National park · South Africa
Cradle of Humankind
Enter the Cradle of Humankind for R80 adult entry, hike Sterkfontein (2 km (1.2 mi)) before 12 pm, or spend a full day at Maropeng museum and nearby caves; avoid weekends in summer.Enter the Cradle of Humankind for R80 adult entry, hike Sterkfontein (1.2 mi (2 km)) before 12 pm, or spend a full day at Maropeng museum and nearby caves; avoid weekends in summer.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
470 km² (181 sq mi)181 sq mi (470 km²)
approximate
Established
1999
Best months
Mar–May
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- South Africa ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport with the Department of Home Affairs or a South African mission before booking; exemptions depend on nationality, and the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is optional for most visa-exempt visitors in 2026.
- South Africa ↗Travelling with children: accompanied foreign children no longer need a birth certificate, but unaccompanied minors, South African children and some passports that omit parents' names still do; check with Home Affairs and your airline before you fly.
- South Africa ↗Driving is on the left. If your licence is not in English or has no photo, get an International Driving Permit before you travel; rental companies also check it.
- South Africa ↗National park gates open and close at fixed times; you must be inside your camp before the gate closes, and speed limits in parks are enforced.
At a glance
- Country
- South Africa
- Area
- 470 km² (181 sq mi)181 sq mi (470 km²)
- The site covers about 47 000 ha (≈ 470 km²), including fossil sites and a nature reserve; figures may vary by source.
- Established
- 1999
- Best months
- Mar–May
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Johannesburg
The Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site north of Johannesburg, protects over 200 fossil caves and offers guided tours of Sterkfontein, the Maropeng museum, and the Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1999Cradle of Humankind and associated sites.
Size and age
470 km² (181 sq mi)181 sq mi (470 km²) · national park since 1999
The site covers about 47 000 ha (≈ 470 km²), including fossil sites and a nature reserve; figures may vary by source.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Johannesburg.
Why go
- World‑heritage site with over 200 fossil caves.
- Guided tours of Sterkfontein and Maropeng museum.
- Nearby nature reserve with wildlife and Wonder Caves.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanMild, less rain.
- FebWarm, dry.
- MarSpring, good walking.
- AprClear, comfortable.
- MayCool, low crowds.
- JunRain possible.
- JulRainy, cooler.
- AugRainy, occasional storms.
- SepDry, warm.
- OctDry, pleasant.
- NovWarm, low rain.
- DecMild, dry.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various bat and small mammal species in cavesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Rhinoceros and lion sightings in reserveMay–Dec | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Maropeng Visitor Centre | Museum, exhibition halls, restaurant, gift shop. | Open daily 9 AM–5 PM with ticket. |
| Sterkfontein Caves | Guided 2 km (1.2 mi) cave walk, fossil displays.Guided 1.2 mi (2 km) cave walk, fossil displays. | Guided tours only, ticket required. |
| Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve | Wildlife reserve with Wonder Caves. | Open with entry fee (check). |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate for main attractions.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sterkfontein entry (adult) | ZAR 80 (≈ US$5) | person | R80 adults, R50 children 4‑14, R60 pensioners. |
| Maropeng visitors centre | ZAR 80 (≈ US$5) | person | R80 adults, R45 children, R60 pensioners. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guided tour for Sterkfontein permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- R 80≈ US$5
- R 80≈ US$5
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Maropeng – Cradle of Humankind before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for all cave tours.
- Photography
- No flash in caves to protect fossils.
- Pets
- Not allowed in the reserve or caves.
- Smoking
- Prohibited throughout the park.
- Drones
- Not permitted without special permission.
Where to stay
Near the park
Maropeng Hotel
Convenient rooms adjacent to the visitor centre.
Near the park
Forum Homini Boutique Hotel
Luxury suites in Kromdraai valley, includes breakfast.
Safety
Heat on outdoor walks medium
Getting lost in caves high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Visitor centre accessible by car with short paved walk.
- Cave tours involve stairs and uneven surfaces; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in locally owned accommodation.
- Support the Maropeng education programmes.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Cradle of Humankind?
R80 for adults at Maropeng or Sterkfontein; children 4‑14 pay R50, pensioners R60; some attractions have separate fees.
What are the best hikes in Cradle of Humankind?
Guided walk at Sterkfontein (2 km) and the Wonder Caves trail in Rhino & Lion Reserve; both require a guide.
When is the best time to visit Cradle of Humankind?
Spring (Sept‑Nov) and autumn (Mar‑May) offer mild weather and fewer crowds.
Can I visit the caves without a guide?
No. All cave tours are guided to protect the sites and ensure safety.
Is there public transport to the Cradle?
Limited; most visitors drive from Johannesburg or join a tour.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
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