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Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site Tours
Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site
5

Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site

By Stephenson Adventures
Recommended by 100% of travelers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Escape the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg and Pretoria to explore one of the world’s richest concentration of hominid fossils with a tour of The Cradle of Humankind. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, the region of Sterkfontein, Swartkrans and Kromdraai, the fossil sites cover an area 53,000 hectares, split across the border of Gauteng and North West provinces. Trapped in a bed of dolomite rock that was deposited 2.5 billion years ago, over 950 hominid fossil specimens have been discovered to date. Rediscover your ancestral roots with Stephenson Adventures on this combination tour of Sterkfontein Caves and award-winning Maropeng.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 0-85
Duration: 4–5 hours
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
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  • Snacks
  • Bottled water
  • * Pickup & Drop offs from any Hotel around Jhb or Pretoria
  • * Escorted with a Qualified Guide throughout the whole trip
What's not included
  • Coffee and/or Tea
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Soda/Pop


Start:Multiple pickup locations offered.
    Pickup details
    • Pickup and Drop offs from any Hotel around Johannesburg area, Pretoria area, O.R Tambo airport and other areas in Gauteng
    Hotel pickup offered
    During checkout you will be able to select from the list of included hotels.
      Airport pickup offered
      During checkout you will be able to select from the list of included airports.
      • Johannesburg Intl Airport, Johannesburg South Africa
      • Lanseria Airport, Lanseria South Africa
      End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

        • Not wheelchair accessible
        If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 195597P7

        • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
        • Not recommended for travelers with back problems
        • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
        • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
        • Most travelers can participate

        • 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: 195597P7

        From
        $84.43
        per adult (price varies by group size)
        Select date and travelers

        Similar experiences

        Itinerary
        • 1
          The combination of Sterkfontein Caves and Maropeng is an ideal tour outside the city if you are keen on learning about the history and origins of humankind from millions of years ago to present. Maropeng is a Setswana word meaning “returning to the place of origin”. It is an archaeological treasure house of Mrs. Ples (the oldest skull in the world aged 2.5million years), Taung Child and “little foot”. Evolution of humankind is shown through fun and interactive displays of scientist discoveries of many hominid and other animal fossils dating back to more than 4 million years ago to the birth of humanity. Visiting this place is like traveling through time to the place of origin and rediscovering your roots.
        About the operator
        Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
        • Stephenson Adventures
          462
          South Africa
          Joined in October 2019
        • 420beachg
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Excellent
          Excellent . Highly recommend . Could not have experienced the city without him. Honest , reliable and a wealth of knowledge
          Written December 1, 2024
        • zafarsmith
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Mo is an amazing tour guide!
          Mo was an amazing tour guide for us from Australia. We were very impressed with his KYP program in Soweto. He shared personal stories of growing up in Soweto. Very highly recommend his tours!!
          Written December 1, 2024
        • wykettag2024
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          South Africa is beautiful and has a lot to share with the world.
          This tour was exceptional! Our guide Mo was knowledgeable, energetic, fun, and respectful. He made us feel comfortable and welcomed. Mo is passionate and highly engaged in his community which, in my opinion, amplified our experience. On our was from our hotel in Johannesburg to Soweto Mo gave us an excellent introduction and overview of qpartheid and its debating impact on African people. Each stop along the tour was filled with history, culture, and understanding of the plight of the African people in Soweto. The van was clean, in good condition with cool air conditioning. Mo provided water and stops along the way for bathroom breaks. I highly recommend Mo and Stephenson Adventures.
          Written November 29, 2024
        • 14anzio14
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Awesome and educational!
          Mo was absolutely brilliant with this tour one of the best I’ve witnessed hands down! Celebrate this guide! it’s must that you try Mo and SAdventures!
          Written November 29, 2024
        • 860kendraw
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          The Best of Soweto
          This whole experience was one to never be forgotten. Our tour guide Mo was the best. I learned so much & would recommend this tour to all. Though it was a bit emotional I loved every moment.
          Written November 29, 2024
        • lohannc640
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Big up to our guide Mo ... unforgetable moment
          We spend nearly one full day with our guide Mo and the driver Andrew. Mo is passionate and knows his subject...first thing is that he was on time to pick us up at the hotel which is rare and a first plus point..He then ensured that the whole family was comfortable and this our comfort was one of his priority during the journey.. We visited the Apartheid museum, Nelson Mandela's house, Soweto ( showing the good, the bad and the ugly), Hector Pieterson Memorial and all throughout Mo was giving the facts , taking us back to these moment as if we were living these moments....We were in Cape Town and was closing our trip in Joburg..The Soweto was our last activity in South Africa and I must admit i was hesitating to close with a visit to Soweto..There was the risk that the kids dont like it and we end up on a bad note....NO REGRETS at all !!!! The kids really cherished that historic/memorial part of our holidays....we learn so much from MO... I highly recommend Stephenson Adventures
          Written November 28, 2024
        • bigrob888
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          For anyone wanting to understand and experience what apartheid South Africa was really like, visit this Museumu
          The Apartheid Museum, the first of its kind in the world, illustrates the rise and fall of apartheid. An architectural consortium, comprising several leading architectural firms, conceptualised the design of the building on a seven-hectare stand. The museum is a superb example of design, space and landscape offering the international community a unique South African experience. The exhibits have been assembled and organised by a multi-disciplinary team of curators, film-makers, historians and designers. They include provocative film footage, photographs, text panels and artefacts illustrating the events and human stories that are part of the epic saga known as apartheid. A series of twenty-two individual exhibition areas takes the visitor through a dramatic emotional journey that tells a story of a state-sanctioned system based on racial discrimination and the struggle of the majority to overthrow this tyranny.
          Written November 27, 2024
        • courtd87
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Amazing first time in Africa
          Where do I begin…Steve was SO amazing from the time he picked me up from the airport to when he dropped me back off for my flight home. Other than being an absolute sweetheart, he’s an amazing guide. We went all around Cape Town and he took the best photos for/of me. Even as a solo female traveler I felt great the entire time!! I told all my friends about Stephenson Adventures when I got back home to the US. Could not recommend booking with them enough 10/10 experience for my first time in Africa
          Written November 26, 2024
        • 85kaylan
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Amazing tour with a great guide!
          Vuyu was an exceptional tour guide. He was incredibly knowledgeable and personable. I really appreciated how open to questions he was and how seamlessly he blended historical facts with engaging stories. Highly recommend booking this tour with Vuyu as your guide!
          Written November 24, 2024
        • phumelelema
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          We had a great trip with Mo!
          Mo was amazing!! We had a great time. His knowledge and history was amazing, he treated us like VIPs. If we come back we will request specifically for him. Thank u so much, we will remember this day for sure..! Phumelele Masango
          Written November 23, 2024
        • Safari61523695091
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Amazing tour with Mo🥳
          Thank you so much to Mo our tour guide. The trip was amazing. He was easy to talk to and friendly. He made the whole trip enjoyable plus he is very knowledgeable about Soweto. Bigs up to Mo👍, we are coming back for a full day tour💃🏽.
          Written November 23, 2024
        • Joanne A
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Joburg/Soweto Tour
          Mo was a fabulous guide! The day flew by as he guided us through the Johannesburg and Soweto. He was very knowledgeable about the history of South Africa. The finale at Kliptown Youth Program was inspiring. Would highly recommend this tour with Mo.
          Written November 22, 2024
        • frankbA3019YQ
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Top choice for 1/2 say
          Top organization, flexibility in adapting schedule and pick-up location and my guide Banele was very nice and knowledgeable about the country, and the fauna ! Great choice for those having only 1/2 day to experience a mini safari around Jo’Burg Franck
          Written November 18, 2024
        • Departure25947187293
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          A true taste of Jozi with Mo
          If you are ever in Jozi, this is THE tour to take, especially if you are lucky to have Mo as your guide. Mo is charismatic, friendly, entertaining ( even if he doesn't think so) and most importantly VERY knowledgeable. The itenary was cohesive and he made sure we were all comfortable at all times, had water in the cooler for everyone, and made sure we had a true authentic experience, plus he takes the best pictures too. It was the best decision we made on this trip to spend the day with Mo getting to see the real Joburg.
          Written November 13, 2024
        • Katrin H
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          An incredible must see day tour!!!
          An amazing tour with Vuyo through Johannesburg, Soweto, Mandela House, traditional lunch, apartheid museum… you definitely have to book this tour. And when you are very, very lucky you will enjoy Vuyo as your guide. The best you can get!!!! Thanks a lot!!!! I will come back!!!
          Written November 10, 2024
        See all 462 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 bubbles12 reviews
        Excellent
        11
        Very good
        1
        Average
        0
        Poor
        0
        Terrible
        0

        Peter
        4 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Nov 2022 • Friends
        Wow! To start off, Steve picked us up from our hotel and provided us snacks and a drink. Despite our constant requests, he was very accommodable to us and made it an unreal experience. He provided us with information about the location beforehand so we knew what we were getting into but saved the best for the actual experience. The cave experience is quite slippery and at times you'll have to crouch so be careful. Other than that the guide was very knowledgeable and made it a fun memory for all.
        Written November 10, 2022
        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 the excellent review and also thank you for highlighting on the cave tour, comment will be of much help to those interested in experiencing the same tour. Apart from that we are glad that you enjoyed! We hope to hear from you again
        Written November 17, 2022
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        Tammy M
        5 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Sep 2022 • Friends
        This is a must do excursion for South Africa. Located approximately 45 minutes from Johannesburg the knowledge gained here is good for all age levels. Stephenson and his friendly staff provided exemplary customer service and made the trip momentous!
        Written September 19, 2022
        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 this lovely review. We are glad that you liked our Cradle of Humankind Heritage tour. We also appreciate the good comments regarding our staff Team,
        Written November 18, 2022
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        Terri E
        1 contribution
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Jul 2024 • Solo
        Mo has been my tour guide for the past 2 days. Amongst other places we did the Cradle of Humankind, Soweto, the Lesedi Cultural Village, the KIP program and a Johannesburg tour. Mo was exceptional. Engaging, friendly, respectful and most of all knowledgeable and passionate at each and every stage. I use a wheelchair for mobility and Mo pushed me around both days. He treated me like a princess. Would have no hesitation in recommending Mo. Thank you. I learnt so much from him
        Written July 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.
        Your review is music to our ears! Thank you for your praise. Your review is greatly appreciated. We would like to see you in the future!
        Written July 6, 2024
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        Arlette S
        1 contribution
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Nov 2024 • Solo
        I visited the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site and my tour guide has been very friendly and professional.
        I definitely recommend this company!
        Written November 9, 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.

        Daniel G
        1 contribution
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Oct 2024 • Solo
        I had a blast of an experience. The tour guide was very professional and well informed. I took so many photos and created many exciting memories.
        Written October 19, 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.

        Monika Johann
        5 contributions
        4.0 of 5 bubbles
        Aug 2023 • Family
        The Maropeng Visitor Center is a must see, it shows in detail how earth was formed, and life developed and the start of humans. The caves are closed, and we have been offered for a bit of extra money to visit the culture village, which was great.
        Written August 31, 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.

        Christina_Moorshead
        Canada182 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        If I could give a thousand stars, it wouldn’t be enough! My guide, Nosipho, was kind, funny and a such a great conversationalist. It felt like I’d met a friend, not just a guide. Booking was simple and very straightforward, they picked me right on time and really gave me a day full of the best memories.
        The museum was great, an amazing tour of humankind’s history and full of great exhibitions.
        Written April 30, 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.

        JDJDJDJD
        Sydney, Australia16 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Nov 2022 • Friends
        We were introduced to Steve by another tour guide earlier in the week and it was by far the best connection we made in JBurg!
        We are a group of 3 and advised Steve we are on a time crunch with 3 places of interest to complete before heading to the airport by 2:30pm.

        Steve took on the challenge and made happen:
        Cradle of Humankind
        We were running a few minutes late due to a police check on the highway. Steve notified the tour group to ensure we were not left behind.
        Lion Safari Park
        Steve connected us with Princess (our tour guide) at Lion Park. Just like Steve, Princess is warm and lovely, providing a wealth of information with each animal encounter.
        Princess has been a long standing employee at Lion Park and spent a lot of time raising hyenas and lions. With her experience, we were able to touch these wild dogs and cats and she took awesome photos for us :D
        Lion Cub Interaction
        Because we were on a time crunch, Steve was able to get us priority access to interact with lion cubs! He took our photos and also did a time check to ensure we were out of there on time to head to the airport.

        In summary, Steve and his team is responsive, efficient and punctual - all the qualities that allowed us to complete our itinerary with exceptional service !
        Thank you for ending our time in South Africa on a high!

        100% recommend! :D
        Written November 12, 2022
        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.
        Hello Jenny Thank you for taking your time and writing us this wonderful review, we are very glad to hear that you had a wonderful time with Steve and colleagues and to hear that all went well. We at Stephenson Adventures value our clients happiness! We also hope you had safe flights back home:-(
        Written November 16, 2022
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        Robert R
        8 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Perfectly wonderful experience. Stephenson was fantastic. His knowledge was impressive, and his enthusiasm was infectious. He was punctual, maintained good communication, took care of every detail to make the experience one I will not forget. I highly recommend Stephenson and the Cradle of Humanity tour.
        Written October 22, 2022
        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.
        *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.

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