An hour’s drive from Johannesburg and Pretoria, Sterkfontein is made up of a series of limestone caves which are world-famous for their fossil finds. It’s a popular destination for both tourists and locals. Following a remodelling in 2005, the Sterkfontein Caves site is now home to restaurants and conference facilities, with easy access to the caves on walkways, as well as a boardwalk that goes past the excavation site where the important fossils were discovered.
Exploring The Caves
The Sterkfontein Caves are owned by the University of the Witwatersrand, whose scientists have been responsible for the main excavations at this World Heritage Site. They are credited with many of the discoveries in the caves, including the world-famous fossils of Mrs Ples and Little Foot. Can you believe Little Foot is more than three million years old? Tours of the Sterkfontein Caves are conducted seven days a week. Call 014 577 9000 on the day of your visit to book a tour.
But if you arrive and find the next cave-tour slot fully booked, don’t fret – grab a bite to eat at the Sterkfontein restaurant and enjoy the views while you wait for the next available slot. You can find out about the times from the ticket office or one of the guides.
Where To Eat In The Area
Tumulus restaurant
About 11km away at the Maropeng Visitor Centre, this upmarket restaurant is situated on the first floor and features a deck with a beautiful view of the Witwatersberg and Magaliesberg. Serving light meals and a carvery lunch on Sunday, we recommend that you arrive early so you can enjoy a pre-lunch drink or sundowner on the deck before your meal. Who knows, you might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of buck and other game on the next door property. The Tumulus is open seven days a week. To book a table, call 014 577 9000 or send an email to info@ maropeng. co. za. Find out more here.
Market Place restaurant
This restaurant is located within the Market Place on the approach to the Maropeng Visitor Centre in the Tumulus building. It offers a variety of delicious, light meals and snacks in a piazza-like setting. Enjoy a bite here before popping into the shops that surround the square. Click here for more information.
What To Do
Maropeng Visitor Centre is an award-winning, world-class exhibition showcasing the development of our ancestors over millions of years. It takes you on an interactive journey back in time, starting with the formation of the planet and moving all the way through the evolutionary processes that culminated in the world as we know it today. Here you can see fossils, ancient stone tools and much more. It’s a self-guided tour so you can take your time and lose yourself in the origins of humankind.
If you’d like to stay over, the Maropeng Boutique Hotel on-site is the epitome of luxury accommodation in the Cradle of Humankind. You can use it as your base to make the most of exploring this part of Gauteng.
