The Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site offers both serious insights into the origins of everyone alive today, as well as delightfully modern adventures, filled with excitement, innovation and fun.

On the 2nd of December, 1999, the World Heritage Committee conferred World Heritage Site status to the Cradle of Humankind, in recognition of its remarkable fossil heritage, which includes one third of all the hominin (human ancestor) fossils ever found. Scientific research has shown that every person in the world descends from a small group of ancestors on the African continent.

A Management Authority was appointed by the South African Government to protect the fossil sites and to encourage tourism development through the development of infrastructure and the creation of a world class  facility through a Public Private Partnership.  On 24th  September 2005, the Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ncguka opened the new facilities at Sterkfontein.  Maropeng,  was opened by President Thabo Mbeki on 7th December 2005.

The Interpretation Centre Complex of Maropeng and Sterkfontein have received diverse prestigious awards for construction, tourism, travel, heritage, government projects, children’s offerings, sustainability, business and marketing. Come and see for yourself why this superb destination just keeps gleaning accolades.

A broad range of hotels, lodges, guest houses and bed and breakfast accommodation are also available within the site.  There are also restaurants and pubs, a cultural village, private game reserves, craft shops, art galleries and plant nurseries. The adventurous can enjoy hot air ballooning, horse riding, river rafting and much more. The Cradle of Humankind, a unique place of universal importance, is waiting for you to explore, discover and experience a whole lot of life, where life began. We have been waiting for you for four million years! What are you waiting for?

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www.cradleofhumankind.co.za