Maropeng Visitor Centre
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Museum at Maropeng Visitor Centre © Meraj Chhaya, License![]()
Fact or scientific foolery? You decide. Either way, a visit to the Maropeng Vistor Centre is well worth doing © Meraj Chhaya, License
Maropeng Visitor Centre
Maropeng Visitor Centre
The Cradle of Humankind is one of eight World Heritage Sites in South Africa, and the only one that falls into the Gauteng province. The site is within easy traveling distance of Johannesburg and Pretoria. The Maropeng Visitor Centre is the official visitors' centre for the area and its name means 'return to your origins' in Setswana, one of South Africa's 11 official languages.
Although the main focus should be on the area as a whole, the Maropeng Visitor Centre is an attraction in its own sense and has won multiple awards over the years. The centre is a place that will help visitors journey back in time from the start of our universe, some 14-billion years ago, to the present and beyond. As you approach the centre you will be confronted by a unique structure which resembles an ancient burial mound, known as a tumulus. Stepping inside takes you to a place beyond time, where your tour starts with a boat ride on an artificial lake before entering the exhibition area. The tour then leads visitors through highlights of human's evolutionary journey, it's a place where the displays tackle questions among many others about how our brains developed, where language came from, when we first used fire and what the risks are for us as a species in the future. The interactive displays often keep visitors occupied for an entire morning and some even a whole day. Maropeng provides visitors with a rare opportunity to view original hominid and dinosaur fossils that hold many secrets to how life on Earth existed millions of years ago. These exhibits are housed in the fossil display room and the collections on display change throughout the year. When you exit at the rear of the Tumulus, you are greeted by one of the best views possible in Gauteng, the views over the rolling hills towards the Magaliesberg. But even more intriguing than the view in front of you, is the view of the Tumulus you just walked out of. The ancient Burial Mound that you entered, through your journey through time, has transformed into a futuristic building of glass and steel, a symbol of how far humans have come as a species.
The Maropeng Visitor Centre lies on the boundary of the 47 000-hectare Cradle of Humankind, the richest treasure trove of early hominid fossils on Earth. And a visit to the centre will provide you with an overview of the significance of the area as well as the story of human development. The centre also has a companion site, the world famous Sterkfontein Caves. You can easily visit both the Sterkfontein Caves and Maropeng in a day, and the experiences complement one another.
Other facilities at the Maropeng Visitor Centre include a conference and event venue, as well as three restaurants.
The centre is open from 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday with the last boat ride departing at 16:00.
Accommodation Near Maropeng Visitor Centre
Ziggy's River Cottage
Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Hekpoort
12.2km from Maropeng Visitor CentreZiggy's River Cottage offers self catering on the banks of the Magalies River. Get away for a romantic weekend, spoil your sweetheart in our fully- equipped unit on the banks of the Magalies River and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Mountain. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Den's View
Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Hekpoort
12.2km from Maropeng Visitor CentreDen's View offers self catering on the banks of the Magalies River near Hekpoort in Gauteng. Den's View Garden Flat (sleeps 2). Get away for a romantic weekend, spoil your sweetheart and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Mountain. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Eco Retreat
Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Hekpoort
12.3km from Maropeng Visitor CentreThe Eco Retreat is a 3 bedroomed self-catering country house (sleeps 6) located in the Hekpoort valley on Gauteng's West Rand. Nestled between the Magaliesberg and Witwatersberg mountains along the banks of the Magaliesriver. Natural bush surrounds the pr …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Nullarbor Cottages
Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Magaliesburg
14.1km from Maropeng Visitor CentreNullarbor Cottages offers self catering accommodation in Magaliesburg, on Gauteng's West Rand. Nullarbor Cottages comprises 10 self catering cottages, seven of which have corner Jacuzzi spa baths, two with shower only and one with Victorian Ball and Claw …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Patrys Paradys
Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Magaliesburg
20.1km from Maropeng Visitor CentrePatrys Paradys offers self catering accommodation in a Maanhaarrand in the Magaliesburg area of Gauteng's West Rand. We offer 3 self catering options: Farmhouse (sleeps 14) and 2 chalets (sleeps 6 in each). If you are ready for a good rest, calm... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Monchique Guest House
Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Muldersdrift
21.2km from Maropeng Visitor CentreMonchique Guest House provides bed and breakfast accommodation in Muldersdrift on the West Rand. Choose from our twelve luxurious individually decorated en-suite double bedrooms, all located in the thatched homestead, surrounded by beautifully... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
La Bastide Guest House
Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Hartbeespoort
21.4km from Maropeng Visitor CentreLa Bastide Guest Cottages provide 'French country' style self catering cottages in Skeerpoort in the Hartbeespoort Dam area in the North West Province. La Bastide offers 3 'French country' style self catering cottages and 6 additional guest rooms. Each of …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Ma-Ria's Farmhouse
Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Magaliesburg
21.7km from Maropeng Visitor CentreMa-Ria's Farmhouse offers an authentic self catering farm stay in the Magaliesburg area. (Farmhouse sleeps maximum 13 people in 5 bedrooms) (Additional Garden Flat sleeps 4). Located near Maanhaarrand at the foot of the Magaliesburg mountains nestled... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Magalies Park
Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Hartbeespoort
24.3km from Maropeng Visitor CentreMagalies Park offers self catering resort accommodation in the Hartbeespoort Dam area. A peaceful retreat nestled alongside the tranquil Magalies River, Magalies Park is situated on 120 hectares of scenic parklands. This prime destination is set on... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
The Venue Country Hotel
Hotel / Boutique Hotel Accommodation in Hartbeespoort
25.9km from Maropeng Visitor CentreThe Venue Country Hotel is located along the popular Magaliesberg R512 route (Pelindaba Road) between Johannesburg and Hartbeespoort Dam. Just 12km past Lanseria International Airport, the hotel offers guests gorgeous views of the Magaliesberg mountain... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
- Sterkfontein Caves (8.67km)
- Tarlton International Raceway (9.59km)
- Cradle Of Humankind World Heritage Site (10.39km)
- Bothongo Wonder Cave - nr Krugersdorp (10.91km)
- Bothongo Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve - nr Krugersdorp (12.69km)
- Lion and Rhino Park (12.88km)
- Vastrap Fees (Festival) (15.20km)
- Chris Pattons Ceramics - Krugersdorp, Gauteng (18.22km)
- Silverstar Casino (19.37km)
- Cradle Moon Lake - nr Krugersdorp, Johannesburg (19.48km)
- The Crocodile Ramble (19.67km)
- Ngwenya Gallery (19.75km)
