What’s happening at Maropeng this October
4 October: Cooper’s Cave picnic and tour
There’s no better way to teach your children something new than by letting them experience it first-hand, and there’s not much to beat Cooper’s Cave, a living museum in which fossils remain embedded in ancient rock to tell tales of a bygone era.
“You can walk through the site and see literally hundreds of fossils in the rocks around you – it’s an incredible experience,” says Christine Steininger, tour leader and palaeoanthropologist associated with the Palaeosciences Centre at the University of the Witwatersrand.
Christine’s passion for human evolution and fossils, along with her wealth of knowledge about this remarkable landscape, add great value to every tour she conducts.
The day’s activities include a walking tour that describes the environment past and present, an interactive fossil and site talk, exploring a cave, searching for fossils in recently excavated deposits, and learning how to make stone tools.
Cooper’s Cave is renowned for the diversity of animals contained in its fossil record. It was on this exact spot some 1.8- to 1.4-million years ago that hunting hyena and sabre-toothed cats once stalked their prey while early hominin Paranthropus robustus fought for survival.
An open woodland habitat with abundant food and water attracted a range of species to the area, many of which remain frozen in time for modern humans to discover. The high level of calcium carbonate contained in the surrounding rock structure helped to speed up the preservation process and promote fossilisation of remains.
Learn about the fascinating research that’s taking place at Cooper’s Cave and gain a personal perspective on the fossil record. The cave is an easy 1.2km walk from the Sterkfontein Caves, which makes it an ideal family outing. A picnic rounds off an exciting day’s outdoor activities.
Cost: R375 per adult and R150 for children (4-14 years), which includes the tour and a light picnic lunch
Time: 09h00
Venue: Guests are to meet at the Sterkfontein Caves to meet with Dr Steininger before walking to Cooper’s Cave.
Please note prams are not recommended unless they are suitable for outdoor or uneven terrain. Guests are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a jersey, torch, hat, sunscreen and camera. An itinerary will be sent via SMS the day before the event.
Should you wish to combine your tour with a stay at the Maropeng Hotel, please contact Mmathabo Maine on 014 577 9000 or mmathabom@maropeng.co.za to make a reservation. Click here to book now.
25 October: Stargazing – Our Spring Skies – Maropeng Tumulus Restaurant
The Sotho and Tswana call it Selemela, and the Zulu isiLimela, who believed that these stars die in winter dusk and are reborn in the rainy season (the Pleiades reappear in the evening sky in October). The Selemela are “the hoeing stars”, or “the digging stars”, indicating their importance as an agricultural sign.
Join Maropeng’s resident astronomer, Vincent Nettman, for a basic introduction to astronomy, featuring this Spring season’s “Holly Wood” astronomical objects. Weather permitting, there will be an opportunity to do some large-aperture telescope viewing afterwards. Please remember to dress warmly and bring your own binoculars.
Age: All ages
Time: 17h30 Arrival for welcome drinks in the reception nave
18h00 Stargazing presentation in the designated conference room
19h30 Guests will walk up to the restaurant for the buffet dinner
Stargazing through the telescopes takes place after dinner
Venue: Maropeng Tumulus Restaurant
Cost: The cost for this special evening, including the stargazing presentation and buffet dinner, is R295 per adult and R165 per child (4-14 years).
Please note the stargazing event is subject to weather conditions but the talks and dinner will still take place. Guests will receive the itinerary via SMS the day before the event.
Should you wish to combine this event with a stay at the Maropeng Boutique Hotel, please contact Mmathabo Maine on 014 577 9000 or mail mmathabom@maropeng.co.za to make a reservation. click here to book now.
Ongoing: Kiddies’ birthday parties
Maropeng has put together a number of fun and educational kiddies’ birthday party packages. While parents relax and enjoy the splendour of their surroundings, the children will be entertained by a guided tour of the Sterkfontein Caves or Maropeng Visitor Centre, followed by supervised party games. A number of optional party extras such as a birthday cake, lunch pack, lucky packet, jumping castle and child minders are also available.
Age: The party packages cater for all ages
Time: To be confirmed with the booking
Venue: Either at Sterkfontein Caves or Maropeng, to be confirmed with the booking
For more information on costs, events, bookings and essential requirements, call us on 014 577 9000 or visit www.maropeng.co.za.