MaropengThe Visitor Centre for the Cradle

Humankind

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Information Guides

About the Maropeng Visitor Centre

• Maropeng means “returning to the place of origin” in Setswana, the main indigenous language in this area of South Africa. The Cradle of Humankind is an easy drive of about an hour from Johannesburg or Pretoria. Our ancestors have lived in this area for more than 3-million years. By coming here, you are coming to the birthplace of humanity. Welcome home!

• What is in the Maropeng tour?– The visitor centre at Maropeng

takes visitors on a journey of discovery of the origins of humankind. The journey begins with an underground boat ride and concludes with an original fossil display, and is fun and educational for the whole family.

• Are there any real fossils in the Maropeng tour?– The tour concludes with an

original fossil display. Almost 1,000 hominid fossils have been discovered within the Cradle of Humankind, as well as thousands of artifacts and animal fossils, of which many species are now extinct. The fossils are on loan from various educational and scientific institutions and the exhibition changes on a regular basis.

• What does Tumulus mean?– A Tumulus is an ancient

burial mound and the story of humankind is reveal buried in an exhibition underground in the Tumulus building.

Step inside ...• Around you, you will see an

introduction to the major themes of the exhibition. The four entrance signifier columns symbolise the four elements which are essential to support life on Earth: the air that we breathe; the fire that warms us; the earth that sustains us; the water for life.

• The Cradle of Humankind was declared a World Heritage Site in 1999 because of the area’s exceptional contribution to our understanding of humankind’s history and development, over more than 3-million years.

•All together, there are 15 major fossil sites in the Cradle of Humankind, of which the Sterkfontein Caves is the most famous. The fossils “Mrs Ples” and “Little Foot” were both discovered here, as well as thousands more fossils of hominids, which are human ancestors,.

Underground boat ride

• The boat adventure starts at the present and continues on a trip back through time, retracing the various stages of the creation of our earth. Snow-making and ice-producing machines give voyagers an indication of what the most recent ice age may

have been like. The journey goes back further into time, when the world was submerged in water, and beyond that to the formation of the earth’s crust and the shifting of the tectonic plates.

Admission

• Open and closing times– The Maropeng Visitor Centre

is open to the public from 09h00 to 17h00 every day. The last boat ride departs at 16h00.

• Admission feesAdults: R105 Children (4-14 years): R60 Children under 4: Free Pensioners/Students: R75 (on production of a valid pensioner/student card)

Do you do guided tours?• Maropeng was designed as a

self-guided tour, but on weekends and public holidays guided tours are conducted at no additional cost. Upon arrival, ask the ticket office when the next tour will be. School groups are always accompanied by a guide. All the guides have under gone extensive training and have been accredited by the Gauteng Tourism Authority

Hotel and restaurants

Maropeng Hotel The Maropeng Hotel, with breathtaking views of the Witwatersberg and Magaliesberg ranges, is the epitome of luxury. It includes 24 bedrooms, sleeping up to 48 people. The Tumulus restaurant is open seven days a week. On Saturdays, our chef prepares a special of the day and on Sundays, we serve our famous carvery lunch.You may prefer to grab a light snack or meal at one of our more informal eating spots, in the Market Place Restaurant, or the Sterkfontein Caves Restaurant.

• Do you cater for any special dietary requirements?– We are able to supply conference delegates with

Halaal or koshers meals by pre-arrangement only.

• Do you serve breakfast?– Breakfast is served at the Maropeng hotel from 07h00

to 10h00 and all day at the Market Place.

• Can I bring my own food? Is there a picnic area?– There are no picnic areas at

Maropeng or Sterkfontein

Caves and no visitor may

bring their own food onto

either property.

• How many guest rooms do you have?– The hotel has 24 rooms and Hominid House

can accommodate 120 learners or guests in four different rooms.

• What star grading is the hotel?– The Maropeng hotel is a four-star hotel and is

regraded on an annual

basis.

Maropeng Conferences• There are three conference rooms

that can be used on their own, or as a combination. All the rooms have adjustable capacity, depending on your needs.

• The combined conference rooms (1, 2 & 3):

• 300 - banquet style for corporate events, weddings and other special occasions

• 370 - schoolroom style • 490 - theater style• Conference Room 2:• 70 - banquet style • 120 - schoolroom style • 160 - theatre style • Conference Room 1 or 3:• 40 - banquet style - these two

rooms are not the prefered venues for banqueting

• 50 - schoolroom style • 80 - theatre style

Early man (reconstructions)

The Skull of Mrs Ples

Sterkfontein caves

Maropeng Interpretation Centre

But, even if you're not particularly interested in visiting the place where our ancestors hung out, the Cradle of Humankind is a great place to visit and it is close to Pretoria and Johannesburg. There are enough small game farms, caves, restaurants, craft shops and guesthouses to keep you occupied for a couple of days. You could even go for a hot air balloon ride. The Cradle is also close to the town of Magaliesburg and the Magaliesberg Mountains