Visit the Malapa and Gladysvale fossil sites

Travel by guided vehicle to active fossil sites at Gladysvale and Malapa, where Australopithecus sediba changed the human-family story.

Cradle of HumankindMalapaFossil sites

The experience

Stand beside active fossil science in the Cradle

Malapa and Gladysvale remain scientific sites rather than ordinary visitor caves.

Specialist access connects the Cradle's museum story to the places where evidence is still being recovered and interpreted.

Journeys

Experience FAQ

Q01Can travelers visit the sites independently?

No. The active sites are reached only through the authorized specialist tour format described by the reserve.

Q02Why is Malapa important?

Fossils found there led to the description of Australopithecus sediba and continue to inform debate about human evolution.

Plan with Alex

Travel from Johannesburg into wildlife country, follow the warm coast toward the Cape, or let spring flowers lead you north into the Kalahari.

We begin with the part of South Africa you most want to feel, then give the country enough time to change around you.