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.

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 glassblowing 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 semicircle, that sell one-of-a-kind items and food. Shop local food and wares on the first Sunday of the month at the market.

A quiet walk along the river surrounded by the highveld grasslands, birdlife, and caves evokes a sense of calm in the busy city. Add thoughtful artwork, installations, and performances and you've got the 74-acre NIROX Sculpture Park. In collaboration with artists worldwide, temporary and permanent installations are showcased across the park. Take the time to walk through the cultivated lawns and wilderness spaces to enjoy the art before a lazy lunch at the on-site restaurant. Check the website to see if the outdoor concert schedule matches with your visit.

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.