4 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.

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.

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.

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.