The Sterkfontein Caves, a well known visitor attraction and world famous for its fossil finds, including Mrs Ples and Little Foot, boasts conference facilities for 120 delegates, a restaurant with views over lush farm lands to the undulating Magaliesberg in the distance.

The 260m² hominid exhibition consists of four large showcases which include lifelike models of hominids, a sabre tooth cat, cave formations, geologies, early life forms, paleo botany and much more.

Sterkfontein Caves Introduces Visitor Management Policy TO PRESERVE ITS NATURAL HERITAGE

In 1999, the fossil hominid sites of Sterkfontein Caves, Swartkrans, Kromdraai and Environs in the Cradle of Humankind were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, which aims to preserve areas of exceptional value throughout the world. In addition to holding World Heritage Site status, the Sterkfontein Caves is also a declared national heritage site as proclaimed by the South African Heritage Resources Agency (www.sahra.org.za). The SAHRA abides by international conservation principles to protect places of cultural significance in South Africa for future generations. The legislation serves to protect conservation-worthy places including archaeological and palaeontological sites that provide an understanding of the history of the earth, life on earth and humankind.

National heritage sites are required to practice sound visitor management to preserve South Africa’s natural resources. In accordance to the guidelines set out by the SAHRA, visitor numbers to the Sterkfontein Caves will be limited and it is advisable to book in advance to ensure entry as ad hoc admission will be phased out over the following months. Sterkfontein Caves reserves the right to refuse entry should the daily visitor limit be exceeded. The entrance fee is R75 for adults, R58 for pensioners and R45 for children. Booking is essential for all groups and school groups.

To facilitate the growing interest in this internationally acclaimed heritage attraction, Maropeng was purpose-built as the gateway to the Cradle of Humankind, showcasing the wealth of paleao-anthropological evidence found in this area. The visitor centre offers insight into the progress that humankind has made from our early beginnings to where we are today, and concludes with an original fossil display of ancient remains found in the Cradle of Humankind. The visitor centre is open daily from 9am to 5pm and directions are available on www.maropeng.co.za. 

Open: Daily – tours depart every 30 mins from 9am–4pm
t 014 577 9000  f 014 577 9500
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