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Johannesburg Tours
Cradle of Humankind - A look back in time
5

Cradle of Humankind - A look back in time

By Cashan Africa Tours & Safaris
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The Cradle of Humankind is a protected 47 000 hectare Unesco World Heritage site.It is situated in a completely unique geological and ecological region of the planet. This is what was made it both special for the evolution of humankind and also for the preservation of that extraordinarily rich record in its buried fossils. The cave systems are the major part of its attractions and make valuable contributions to the global research into our shared origins. Both Sterkfontein and the Maropeng sites bring all this to guests in an interesting and understandable fashion. A bonus is the exquisite landscapes of the Cradle. There are nearly 600 cave sites, incredible paleontological discoveries, game reserves and private boutique hotels and conference centres, The Cradle is a popular weekend break away area, testament to its success.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 6-85
Duration: 8h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
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  • 1 bottle still mineral water per person
What's not included
  • Alcoholic Beverages


Start:Multiple pickup locations offered.
  • Rosebank, 130 Oxford Rd, Melrose, Johannesburg, 2196, South Africa
    Your guide will meet you holding a Cashan Africa sign at the entrance of the Oxford St entrance of the Rosebank Gautrain train station.
Hotel pickup offered
During checkout you will be able to select from the list of included hotels.
    Airport pickup offered
    During checkout you will be able to select from the list of included airports.
    • Johannesburg Intl Airport, Johannesburg South Africa
    • Lanseria Airport, Lanseria South Africa
    End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

      • Not wheelchair accessible
      • Infant seats available
      If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 150702P3

      • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
      • Not recommended for travellers with back problems
      • Not recommended for pregnant travellers
      • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
      • Travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level
      • This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
      • This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

      • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

      If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 150702P3

      From
      R 2 880,00
      per adult (price varies by group size)
      Select date and travellers

      Similar experiences

      Itinerary
      • 1
        Classic Cradle Day Tour 09:00: Your guide will meet you at your Guesthouse. 17:30: Drop off at Guesthouse. This private tour is a full day tour. The tour explores the Cradle World Heritage site. This is a 47 000 hectare area of farmland, spas and small hotels with several game reserves, all are set in the varied ancient landscape. This special tour takes you to the Cradle Boutique Hotel where you go on an open game vehicle drive through the beautiful Cradle Nature Reserve to the Motsetse site cave which is a fossil dig and the Malapa Museum based at the hotel. Lunch will be at the Cradle Farm Stall which is nearby the Cradle Boutique Hotel. Included are guide fees, toll fees, fuel, mineral water and all entries. Excluded: Gratuities, lunch and alcoholic beverages.
      About the operator
      Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
      • Cashan Africa Tours & Safaris
        231
        South Africa
        Joined in September 2011
      • raylwaters
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        The best tour experience you could ever book! Knowledgable and personable guide
        The best tour experience you could ever book! The most incredible tour guide I've ever had - Chris! Chris picked me up from my residence at 6:00am and we drove 2.5 hours to Pilanesberg from Johannesburg. Along the way, Chris had an endless vault of knowledge about the surrounding areas and its history - making the drive seem a lot quicker! When we arrived at Pilanesberg, I joined a 9-seater open air 4x4 with 8 other travelers who booked from other tours. The tour group that took us around Pilanesberg was led by Kgabo Safaris. The guide, Dumi, was brilliant. He was very knowledgable, professional, and most of all patient. Dumi taught us all so much with his easy way of communicating and vast knowledge of all things South Africa. Dumi was incredibly friendly with a dry sense of humor that put everyone in a good mood. After 3 hours of touring, we stopped for lunch where I met back up with Chris. I said farewell to my Kgabo Safari friends and went with Chris to a new lunch spot. On the way to lunch, we stopped by multiple look-out areas which are fenced in and allow you to see over the water and really take in the beauty of the park. Chris provided binoculars which helped a ton! We ate lunch at Legends, which is a resort/restaurant that overlooks the park with fabulous views. After lunch, Chris and I continued in his SUV around areas of the park I hadn't yet seen. After 4 more hours of touring around the park, we called it a day and Chris drove me back to my residence. I highly recommend Cashan Africa Tours! Chris and Penny plan out everything so you don't have anything to worry about - you can solely enjoy the park and all of the beauty it offers! Chris' knowledge of ecology, geology, geography, history, etc make this trip totally worthwhile as you understand everything you are witnessing throughout the day and learning along the way!
        Written 30 October 2023
      • Chrysaetos66
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Safari in Kruger National Park
        5 day 4 nights in Kruger National Park with the most knowledgeable pleasant and helpful guide, Chris Green. His knowledge of history, botany, mammalogy and ecology was beyond belief. Excellent !
        Written 24 July 2023
      • maxvictorw
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Incredible experience!
        Awesome experience! Very sympathetic guide, amazing nature and beautiful animals! Would recommend to anyone who wants to experience something unique and wonderful!
        Written 2 April 2023
      • arlop2013
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Cashan Africa - Pilanesberg 4 day tour
        After two earlier trips we returned to South Africa to have a trip with Chris. This time we brought the kids with us to make this a greater challenge (3 and 6 years). Previous experiences with Chris were so positive we had to include him in the trip again. Why? His knowledge of multiple topics is extraordinary. Plus he is a great guy, a treat to have around you, is concerned about safety and mindful of your wishes. I mentioned knowledge and I will give you background on this. History of South Africa and human kind, geology, Johannesburg area, Pilanesberg, animals, plantlife. Also, we witnessed Chris’ interaction with the kids and he makes topics interesting for them. Making stories of plants tangible, telling details of animals and their behavior, identifying different kinds of animal poo and tracks, which are very important if you are on game drives. If you are looking for a guide with extensive knowledge, a great sense of humor and someone genuinely interested in you Chris very well fits that bill. You will not be disappointed!
        Written 17 August 2022
      • Andrew S
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Amazing 4 day safari experience in Pilansberg, South Africa
        I can’t recommend Cashan Africa highly enough, we had an amazing experience from start to finish. We travelled from England with our 2 kids (12 and 14). Penny was brilliant at arranging everything, offering various options snd accommodating some last minute changes with no fuss. We were picked up from our hotel in Johannesburg at 8am by Chris who drove us to Pilansberg where we stayed at the excellent Kwa Maritame Lodge. Chris is a fantastic guide and great company. He has amazing knowledge of the wildlife, nature and the history of South Africa. He is really good, easy company and was brilliant with our kids, particularly our son Billy (12) who is mad about wildlife. He really encouraged his interest and animals and Billy loved talking to him. Over the 4 days we went out on a mixture of game drives with the lodge and with Chris in his 4 x 4. On each drive we saw something different so it is definitely worth going for a few days. Pilansberg is a great option for families as it is only 2 hours from Johannesburg. It has the big 5 and everything you’d want to see without being too big. The Kwa Maritame lodge was lovely, a high standard of accommodation within the park itself. Great location and excellent food. We had a brilliant time from start to finish, Penny even arranged a visit to a crocodile and reptile centre on the way back to Johannesburg. I highly recommend booking with Cashan Africa - a great service and very reasonably priced. The memories will stay with us forever!
        Written 30 July 2022
      • BETTYCAP156
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Three Incredible Days in Pilanesberg
        Dear Chris, What an amazing experience! I could not have asked for a better guide/companion for my visit to Pilanesberg. I am so grateful to have had 3 relaxing days to enjoy everything that the Park has to offer. Some might consider you saved "the best" for last (the roaring lioness and the elusive leopard) but I loved every moment on days one and two that led up to those exciting sightings on our final day. You showed me that there is so much more to a safari than "The Big Five." I made a tally as best I could of all that you shared with me: at least 24 different birds (probably many more!!) 20+ animal species; vegetation that feeds the animals, grooms the animals, protects and cures ills. What I didn't expect was the peacefulness of this experience. You shared a very special place with me that felt all the more meaningful knowing how much it means to you and how connected you are to the place. Thank you for being so generous, taking on a solo traveler and sharing your excitement, expertise, amazing knowledge and all your wonderful stories of Pilanesberg. I hope I will be back again soon! Thanks again! Beth C from Maine, USA
        Written 12 March 2020
      • mayacars
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Insanely fantastic!
        If you’re deciding who to book a tour with, or whether to go on one at all - absolutely without a doubt book with Cashan Africa. Every single part of this safari was phenomenal, Chris’s knowledge, hospitality and ability to spot wildlife is unparalleled. We were absolutely fascinated by Chris’s retelling of the geology and culture of the local area, even on the drive out of Johannesburg we were amazed at how much firsthand historical knowledge Chris had, it made the most average street corners actually seem interesting! The Pilanesberg park itself is beautiful and to experience it properly we absolutely recommend choosing Cashan; from learning about the behaviour of animals, safely navigating the park, spotting rare animals and hearing about the vast array of plant species, Cashan really makes the park come to life.
        Written 11 March 2020
      • JamesELu
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Three tours, all wonderful!
        In early January, I did three tours with Chris Green. All flawless. He picked me up at the airport, and we drove to Pilanesberg to do the three day safari. His knowledge and conversations were always enlightening. We also saw many animals, and, due to the time of year, baby ones too! I was dropped off at the Lucky Bean guest house in Melville.The next day, I did the Soweto bike tour, (not with Chris, but nice too). Then with Chris we did the Cradle Tour and the day after the Discover Johannesburg tour. Both extremely nice too. Everything I have read in the few reviews around this one is very true. A bunch of great experiences. Excellent insights.
        Written 12 February 2020
      • skyjockey99
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Brilliant! Perfect second tour with Cashan
        We'd had a superb Jo'burg tour with Chris last time we visited from the UK, so when we found ourselves with 10 hours stop over at OR Tambo (Jo'burg airport), we contacted Chris and Penny at Cashan for ideas - and they put together a special and different tour of South Africa's nearby capital, Pretoria. As before, the whole tour was faultless and Chris went out of his way to be helpful, picking us up from a different terminal, looking after our bags, working out we needed a lunch stop, and delivering us back to departures in good time for our flight home. We saw the Union Buildings, toured the embassy area, the impressive University, the markets around the railway station, saw the Voortrekker Monument, and had a moving visit around Freedom Park and the musuem there. The thing I like about Chris is that he has a vast amount of knowledge - about safaris/camps/guides, wildlife, birds, plants, history (from the start of mankind through to current), and senses how much you can absorb. He is passionate about all things - as you can see when he describes some of the aspects of Africa's history. I would almost visit South Africa just to get his insights and explanations - it makes the whole visit so much more memorable.
        Written 30 January 2020
      • Elaine C
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        4 days and 3 nights in Pilanesberg National Park
        Chris picked us up from OR Tambo, was very friendly and helped us with all our bags. Right from the very beginning, we can tell that he has a very good grasp on the area, the animals, and the people. He helped us check in and started a game drive right away. In the 4 days that we spent with him, we never saw him tired from driving, explaining, and sharing his expertise. He was very patient and accommodating with all our questions. His years of experience shaped his profound view of the game reserve and the animals. He knows even the smallest details of everything - how each animal is part of the bigger wildlife picture, the names of the plants and how they are used, and how each insect and leaf contribute to the biome. He knows the area, the staff and other guides and everyone knows him too. We were very lucky to have seen the big 5 and numerous action-packed encounters while on the road. We brought home beautiful photos, deeper appreciation and knowledge of the animals and wildlife and unforgettable memories.
        Written 30 December 2019
      • fornimartina
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Unforgettable
        Chris is an extremely well prepared guide, a true nature lover and a great animals-spotter. I learned a lot about the park of Pilanesberg and it's gorgeous environment, I have seen many beautiful creatures and had a very pleasant day! Good service of picking up and drop off as well.
        Written 17 December 2019
      • nmi_munro
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Day out to Maropeng and Sterkfontein caves
        Travelled out to Sterkfontein caves and Maropeng with Chris. He is a mine of information--historical, geographical, botanical and geological. Also, a very pleasant guy--humble but enormously experienced and well informed. The caves are impressive in a way, but I've seen better stalactites in China and better cave lighting in Gibraltar. What was more impressive was Chris's knowledge of medicinal and other uses of plants growing outside. Now I know what to put on an infected wound in the African bush. The carse is a strange landscape. You do feel close to the early hominids running around there. It feels like a landscape full of ghosts. Maropeng is a wonderful building and a great location, but the museum itself feels a bit tired. There isn't that much to see. Good message though: we are all human, no matter what we look like, and we came from Africa.
        Written 6 November 2019
      • Malindi123
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Pilanesberg - Great Way to Spend a Day
        Chris Green has a wealth of knowledge about the area on the way to Pilanesberg, as well as, the park itself. This makes for a fact- and fun-filled day. Chris’s love for what he’s doing is apparent and his enthusiastic guiding makes for a day very well spent.
        Written 27 October 2019
      • trooper92
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Perfect Safari Tour
        Penny was very helpful in planning out three day Pilanesberg tour, and Chris was a perfect guide. You should at least plan for two, better three days in Pilanesberg as you will need 2,5 hours for getting there/back and frequent game drives will increase your chances not only to see the big five, but also to enjoy other wildlife without a hurry, an have an eye for plants and geology. Chris shared his vast knowledge in all these fields and made our trip not only interesting, but also really enjoyable.
        Written 22 September 2019
      • alex_rdf
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Fantastic safari!
        We did a day trip from Johannesburg to Pilanesberg National Park -- it was really fun and super reasonably priced. I would totally recommend it! Our guide, Chris, was excellent: he was extremely knowledgeable and had good answers for all our questions (we asked many!), whether on nature/animals or society/culture/history; he was very friendly and kind; and he was extraordinary at spotting animals (it would have been impossible for us to see as many without him -- we saw elephants, rhinos, crocodiles, hippos, giraffes, a hyena and a jackal, among many others). Chris is passionate about what he does and it definitely shows, which makes for a great experience for his customers.
        Written 9 September 2019
      See all 231 reviews
      These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

      Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

      Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.


      5.0
      5.0 of 5 bubbles2 reviews
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      Megan J
      Ohio12 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Sept 2023 • Solo
      While in Johannesburg for a couple of days, I reached out on the advice of a fellow traveler to see if there was any availability on short notice. Not only did they accommodate me, but Chris spent 10 hours with me going through Johannesburg and Soweto, including a stop at Mandela House, in the morning. We then grabbed lunch at the iconic Wandie's Place and spent the afternoon at the Cradle of Humankind.

      Chris's knowledge about, well, absolutely everything, shines through and it is clear he loves what he does. I especially loved the trip to the Cradle - the anthropologist in me was blown away getting to walk near one of the caves where our ancestors had walked millions of years ago.

      1000% recommend this company and Chris as a guide - it was an amazing day for me.
      Written 8 October 2023
      This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

      Rusty Scarborough
      United States13 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Jul 2023 • Couples
      Chris’s knowledge of the geology and paleontology of the site as well as his ecological knowledge was hard to believe someone could know so much in detail!
      Awesome day!
      Written 21 July 2023
      This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
      *Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

      Cradle of Humankind - A look back in time provided by Cashan Africa Tours & Safaris

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