Since its declaration as a World Heritage Site in 1999, the Cradle of Humankind has developed into one of South Africa’s top tourism attractions.
Before its global recognition, Sterkfontein Caves was a place of archaeological interest where, in 1947, Dr Robert Broom discovered Mrs Ples – the remains of australopithecus africanus and, up till then, the oldest hominid fossil remains discovered.
You could visit the caves, take a guided tour, drink a cup of tea and visit rudimentary exhibits. Now things are somewhat different. The caves are still there, of course, but the facilities are new and updated.
The Cradle of Humankind has its own gateway a few kilometres away in the form of Maropeng, the huge tumulus – a recreation of an ancient burial mound – which attracts visitors from around the world.
Maropeng is a great adventure for anyone interested in the past. A subterranean boat ride takes visitors to more than 2 500m2 of underground museum with fascinating interactive exhibits and easy-to-understand information on the evolution of man.
It is not cheap, though. The cost of entrance is R80 for adults, R45 for children and R60 for pensioners.
The Cradle of Humankind covers the area around Kromdraai, where, apart from Sterkfontein Caves, there are a number of interesting things to see and do. The Wonder Cave, like its more famous cousin down the road, is more than 2,2-million years old. Indeed, this landscape, with its rolling dolomite hills, gives way to the Magaliesberg, dated at more than two billion years.
The Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve next door to the Wonder Cave stock not just rhino and lion, but cheetah, wild dog, tigers and snakes. Displays and feeding sessions give visitors the chance to learn about these species and interact with some of them.
The Magalies Meander takes visitors on a slow drive through stunning scenery and picturesque settlements, dotted with coffee shops, arts and curio centres, farm stalls, as well as guest houses, lodges and hotels.
The route takes visitors to the border of the Gauteng/North West provinces, taking in Hartbeespoort Dam before doubling back to the Cradle of Humankind.
For the adventurous there are canopy tours, 4X4 trails, abseiling, hiking routes, horse riding and even hot air ballooning. Culture vultures are also catered for with initiatives such as the Lesedi Cultural Village, where guests can learn about South Africa’s rainbow of ethnic communities from the San to the Zulu and Venda to Ostri-San. There is a recreated village where visitors learn about the heritage of the Khoi-San and their unique rock art.
The Crocodile Ramble is another interesting tourism route bordering the Cradle of Humankind. Following the path of the Crocodile River, the ramble is more than just a walk along the river (although this is one of its highlights). Along the route are curio shops, arts and crafts galleries, restaurants, pubs, antiques shops and some quaint guest houses and bed-and-breakfast establishments.
Many dismiss Gauteng as uninteresting, but the truth is that once you start to explore your own backyard as a tourist, rather than a native, you begin to discover things you did not know were there.
There are a wealth of things to see and do and you don’t have to be stinking rich (most of what’s on offer is affordable) or into anthropology to enjoy it – just adventurous and filled with a bit of pioneering spirit. So get out there and start exploring.