Cradle of Humankind
The oldest hominid fossils were discovered in Gauteng in this area, now a world heritage site and remains of our ancient ancestors continue to be found in the Cradle of Humankind which is an active digging site for paleoanthropological research.
The most recent discovery, Australopithecus sediba, was made in 2010 and is said to be 1.977 million years old. Other notable remains found in the area include Mrs Ples, a 2.3 million year hominid skull and the mysterious Little Foot, discovered in 1995 and thought to be over 3 million years old. Ancient animal and plant fossils also discovered here suggest that this hot and relatively dry region of South Africa, was once part of a tropical rainforest where giant monkeys and sabre-toothed cats roamed the land.
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Cradle of Humankind
Magaliesberg and Hartbeespoort
Midrand
Ekurhuleni (East Rand)
Tshwane and Dinokeng
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Associated Venues
AirVentures Hot Air Ballooning
Kloofzicht Lodge & Spa, R374 Kromdraai Road Muldersdrift
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If you are a fan of heights and early mornings than hot air ballooning is definitely one of the most exquisite and calm ways to travel. AirVentures has a base …
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Just half an hour's drive from Sandton Central, this expansive lodge in the middle of a 160 hectare conservancy in the Cradle of Humankind is popular with …
Hennops Hiking Trail
Entrance to trail off the R511 (10km south of the R105 junction)
Maropeng and the Sterkfontein Caves
R400 just off the R563 to Hekpoort (approx 30mins drive from Sandton)
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Maropeng is the official visitors centre for the Cradle Of Humankind, a cave-strewn area around 50km north west of Johannesburg where some of the world's most …