Discover the Journey of Humankind!
"Scientific research has shown that modern human
DNA lineages originally come out of Africa. We all
share 99.9% of our DNA. Between 150 000 to 200 000
years ago modern Homeo sapiens sapiens evolved in
Africa. They then left the continent and settled
throughout the entire world ...
- Middle East - 100 000 years ago
- Asia & Europe - 70 000 years ago
- America - 25 000 years ago"
(source: Origins Centre)
Johannesburg offers wonderful opportunities to
learn more about the origins of our species:
Maropeng, which is a Setswana word meaning
'returning to the place of our origins', takes
visitors on a fun and informative journey of
discovery using spectacular methods to tell
stories of the evolution of life and the origins
of humankind. It denotes the universal relevance
of the Cradle of Humankind as the ancestral home
of all, no matter what colour, culture or creed.
Maropeng is based in the Cradle of Humankind World
Heritage Site. (Maropeng Centre)
The Origins Centre at Wits University has an
outstanding, and fascinating, collection of rock
paintings, engravings and artifacts, but more
importantly, the history of South Africa is told,
through the art of the San people. If we want to
understand the culture, the spiritual beliefs, and
the very essence of the Zulu and Xhosa people as
they are today, and even the reasons for the
development of Soweto and other townships - we
need to take a step back a few hundred years, and
follow the path that the rock art stories can tell
us. "We are who we are because of who we were"
(Origins Centre)
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TA Conference Tours
SATAA has arranged two fascinating tours that will give you an overview of diverse Johannesburg:
- On Friday 8 August in the morning it is
possible to join a tour to Soweto which includes a
city orientation of downtown Johannesburg as well
as visits to the Hector Pietersen Memorial and
Nelson Mandela's original house. For more
information download this brochure:
- On Saturday 9 August a full day tour to
the Cradle of Humankind is scheduled. You will
visit Maropeng and the Sterkfontein Caves, lunch
will be enjoyed in the African ambience of the
Carnivore restaurant. Fore more information
download this brochure:
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Tours in Johannesburg & South Africa
Johannesburg and South Africa offer many wonderful
tours and sightseeing opportunities. We recommend
the below tourism and travel sites for you to book
your travels:
- Mpumalanga Experience Tours & Safaris
has put together a set of wonderful tours to
various parts of beautiful South Africa: city
tours to Johannesburg, Pretoria and Soweto, visits
to the Cradle of Humankind and Lesedi Cultural
Village and safari experiences to Pilanesberg and
Kruger Park. Mpumalanga Experience is a trusted
organisation that can also cater for your
individual travel requirements. More information
can be found at:
- For a Soweto tour with a difference
please refer to TALK Tourism an organization
committed to building peace by creating inspiring
opportunities for indigenous communities in Africa
to share their lives with people from different
cultures, in ways that generate employment, uphold
personal and cultural dignity, and are mutually
enriching. More information can be found at
http://www.phaphama.org
or by downloading the attached file:
(MS Word)
(PDF)
-
For bookings in the kruger national park as well as the other national parks, see:
http://www.sanparks.org
- If you are interested in going on a wilderness trail in the Kruger National Park (this
involves hiking through the park with a tracker and a game ranger), it is necessary to
book immediately in order to secure a booking as these trails are very popular and
August is high season for this type of holiday.
For other tours, including wildlife and theme tours such as visits to rock paintings, see:
- http://www.safarinow.com
- http://www.satourism.net
-
For further info on package tours that are available, download
this file:
(MS Word)
(PDF)
-
More information on the City of Johannesburg, including tourism information,
statistics, and nightlife information can be found at the city's website:
http://www.joburg.org.za
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