FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Find fast answers about cave accessibility, ticket prices, and opening hours.
Is the Cradle of Humankind worth visiting?
Yes. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with the largest known concentration of human ancestral remains. The interactive Maropeng museum and the active Sterkfontein excavation sites offer clear insights into deep human history.
How much is the entrance fee at Cradle of Humankind in 2026?
Adult entry is about R150 for Maropeng and R150 for Wits Sterkfontein Caves. Children aged 6 to 11 pay R125 at Maropeng. Children under 6 enter free. See Tickets for guided tour costs.
Are the Sterkfontein Caves open to the public?
Yes. They operate Tuesday to Sunday from 09:00 to 16:00. They are closed on Mondays. Guided cave tours last 60 to 90 minutes and are capped at 30 people per slot.
How long does a tour of Maropeng take?
You need 1 to 2 hours to explore Maropeng. The Tumulus building houses a 2,500-square-meter exhibition and a 15-minute underground boat ride.
What is the difference between Maropeng and Sterkfontein Caves?
Maropeng is an interactive, modern museum focused on human evolution and earth origins. Sterkfontein Caves is an active, underground fossil site where deep history is physically uncovered.
How far is the Cradle of Humankind from Johannesburg?
The sites are located approximately 40 to 50 kilometers northwest of Johannesburg. Driving takes about 45 to 60 minutes via the N14 or R563. Learn more about transport on our Plan your visit page.
Can you do Maropeng and Sterkfontein Caves in one day?
Yes. Visiting both is the standard approach. Spend the morning at the caves and the afternoon at the museum, or vice versa.
Is there a boat ride at Maropeng?
Yes. The underground boat ride takes 15 minutes. It moves backward in time through elements of water, ice, earth, and fire.
Is the Cradle of Humankind a theme park?
No. It is a paleoanthropological UNESCO World Heritage Site and an active scientific research area. Maropeng has interactive elements, but it is an educational museum, not an amusement park.
Who is Mrs. Ples?
Mrs. Ples is one of the most iconic hominin fossils discovered at the Sterkfontein Caves. You can learn about this discovery at the Sterkfontein Exhibition Centre before heading underground.
What are the opening hours for Sterkfontein Caves?
The Sterkfontein Caves are open Tuesday to Sunday from 09:00 to 16:00. The caves are closed on Mondays. Maropeng is open daily from 09:00 to 16:00.