Sterkfontein Cave
Sterkfontein Cave, Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site: Hours, Address, Sterkfontein Cave Reviews: 4.5/5
Sterkfontein Cave
Sterkfontein Cave
4.5
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
SitÂuÂatÂed an hour’s driÂve from JohanÂnesÂburg and PreÂtoÂria, the SterkÂfontein Caves are world-famous for their fosÂsil finds and are a popÂuÂlar visÂiÂtor destination. After an extenÂsive facelift in 2005, the SterkÂfontein Caves site is now home to a top restauÂrant and conÂferÂencÂing facilÂiÂties, offerÂing easy access to the caves with modÂern walkÂways and a boardÂwalk past the excaÂvaÂtion site where globÂalÂly acclaimed fosÂsils have been discovered. The SterkÂfontein Caves are owned by the UniÂverÂsiÂty of the WitÂwaÂterÂsrand, whose sciÂenÂtists have been responÂsiÂble for the main excaÂvaÂtions at this World HerÂitage Site. They are credÂitÂed with many of the most notable disÂcovÂerÂies in the caves, includÂing the world-famous fosÂsils of Mrs Ples and LitÂtle Foot, the latÂter being an almost comÂplete AusÂtraloÂpÂitheÂcus skeleÂton datÂing back more than three milÂlion years. The tours at the SterkÂfontein Caves, which start above ground and then take visÂiÂtor
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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from $136.61
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
607 reviews
Excellent
299
Very good
230
Average
63
Poor
10
Terrible
5
RovingCivilEngineer
Gloucestershire, UK143 contributions
Jun 2019
You have to join a ranger tour to go underground.
You can book online, but in mid winter we just rocked up, bought a combo ticket for the Visitor Centre, and after half an hour met our tour guide 'Romeo'.
First a short walk, that would be very hot the rest of the year, as there is no shade.
Then the manhole cover is unlocked, and you teeter down into the cave.
It's a bit of a scramble in places, no problem if you are fit.
But being more than overweight, I only just squeezed through, and had to really suck my belly in.
Some bits are crawling only, so you could get a bit grubby.
Oh - and no open toed shoes / sandals, long trousers a good idea. It's cooler than on the surface, still warmish, but a bit too cold for tee shirt.
Great fun though.
Great to see where they found (what were at the time) the first proto humans.
3 to 2.6 million years ago, a female fell into a hole, she could have been injured, or could have starved to death, and another was found that is about 2.2 million years old. The have also found several sub species of Homo, and a Human that is 1.7 million years old.
Great tour and very informative guide....
You can book online, but in mid winter we just rocked up, bought a combo ticket for the Visitor Centre, and after half an hour met our tour guide 'Romeo'.
First a short walk, that would be very hot the rest of the year, as there is no shade.
Then the manhole cover is unlocked, and you teeter down into the cave.
It's a bit of a scramble in places, no problem if you are fit.
But being more than overweight, I only just squeezed through, and had to really suck my belly in.
Some bits are crawling only, so you could get a bit grubby.
Oh - and no open toed shoes / sandals, long trousers a good idea. It's cooler than on the surface, still warmish, but a bit too cold for tee shirt.
Great fun though.
Great to see where they found (what were at the time) the first proto humans.
3 to 2.6 million years ago, a female fell into a hole, she could have been injured, or could have starved to death, and another was found that is about 2.2 million years old. The have also found several sub species of Homo, and a Human that is 1.7 million years old.
Great tour and very informative guide....
Written May 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Prega N
Scottburgh, South Africa11 contributions
Dec 2019
We opted for the caves and museum combo.The cradle of humankind is a world heritage site. The oldest humanoid fossil was found here. Before you enter the caves displays of fossils, ancient tools and stages of the evolution of modern day human can be viewed.The tour guide was very knowledgeable,humerous and warm. The lime stone and rock formations were amazing. The tour takes an about an hour, a must do for everyone, but be warned that you have to go through some tight spaces in and out. Not recommended for visitors with mobility problems and parents with little babies. The museum in Maropeng was an absolutely incredible experience, not a typical museum, really educational and thought provoking. It is really of first world standard. Mind boggling for both adults and children. There are restuarants, a hotel and grassy parks to relax. Beautiful scenery,do take a camera along. The drive from JHB is approximately an hour,perfect trip for a family day out.
Written January 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Thanks for this really great review, Prega N. Glad you enjoyed your day out with us!
Written January 29, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
prani2016
Johannesburg, South Africa36 contributions
Feb 2019
If you want to see caves at least once in your lifetime.... do visit this cave. We opted for the caves and museum combo.The cradle of humankind is a world heritage site. The oldest human fossil was found here. Before you enter the caves displays of fossils, ancient tools and stages of the evolution of modern day human can be viewed. You get ready with your helmet and walk outside, where the tour guide explains items en-route to the cave. It was a long walk to the inside of the cave. There were tight spaces that you have to enter through and on your knees. Good clothes are not recommended. It is a beautiful sight to see. The Cradle of Humankind had a short boat ride that you can take over and over if you wanted to. You experience natural elements as the boat goes through- wind, rain, snow and fire. It was a very interesting trip.
Written January 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Thanks for this review, prani2016. Yes, comfortable clothes and shoes are a must for the Sterkfontein Caves!
Written January 29, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
TKriek01
Durban, South Africa15 contributions
May 2022
We had a very knowledgeable guide. He was excellent and patient with all the people on the tour. He made the entire experience uplifting and worth every moment. This Cave Tour is not recommended for people with walking disabilities or back issues. I'm relieved that I did not take my elderly Father on this tour, as there is a fare amount of up and down stairs and crawling through short tunnels in the cave walls. You have to be careful to not bumping your head. Everyone is provided with a Construction Site style helmet, to wear while in the Caves. We would certainly recommend the Cave tour. The Moropeng Tour Exhibition is the one to take your disabled or elderly family to instead, this is only 8 km away at their other site, much safer mobility option.
Written May 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Paul
Windhoek, Namibia13 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We bought a combo ticket to get into the cave at Maropeng, Cradle of Mankind, after the tour the, we drove down to the caves it's a few minutes away.
The guide takes us through the cave and gives us a great lesson, on the formation, we were allowed to ask questions and he was very helpful. It takes about an hour to go through it. It's a pretty awesome experience.
The guide takes us through the cave and gives us a great lesson, on the formation, we were allowed to ask questions and he was very helpful. It takes about an hour to go through it. It's a pretty awesome experience.
Written January 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
GeneralShamu
New York City, NY721 contributions
Dec 2021
Goes perfectly with a visit to the Maropeng Museum a short drive away. The tour to the caves last ~1 hour and hen you need about another 60-90 minutes to read everything in the welcome area they have on the topic. This was super informative and eye opening to see just how much ancestral history has been, and is yet to be, found in this area.
Written December 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Curious Herbivore
Bloemfontein, South Africa47 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
The tour runs every hour. I'm glad that I bought the combo ticket for the cave and the museum. Much cheaper like that!
The cave itself is not as spectacular as Congo cave, but rich in history and lot more fun!
The cave itself is not as spectacular as Congo cave, but rich in history and lot more fun!
Written January 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Glad you had fun, CathyH2369!
Written January 29, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
anirbanb
Mumbai, India311 contributions
Overwhelming probably is a great way to describe it - no it doesn't dazzle, no it is not something out of the ordinary - it is simply the Cradle of Humankind and that's what is overwhelming - two oldest human forms were found here - the earliest known man-ape...
Great guides take you through the cave - up and down and tell you the wonders of it all. You need to be fit not super fit to do this - it's not scary - if you are asthmatic just carry your pump. There is only one section in which you have to crawl through a small space - and it's over before you can say jackrabbit!! Quite a few steps to climb up and down. A must visit if you ever felt like knowing from where we all began... The caves have never been lived in - the two people found probably fell into the caves and died there only to be discovered billions of years late!!!
Great guides take you through the cave - up and down and tell you the wonders of it all. You need to be fit not super fit to do this - it's not scary - if you are asthmatic just carry your pump. There is only one section in which you have to crawl through a small space - and it's over before you can say jackrabbit!! Quite a few steps to climb up and down. A must visit if you ever felt like knowing from where we all began... The caves have never been lived in - the two people found probably fell into the caves and died there only to be discovered billions of years late!!!
Written May 23, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Thank you for your incredible feedback. You have captured exactly what the cradle of humankind is all about and what is represents to humankind.
I do hope you will visit again soon.
Kind Regards
Lindsay Marshall
Written May 25, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Practicality
49469424 contributions
Aug 2011
This is a site to be missed. The above reviews discuss the area as a whole and not the Cave specifically; a visit to the Maropeng Center can and should be done without a visit to this Cave. The Cave itself really has little to offer. A visit to the cave is a somewhat lengthy walk in and out of a cave (down and up several sets of stairs, tights spaces, ect., as discussed above) with nothing special to see. There are some cave formations that you could see at any cave any place in the world, and these are not particularly wonderful examples of them. There are NO fossils and nothing anthropological . The site for finding Mrs. Ples is here but that is not part of the tour; you can go see it on your own but there is not much to see.
Written September 5, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
amm1u
Glasgow, Scotland159 contributions
Jan 2014 • Solo
It's a cave...... Not even a large cave, with very few interesting rock formations and no attempt to put the fossil remains found here in any kind of context. The guides are good, but the tour itself consists of walking down some stairs, a short walk in the caves themselves looking at the "elephant" rock and trying to make out the underground lake in the dark, finishing with a narrow climb out. If you want to know more about human fossils and cave art which the region is rich in, go to the Origins Centre in Johannesburg (or any decent natural history museum in the world); if you want to see stalactites, stalagmites etc, there are umpteen everywhere. An opportunity missed to make a the most out of some of the most important finds in human history and the organisers should visit eg Lascaux to see how this could be done.
Written January 18, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Dear amm1u
Many thanks for the review posted on TripAdvisor.
I am truly sorry that the Sterkfontein Caves experience was not enjoyed.
The Caves are not spectacular in that there is not much lighting in the caves, but this was never the intention.
The caves are part of the World Heritage Site, and we are charged with the responsibility of protecting this valuable resource.
Kind regards
Tony
Written January 21, 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Roys_Lim
Singapore, Singapore21 contributions
It is possible to see Sterkfontein Caves and Rhino and Lion Mature Reserve in one day? They do seem near to each other.
Yuri Roper
Jiangmen, China786 contributions
Hi. Yes you can. Do the cave son the morning and the park in the afternoon. At least that way you get to see the Lion feeding.
Hi. Are the caves open and tours still done even when it's raining?
Bggl
Fourways, South Africa365 contributions
Check with the caves. The path and rocks can get very slippery when wet so then they suspend access.
FrancyC-1974
Rome, Italy3 contributions
Salve volevo sapere quanto dura la visita a sterkfontein con il museo annesso, Grazie!
fmegiu
Sicily, Italy128 contributions
Le visite sono guidate ,bisogna mettere l'elmetto per scendere nelle grotte e aspettare il turno all interno del centro informazioni che dà un piccolo assaggio di ciò che è stato trovato nelle grotte .la visita di questo sito è di un'ora e mezza circa.
Per il museo vero e propio ti devi spostare in macchina ( nn sono nello stesso posto) e il museo chiude alle 17 . Qui un'altra ora e mezzo .
Conviene fare il biglietto combinato per le due visite . Buon viaggio
Alicia E
Montevideo, Uruguay345 contributions
Hola comunidad viajera! Cómo lograron ir a las Cuevas. Alguien puede pasarme el dato de la Agencia...si es guÃa en español mejor todavÃa, pero se aceptan todos los aportes.
Aprovecho a preguntarles por un lugar seguro para hospedarse en Johannesburgo y desde ahà hacer las cuevas.
Desde ya muchas gracias y buen comienzo
Alicia desde Uruguay
Nakedi Siyabong... M
Greater Johannesburg, South Africa1 contribution
Good evening, I would like to find out as to how much is needed for a number of six people to come visit or tour the sterkfontein caves?
Joel K
Vancouver, Canada3,161 contributions
The formal tour and the only way to see the caves is a a bit over one hour.
bonnierdh
Asheville, NC477 contributions
another reviewer said one day is enough to see both the caves and marogeng. Do you agree?
My husband and I read all the information signs and that takes some time.
Are the caves chilly?
Bonnie
Barry-John W
Cape Town, South Africa369 contributions
Hi there , i do believe you can do both in one day . Three hours at each place would be more than enough .
The actual tour in the cave is relatively short however with quite a few steps.
yes it is a little chilly in the cave , so would recommend a long sleeved top
Heddy G
Malvern, PA469 contributions
Worried a bit out the parts where you have to crawl and semi claustrophobic. Is it very tight?
Barry-John W
Cape Town, South Africa369 contributions
we visited the caves on saturday and as far as crawling , we did zero . yes there are a few occasions that you need to duck but seriously nothing worth worrying about .
the so called tight are is only a few metres long and then you are in big open spaces
Do you have to make a booking, or can you go as a day visitor. What are the entrance fees.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sterkfontein Cave
- Sterkfontein Cave is open:
- Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Sterkfontein Cave admission prices can vary. Entrance tickets currently cost $135.16, while a popular guided tour starts around $95.00 per person. See all 40 Sterkfontein Cave tickets and tours on Tripadvisor
- Sterkfontein Cave can be crowded, so we recommend booking e-tickets ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund. See all 40 Sterkfontein Cave tickets and tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Sterkfontein Cave:
- The Cradle of Humankind Experience (From $135.16)
- Half Day Cradle of Humankind, Sterkfontein Caves and Maropeng tour (From $135.16)
- Evolution Of Humankind Tour (From $106.19)
- Cradle of Humankind Tour with a Lion Safari from Johannesburg (From $198.23)
- Maropeng & Sterkfontein Caves (From $287.02)
- Hotels near Sterkfontein Cave:
- (1.26 mi) The Crystal Rose Lodge & Spa
- (3.08 mi) Forum Homini Hotel
- (7.14 mi) Cradle Valley Guesthouse
- (2.17 mi) Sibani Lodge
- (8.04 mi) Afrique Boutique Hotel Ruimsig
- Restaurants near Sterkfontein Cave:
- (0.69 mi) Makiti Restaurant
- (3.08 mi) roots restaurant
- (0.93 mi) Bush Whackers Pub And Venue
- (1.36 mi) Greensleeves
- (8.52 mi) Bellgables Country Restaurant