Midrand Tours
Cradle of Humankind, Caves or Maropeng, Rhino and Lion Park
5
LIKELY TO SELL OUT*

Cradle of Humankind, Caves or Maropeng, Rhino and Lion Park

By Shane Gouldie
Recommended by 100% of travelers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
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Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 6-90, max of 6 per group
Duration: 5–7 hours
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Meets animal welfare guidelines


  • WiFi on board
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
What's not included
  • Entrance into Maropeng R 100
  • Lunch
  • Entrance Fee to Rhino and Lion Park R 250
  • Sterkfontein Caves R 100
  • Entry/Admission - The Cradle of Humankind
  • Entry/Admission - Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve


Start:Traveler pickup offered.
    End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

      • Not wheelchair accessible
      • Stroller accessible
      • Near public transportation
      If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 332490P13

      • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
      • Most travelers can participate
      • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travelers

      • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

      If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 332490P13

      From
      $94.70
      per adult (price varies by group size)
      Select date and travelers

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      About the operator
      Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
      • Shane Gouldie
        161
        South Africa
        Joined in December 2021
      • Kaietours
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        LESEDI Cultural Village & Cradle of Humankind Tour
        Taking a solo day tour to LESEDI Cultural Village and the Cradle of Humankind was an unforgettable experience, made even more special by my incredible guide, Thabang. His passion, knowledge, and storytelling brought the journey to life in a way I could never have imagined. At Lesedi, I was awed to meet the tribe of the legendary Miriam Makeba, an encounter that felt like a brush with history itself. The village tour was immersive, offering a deep dive into South Africa’s diverse cultures and traditions. Walking through the compound, I was transported into the heart of vibrant customs, music, and warmth that define these communities. The second half of the tour took me even further back—millions of years back—at the Cradle of Humankind. Standing in the place where humanity's story began was a humbling experience. Seeing the fossil discoveries and learning about our origins left me absolutely speechless. This tour was more than just sightseeing; it was a journey through time, culture, and identity. Whether you're a solo traveler or in a group, this is an experience that will leave a lasting mark on your soul. Highly recommended!
        Written January 29, 2025
      • HOLS A
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Very good guided tour by Shane
        Shane is an excellent tour guide who was very easy to get on with from the start of our tour. A very interesting chap who is also full of information about the history of Pretoria and the sites. We would highly recommend this tour as you get to see the highlights of Pretoria (at your pace) including the very interesting Voortrekker monument and the Union building with the impressive Nelson Mandela statue. We were very happy that Shane was our guide & very much enjoyed our tour of Pretoria.
        Written January 26, 2025
      • 355kailat
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        A great day!
        We had a fabulous time on this tour. Shane is very knowledgeable of the park - we had a cruisey day looking for animals and lovely stop for food halfway. Shane is very passionate and was able to find us many of the big animals. The trip was very comfortable, would recommend!
        Written December 10, 2024
      • Bernadette S
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Had a great day and learned a lot
        I booked this tour last minute at 830pm the night before, and Shane was ready and waiting to collect me the next morning. He is a happy, knowledgeable, and funny guy, with interesting stories and a great sense of humour. I had a great day, learned a lot, had a laugh, and felt safe and relaxed all day. It was great to meet you Shane, thanks for everything.
        Written December 8, 2024
      • Navigate30206222661
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Great Tour
        I booked a tour with Shane through TripAdvisor and he was easy to deal with. There was an error on my TripAdvisor app and I was panicking because I could not get in touch with customer care from TripAdvisor to rectify the error, Shane sent a message to them on my behalf and rectified the error on my behalf. He was punctual and knowledgeable about the sites. He picked the best spots at the right time to allow an easy trip throughout. He guided us through Johannesburg and Soweto thoroughly. We felt safe in his car and well received. We were free to ask questions and asked him to stop in other areas that we were interested in and he obliged. It was an exciting day and fruitful as we discussed business ventures with him too. I would recommend him to anyone wanting to know more about South Africa’s past. And any other tour. Truly a great man.
        Written November 28, 2024
      • Michelle S
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Thank you Shane
        Shane was friendly, timely, and informative. He structured the day perfectly to avoid crowds and traffic. We also really appreciated his background information and suggestions for planning the rest of our trip in South Africa. The Cradle of Humankind is an important site to see, and early morning without the crowds was ideal.
        Written November 18, 2024
      • 654amitah
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        With Shane in Johannesburg is like to be in safe hands
        Amazing experience with Shane. A good blend of professional and ethical values. He has good knowledge of history, etiquettes, places to visit, which normally other guides do not share with tourists.
        Written November 13, 2024
      • 165sudheerh
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        A very dependable guide
        Shane is very experienced guide,he took us round the place,and informed us even minute details ,he is well mannered and knowledgeable,we would recommend him to hire his services to anyone who wants to visit south Africa especially Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town,you will not find such a decent fellow as a guide,his driving skills are par excellence....
        Written November 13, 2024
      • 944tadeuszr
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Trip according tu our expectations.
        Very nice trip Amazing mountains and Amazing Guide Really responsible for tourists 👍 His knowledge is very deep. Im very glad.
        Written November 6, 2024
      • Shoot4astar
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Excellent tour in general, but it was Shane who really made it special and amazing.
        Shane was an amazing tour guide. We had only 1 spare day in Johannesburg before going on a big S. African safari, and we're very happy we spent it with Shane. We went in Sept 2023. He picked us up at our hotel on time for our private tour. The value for money on this tour is outstanding. Shane is a great storyteller, and he has so many! He's had an incredibly interesting life, and I was fascinated to hear about the many adventures he's had, the people he's met, and crazy experiences he's had. It made the time in the car pass very quickly in between the actual destinations. Shane actually taught us some Zulu language during the tour! I'm not joking when I say those words he taught us helped us throughout our tour in the rest of S. Africa. As soon as we would greet people or respond when they greeted us, or use a couple of the catch phrases, it never failed to draw a smile out from everyone. People let us skip ahead in lines when we were pressed for time to get back to the tour bus, they gave better service, they really appreciated that we were making an effort to speak some of the local dialects, and they were keen to teach us more. I can't stress enough what a big impact this had. People responded in amazing ways. For this alone, I can recommend this tour. But it didn't stop there. When we went to Lesedi Cultural Village, tour guides get in for free (of course), but they also get a discount on the tickets so they can sell them to their visitors at regular price. Shane passed his guide's discount on to us instead of keeping that profit for himself! That shaved money off the tour itself. Shane is a real class act. By the way, Lesedi is not to be missed. It was a fantastic opportunity to see so many different cultures of S. Africa all in one place, and the education we got there gave us a leg up on other tour participants. My wife and I enjoyed watching others slowly discover during the tour what we already learned on Shane's tour. We were always a step ahead of everyone else. Lol. We quite enjoyed the Cradle of Humankind museum as well. Too bad the caves were closed due to water (which we already knew before we booked because at that time they had been closed for a year due to safety concerns), but maybe one day we'll get back for that. We also couldn't visit the Lion Park because we went on Monday and they're closed every Monday. Doesn't matter though. The tour we had was amazing. This day tour was literally our first experience in S. Africa and it was a PERFECT way to start our 3 week safari. My wife and I still talk about it sometimes, and we still appreciate what his teachings did for us and how it helped pave the way for so many positive interactions with other S. Africans. I almost forgot... While my wife and I were walking around in Lesedi, Shane was snapping photos and sending them to us. He got some great shots. He was always around in case we had questions. When we were leavnig, we saw our first wildlife there and he said it was really rare in that area and we must be lucky. He told us to watch out for wild dogs on our safari (very rare... which no one else knew about because they didn't take Shane's tour!!). Well guess what, not only did we later see the Big 5 in just 2 days, we saw 6 leopards in one day (including one taking down a Springbok), saw the rare wild dogs (they're VERY fast), and had a wild elephant come right to our car (arm's legth). Our good luck all started on this first day with Shane. :) I highly recommend doing whatever tour with Shane. Quite frankly, the destinations you visit will only be a small part of it. Going with Shane is what made it special.
        Written November 2, 2024
      • Dawn W
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Well with the money I highly recommend
        Amazing tour I highly recommend this it's great value for money and Shane is full of knowledge we seen all the animals advertised and more
        Written October 24, 2024
      • thegratefulwanderer
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        This tour was Awesome
        Shane was phenomenal. The tour started the moment we left the hotel. He has a lot of passion and love for South Africa and it shows. I have been traveling to SA since 2017, and this was my first time at Lesedi Cultural Village, but it will not be my last. If you are nervous about booking with Shane, please don’t be HE IS AMAZING.
        Written October 23, 2024
      • Ambassador178906
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        One of the best cultural experiences you will ever have
        I really enjoyed this tour. It was much more than I expected. The museum was incredible and very enlightening. So many different aspects. The Village experience was so amazing, it is enjoyable from beginning to end. From the warm greeting when you arrive to history of the tribes and the drumming and dance this tour is definitely a must. Our guide Shane was a delight. Very knowledgeable not only about the tour itself but the history of South Africa as well. He answered all of our questions and made the ride very enjoyable.
        Written October 21, 2024
      • FabianoKM
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Great tour
        Shane was a great tour guide. He picked me up at my hotel in Johannesburg at around 07:00 so we wouldn't be stuck in traffic. He gave lots of informations about the places we were visiting and we were also talking about South Africa in general. The Cradle of Humankind is more children-oriented, but still very interesting. Lesedi was amazing, so many things to learn about South African people. I was back at the hotel around 16:00. As we were making good time, we stopped for coffee. I definitely recommend this tour.
        Written September 23, 2024
      • Y8824GMannem
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Johannesburg tour
        The Lesedi Village was a fantastic experience, great to learn about the different tribes and cultures. Lunch was delicious and very filling. Shane was a fantastic guide, providing lots of info and also wonderful company
        Written September 11, 2024
      See all 161 reviews
      These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

      Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

      Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

      Popular mentions

      5.0
      5.0 of 5 bubbles44 reviews
      Excellent
      42
      Very good
      2
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      0
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      0
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      These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
      This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.

      K H
      2 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Shane was on time and very professional. His tours are very small (1 to 3 persons), and can be personalized. He is a wealth of information about South African history, flora and fauna, the sites and the country in general. And it’s obvious he loves his country!

      The Rhino and Lion Park was fantastic. Thanks to Shane knowing when and where to look, I was able to view all the animals. He also timed the feedings perfectly, which were quite a sight, and not to missed!

      Cradle of Humankind museum was also fascinating. Shane waits while you take as much time as you want…never making you feel rushed.

      There are no forced gift shop or restaurant stops (unless you’d like to stop), and no waiting for people to get back to the large van or bus. A joy to be on a personalized tour with such an accommodating guide.

      He also knows all the local places if you want a stop. He got us a delicious cappuccino, at a beautiful local coffee shop before we started. Very nice!

      I highly recommend this tour and Shane as your tour guide. I look forward to hiring him again for another one of his fabulous tours!
      Written July 16, 2023
      This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
      Thanks Guys for such a fantastic review. Cant wait to see you again, Safe travels and all the best, Shane
      Written July 20, 2023
      This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

      Stefania S
      14 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Feb 2024 • Solo
      The tour was well thought out and well executed. The museum is interesting but it should be maintained a little, there are some sections that are not perfectly functional, but overall it gives a nice idea of human evolution and more... the best are the animals, it is incredible to see them so close up and thanks to the precious narration by Shane I was able to get a lot of useful information and some unrepeatable photographic shots. Good humor is at home with Shane, I had a fun and exciting day!
      Google
      Written February 17, 2024
      This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
      Thank you Stefania for your kind words in Italian. You are a special lady and lots of fun. You make my work intetresting and fun. Hope to see you back in South Africa. Shane
      Written February 18, 2024
      This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

      NukeTim
      Chicago, Illinos4 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Nov 2023 • Solo
      Tour was excellent. Drive to Cradle of Civilization takes about an hour and Shane shared a lot of information about South Africa and answered my questions. Cradle of Civilization was on our own but we had no time restraints. Where Shane’s experience shined was in the wildlife park where he knew the time and place to see the feeding of the lions, cheetahs, and wild dog. If you do this tour, make sure your guide is Shane Gouldie.
      Written November 26, 2023
      This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
      Thank you Tim for the wonderful review. I am happy you enjoyed the combination of Fossils and wildlife. All the best for the future. Shane
      Written November 27, 2023
      This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

      Jutta
      Port Louis9 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Jun 2023 • Couples
      Our day with Shane was definitely the highlight of our business stay in Johannesburg. He knows his beautiful country inside out, can customize your tour to your preferences and make sure that you get the most out of it.
      Guiding us through the Rhino and Lion Park, he made sure that we get to see all the animals and knew at what time to be where to see them active or eating. Furthermore, he shared his incredible knowledge about those animals and country in a fun way and took us to great places to eat and enjoy. Great day out! And sure that we will go on another tour with Shane when we are back in Johannesburg!
      Written July 16, 2023
      This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
      Hi Jutta. Thank you for such a fantastic revue, you must rate as the coolest couple i have met. I cant wait to take you to the mountains or any other tours you might be interested in. Happy days and stay safe in the skies. Shane
      Written July 16, 2023
      This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

      2017Debra
      Ottawa, Canada6 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Nov 2024 • Solo
      Flight cancellation left me with an extra day in Johannesburg so I booked this excursion with Shane. I was able to see the rhinos and cheetah that had eluded me in the national parks..The museum was very interesting with innovative and informative displays. Highly recommend for anyone travelling with children. Shane was very friendly and knowledgeable and made sure I got back in time for my flight. Overall, a very enjoyable day.
      Written November 13, 2024
      This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
      Hullo Judith. Yes it was an enjoyable day. Thank you for making the day a fun one. All the best with your solo tours. Shane
      Written November 14, 2024
      This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

      Abdulla N
      Erbil, Iraq1 contribution
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Feb 2024 • Solo
      It was an amazing tour, and the guide, Shane, was friendly and gave us a lot of information. The tour started by visiting the cradle of humankind museum, then visiting the Rhino and Lion reserve. I enjoyed a lot.
      Much of love to this beautiful country (South Africa) from Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Erbil
      Written February 4, 2024
      This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
      Wow Abdullah that was such a special tour with you. It is special for me to meet a person from Iraq and listen to stories about your country. I will visit one day. All the Best Shane
      Written February 6, 2024
      This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

      dutchie79
      Dublin, Ireland8 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Sep 2023 • Family
      Shane picked us up at our hotel right on time and after only a few minutes we knew we were in safe and welcoming hands. Shane took us to Maropeng first and we learned a lot about South Africa on the journey and discovered that Shane is what the Irish would describe as a 'legend' with some captivating stories. After Maropeng we went to the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve where it became apparent that Shane is a true lover and keen observer of nature who knows a great deal about the wildlife we saw. He also knows exactly where to go to have the most success to of seeing the big cats and he does his utmost to ensure you have a day that will live long in the memory (as our day was).
      Written September 17, 2023
      This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
      Thanks Martjin for those kind words. I had a great day with you and look forward to seeing in South Africa again. Shane
      Written September 18, 2023
      This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

      London Traveller
      Ealing, UK113 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      We had a great trip with Shane.

      He first took us to the Cradle of Humankind and then to the Rhino and Lion Park. Sadly we did not see any rhinos, but the lions and wild dogs were spectacular and Shane made great efforts to get us the best views as he knows the park and it's routine very well!

      Afterwards, he kindly dropped us off at JNB for our flight to CPT.

      It was an amazing experience and Shane's knowledge and experience was very beneficial. Many thanks Shane.
      Written February 13, 2024
      This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
      It was an absolute pleasure. You are a wonderful couple and the day was exciting and so enjoyable. Enjoy the rest of your time in South Africa. Safe travels. Shane
      Written February 17, 2024
      This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

      Piccioneviaggiatoreq
      San Donato Milanese, Italy129 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      The tine spent in the game reserve was just spectacular. Shane knew exactly where to spot the animals and place his car during the feeding times in order to allow us a better view; got to see cheetahs, lions (brown and white) and wild dogs up close and almost by the vehicle.
      Not only he guaranteed the best experience possible to us, but was genuinely enthusiast when spotting animals. Available to answer all the possible question we might come up with.
      Highly suggested for his knowledge, patience and kindness!
      Written July 6, 2023
      This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
      Hi Daria . Yes i have a passion for wild animals and sharing my countries wildlife with tourists. it was also fun doing it with you because of your fun and intelligent conversations. Travel Safe . Shane
      Written July 7, 2023
      This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

      Ta D
      9 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Dec 2022
      This was a great tour. As soon as we got to the Lion and Rhino park, it was clear that Shane knew what to do and when to do it. He supplied binoculars so that we could see the smaller animals. He also made sure we had perfect views for the Wild Dogs feeding session and got to see the White Lions walk right passed our car window. He then helped us track down the cheetahs and we ended with a nice session feeding the giraffes. All in all, a once in a lifetime experience.
      Written January 9, 2023
      This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
      Thank you for taking the time to do a review
      Written January 16, 2023
      This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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      *Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

      Cradle of Humankind, Caves or Maropeng, Rhino and Lion Park provided by Shane Gouldie

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