Sterkfontein Caves: Day Trips and Tours from Johannesburg

Located in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage site, Sterkfontein Caves are one of the most important paleoanthropological sites in the world. The complex of caves is home to a wealth of fossils, including some of the oldest hominid fossils ever found.

In addition to its anthropological significance, Sterkfontein is also a beautiful and mesmerizing cave system. Whether you're interested in human evolution or simply want to explore a natural wonder, a Sterkfontein Caves day trip from Johannesburg is a must.

Here's all you need to know about Sterkfontein Caves tours, one of the most fascinating destinations for day trips from Johannesburg.

How to get to Sterkfontein Caves from Johannesburg?

Sterkfontein Caves are located in the Gauteng province of South Africa, just over 50 kilometers outside of the city of Johannesburg.

From Johannesburg to Sterkfontein Caves by car

The journey to Sterkfontein Caves takes just under an hour by car. You'll head out of Johannesburg via the M1. From there, you'll drive in a northwestern direction towards the caves, using the N1 and N14.

Guided tour to Sterkfontein Caves from Johannesburg

If you don't have a car in Johannesburg or you wish to leave the organization to someone else, choose a guided excursion to Sterkfontein Caves. You'll be picked up between 7 AM and 9 AM, and tours last between 5 and 7 hours.

How much does the entrance ticket to Sterkfontein Caves cost?

• Admission: ZAR100 (US$6)
• Children under 6: Free

What is the typical itinerary of a day tour to Sterkfontein Caves from Johannesburg?

After a convenient hotel pickup, you'll make the jaunt to Sterkfontein Caves by road. As you enter the Cradle of Humankind site, you'll see wild animals roaming free, grazing as they please.

You'll enter Sterkfontein Caves and enjoy a tour of the underground wonder, where hundreds of fossils have been discovered. As you scramble through the caves, you'll drop to depths of 18 meters amidst stalactite formations.

Reaching ground level, you'll visit the Maropeng Visitor Centre, which is home to an exhibition about the cave findings. Here, you can see an abundance of hominid fossils before wrapping up your Sterkfontein Caves day trip and returning to Johannesburg.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Sterkfontein Caves?

All day tours to Sterkfontein Caves follow the same itinerary. You should select your excursion based on how long you wish to spend at the site.

Guided tour to Sterkfontein Caves from Johannesburg

Day trips to Sterkfontein Caves begin with an exciting drive through the Cradle of Humankind UNESCO World Heritage site, where many exotic mammals reside. You'll have the opportunity to see an abundance of creatures including rhinos, zebras and giraffes on your way to the spectacular caves.

On arrival, you'll visit the Maropeng Visitor Centre where you can learn about the origins of man and see fossils dating back over a million years. Moving on, you'll enjoy a guided tour of Sterkfontein Caves, where over 500 hominid fossils have been found.

Half-day tour to Sterkfontein Caves

Half-day tours to Sterkfontein Caves pack the same itinerary into a shorter time frame. You'll tour the remarkable caves alongside a guide before heading to the Maropeng Visitor Centre.

There, you'll have the opportunity to see ancient tools carved from stone in Ethiopia over 2 million years ago, as well as hominid fossils. Among human skulls, you'll see a complete ape skeleton that has been preserved almost perfectly for over 3 million years.

How much does a tour to Sterkfontein Caves from Johannesburg cost?

You'll pay between US$80 and US$130 per person for a day tour of Sterkfontein Caves. Those on the lower end of this range take place in a larger group.

Half-day Sterkfontein Caves day trips cost approximately US$100 each and are limited to 15 participants.

What will you see and do on a Sterkfontein Caves day trip from Johannesburg?

The Sterkfontein Caves were first discovered at the end of the 19th century by a group of miners, who came across several fossils.

The caves get their name from the Afrikaans word for "strong spring," which refers to the flow of water that can be found in the caves. The Sterkfontein Caves are world-famous for their fossils, which have been used to help researchers learn more about human evolution.

In 1936, excavations began to find more fossilized remains. This series of excavations enabled Dr. Robert Broom to unearth the remains of a hominid species known as Australopithecus africanus in the caves. This discovery was hugely important in helping scientists to understand the origins of humankind and how evolution has taken place.

The caves have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2000, and are also a South African National Heritage site. While excavations continue, today over 500 fossils have been found, showcasing the various stages of hominids — from apes to modern-day humans.

One of the most celebrated discoveries is of an almost complete Australopithecus skeleton, which has been dubbed "little foot." It took almost 15 years to carefully extract this skeleton from the earth and over 90% has been recovered. The Australopithecus remains can be dated back to over 3.5 million years ago.

Another key feature that you’ll see on a Sterkfontein Caves day trip is Mrs. Ples — named as one of the best pre-human skulls to ever be found. Because of the use of dynamite and pickaxes to excavate the Australopithecus africanus, its skull was blown into pieces. While there are fragments missing, it is still an almost complete piece, which is fascinating to any visitor.

Alongside hominid remains, other fossils of wildlife can be discovered by visitors to Sterkfontein Caves, including wasps.

What are the opening times?

You can visit Sterkfontein Caves between 9 AM and 5 PM, 7 days a week. The final tour of the caves happens at 4 PM each day.

When is the best time to visit Sterkfontein Caves?

While you can enjoy a day trip to Sterkfontein Caves at any time of year, you should consider visiting between May and October. During these months, there is an abundance of wildlife for you to see as you travel through the World Heritage site, including rhinos and lions.

Travel tips

• The Sterkfontein Caves have some tight and narrow passages. If you are claustrophobic, you may wish to visit the Maropeng Visitor Centre instead.
• Wear comfortable shoes on your Sterkfontein Caves day tour, to help you easily navigate the underground site.
• Check the official website to find out about any reduced tour services that may be in place on your proposed excursion date.