own time frame.
I hear good things about Mo Afrika and hopefully its other tours offer more actual tour guiding.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
