Maropeng Visitor Centre

About Maropeng Visitor Centre

Visitors that have booked accommodation in Johannesburg or are staying elsewhere around Gauteng are invited to see the historical wonder of the Maropeng Visitor Centre at the Cradle of Humankind. This is an award-winning exhibition that is a must for locals and tourists that want to immerse themselves in an ancient world, where the evidence of the origins of the human race is believed to have been preserved.

The Maropeng Visitor Centre takes its visitors on an adventure that begins with the formation of our exquisite planet, so perfectly created to host complex organisms and maintain life. Then, travel through the ages to witness the various stages of the development of humans, plants and animals. See authentic fossils and stone tools (that are an impressive one million years old) up close for evidence that The Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site truly is where the modern human race began. The exhibit area covers an impressive 2 500 square metres and 3.5 million years. The self-guided tour (which can include a memorable underground boat ride) is interactive, inviting you to take your time and experience a prehistoric world at your fingertips.

The Maropeng Visitor Centre tour can be coupled with a tour to the incredible Sterkfontein Caves, which is only a short drive away and is considered to be the richest hominid fossil site in the world. In fact, it is here where the world-famous Mrs Ples and Little Foot were found. The caves are deep, with exciting narrow passages and a ‘bottomless' lake. Travellers with claustrophobia or breathing problems are advised to give this part of the tour a skip.

The Maropeng Visitor Centre is in the mountain ranges of the Magaliesberg and Witwatersberg, just an hour from Johannesburg and Pretoria. There are several restaurants here – one overlooking The Cradle of Mankind and one at the Sterkfontein Caves. Pensioners, students and school groups pay special rates, while little ones under four years can enter for free.