Private Tour
Private Cradle Humankind, Caves or Maropeng, Rhino and Lion Park
Overview
Mobile ticket
The Cradle of Humankind has become one of Johannesburg biggest attractions. Its unbelievable that the oldest human fossil in the world and fossils of 2 million years old are still been found to this day.
We have put together a comprehensive day at the Cradle of Humankind that includes a visit to the Lion And Rhino Park. A wild game drive is always a good way to start or end an African experience. The tour is fun and relaxed. Everything can be adjusted to suit your requirements and schedule.
Cradle of humankind has more Australopithecus fossils than anywhere else in the world," said geologist and geophysicist Darryl Granger of Purdue University.
Now, new dating techniques suggest that the remains date back nearly 4 million years – making them even older than the famous Australopithecus afarensis individual Dinkinesh, nicknamed Lucy.
Your Guide Shane is the author of "White Boy" a true story of a boy growing up in South Africa
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Sterkfontein Cave
Great news the Sterkfontein Caves are open after been closed for 2 years . Entrance R 150 South Africa has yielded fossils of some of the earliest known dinosaurs, dating back at least 200-million years. Fossils of our distant mammal-like ancestors, which lived more than 200-million years ago, have also been found in South Africa. Africa is the birthplace of humankind. This is where our collective umbilical cord lies buried. Hominids – the ancestors of modern humans – first emerged about seven million years ago, in Africa. Many significant fossil finds have been made in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, including the famous fossils “Mrs Ples” and “Little Foot”. The Cradle of Humankind is a paleoanthropological site and is located about 50 km northwest of Johannesburg, South Africa, in the Gauteng province. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999, the site is home to the largest concentration of human ancestral remains anywhere in the world. Entrance Fee R 150
Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve
This is a drive through the nature reserve where we can spot a number of wild animals including Lion, Rhino and Wild Dog. Situated in a World Heritage Site, 1 200 hectare park is home to over 700 game including white rhino, lion, buffalo, cheetah, wild dog, hippo and crocodile. A centre houses, amongst others, Bengal and Syberian tigers, jaguars and white lions. Entrance Fee R 250
What‘s Included
WiFi on board
Air-conditioned vehicle
Lunch
Sterkfontein Caves R 150
Maropeng
Rhino and Lion Park
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Private Cradle Humankind, Caves or Maropeng, Rhino and Lion Park
Pickup included
Reviews
82 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Watch the wild dogs, cheetahs and Lions ! Then head on over to the caves for a lovely tour
Nivaksha,,Nov 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Shane is a wonderful and thoughtful tour guide. We spotted many animals, including the white lions, a pack of wild dogs and cheetahs, just after feeding time. Its best to arrive early, which increases the odds of spotting the animals.
Lion and Rhino park
Chris D,,Nov 14, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It's a great trip that takes in all that is Africa but on a smaller scale than some of the other parks but well worth a visit. Shane the guide was excellent and went out of his way to show and find me the animals
Excellent, interesting,...
Lynne P,,Sep 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent, interesting, and knowledgeable guide...learned a lot...cradle is fascinating...animal park was excellent...don't miss tour
What an amazing tour!...
Leyla S,,Aug 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00What an amazing tour! Shane’s communication was great, he was punctual to pick us up, and we chatted away as we drove to the Rhino and Lion park. At the park Shane knew all the ins and outs and we got to see some amazing animals thanks to him knowing the feeding times and where to take us first. He was great at spotting them and all we had to do was keep our eyes peeled. He also shared lots of interesting animal facts with us. At the caves, Shane gave us lots of background info about the disoveries of Mrs. Ples and Little Foot, before handing us off to the guide to go explore the caves. Overall, we had a wonderful time and would have definitely not gotten the same experience if we didn’t have Shane to guide us.
Great mix of history and wildlife!
Fabio M,,Jul 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Shane was an amazing guide during our tour - always ready to answer our questions and very knowledgeable of the region. This tour is a great mix of history and science and nature and wildlife - packed up in ~6 hours from when you depart to your return. We were able to see lots of animals in the reserve and had a great trip to the Sterkfontein caves where we learned more about the history of humankind.
You may not see the lions...
LauraCristina C,,Jul 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00You may not see the lions or you may see them asleep... Cheetahs may not want to show up. Safari is very fast
A fun and educational day
evinkay,,Jun 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00If you are short on time in Joburg and wanted to do a mini safari and visit the cradle of humankind area, then this is the tour for you. We managed to see lions, cheetah, rhinos and more at Bothongo Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve in the morning and went to Sterkfontein Cave at around noon time. Shane is full of experience and is very informative
Perfect Solo Day Trip with Shane – Safe, Fun and Unforgettable!
gisele d,,Jun 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00I did this tour solo and it was absolutely perfect. Shane was an incredible guide — professional, punctual, knowledgeable, and extremely kind. At the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve, we saw many animals up close, and Shane explained everything with passion and detail. Then, at the Sterkfontein Caves, he gave fascinating insights into the history and archaeology of the site, making the experience even more special. Even though I was traveling alone, I felt completely safe, comfortable, and well taken care of the entire time. I highly recommend this tour with Shane. Truly an unforgettable day!
We ended up turning around and not going.
claramB4808NE,,Apr 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00I live part-time in SA and part-time in New York City. My sister from Illinois was visiting me in SA for the first time, and I'd always wanted to visit the Cradle of Humankind. So I felt this would be an ideal time to go, with my sister. Shane approached us in the hotel lobby 15 mins late of our pickup spot quite distressed, complaining that we hadn't gotten his three messages that morning saying he wanted to leave earlier, although we had showed up exactly at the time we were booked. He also lectured us like we were children on choosing that particular pickup location at the hotel when we were not guests at the hotel (he had inquired at the front desk of our whereabouts). We tried to explain to him that the hotel was a mixed-use hotel/apartment complex, and that we were residents of the apartments, which is why our names didn't appear as hotel guests. And he lectured us (again, like we were children) to not put that hotel location for future tours, if we are not guests of the hotel (totally ignoring our explanation that we did, in fact, live there). Overall, we found him extremely off-putting, agitated and arrogant towards two African-American women who he had only just met moments before. Then, he made us very uncomfortable on the ride with his flurry of questions of who we were, where we were from and why we were in South Africa. Considering this $90/person 7-hour excursion does not pay for anything on the tour (not even a bottle of water), except for the ride to the locations and the company of tour guide, we declined the tour. We would have been happy to pay for all of the entrance fees, water and our lunch, actually, had he been better company. We booked him because of all the positive reviews he's received. But our experience was surprisingly contrary to those reviews. And we can only take an educated guess around why that might have been the case...
A superb day tour
Fearless34304103766,,Apr 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Shane hosted a fun day tour, full of beauty and novel experiences. His knowledge of the area and of the game in the park was impressive. The ride was comfortable and relaxing, and he was a great conversationalist. The game park was a treat to see - along with other animals there were white lions! If you have one day in Johannesburg I recommend this tour and guide. 5*stars
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Operated by Shane Gouldie