8 Best Sights in Cradle of Humankind, Johannesburg

Maropeng is the official visitor center of the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site and offers much more than information about the region: it's a modern, interactive museum dedicated to the history of humanity that kids will love. It provides information about the various fossil sites in the area. About a 90-minute drive from either Johannesburg or Pretoria, it's one of the area's top attractions. It's best visited in parallel with the nearby fossil site of Sterkfontein Caves, but to visit both you'll need to set aside at least half a day.

It was in the Sterkfontein Caves, in 1947, that Dr. Robert Broom discovered the now famous Mrs. Ples, as she is popularly known—a skull of an adult Australopithecus africanus that is more than 2 million years old. The find reinforced the discovery of a skull of an Australopithecus child, the Taung Skull, by Professor Raymond Dart in 1924, which was the first hominid ever found. At the time, Dart was ostracized for claiming the skull belonged to an early human ancestor. Scientists in Europe and the United States simply didn't believe that humanity could have originated in Africa. Today, few disagree with this theory. Another important find was the discovery in the 1990s of Little Foot, a near-complete skeleton of an Australopithecus, embedded in rock deep inside the caves. And even more recently, the 2013 discovery of hundreds of Homo Naledi fossils (dating from around 300,000 years ago) in the Cradle of Humankind area. These fossil specimens remain one of the largest hominin finds in Africa. Guided tours of the excavations and caves last an hour and are not advisable if you are claustrophobic. Wear comfortable shoes. Start with the excellent museum, which has exhibits depicting the origins of the Earth, life, and humanity. A small on-site restaurant that serves light meals is open daily.

For more recent history of South Africa's Gold Rush era (as opposed to the ancient history of humanity you'll find in the Cradle of Humankind like Maropeng and the Sterkfontein Caves), tour the small but fascinating Kromdraai Gold Mine, one of the country's oldest mines begun in 1881. Frankly, it's a little spooky. You don a miner's helmet and wander into the mine's murky depths on one-hour guided tours. It's not a difficult walk, and if you're lucky, you'll see bats roosting.

This highly rated drive-through safari park offers a rare chance to get up close with Africa’s iconic predator. And while the experience might be trumped by seeing lions in more natural, expansive settings like the Kruger National Park, the opportunity to interact with a lion cub, take a guided walk with a cheetah, or feed a giraffe is not to be passed up. A leisurely drive around the small park will also guarantee sights of lions and other carnivores roaming through grassland, but try visit when it’s a little cooler (early evening is a good time), as they tend to seek shady refuge during hot days. You can self-drive, or take one of the several tours on offer, including the guided lion and wild dog tour and the safari tour.

You can watch the intricate art of glass blowing at Ngwenya Glass Village and pick out a handmade souvenir whether it’s one of the Big Five, a glass-crowned cork stopper, napkin rings, paperweights, or a bespoke wine cooler. This retail village also includes a number of other stalls, in little huts arranged in a semi-circle, that sell one-of-a-kind items and food. Gilroy’s Brewery is where you can stop for lunch and a pint of small-batch ales and lagers, after you’ve done the beer tasting experience (Saturdays, 11 am, R145).

Rhinos, lions, wild dogs, cheetahs, hippos, and crocodiles are among the animals you can see at the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve. You can spot about 650 head of game; visit the lion, wild dog, and cheetah enclosures (be careful of lions approaching vehicles) or vulture hide, or be thrilled by live snake shows every day but Monday and Friday. You can also visit the endangered-species breeding center and the magnificent white lions or cuddle a baby animal at the nursery for an additional charge of R40. In addition to the self-driving tour, you can book an escorted game drive or guided walk. There's a small swimming pool, four restaurants, and a curio shop, as well as rustic chalets and fully equipped cabins for overnights.

More than 240 bird species and a variety of small mammals add to a biodiverse garden named in honor of late ANC stalwart Walter Sisulu. The Witpoortjie Falls dominate the garden, providing a backdrop to a succulent rockery, cycads, an arboretum, bird and butterfly garden, wildflowers, a children's section, and bird hides. The garden is famous for a pair of Verreaux eagles that breed in early spring (August/September). There are four self-guided walking trails, the most popular of which is a brisk trail to the top of the waterfall where you can get a closer look. Eagle's Fare Restaurant serves breakfast, light meals and hearty dishes throughout the day beneath the shade of the trees or on the sunny deck. Most of the garden is accessible by wheelchair. Guided tours are offered (R170).  Email is the best way to contact the Gardens with any questions.

Wonder Cave is a huge single-chamber cave with a number of intact stalagmites and stalactites and formations up to 50 feet high. Steep stairs and a elevator take regular guided tours all the way down, but if you're feeling adventurous you can rappel down (by prior arrangement only). Groups of 20 or more may book evening tours.