
Cradle of Humankind, Lesedi Cultural Village & Lion's Park
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 3 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Cradle of Humankind, Lesedi Cultural Village & Lion's Park worth booking?
Cradle of Humankind, Lesedi Cultural Village & Lion's Park is a 8-hour experience in Pretoria, South Africa, from $245 per person. It scores 59 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 3 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 59 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (3)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $245 per person
All entry fees are on VBS Tours and Travel At Cradle of Human Kind Maropeng The Site guide will take over and we will enter Cradle via a prehistoric mound and after a boat ride that will take us through a journey of creation of life on the planet and mankind's evolution, to exit into the 21st century. Lesedi Cultural Village offers a cultural dance performance as part of its two-hour cultural tours. The tours are held daily from 11:30 AM Visitors are welcomed with a traditional dance and song. The village also offers beside cultural tours, homestays. The Lion & Safari Park is home to over 80 lions including the rare white lions and many other carnivores such as South African cheetah, Cape wild dog, brown hyena and spotted hyena, black-backed jackal, and a wide variety of antelope which roam freely in the antelope area. You can enjoy: Self Drives, Guided Safaris, Horseback Safaris, Quad Bikes, Special Tours, Trails. Little Rangers. VBS includes 1 h guided Safari.
What you get
About this experience
All entry fees are on VBS Tours and Travel At Cradle of Human Kind Maropeng The Site guide will take over and we will enter Cradle via a prehistoric mound and after a boat ride that will take us through a journey of creation of life on the planet and mankind's evolution, to exit into the 21st century. Lesedi Cultural Village offers a cultural dance performance as part of its two-hour cultural tours. The tours are held daily from 11:30 AM Visitors are welcomed with a traditional dance and song. The village also offers beside cultural tours, homestays. The Lion & Safari Park is home to over 80 lions including the rare white lions and many other carnivores such as South African cheetah, Cape wild dog, brown hyena and spotted hyena, black-backed jackal, and a wide variety of antelope which roam freely in the antelope area. You can enjoy: Self Drives, Guided Safaris, Horseback Safaris, Quad Bikes, Special Tours, Trails. Little Rangers. VBS includes 1 h guided Safari.
What's included
Included
- All Fees and Taxes
- In-vehicle air conditioning
Not included
- Lunch
What you'll see and do
Johannesburg
Depart from Johannesburg / Pretoria at 07h45, and our professional and experienced tour guide will pick you from your hotel lobby, he will be there at least 15 minute before departure, he will have a sign bord with your name on it. We will travel for approximately 60 minutes from the hotel / Sandton to the Cradle of Humankind / Maropeng. On your way, our tour guider will give you an insight of the history of South Africa: earlier history, the union of South Africa, the apartheid era and the today's South Africa.
Pass by without stopping
Maropeng Visitor Centre
Our first will be Cradle of Human Kind (Maropeng) The Site guide will take over as per the new regulations, and we will enter the Maropeng Visitor Centre via a prehistoric mound (the Tumulus building), You will see fossils, learn about how humankind was born, view stone tools that are up to one million years old, and much more. This self-guided, interactive tour allows you to take all the time you need to ponder humanity's fascinating origin story. You will have an exciting underground boat ride that will take you through a journey of creation of life on the planet and mankind's evolution, to exit into the 21st century! At approximately 10h15 we must be done and will be heading to Lesedi cultural village, so that we can be part of the 11h30 warm cultural dance performance session welcome.
60 minutes here · Admission included
At Lesedi Cultural Village, after the 11h30 warm welcome session you will visit five traditional villages including Xhosa, Zulu, Pedi, Basotho and Ndebele. You will have the opportunity to listen to traditional music being played, and the fascinating stories told by the people of Lesedi. Enjoy a traditional South African tribal get-together, whilst experiencing some traditional dancing. After the traditional dance, you will head to the Nyama Choma restaurant. Nyama Choma stands for "Great African Feast", and that is exactly what you will experience! There is an extensive choice of African dishes, including crocodile and ostrich. The restaurant is divided into three different themed areas consisting of North Africa, East Africa and South Africa. You will have a lot to talk about after a cultural and fun day in Lesedi. At approximately 13h30 we will be heading to Lion Park.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Lion and Safari Park
The adventure continues after lunch as we will make our way to the Lion and Safari Park. Here you will enjoy exhilarating 1hour safari drives, observe lions in their natural environment and see how they interact with each other and other animals. See giraffes, cheetahs, and much more. You will also have the opportunity to feed the giraffe (Optional=Clients buying Girafe's foods to feed it20). Your tour comes to an end at 15:30 PM with a return journey to your accommodation.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Pretoria
Meeting point
Pretoria
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, fr
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- VBS TOURS AND TRAVEL
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 3 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
1 mentionPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Food and drink
1 mentionThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Good for families
1 mentionReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
3 verified traveler reviews for Cradle of Humankind, Lesedi Cultural Village & Lion's Park. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Highly Recommend!
Kleinboy was a fabulous driver/guide! It was a wonderful day; surprisingly my favorite stop of the three was the Lion Safari Park, seeing the animals up so close was amazing! Highly recommend this tour and Kleinboy.
Response from the operator: Dear Judie H, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful experience with Vbs Tours and Travel. We are thrilled to hear that your day was so memorable and that the Lion Safari Park stood out as your favorite stop! It is fantastic to know that Kleinboy provided such fabulous service as your driver and guide. We will be sure to pass your high praise and recommendations along to him—he will be delighted to hear it. We hope to welcome you back for another amazing adventure in the future! Warm regards, Kevin K Vbs Public Relations Manager
via Viator
Great way to spend your day!
This was a great time. Lots of fun. I cant say enough about our guide Daniel and driver Gee. They both went above and beyond to make our day special while keeping us on schedule. Danial is exceptional with his ability to explain South Africa’s and J-town history. He also offered to stop anywhere we wanted on the way back to the hotel. We really appreciate him. The cradle of humankind was interesting. Awesome place for young kids. Like an interactive science museum. The Zulu villages were so much fun. Lots of singing and dancing mixed in with the history of different tribes. Definitely buy the lunch. It was $8 USD The lion park wasn’t much more than a zoo. We did get to watch the lions eat.
Response from the operator: Good morning Ms. Deborah_F, Thank you for your time and words of appreciation towards our Guider Daniel and driver Gee. VBS Tours and Travel management is so honored to hear that you had an informative, exciting and unforgettable Tours and our team performing beyond expectation. The satisfaction of clients is our aim. We hope to see you again. VBS Tours and Travel Management.
via Viator
Cradle of Humankind and Lesedi Cultural Village
A must-see destination when visiting South Africa. We got the insight of the birth of humanity and first inhabitants of this world at the Cradle of Mankind. Afterwhat we were taken to Lesedi Cultural Village and met 5 differents tribes in the area, tried African drumming at the Ndebele village... Watched great traditional dances performance accompanied by musics... Charles from VBS was a great guide to us and an asset to your company as he is very knowledgeable. We were picked up on time from our hotel and the tour was well organized. Thank you so much. We highly recommend!!!
Response from the operator: Thank you Mr. Moise We will strive do make sure you are happy, because the satisfaction of the client is our main objective. We look forward to see you again.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $245 to $4,550
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 59
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Cradle of Humankind, Lesedi Cultural Village & Lion's Park: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Pretoria.
How much does Cradle of Humankind, Lesedi Cultural Village & Lion's Park cost?
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Prices start at $245 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Pretoria usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Cradle of Humankind, Lesedi Cultural Village & Lion's Park take?
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Plan for about 8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Pretoria is not rushed.
Is Cradle of Humankind, Lesedi Cultural Village & Lion's Park worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 59 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 3 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Pretoria, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Cradle of Humankind, Lesedi Cultural Village & Lion's Park?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Cradle of Humankind, Lesedi Cultural Village & Lion's Park suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Cradle of Humankind, Lesedi Cultural Village & Lion's Park?
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Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Pretoria can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Pretoria and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Cradle of Humankind, Lesedi Cultural Village & Lion's Park start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Pretoria within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Pretoria?
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On Outty we rank every Pretoria experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Soweto Cultural Walking Tour with Lunch, Guided Bicycle Tour of Soweto with Lunch, Johannesburg and Soweto tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Pretoria?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Pretoria?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Cradle of Humankind, Lesedi Cultural Village & Lion's Park?
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Included: All Fees and Taxes; and In-vehicle air conditioning. Not included: Lunch. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
What languages is Cradle of Humankind, Lesedi Cultural Village & Lion's Park offered in?
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It is offered in English and French. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Cradle of Humankind, Lesedi Cultural Village & Lion's Park?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Cradle of Humankind, Lesedi Cultural Village & Lion's Park wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Specialized infant seats are available; and Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Cradle of Humankind, Lesedi Cultural Village & Lion's Park if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Pretoria. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Cradle of Humankind, Lesedi Cultural Village & Lion's Park?
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Across 3 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, organization. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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