Education

Teachers and learners will never forget their visit to the Cradle of Humankind and its two visitor centres – the main one packed with exciting, interactive exhibits at Maropeng, and a smaller one which is the gateway to the fascinating Sterkfontein Caves and their secrets about our past.

Why visit the Cradle of Humankind?

The Cradle of Humankind was declared a World Heritage Site in 1999 because of the area’s exceptional contribution to our understanding of the history of humanity, over more than 3-million years. All together, there are 15 major fossil sites in the Cradle of Humankind, of which Sterkfontein Caves is the most famous. The fossils “Mrs Ples” and “Little Foot” were both discovered at the Sterkfontein Caves, as well as thousands more fossils of hominids, which are human ancestors, as well those of plants and animals.

More hominid fossils have been found in the Cradle of Humankind than anywhere else on Earth. 

Resource pack

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With the help of a curriculum-linked resource pack, brimming with fascinating and practical educational material such as worksheets and suggested activities, teachers will be able to prepare learners before they visit the Cradle of Humankind, and to give them follow-up assignments afterwards. The pack is carefully integrated with the South African education curriculum, and has been endorsed by the National Department of Education. Learners at any level, studying any learning area and field, will be able to engage with appropriate content in the exhibitions.

While the guides at Maropeng have been trained to use the material and are able to assist when necessary, the resource pack has been specifically designed for teachers to structure their own educational excursion in order to gain the most possible from their experience.

Please click on the links below to download the education pack for each learning phase.

Download the school rates for 2012.

For more information, please contact Maropeng, on +27 (0) 14 577 9000, or email: ..

Group accommodation

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Why not make the best of your visit to the Cradle of Humankind, and book a school tour for a few nights?

We offer group accommodation for up to 120 learners or adults, with separate rooms for teachers or leaders in our Hominid House.

Maropeng’s Hominid House, group accommodation facility is situated in the scenic grasslands surrounding the visitor centre.

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The grounds have a lot of outdoor space in which to relax after a day of learning about evolution.


Learners can play basketball, volleyball, football and table tennis in the outdoor space surrounding the accommodation facility.

Please call us on +27 (0) 14 577 9000, or e-mail . for rates, availability or more information.

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