The word ‘Maropeng’ means ‘returning to the place of our origins’ in Setswana, and this is precisely what Maropeng is, taking visitors on a journey of discovery and heritage. Maropeng is located 45-minutes from Johannesburg and Pretoria and is the official visitor centre for the Cradle of Humankind, a World Heritage Site which has yielded some of the world's most valuable palaeo-anthropological evidence and is a must-see heritage visit in South Africa. Upon arrival at Maropeng, the Tumulus stands out like a beacon of mystery, but in contrast to this first impression, it contains a wealth of knowledge accessible to all.
The Tumulus, a replica of an ancient underground burial mound, was purpose-built as a visitor centre to showcase the Cradle of Humankind and the unprecedented quantity of hominid fossils discovered throughout the fossil sites in this area. It is a fun and educational visit for the entire family. Before commencing with the tour, visitors have the opportunity to have a light snack at the market place restaurant, or browse through the well-stocked curio shop. An outdoor café with panoramic views of the Magaliesberg is also located at the end of the tour.
Maropeng offers state-of-the-art conference facilities for up to 500 delegates at the Tumulus building. The three conference rooms have been designed in the same natural contemporary style as the hotel, and can be used for conferences, corporate events, weddings and other special occasions. Seating can be arranged in banquet, schoolroom or cinema style and standard equipment provided includes LCD data projectors, in-house PA system, flipcharts, white board and markers, lectern, dance floor, portable stage and built-in screens. Additional audio-visual equipment can be arranged on request.
