PLEASE NOTE: Where applicable, select &complete pensioner discount option and/or Infant no-charge option, for each activity!
HERITAGE DAY 24 & 25 September 2026
An Exclusive Journey Through the Cradle of Humankind
Bothongo Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve | WonderCave & Drimolen
In partnership with the UJ Palaeo-Research Institute
DISCOVER THE STORIES BENEATH YOUR FEET
This Heritage Day, step beyond the ordinary and journey deep into the extraordinary history of South Africa.
At the heart of the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, Bothongo Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve invites you to experience a unique day of discovery, science and heritage — where ancient landscapes, fossil discoveries and living research come together.
This is not simply a tour. It is an opportunity to experience our human origins where they are still being discovered today.
YOUR HERITAGE JOURNEY
1. MEET THE SCIENTISTS – WONDERCAVE HERITAGE STATIONS
Begin your experience at WonderCave, where researchers and students from the UJ Palaeo-Research Institute will bring the ancient past to life.
Explore fascinating displays and speak directly with the people studying the origins of our past.
Discover:
• Fossil Casts – Get up close to casts of ancient hominins and animals that once inhabited the Cradle region.
• Stone Tools Through Time – Explore examples of stone tools representing different periods of human occupation in the Cradle.
• Breccia & Microfauna – Examine an actual fossil-bearing breccia block and discover tiny fossils that can reveal enormous stories about ancient environments.
• Look Through the Microscope – Use a handheld microscope to see the hidden detail within the fossil record.
Ask questions. Meet the researchers. Touch the evidence. See the science behind the discoveries.
2. DESCEND INTO HISTORY – THE WONDERCAVE HERITAGE TOUR
Go beyond the ordinary WonderCave experience with an exclusive 1½-hour Extended Heritage Tour exploring the remarkable relationship between geology, mining, industry and human history.
Your specialist tour will reveal:
The history of mining in South Africa
Discover how mining has shaped the country’s development.
The importance of lime
Learn why this seemingly simple mineral has played such an important role in the development of South Africa.
The geology of the Karst landscape
Understand how water, rock and geological time created the extraordinary underground world beneath the Cradle.
Cave formation & dating
Discover how scientists determine the age of caves and the deposits and fossils they contain.
And, of course, the fun stuff…
Explore the fascinating formations and hidden features that make WonderCave such a remarkable natural environment.
THIS IS WHERE GEOLOGY MEETS HUMAN HISTORY.
3. FOLLOW THE FOSSILS – EXCLUSIVE DRIMOLEN EXPERIENCE
Then take the journey even further.
Travel to Drimolen, one of the Cradle of Humankind’s active fossil research sites, for a rare opportunity to experience palaeoanthropology as it happened.
This is your chance to see a fossil hominin excavation site and learn directly about the work taking place beneath the surface.
Discover:
• How palaeontologists carefully excavate fossil remains.
• The techniques used to recover and preserve delicate fossils.
• Significant discoveries from the Drimolen site, including DNH 7, DNH 134 and DNH 155.
• Fossil evidence of ancient carnivores and elephants and what these discoveries tell us about the environment of the past.
• How researchers piece together fragments of evidence to reconstruct ancient worlds.
AND THEN SEE IT FOR YOURSELF…
Stand at the excavation site and experience the excitement of scientific discovery first-hand.
You are not simply looking at history in a display case.
You are watching history being uncovered.
HERITAGE DAY PROGRAMME
09:00 onwards
Heritage Discovery Stations Open – WonderCave
Meet the UJ Palaeo-Research Institute team and explore fossil casts, stone tools, breccia and microfauna.
10:00 – 11:30
Extended WonderCave Heritage Tour
A specialist 1½-hour journey through geology, mining, cave formation, dating and the fascinating heritage of WonderCave.
12:00
Depart for Drimolen
12:00 – 13:30
Second WonderCave Heritage Tour
14:00
Second Drimolen Fossil Tour
15:30
Return to WonderCave
Heritage Discovery Stations remain available throughout the day.
BRAAI, HERITAGE & GREAT SOUTH AFRICAN FLAVOUR
No South African Heritage Day would be complete without a proper braai!
Enjoy traditional South African favourites from the Bothongo food offering, including freshly prepared boerewors rolls, available for purchase during the day.
Come for the history.
Stay for the stories.
And enjoy the flavour of South Africa.
WHY THIS HERITAGE DAY IS DIFFERENT
This is a rare opportunity to experience several layers of South African heritage in one unforgettable day:
THE LAND
Discover the geological landscape that created the Cradle.
THE CAVE
Explore WonderCave and understand its geological and mining heritage.
THE FOSSILS
See evidence of ancient animals and our human ancestors.
THE SCIENCE
Meet researchers and discover how palaeoanthropologists interpret the evidence.
THE EXCAVATION
Visit an active fossil site and witness discoveries being made.
THE CULTURE
Celebrate South African heritage around a traditional braai.
EXPERIENCE THE CRADLE.
DISCOVER OUR PAST.
SEE HISTORY BEING UNEARTHED.
Heritage Day at Bothongo Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve
An unforgettable journey through the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, combining nature, geology, archaeology, palaeontology, science and authentic South African heritage.
LIMITED TOUR CAPACITY
The WonderCave and Drimolen experiences are subject to limited capacity and scheduled departures.
Pre-booking is recommended.
Bothongo Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve
Where wildlife, heritage and discovery come together.
Entry fee to a guided Tour Package:
• Accommodation
• Souvenirs
Bothongo WonderCave Entrance
This is a Self-Drive activity, the facility is situated inside the Bothongo Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve and cannot be accessed by foot. We do not offer or provide transport and you need your own transport to reach the WonderCave.
The entrance to the cave is going down 87 stairs at a 45degrees angle dropping 22 meters below the surface. You will then go down in an elevator with a drop of a further 18 meters into the cave.
The total drop down is 40 meters
Health & Safety Warning: Risk of Histoplasmosis – WonderCave
Visitors to the WonderCave should be aware of the potential risk of Histoplasmosis, a respiratory infection caused by inhaling spores of the Histoplasma fungus. This fungus thrives in environments with bat or bird droppings, which may be present in caves. While the risk of infection is generally low, individuals with weakened immune systems, respiratory conditions, or pre-existing lung diseases should take extra precautions.
Safety Recommendations:
- Avoid disturbing soil, bat guano, or bird droppings inside the cave.
- Wear protective masks if you have respiratory concerns.
- If you experience flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, fatigue) after your visit, seek medical attention and inform your healthcare provider of your cave visit.
By entering the WonderCave, visitors acknowledge and accept any potential health risks and agree that the management is not liable for any health-related issues arising from exposure to environmental elements within the cave.
Bothongo Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve
Customer reviews of this service will be posted soon.
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