The Cradle of Humankind
GAUTENG PROVINCE, South Africa
Man’s early history presented by leading Palaeontologists add to this breathtaking entry into one of the world’s most exciting safari expeditions. Our Cradle Camp is located a mere 25 km north west of Johannesburg in a 25’000 hectare private nature reserve abundant with wildlife.
This reserve is in an area of exceptional geological diversity. Huge panoramic views from ridges to all points of the compass are accessible with great views over the world’s oldest mountain range, the Magaliesberg and the great Gold Reef of the Witwatersrand…the richest gold deposit ever discovered.
The Cradle is located in an area of exceptional geological diversity. Six geological systems about and overlay each other in the region. In exposed rock formations in the valley of The Cradle and in panoramic views from ridges to all points of the compass there is evidence of over 2,000 million years of the earth’s history. The Cradle of Humankind is unique in that since 1947, there have been great scientific discoveries, which have been a breakthrough in the search for the origins of humankind. These include a 3,3 million year old ancestor of humankind, stone tools dating back some 2 million years and the world’s most perfect pre-human skull ever found – affectionately known as Mrs Ples.
The Cradle has produced the most profound deposits of Hominids on planet earth playing a leading role in the jigsaw puzzle of the origins of humankind. These include thousands of hominid fossils, stone tools and artefacts dating back 1- 4 million years. There are 12 research sites within the area – Sterkfontein Caves, Swartkrans, Kromdraai, Gondolin, Plovers Lake, Wonder Cave, Drimolen, Haasgat, Coopers B, Gladysvale, Minaars and Bolts Farm.
Malaria Free.
27°39′45″E / 25.96716°S
Next > Marakele National Park
