Five reasons to visit the Cradle this summer

October 27, 2011 – Bianca Bothma

Summer has definitely arrived in the Cradle of Humankind, and with it comes a range of fantastic specials and events at Maropeng. Here’s a selection of five things to enjoy at this time of year.

1. Watch the sunrise in the Cradle

Watch the sunrise from your hotel room with a loved one when you book the Maropeng Hotel accommodation special that includes dinner, bed and breakfast per person sharing for just R857. This offer also includes a tour of the award-winning Maropeng Visitor Centre.

Contact . or +27 (0) 14 577 9000 to make your booking and wake up to the best views in Gauteng.

2. Spend an evening under the stars

Go stargazing with Maropeng’s resident astronomer, Vincent Nettmann, as he takes you on a tour of the night sky.
Maropeng’s popular stargazing evening in November is themed “Living amongst the stars”, and the illustrated talk will include some magical stories about how the universe began. The talk will be followed by a delicious buffet dinner at the Tumulus restaurant and the chance to gaze at the stars through laser aperture telescopes.

Book online for November 5: Stargazing: Living amongst the stars

3. Search for answers with the Bone Detectives

Join Maropeng and up-and-coming scientist Brendon Billings as you search for answers about humankind’s journey through evolution on the Bone Detectives picnic and walking tour.

This month’s tour is themed “Following the footsteps of legends”, and delves into the fossil discoveries of world-renowned scientific pioneers Professor Raymond Dart, Dr Robert Broom, Dr Bob Brain and Professor Phillip Tobias in their search in and around the Sterkfontein Caves and surrounding areas.

You will be shown a display of casts of fossil remains unearthed in this region, and learn of their importance in reconstructing our evolutionary history. Finish off with an extended tour of Sterkfontein Caves and a delicious picnic lunch.

Book online for November 12: Bone Detectives: Following the footsteps of legends

4. Explore the Swartkrans fossil site

The rich fossil site, Swartkrans, is usually closed to the public, but Maropeng is giving you the exclusive opportunity to explore the site with scientist Morris Sutton, who is currently excavating there. Learn about how our human ancestors controlled fire 1-million years ago.

Finish off the tour with a delicious picnic lunch overlooking the Cradle of Humankind.

Book online for November 19: Swartkrans picnic and walking tour

5. Savour your weekend with a Sunday carvery lunch

Round off your weekend with a family day out in the Cradle of Humankind. Maropeng’s popular Sunday carvery lunch is ideal for families who want to relax and make the most of the last day of their weekend.

Enjoy the smooth sounds of Acoustic Moodz, a live jazz band, while enjoying lunch. Parents can watch from the deck as their children play in the educational playground below.

Book online for the Sunday carvery lunch.

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