If you are attending the stargazing evening on April 10, why not combine it with a weekend away to the Cradle of Humankind?

The Maropeng Hotel, with its breathtaking views of the Witwatersberg and Magaliesberg ranges, is the epitome of luxury and the perfect location from which to view the star-filled night sky.

Combine your stay at the hotel with a three-course dinner at the Maropeng Hotel Restaurant and enjoy breakfast on the terrace the next morning, soaking up the best views in Gauteng.

Hotel accommodation rates are R770 per person sharing, including bed and breakfast. The single supplement is an additional R400; bringing the total to R1170 should you be staying alone.

The special runs from April 9 to April 10. The closing date for bookings is April 9 at 12h00. Check in is at 14h00.

Please click here to make a booking.

Explore your place in the universe and experience a sense of wonder and discovery. The very scale of the universe is mind-boggling: innumerable galaxies, each consisting of billions of stars. Planet Earth appears as a mere speck of dust orbiting a tiny yellow dwarf star in the grand scheme of things.

Maropeng’s resident astronomer, Vincent Nettmann, invites you to join him on a 15-billion-light year journey from Earth to the extreme edge of the known universe.

The evening includes an illustrated pre-dinner talk and a set menu dinner, after which you can enjoy viewing the night sky through a large aperture telescope and take a laser-guided binocular tour, of the sky, at your leisure.

This event will be hosted by the Maropeng Hotel and includes welcome drinks and a three-course set menu for R295.

The star-viewing evenings are weather-dependent. Please bring your own binoculars.

The closing date for bookings is April 9 at 12h00.

Please click here to make a booking.

The next stargazing event will be on April 24 at the Tumuls Restaurant. Please click here to make a booking.

On April 10, Maropeng and iHominin will give budding palaeontologists a rare opportunity to explore a 1.5-million-year-old fossil site.

Cooper’s Cave, 1.2km from the famous Sterkfontein Caves near Johannesburg, is a relatively newly discovered fossil site, where several species of animals and a number of stone tools have been found.

The day’s activities include an interactive fossil and site talk, exploring a cave, a chance to look for fossils and learning how to make stone tools.

This is a must-do for adults and children with an interest in palaeontology and archaeology. Remember to pack a hat, apply sunscreen and wear comfortable walking shoes – and bring your camera!

The price is R350 per person and includes a light picnic lunch. The tour will start at 09h00. This is a family event.

Upcoming Cooper’s Cave tours:

Click on the date to make a booking.

• April 10

• May 1

• June 5

Please note: bookings can only be made online and the closing date for bookings is April 9 at 12h00.

Camilla Bath explored Cooper’s Cave and the surrounding landscape’s prehistoric riches with palaeoanthropologist Christine Steininger, Maropeng Marketing Manager Erica Saunders and Assistant Food and Beverage Manager Peter Mhanaza.

To read the full account of their experience, click here.

Maropeng is offering an accommodation special this Easter for the whole family.

From April 2 to 5, you and your family can experience Maropeng in its entirety, as you’ll have plenty of time to explore the Maropeng Visitor Centre, with the many activities it has to offer, without feeling rushed.

Take advantage of the hotel, with its breathtaking views of the Magaliesburg and the Witwatersberg, and enjoy gourmet meals at any of the restaurants at Maropeng.

Prices are R940 per person sharing, or R1340 if you’re on your own, and include breakfast and dinner.

The room rate for children is R700 per room, and meals are charged on consumption. Breakfast is charged at R5 multiplied by age child and dinner is charged at R10 multiplied by age of child.

Check in is at 14h00.

Please click here to make a booking.

Wondering what to do with your family this Easter? Maropeng has the answer.

We’ve put together a great Easter experience for the whole family.

Here’s what’s in store for you and your family at the Cradle:

Kiddies’ Cave Hunt - April 4:
There will be an Easter egg hunt for kids at the Kiddies’ Cave, with a surprise visit from the Easter bunny.

Drawing competition - April 2-5:
This competition is open to all children who will be at Maropeng on the dates above. It will be held on the lawns below the Tumulus Restaurant and the winner will receive tickets to a stargazing evening for a family of four, at the Tumulus building.

There will also be a jumping castle on the lawns.

All these activities come at no extra cost and are included in the usual children’s entrance fee.

For the adults:
Now that the kids are sorted, parents can enjoy a delicious buffet meal in the Tumulus Restaurant, in peace and quiet, while taking in the beautiful views in and around Maropeng.

An early wake-up call, complete with a steaming cup of coffee, kick starts your sunrise experience with Maropeng. Transfer will leave the Maropeng Hotel at 06h00 sharp to catch the spectacular African sun as it crests the magnificent mountain ranges on the Maropeng plains. You will be treated to Mother Nature swishing her brushes across the sky, painting it in the reds, burnt oranges and golds of the typical African sunrise, as you sip on some of the finest sparkling wines the country has to offer.

Afterwards, a tour of the historically significant Sterkfontein Caves completes the Sunrise Tour experience.

Check-in time is 14h00 on the day before.

Your tour guide will be Reuben Tsime, overall winner of the Gauteng Tourism Site Guide awards.

Sparkling wine and orange juice will be served on the boardwalk as you emerge from the caves to enjoy what's left of the sunrise. A continental breakfast will follow at the Sterkfontein Caves Restaurant.

The special includes dinner at the Maropeng Hotel.

Please click here to make a booking.

Do you belong to the biking or cycling community in and around the Cradle of Humankind ? Do you always have a roaring appetite when you take to the road for your breakfast run? If so, the Sterkfontein Caves Restaurant’s new continental breakfast buffet is for you. In fact, it’s perfect for all Cradle residents and visitors, offering a great start to your day.

The breakfast buffet, which caters for all dietary needs, is served from 08h00 to 10h00 on weekends and public holidays. At just R45 per person, you won’t be disappointed!

The buffet includes:

• Croissants
• Muffins
• Muesli
• Mixed fruit
• Yoghurt
• Juice
• Tea/coffee

The continental breakfast buffet is already on offer, so make your way to the Sterkfontein Caves Restaurant and kick-start your day at the Cradle of Humankind!