Location: Johannesburg
Top Things to do in Johannesburg
Countries
Top 10 Archaeology Tours in Johannesburg, Gauteng
Johannesburg is the place to go to mix big-city culture, shopping, dining and nightlife with outdoor adventures, up-close wildlife encounters and visits to historical sites. Explore caves and nature reserves, or visit a traditional village by day, then enjoy dinner at a hip cafe or five-star restaurant. And if you're a shopper, bring an extra, empty suitcase. With malls, open-air markets and places that blend the two, you'll find plenty of unique souvenirs.
Restaurants in Johannesburg
1. Cullinan Diamond Mine underground Day Tour from Johannesburg
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
The Cullinan Diamond Mine has produced some of the most sought-after diamonds in the world, including the legendary Cullinan Diamond and rare blue diamonds. This tour is the only one of its kind, offering a behind-the-scenes look at a working diamond mine. Ride the elevator down into the mine shaft to see to the kimberlite rock, engine room, and Big Hole; learn how the diamonds are mined, cut, and transformed into jewelry; then admire the glittering jewels on display in the Cullinan Diamond Shop
Inclusions: Bottled water, Guide, entrance fee
Exclusions: Gratuities (optional) • Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
Reviewed By LordP428
Fantastic experience lead by a team of knowledgeable passionate team members who manage smaller groups to make your experience that much more special. The animals look well cared for and the facilities unbelievably beautiful. This truly was a very magical experience.
2. Cradle of Humankind and Maropeng Day Tour from Johannesburg
Overall Ratings
4.3 based on 3 reviews
Depart from your hotel in Johannesburg to The Cradle of Humankind and Maropeng to discover many hominid and other animal fossils, dating back more than 4-million years, to the birth of humanity. The most important and most famous of these fossils are “Mrs Ples”, a 2.1-million-year-old Australopithecus skull, and “Little Foot”, an almost complete Australopithecus skeleton that is more than 3-million years old. These fossils, both found in the Sterkfontein Caves in the Cradle of Humankind, tell us much about the precursors of modern humans, Homo sapiens. With a Guide, you will be able to go underground tour. The scientific exhibition centre showcases a reconstruction of a mined cave (versus a pristine cave), cave formations and geology, early life forms, mammals and hominid fossils. It describes in detail important finds such as “Mrs Ples”, the “Taung Child” and “Little Foot”, as well as providing information about fossilization, palaeobotany and landscapes.
Inclusions: Driver/guide, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Use of helmet, Hotel/port pickup and drop-off
Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities, Souvenir photos (available to purchase), Lunch
Reviewed By TravelChapters
Willy has been the most amazing guide for our group. Although we spent a week with Willy, it wasn't enough! The raw experiences are absolutely eye-opening and I couldn't thank him enough for that. I now have a high-bar of expectations for future endeavors and guides, but I truly want to thank Willy for his hard work, dedication, and knowledge he showed us on our one in a lifetime trip.
3. Private Full-Day Cradle of Human Kind and Wonder Cave Tour
Enjoy these history filled tour from your hotel in Johannesburg. The Cradle of Human Kind home to the origin of human Kind with Sterkfontein caves showing us the actual discovery of the fossils. The Maropeng Museum has a clear cut information on the various fossils that were discovered and also explains in details about the age of the different fossils including the recently discovered one called Homo Naledi. The Wondercave was discovered by Italian Miners in 1898. Mining in these cave was stopped in 1902 due to outbreak of war and low productivity.The entrance to these cave goes down 87 stairs at a 45 degrees dropping 22 Metres below the surface. You will then go down the elavator with a drop of further 18 Metres into the cave
Inclusions: Bottled water, Lunch, Snacks, Hotel pickup and drop-off
Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
Reviewed By Julie M
My boyfriend and I did all our tours with Nic from Africa Moja Tours & Transfers-Cradle of Human Kind, Lesedi, Soweto, and Pretoria. We were very nervous booking tours as it was all last minute and we did not have a lot of time to research. However, our first day went so great with Nic that we booked another day. He is a very safe driver, incredibly knowledgeable and smart, and a great person to hang out with while touring the area. Nic and the tours were truly one of the highlights of our three week trip in South Africa and I would highly recommend using this company and Nic for your tours. I am so grateful we had an incredible experience on our first time visiting.
4. Sterkfontein Caves and MaropengTour
Spend the day stepping back in time to the very beginning. Discover the secrets of the first Homo sapiens that walked the planet by visiting Maropeng and Sterkfontein. View very famous stalactites and stalagmites in the caves and enjoy the secrecy that abounds.
Inclusions: Local guide, Driver/guide, Professional guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only), Private tour, Transport by private vehicle
Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities
Reviewed By Odyssey06342598891
They can work on their staffs attitudes...they are so unfriendly and it's like asking for them to perform miracles for directions from the start. Also signage is a bit confusing. The pools flooring is done very poorly....going in without shoes is very painful.
5. Private Full-Day Cradle of Human Kind Tour from Johannesburg R1200,00
Explore the Cradle of Human Kind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on this full-day tour from Johannesburg. Learn about where the human race started and see fossils that date back to the beginning of humans' time on earth.
Inclusions: water , Entrance fee, Pick up and drop off (Round Transportation) , Guide
Exclusions: Gratitudes, Soviniar
Reviewed By LordP428
Fantastic experience lead by a team of knowledgeable passionate team members who manage smaller groups to make your experience that much more special. The animals look well cared for and the facilities unbelievably beautiful. This truly was a very magical experience.
6. Sterkfontein Caves And Maropeng
Why the guests should book this tour firstly it is an educational tour and World Heritage Site. It is here where Dr. Broom found what many paleoanthropologists consider to be an adult ape man (hominid) in 1936.
Inclusions: All Fees and Taxes
Exclusions: Lunch
Reviewed By hwallace4
This was an excellent experience - my guide Joseph was kind and helpful. I was travelling solo and he picked me up directly from my accomodation and provided me with a tour of Soweto, Johannesburg and the Apartheid Museum. He was very knowledgeable about the history of the city. I would certainly recommend this tour to others. Thank you!
7. Pretoria Tour
Spend a full day in “Jacaranda City” (so called because of the many Jacaranda trees which transform the city streets into blankets of magnificent purple every October). Serving as the seat of the administrative branch of the South African government, Pretoria is one of the country’s three Capital cities. Founded in 1855, it was named after the Voortrekker leader, Andries Pretorias. A regal, quiet city, its interesting history is hidden between magnificent towers, classical architecture, and amphitheatres. Learn everything you need to know about the “City of Tshwane” with Stephenson Adventures!
Inclusions: Bottled water, Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation
Exclusions: Coffee and/or Tea, Lunch, Soda/Pop, Alcoholic Beverages
Reviewed By sindak2021
We spent a great day with Stephenson. He is very friendly, knowledgeable and brought us to many different highlights that gave us a comprehensive overview of Johannesburg and Soweto. He spent the necessary time to give a lot of explanations and to answer any questions we had.
8. Cradle of Humankind - A look back in time
The Cradle of Humankind is a protected 47 000 hectare Unesco World Heritage site.It is situated in a completely unique geological and ecological region of the planet. This is what was made it both special for the evolution of humankind and also for the preservation of that extraordinarily rich record in its buried fossils. The cave systems are the major part of its attractions and make valuable contributions to the global research into our shared origins. Both Sterkfontein and the Maropeng sites bring all this to guests in an interesting and understandable fashion. A bonus is the exquisite landscapes of the Cradle. There are nearly 600 cave sites, incredible paleontological discoveries, game reserves and private boutique hotels and conference centres, The Cradle is a popular weekend break away area, testament to its success.
Inclusions: 1 bottle still mineral water per person
Exclusions: Alcoholic Beverages
Reviewed By BETTYCAP156
Dear Chris, What an amazing experience! I could not have asked for a better guide/companion for my visit to Pilanesberg. I am so grateful to have had 3 relaxing days to enjoy everything that the Park has to offer. Some might consider you saved "the best" for last (the roaring lioness and the elusive leopard) but I loved every moment on days one and two that led up to those exciting sightings on our final day. You showed me that there is so much more to a safari than "The Big Five." I made a tally as best I could of all that you shared with me: at least 24 different birds (probably many more!!) 20+ animal species; vegetation that feeds the animals, grooms the animals, protects and cures ills. What I didn't expect was the peacefulness of this experience. You shared a very special place with me that felt all the more meaningful knowing how much it means to you and how connected you are to the place. Thank you for being so generous, taking on a solo traveler and sharing your excitement, expertise, amazing knowledge and all your wonderful stories of Pilanesberg. I hope I will be back again soon! Thanks again! Beth C from Maine, USA
9. Cradle of Humankind - The Origin of Man
If your are fascinated about archaeology, if your are fascinated about earliest beings, then this is the place for you. if you want to understand The Origin of Man come to this place. In 2008 there was another fascinating find in the form of an entirely new branch of the human family tree. Discovered by professor Lee berger and his then 9yrs old son methew. The malapa fossil included two nearly complete hominid skeletons that were subsequently determined to belong to previously unknown transitional human ancestor species living around million years ago. The hominids were named Australopithecus sediba, one of the juvenile skeletons was later nicknamed karabo.
Inclusions: Bottled water, Air-conditioned vehicle
Exclusions: Lunch
10. Cradle of human kind maropeng and sterkfontein Day Tours
An orginal fossil display and a boat ride on an underground lake through the four life giving elements that combine to form the earth and shape the world as it is known today are offered in maropeng visitors centre . The total of over 700 hominid specimens found here has made sterkfontein the world's richest hominid sites
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle
Exclusions:
TAGS
