Home > South Africa > Gauteng > West Rand > Lanseria Accommodation

The Greater Cradle Nature Reserve - Lanseria, Gauteng

Nearby Towns

Nearby Points Of Interest

(As the crow flies. Road distance will differ.)

The Greater Cradle Nature Reserve - Lanseria, Gauteng

The Greater Cradle Nature Reserve, near Lanseria in Gauteng, is a remarkable combination of nature reserve, archaeological landscape and living scientific laboratory. Covering more than 9,000 hectares within the Cradle of Humankind UNESCO World Heritage Site, the reserve protects extensive grasslands, dolomitic landscapes, wildlife, heritage sites and some of the world's most important fossil-bearing locations.

Its purpose goes well beyond ordinary wildlife conservation. The reserve was established as a large, connected conservation landscape in which natural habitats and internationally significant palaeoanthropological sites can be protected together. Its work includes habitat restoration, fire and erosion management, control of invasive plants and responsible management of wildlife. At the same time, it provides a protected environment for ongoing scientific research into human origins, ecology, biodiversity and ancient environments.

The reserve's history is inseparable from the extraordinary fossil discoveries made in the surrounding Cradle of Humankind. Among its most important sites are Gladysvale and Malapa. Gladysvale Cave has produced hundreds of thousands of animal fossils, as well as important hominin remains. Malapa became internationally famous following the discovery in 2008 of Australopithecus sediba, including remarkably complete skeletons of an adult and juvenile. Scientific excavation at these sites continues, making the reserve unusual in that visitors can experience a landscape where discoveries are still being made.

Visitors should not expect to simply wander into the fossil sites on their own. The active excavation areas are protected and are visited as part of guided experiences. Open safari vehicles take guests through the reserve, combining spectacular Highveld scenery with explanations of geology, palaeontology and human evolution. Depending on the tour, visitors can see Gladysvale Cave, Malapa, Motsetse Cave, ancient lime kilns, fossil-bearing breccia and historical features such as a Boer War sangar.

Several specialist tours are available. The Human Origins Tour lasts roughly three-and-a-half to four hours and concentrates on geology, fossilisation and the significance of Gladysvale and Malapa. The Classic Cradle Tour provides a shorter introduction, while the PALAEO+ Tour offers a more in-depth experience and may include opportunities to interact with scientists working at the research sites. A particularly fascinating feature is the Umsuka Science Hub, where visitors can see specialists carefully extracting fossils from breccia.

There is also an Iron Age Walking Trail of about 5-6 km, following ancient stone-walled settlements and exploring the area's pastoralist and agricultural history. A longer Hike into History covers the landscape's human story from the emergence of early hominins through the Stone Age, Iron Age, arrival of the Voortrekkers and the Anglo-Boer War. Birdwatching tours and game drives provide a more nature-focused experience.

The reserve's Malapa Museum adds another dimension, with displays explaining the area's extraordinary fossil discoveries and life-size casts of Australopithecus sediba. The surrounding landscape itself is part of the attraction, with grasslands, wetlands, woodland, hills and abundant birdlife creating an excellent setting for wildlife and nature experiences.

For travellers interested in nature, archaeology, geology or the story of human evolution, the Greater Cradle Nature Reserve offers something considerably more compelling than a conventional day in the countryside. It is a place where conservation and science meet – and where the next important discovery could quite literally be waiting beneath your feet.

Contact details for the Greater Cradle Nature Reserve:
Address: R540 Kromdraai Road, Cradle of Humankind, Gauteng
Telephone: 087 353 9599
Email: see website
Website: https://greatercradlenaturereserve.co.za
Hours: The current listed hours (2026) are Monday to Friday, 09:00–16:00, and Saturday and Sunday, 09:00–14:00
- Tours should be booked in advance
Location: -25.922126459239713, 27.8510131130488

Accommodation Near The Greater Cradle Nature Reserve - Lanseria, Gauteng

Showing 1 to 10 of 10 results

Sleeps 26 in 12 units

^FromR 917.5

Per person, per night sharing

* Rates may vary according to season

Monchique Guest House

Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Muldersdrift

11.7 km from The Greater Cradle Nature Reserve - Lanseria, Gauteng

Monchique 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.

Comfortable Off-Grid Home with Nostalgic Furnishings

* Rates may vary according to season

Comfortable Off-Grid Home with Nostalgic Furnishings

Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Fourways

12.1 km from The Greater Cradle Nature Reserve - Lanseria, Gauteng

Comfortable Off-Grid Home with Nostalgic Furnishings is a charming self catering holiday home located in Chartwell, Fourways. Solar power + borehole. Accommodating 4 adults, 4 children and an infant. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

Graded:

Sleeps 25 in 9 units

^FromR 700

Per person, per night sharing

* Rates may vary according to season

Aquanzi Lodge

Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Chartwell

13.1 km from The Greater Cradle Nature Reserve - Lanseria, Gauteng

Aquanzi Lodge a 4 star establishment which offers luxury, bed and breakfast and self-catering accommodation to visitors in Johannesburg. Our unique location near bustling cosmopolitan Fourways & Lanseria, make our star rated establishment extremely... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

Sleeps 40 in 12 units

^FromR 350

Per person, per night sharing

* Rates may vary according to season

Hoopoe Haven Self-catering Cottages

Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Chartwell

13.7 km from The Greater Cradle Nature Reserve - Lanseria, Gauteng

Hoopoe Haven situated in beautiful Chartwell, Gauteng. It is a place to relax and unwind in the peace and quiet of the countryside. There's variety of self-catering accommodation available to suite groups from 1 person to 50. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

Guest Rating: 9

Sleeps 19 in 8 units

^FromR 1170

Per unit, per night

* Rates may vary according to season

La Bastide Guest House

Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Hartbeespoort

16.4 km from The Greater Cradle Nature Reserve - Lanseria, Gauteng

La 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.

Guest Rating: 10

Sleeps 10 in 1 unit

^FromR 700

Per person, per night sharing

* Rates may vary according to season

Atelier Isabella

Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Hartbeespoort

17.8 km from The Greater Cradle Nature Reserve - Lanseria, Gauteng

Atelier Isabella offers self catering accommodation at the Hartbeespoort Dam in the North West province. (Sleeps 8). Located in the quiet suburb of Kosmos overlooking the Hartbeespoort Dam. Relax in an artistic atmosphere where paintings enrich... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

Graded:

Sleeps 19 in 6 units

^FromR 850

Per person, per night sharing

* Rates may vary according to season

Kosmos Manor

Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Hartbeespoort

17.9 km from The Greater Cradle Nature Reserve - Lanseria, Gauteng

Kosmos Manor provides both bed and breakfast accommodation and self catering in Hartbeespoort in the North West province. Named after the quaint neighborhood Kosmos, Kosmos Manor bed and breakfast on the banks of the Hartebeespoort Dam consists of 6... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

Sleeps 17 in 6 units

Ponciana Superior Guesthouse

Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Hartbeespoort

18 km from The Greater Cradle Nature Reserve - Lanseria, Gauteng

Ponciana Superior Guesthouse offers... superior bed and breakfast accommodation in Hartbeespoort in the North West Province. We are an AA Superior Qualified Assured exclusive luxury guesthouse on the top of the hill in Ifafi which gives us the most... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

* Rates may vary according to season

Galagos Lodge

Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Hartbeespoort

18 km from The Greater Cradle Nature Reserve - Lanseria, Gauteng

Galagos Lodge offers bed and breakfast accommodation in Hartbeespoort in the North West province. Perfectly situated in the picturesque village of Kosmos, set against the Magaliesburg mountain range with uninterrupted views of the Hartbeespoort. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

Sleeps 23 in 9 units

^FromR 1300

Per unit, per night

* Rates may vary according to season

Willinga Lodge

Room Only / Limited SC Accommodation in Hartbeespoort

18.3 km from The Greater Cradle Nature Reserve - Lanseria, Gauteng

Willinga Lodge offers guests room-only accommodation with the option of a communal kitchen for self catering in Kosmos, Hartbeespoort. Set in the secure and picturesque village of Kosmos with wonderful views of the Hartbeespoort dam. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

Showing 1 to {{total}} of {{total}} results

No results

Nearby Towns