HUMAN ORIGINS TOUR

PRODUCT OVERVIEW : The Human Origins Tour is an exclusive private guided tour in open game drive vehicles that affords guests the unique opportunity of experiencing first-hand two active fossil digs in the heart of the Cradle of Humankind. A handful of super specialist guides lead this experience. Two world famous sites - Gladysvale and Malapa - are the key attractions visited on this tour. They are situated within the John Nash and Malapa Nature Reserves which comprise the core of the UNESCO designated Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site. The discoveries at Rising Star Cave [Homo naledi] and at Malapa [Australopithecus sediba] were rated by The Smithsonian Magazine in the top ten scientific breakthroughs in the last decade. The Human Origins Tour is the only private guided tour designated to conduct exclusive tours to these two famous dig sites. Together the reserves are almost 9000ha in extent and they protect the most pristine areas of the high altitude dolomitic grasslands which are second only to the Cape Floral Kingdom (Fynbos) in terms of floral diversity. This protected area is also home to leopard, brown hyena and lynx [caracal]. Antelope like the magnificent eland, blesbok, kudu, blue wildebeest, zebra and red hartebeest amongst other species are often seen. Amazingly, all this within sight of the second largest urban area on the African continent. The area is an ancient landscape – truly ancient geology protecting and slowly revealing the ancient origins of the human race. TOUR STRUCTURE: Tours are available Monday through Sunday and last around four hours. Morning tours offer the best light and views and start at 09h00. Water and snack packs are provided. Pick-up from Jhb at 08h00. Each open game drive vehicle can seat ten guests.