Maropeng

Afrikaans name: Maropeng

Maropeng - Tumulus building

Photo © Steven Herbert

Gauteng

The Setswana word maropeng means "returning to the place of origin" and is a good description for the visitor centre for the Cradle of Humankind.

The main exhibition is housed in a grass covered structure called the Tumulus building. As you approach the entrance to the buildng you pass a number of exhibits of fossils under dome-shaped glass.

The first display in the building shows various dinosaur fossils from South Africa including some that are over 200 million years old.

You can then head down the stairs to the main exhibit which has a surprising way of starting. In the main hall there are various skulls on displays and exhibits of what these early humans may have looked like. There are lots of other interactive displays where, for example, you can phone a Dodo!

The Tumulus restaurant allows you to enjoy a meal and fabulous views on the top of the building. Closer to the car park is the Market Place Restaurant which serves simpler meals. There are a number of shops around the Market Place Restaurant.

The Maropeng Boutique Hotel is nearby and offers a relaxing experience in a tranquil setting.

Birders can spend some time scanning the grasslands and thickets for species such as Cape Longclaw, Cape Robin-Chat, Bokmakierie, Amethyst Sunbird and White-bellied Sunbird. Take a stroll along the entrance road to look for Zitting Cisticola, Rufous-naped Lark, African Stonechat, Swainson's Spurfowl and African Quailfinch.

Where is Maropeng located?

The Cradle of Humankind is located to the west of Johannesburg and south-west from Pretoria. It is easily reached by road. There are a number of other places that are of interest in the area but Maropeng is the main highlight for most visitors. The more adventurous will enjoy a trip to the nearby Sterkfontein Caves.

The turnoff to Maropeng is on the R400 between the R563 and R24.

Have you visited Maropeng? Share your thoughts on it.

This Wildebeest particularly enjoyed viewing the fossils and almost getting his hooves wet on the "river" ride. He also enjoyed the view of the undulating plains and imagined what it would have been like to live there thousands of years ago.

Above - Maropeng

Photo © Steven Herbert

Above - Maropeng

Photo © Steven Herbert

Above - Maropeng

Photo © Steven Herbert

References and further reading

The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa - Author: P. Briggs - Published: 2020 - Page: 58

The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa - Author: P. Briggs - Published: 2020 - Page: 66

The Chamberlain Guide to Birding Gauteng - Author: Etienne Marais and Faansie Peacock - Published: 2008 - Page: 260

Of Hominins, Hunter-Gatherers and Heroes - Author: David Bristow - Published: 2019 - Page: 11

Of Hominins, Hunter-Gatherers and Heroes - Author: David Bristow - Published: 2019 - Page: 19

Getaway - Vol 35 No 09 - Author: - Published: 2024 - Page: 78

Hit the Road - 2nd Edition - Author: MapStudio - Published: 2018 - Page: 111

Getaway - Vol 35 No 01 - Author: - Published: 2023 - Page: 93

Country Life - Issue 228 - Author: - Published: 2015 - Page: 72

Family Fun - Author: Lisa McNamara - Published: 2015 - Page: 126

Getaway - Vol 24 No 04 - Author: - Published: 2012 - Page: 60

Getaway - Vol 28 No 08 - Author: - Published: 2016 - Page: 124

Atlas of National Parks and Reserves of South Africa - Author: Marielle Renssen - Published: 2006 - Page: 108

For more info: Maropeng Visitor Centre

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