Things to do near
Kromdraai
*Distances are shown as the crow flies and not necessarily the actual travelling
distance.
Popular Attractions
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Magaliesburg (2.5 km from Kromdraai) Hot air ballooning over the Cradle of Humankind is an experience not to be missed. The Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site is only a 20 minutes' drive from Johannesburg's northern suburbs.
The site includes the Cradle Game Reserve, Josh Nash Game Reserve, the Rhino and Lion Park, and the Sterkfontein Caves. The balloon takes off from the Cradle Game Reserve shortly before sunrise. You will fly over 48 000 ha of wild countryside consisting of 40 species of game.
During the flight, your guide will explain the anthropological, historical and geological significance of the area. The flight duration is about an hour long depending on the wind direction. Rates are available on request.
Popular Attractions
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Muldersdrift (3.6 km from Kromdraai) The Cradle of Humankind is a significant UNESCO World Heritage Site about 50 km northwest of Johannesburg. Aptly named the Cradle of Humankind for the fact that it is the site where many of the oldest hominid fossils have been found, some dating back as far as 3.5 million years ago.
Since 1947, when Robert Broom discovered the first hominid fossil, “Mrs Ples”, literally thousands of fossils have been found at Sterkfontein Caves and the other sites that make up the Cradle of Humankind.
Besides the novelty of hanging out where our ancestors lived, the Cradle of Humankind is a fabulous place to visit and it is close to Pretoria and Johannesburg. There are plenty of small wildlife reserves, caves, restaurants, craft shops and guesthouses to keep you busy for days. You could even go for a hot air balloon ride. The Cradle is also close to Hartbeespoort Dam, the town of Magaliesburg and the Magaliesberg Mountains.
Popular Attractions
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Magaliesburg (9.9 km from Kromdraai) If you are looking for a romantic, luxurious and cosy adventure then hot air ballooning at Toadbury Hall is the perfect escape.
Toadbury Hall is only a 20 minutes' from Johannesburg's northern suburbs and is situated at the heart of the Crocodile River Valley. The balloon takes off just before sunrise and the flight is approximately one hour long.
There is a celebratory glass of champagne upon landing followed by a delicious buffet breakfast in Toadbury Hall's luscious gardens. Rates are available on request.
Popular Attractions
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Hekpoort (11 km from Kromdraai) The spectacular discoveries in 1947 at Sterkfontein, now part of the Cradle of Humankind are no secret and have gained South Africa the reputation as the birthplace of the human race.‘Mrs ‘Ples’, the 2.1-million-year-old Australopithecus skull, and 'Little Foot', an almost complete Australopithecus skeleton that is more than 3-million years old, were both found in the Sterkfontein Caves. These amazing discoveries and many other hominid and animal fossils found here date back more than 4-million years to the birth of humanity. ‘Mrs ‘Ples’ and 'Little Foot' tell us much about our ancestors, Homo sapiens.Daily tours at Sterkfontein Caves start above ground and then take visitors deep into the caves. The tours are run every half hour, seven days a week. Wear comfortable shoes when going into the caves and leave your handbags behind – there are a number of tight spots and stairs to negotiate. It is not advisable to do the tour if you are claustrophobic, suffer from acute asthma or have chest problems.
Shops
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Hartbeespoort (14.5 km from Kromdraai) A unique attraction in the area. A rustically decorated shop is set in a beautiful garden and stylishly designed grand old homestead. It is packed with art, jewellery, clothing and household trinkets made and displayed by local artists. Die Ou Pastorie also has a restaurant on site and sells their homemade jams and treats. A 'must visit' at Great Brak.
Galleries and Museums
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Hekpoort (14.6 km from Kromdraai) Just a one-hour drive from Johannesburg or Pretoria is the place where we all became human. This is where our story began, and by coming here, you are coming ‘home’. Maropeng means “returning to the place of origin” in Setswana, the main indigenous language in this region.The Maropeng Visitor Centre is a thrilling, world-class exhibition that allows you to look at fossils, learn about how humankind was born, view stone tools up to 1-million years old, and much more.Enter the massive burial mound called the Tumulus, your entrance to learning the secrets of our ancestry. Ideal for children, the Maropeng Visitor Centre is self-guided, highly up-to-date and interactive. There’s even an Adventure Tour through extensive, fascinating exhibits with an underground boat ride. Hot Tip: Get the most out of your Cradle visit with a combination ticket to the Sterkfontein Caves as well.
Popular Attractions
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Broederstroom (14.6 km from Kromdraai) Lesedi African Lodge and Cultural Village offers the opportunity of experiencing the fascinating cultures and traditions of the people of Africa. Located in the Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the village is only a 45-minute drive from Johannesburg and Pretoria.The multi-cultural village features five traditional homesteads each inhabited by Zulu, Xhosa, Pedi, Basotho and Ndebele tribes that live according to the tribal folklore and traditions of its ancestors.The Zulus with their sticks and cosy beehive huts, the Xhosa with their perfectly thatched rondawels and distinctive white blankets, the Pedi with their rhythmic drums and whistles, the conical straw hats and brightly coloured blankets of the Basotho and the Ndebele with their beautifully painted homes will reveal a way of life not readily encountered in the South African urban centres.Rooms are built in the traditional style but with modern conveniences, enabling guests to stay overnight to experience the lifestyle of a traditional rural African family without forfeiting comfort.Meals are a culinary feast and are enjoyed in a stylish decorated restaurant offering an exotic buffet serving ethnic dishes and a carvery.Special cultural programmes consisting of an audio-visual presentation on the history and origins of the various ethnic groups, guided tours and tribal dance displays, introducing guests to the multi-cultural lifestyle of the inhabitants of Lesedi.Enjoy the spirit of Ubuntu at this unique cultural venue where the music, song and warmth of Africa’s hospitality await you and the crafts and lifestyle of her people will enthral you.Nyama Choma Resaurant is divided into three sections. 'South Africa' has murals reflecting the nine tribes of South Africa. 'East Africa' features murals of the Masai, the statusque people of the East. 'North Africa – The Serengeti' offers the Nile Room, where you sit crossed legged on floor cushions at low tables and smoke hubbly-bubbly’s! The Fundudzi bar is situated next to the restaurant where overnight guests can relax.After a fun-filled day, rest your head in one of five traditional homesteads where families of the Pedi, Sotho, Xhosa, Zulu and Ndebele live in the traditional rural way, all nestling in pristine Bushveld.Additional guestrooms for each village have been constructed in the five homesteads offering the unique opportunity of staying with a traditional rural African family – however, all home comforts have been catered for. These include cosy beds and beautiful en suite bathrooms, equipped with all modern conveniences.The Monati (lunch) and Boma (dinner) cultural experiences are two and a half hour programs starting at 11:30am and 16:30pm. Guests are taken to the Ndebele village where a welcome by all the people of Lesedi takes place. The program begins with a multi-visual presentation on the history and origins of today’s rainbow nation, followed by a guided tour of the five homesteads. Guests are escorted to the Boma for traditional singing and dancing – a very participative affair!
Fun Parks
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Broederstroom (16.7 km from Kromdraai) Go zwinging near the Hartbeespoort Dam with Ama Zwing Zwing and your kids!
Embark on an airborne adventure of sliding along steel cables while watching the wildlife below. Seven exhilarating slides take you on a 1.3 km journey in the sky. Enjoy magnificent views of the surrounding Magaliesberg Mountains and the Crocodile River.
Ama Zwing Zwing Zip Lines offers unbeatable fun for two hours at Amanzingwe Lodge. The package is inclusive of refreshments and a light lunch.
+27 (0) 82 803 7731
www.amazwingzwing.co.za
Nature Reserves
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Lanseria (17.5 km from Kromdraai) Get up close and personal with rare white lions The Lion Park offers terrific close encounters with lions, other predators and large herbivores indigenous to Africa. You can also expect some superb filming and photographic opportunities.The Lion Park is home to over 80 lions including the rare white lions and many other carnivores such as cheetah, wild dog, brown hyena, striped hyena, spotted hyena, black-backed jackal, side-striped jackal, and a wide variety of antelope which roam freely in the antelope area.Visitors have an opportunity to interact with some of the animals in the Cub World area. A giraffe feeding platform puts you at eye level with the tame resident giraffe creating a fun experience for all ages. The hugely popular cub interaction allows guests to touch the cubs and take photographs.Need to know? The Lion Park is open every day of the year. Opening hours: weekdays 8:30am to 5pm;Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays 1 September to 30 April 8:30am to 6pm; 1 May to 31 August 8:30am to 5pm
Animal Parks
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Lanseria (18.2 km from Kromdraai) Enjoy thrilling encounters with scaly creatures at Croc City Crocodile and Reptile Park!
Close to the Lanseria International Airport and the Cradle of Humankind, Croc City Crocodile and Reptile Park is worth a whirl. Brave folk will be given the opportunity to hold a baby croc and a variety of snakes. There’s even a tarantula! Don’t forget your camera.
Informative guided tours take visitors to see the range of crocs from tiny juveniles to the + 5m adults. After the tour, relax in the tea garden while the kids play in the shaded play area.
Open 09:00 – 16:30 daily including public holidays.
Nature Reserves
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Roodepoort (18.6 km from Kromdraai) The magnificent Witpoortjie waterfall forms the backdrop to this lovely botanical garden covering almost 300 hectares of both landscaped and natural veld areas.
Previously called the Witwatersrand National Botanical Garden, the natural vegetation of the area is known as the "Rocky Highveld Grassland" and consists of a mosaic of grassland and savanna, with dense bush in kloofs and along streams. The variety of habitats accommodates over 600 naturally occurring plant species. seasonal highlights.
These fabulous gardens are also home majestic Black Eagles (Verreaux's Eagles), who nest on the cliffs alongside the waterfall. The garden has an abundance of wildlife. Together with the other 220 bird species, there are also a number of reptile and small mammals, including small antelope and jackal, which occur naturally in the Nature Reserve.
Take a stroll Several short walks run through the gardenand the surrounding natural areas. The SASOL Dam & Wetland has a boardwalk through the wetland and a bird hide. The JCI Geological Trail gives visitors the opportunity to not only walk along the Roodekrans Ridge and in the Nature Reserve portion of the Garden, but also to learn something about the fascinating geology of the area. Guided tours can be arranged for groups.
Need to know? The Garden is open daily from 08:00 to 18:00, no entry after 17:00. R30 for adults, R25 for students (with a valid student card), R12 for scholars (children), R25 for pensioners and disabled. Children under the age of 6 and Botanical Society members (with valid cards) have free entry.
Hiking Trail
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Hennops River (19.2 km from Kromdraai) Phaladingwe Nature Trail is a circular 6.8 km day walk close to Johannesburg. The trail passes the Broederstroom hills and the Crocodile River. Lovely views along the trail. Birds and animals to be seen.
Open every day between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm
Golf Courses
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Hartbeespoort Dam (19.4 km from Kromdraai) Tee off on stunning greens next to the banks of the Hartbeespoort Dam with sweeping views of the foothills of the Magaliesberg. Magalies Park Golf Course is an 18-hole course designed by Loutjie van Aswegen. Here, the total length of the course is a mens 5 864m and a ladies 5 001m.
The course rating for men is 72 and for ladies is 70. While the course may not be very long, it does not however mean that the golfer can take out his driver and play to his heart's content. A number of small trees have been strategically placed and although there are few water holes and no bunkers this is not a course for the faint-hearted, making for a challenging game of golf any day.
Interesting holes are the par 4 8th, and the par 4 12th stroke five, which is one of the most attractively designed holes on the course. At the clubhouse, a Pro Shop is made available for all your golfing needs, golf cards and club hire. Lessons are available on request.
When the going gets tough take a break and grab a light meal and refreshments at the 'Barn Owl' Halfway House, the 'Loeries Flight' takeaway and the 'Albatross' Halfway House.
Golf Courses
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Hartbeespoort (19.9 km from Kromdraai) 18-hole course designed by Jack Nicklaus.
Dams Vleis
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Hartbeespoort Dam (20.6 km from Kromdraai) Come and enjoy an extreme jet boat ride with Water Freaks at Hartbeespoort Dam.
You'll cruise for 20 minutes aboard a 430-horsepower jet boat in the majestic setting of the Magaliesburg mountains. The boat can reach speeds up to 90 km per hour. If the 360-degree spins executed by the driver don’t leave you breathless, the scenery will.
Speed boat and tube rides are also available if you're keen.