Cradle of Humankind.

The Cradle of Humankind is a 47 OOOha site in western Gauteng that has produced amazing hominoid fossils, A World Heritage Site. It features scenic routes through beautiful countryside, hundreds of tourist attractions and a host of outdoor activities. The core of the area is the Maropeng Visitors Centre and the world-famous Sterkfontein Caves. Here you can literally take a journey through time on a self-guided tour that starts in a boat on an 'underground lake' at 'the beginning of time' and ends centuries later in the high-tech exhibition hall where the fossil discoveries and modern life are examined.

You can either do Maropeng as a stand-alone day trip or combine it with a visit to the nearby Sterkfontein Caves. The scientifically significant Mrs Ples was found in these caves, so the guided tour is a must, You don't need to be exceptionally fit, but there is a bit of squeezing through tunnels, making comfortable clothes and shoes essential.

The Cradle of Humankind provides for an interesting, if not highly educational, day out. The drive there is easy and pretty, and it can be extended to include any of the many other attractions in the area.