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.