Geological Wonders on outskirts of Johannesburg:
The Cradle of Humankind:
The Cradle of Humankind was declared a World Heritage Site in December 1999. The area is approximately 48 000 hectares, housing the caves of Sterkfontein, Driemolen, Swartkrans and the Wonder Caves. Many other fossil sites exist in this area but only 13 have been excavated to date. The area is of universal value, providing a crucial insight into the early stages of human development including the environment in which our remote ancestors hunted and lived.
Sterkfontein Cave:
Sterkfontein Cave is situated 35km to the North-West of Johannesburg. It is the richest hominid site in South Africa accounting for 40% of the world's hominid fossils.
History/Sterkfontein: 
The cave opening was discovered in 1896 by Mr. G. Martignalia who was mining the Sterkfontein Hill. The cave was subsequently explored and found to contain magnificent flow stone formations, which attracted the interest of several geologists. (Martin et al., 2003). Between 1918 and 1920, however, the cave was irreversibly damaged by limestone mining exploitation and explosions.
In 1924, Dr. Raymond Dart discovered the fossilized skull of a young Australopithecus africanus individual; nicknamed the Taung Child.
In 1936, Dr. Robert Broom (who was conducting excavations in the area) discovered an almost complete skull and intact upper dentition of an adult Australopithecus africanus (Broom 1936). Regular visits to the cave by Broom returned a number of other australopithecine fossils as well as a wealth of other mammalian material.
In 1947, Broom discovered the most complete australopithecene known as Mrs. Ples.
In 1957, the owners of the Sterkfontein farm donated the cave and surrounding areas to the University of Witwatersrand.
In 1976, a specimen of Homo habilis was found.
In 1994, Little Foot was discovered by R. Clarke and P. Tobias. This is the most the complete australopithecene skeleton, and skull (more than 3 million years old) to date. The excavation is currently still on-going.
More than 500 Australopithecus specimens and 9000 stone tools have been discovered to date. (J.E.J.MARTINI, P.E.WIPPLINGER, H.F.G.MOEN and A.KEYSER CONTRIBUTION TO THE SPELEOLOGY OF STERKFONTEIN CAVE, GAUTENG PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA. Int. J. Speleol., 32 (1/4) 2003: 43-69).
The tour/Sterkfontein: 
There are two levels in the cave, the upper section that was open at the surface for millions of years and contains the fossils. The lower section is open to the public with spectacular shapes, eroded from the dolomite. A complex near the entrance includes a virtual reality auditorium, exhibition spaces, lecture theatre, restaurant and shop. From here tours are conducted through the iconic caves, which reveal the unfolding journey of humankind.
The exhibition/Sterkfontein:
Professionally created, interesting and easy to understand displays provide information and life like illustrations of the evolution of human kind; covering Hominid illustrations from the 7 million year old Chad Toumai fossil through to modern humans. Fossil finds such as Mrs Ples, Little foot and the Taung Child are discussed in detail.
Maropeng:
Setswana word "returning to the place of origin". Intriguing interactive journey through the history of life on earth. Humankind's origins and its continuing journey into the future. Go back in time in a boat ride The site overlooks the magnificent Magaliesberg and Witwatersberg mountain ranges.
Wonder Cave:
2.2 million years old with a 45 000 cubic meter chamber accommodating stalactite and stalagmite formations of up to 15 meters. It was opened to the public in 1991. Early lime mining fortunately did not damage this natural wonder. Access to the cave is via 88 steps to a lift that will take you down into the cave. Pathways are well lit and no crawling is necessary. This allows easy public access.
Swartkrans:
The second richest site in this area with numerous hominid fossils finds, predominantly of Australopithecus robustus. Bone tools have been found, thought to have been made and used by Homo Ergaster, the forefather of Homo sapiens. Swartkrans is the site of fossilized hearths, demonstrating the earliest known use of fire. A collection of 270 burnt bones, 1.3 million years old, clearly proves this ability to control fire.
Driemolen:
is the third richest site in the area with only recent excavations, which include 75 fossils of Australopithecus robustus and a 2 million year old, almost complete female skull.
Bolt's Farm: saber toothed cat fossils found.
Haasgat: Forest dwelling monkey fossils were discovered.
Gondolin: 90 000 fossil specimens have been found since 1979.
Kromdraai: Aged between 1.6 to 1.9 million years old with the first fossil discovery of Paranthropus robustus and three different saber toothed cats as well as thousands of animal fossils being found.
Kromdraai gold mine: Gold was discovered in the Kromdraai area in 188 - 5 years ahead of the main reef discovery on the Witwatersrand. The Kromdraai Gold Mine received the first gold mining concession from the then President, Paul Kruger. The mine was closed in 1914.
Kromdraai gold mine Underground Tour: Walk through a large entrance hole on the side of the hill, walking down through the roughly worked tunnels. The coco pan tracks leading you into the heart of the mountain. Marvel at the conditions the miners had to endure while extracting the Gold ore and view the old mining methods. The mine conforms to modern safety standards and is regularly inspected and is a safe with an easy walk for all ages.
Blaauwbank Mine: Historic Gold Mine Tour: this is the oldest gold mine in Gauteng. First claims were worked in the early part of 1874. Mines like Blaauwbank led to the discovery of the largest gold deposit in the world that resulted in the Johannesburg "Gold Rush" Experience the mine with a hard hat and lamp. See how the early miners worked the gold bearing ore. Original equipment on view includes coco pans, picks, shovels and rope winches. You can have the opportunity to crush ore and even pan for gold! View the boarding house of the first diggers with a visit to the "graveyard" of the miners who worked the original claims in those early years.
The Blaauwbank mine is not located in the Cradle of Humankind, however is a perfect option to include with the Kromdraai Gold Mine Tour
Other important sites within the Cradle of Humankind include Coopers Cave, Motsetsi, Gladysvale and Plover's Lake, producing a wealth of fossils crucial to palaeo-anthropological research.
Please Note:
Only the Sterkfontein caves and the Wonder Caves are open to the general public.
Tours to the other sites can be arranged and are conducted by specialist paleontologists. Prior notice is required and extra costs are applicable.
Lunch option for this day or half day tour: The carnivore restaurant: the finest selection of game meats - a gastronomical feast from ostrich, blue wildebeest and Kudu to a crocodile steak prepared to perfection. Sample the best game dishes South Africa has to offer.
Perfect tour options to include with the Cradle of Humankind to create a full day tour:
Lion Park or Rhino and Lion Reserve or Elephant Sanctuary or DeWildt Cheetah
For Tour details or bookings - please Contact us
Soweto Tour - Johannesburg Tour - Apartheid Museum - Constitution Hill - Gold Reef City - Lion Park
De Wildt Cheetah Sanctuary - Elephant Sanctuary interaction - Pretoria Tour - Pilanesberg National Park
Sun City and the Lost City - Cullinan Diamond Mine - Rhino and Lion Park - The Origins Centre
Adventure Sports - Nile Crocodile Farm - The Lesedi Cultural Village - Cradle of Humankind
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