The Cradle of Humankind is a UNESCO recognised World Heritage landmark under an hour's drive from Joburg and with close to 400 attractions that include the Nirox sculpture park, and Maropeng and the Sterkfontein Caves, plus hiking trails, countryside hotels and lots of farm shops and restaurants, there's something for the whole family. 

The name of the region comes from the many important paleoanthropological discoveries made here. Some of the oldest hominid fossils in the world were discovered in this area and remains of our ancient ancestors continue to be found in the in the many active digging site scattered across the area, including most recently the extraordinary Homo Naledi, thought to be between 335,000 and 236,000 years old.

Ancient animal and plant fossils discovered here suggest that this hot and relatively dry region of South Africa, was once part of a tropical rainforest where giant monkeys and sabre-toothed cats roamed the land. Today it's the weekend destination of choice for day-tripping Joburgers looking to escape the city.