Private tour in Johannesburg Lesley O

The Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site private tour from Johannesburg.

5.0

(53) reviews

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Hours icon 7 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-7 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
Start time
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-
Hours icon 7 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-7 people
Your party size

1

View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later

Lesley O.

4.9

Guide rating

300

Reviews

Tours delivered

4 hrs

Avg. response time

I love my country passionately and have always had a deep-seated interest in all it holds, especially its history and wildlife. South Africa is blessed with the most incredible variety and richness of landscape, flora, fauna and people. There is nothing I enjoy more than showing this bounty to visitors and giving my guests an insight into my world. I enjoy one-on-one communication, discussing points of interest raised by the guests. I always customize the itinerary to suit special interests, and am quite happy to change things to suit during the tour, provided no pre-bookings have been made. My special interest is wildlife, and therefore I have trained as a field guide as well as a tour guide. This allows me to add depth to any tour, but especially the Nature tours. I strive to deliver a quality, personal touring experience. No matter whether historical, cultural or natural, the journey is both unique and unforgettable. I have lived in South Africa most of my life, and have been resident in the Gauteng area for 50 years. I have a passion for history and the natural world and enjoy sharing my knowledge with others. I have a personal interest in ornithology (that's birds!) and trips to suit those with a special interest in birds and birding can be arranged with the greatest of pleasure. I believe that every place has a story. As a guide, I strive to tell such stories in an interesting and informative way. Visiting the setting around which the story evolved brings a feeling of reality to the events. Whether visiting a museum or exploring a game reserve, on a day trip or on a long journey to the lesser-known parts of the country, I plan my routes through interesting areas imparting as much local knowledge as possible along the way. Many visitors want to see where and how local people live, so I take the back routes rather than flying past on the highways. Wherever possible, I vary my return route so as to enjoy as much of this beautiful country as possible. I do not have set itineraries. I tailor each tour to suit the client - from the food to the route, the places and the people. The museum may be the same, but the route we take and what we see along the way will be planned according to the client's interests ensuring a unique, personal experience. Registered South African Tourist Guide for Gauteng, North-West and Mpumalanga provinces. Field Guide registered with Field Guide Association of South Africa. Field Guides are essentially Game Rangers, proficient to take tourists through Nature and Game Reserves.

Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Lesley O.

Overview of your Johannesburg tour

Sterkfontein Caves and the surrounding area is one of the richest sites for fossil hominids in the world. Walk down into these caves and see why the fossils here are so intact and how they got here. The ongoing excavations in this cave yielded 'Mrs. Ples' in 1947, and 'Little Foot' in 1998, both Australopithecus africanus. Nearby, a whole new species, Australopithecus sediba, was discovered in 2010 and Homo naledi in 2015. The walk around the site has vantage points showing the location of other caves in the Cradle. Malapa Museum offers a wonderful overview of the environment leading to the fossils and the discovery of Australopithecus sediba at Malapa. Maropeng visitor centre explains the forces shaping the earth and evolution and has a display of fossils. The walk outside has beautiful views across the Cradle. This tour can be combined with a visit to Lesedi Cultural Village for dinner or the Rhino and Lion Park - please, ask for details. Meets Animal Welfare policy.

Your Johannesburg tour itinerary

We drive to Malapa Museum at the Cradle Boutique Hotel, which we spend time in. This takes around 1hr30min. Clsed Monday and Tuesday. We travel to the Sterkfontein Caves (closed Monday) where - We descend on a guided tour of the caves. - Spend some time in the museum. - Walk around the diggings where Mrs. Ples was found, and along the boardwalk, where other caves in the Cradle are pointed out. This takes about 2 hrs. The cave portion can be omitted if required. We drive to Maropeng Visitor Centre. Here, we enjoy the exhibits. Time spent depends on individual interest. Depending on the time available we can take the longer, scenic route back which goes through the Cradle via the Witwatersberg mountains, providing a glimpse of the beauty of this area. This is a full day tour, and all refreshments are provided. If anything extra is required, there is a restaurant/coffee shop at all locations, as well as gift shops.

Want to customize this tour?

Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.

Transport details
Type: Private Transportation / Category: Minibus

Comfortable Volkswagen Microbus seating 7 passengers, 5 excluding middle seats, with airconditioning and excellent visibility.

What's included
Other: Transport to and from your place of accommodation, all entry fees, soft drinks and snacks in the vehicle. If you would like to combine this with other sites in the area, please ask for suggestions and a customised tour.
Private Guide
Private Transportation
Tickets: All site entries
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses. Items of a personal nature. If a sit-down meal is requested, it will be at your own cost. PLEASE NOTE: The trip into the caves requires around 200 steps out and crouching through some narrow areas. A reasonable level of fitness is required.
Meeting location

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

The airport or your hotel

  • You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
History
Layover
Nature Wildlife And Safaris
Tour reference number
15964
Languages
English
Activity level
Moderate
Accessibility
Kid Friendly
5.0

Traveller reviews for this private tour in Johannesburg

53 reviews

FAQs

Who is this private tour in Johannesburg best suited for?

This private tour in Johannesburg is perfect for travellers interested in the history of early humans and those who want to explore the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site with a knowledgeable guide. It's also suitable for families, as it is kid-friendly, and for those who prefer a moderate level of activity. With Lesley O. as your guide, you'll gain deeper insights into the fascinating discoveries at this site.

What should I bring or wear?

Can this private tour in Johannesburg be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?

How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?

Where does the tour start and end?

Is transportation included?

How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?

What languages is this tour offered in?

What's included in this private tour, and what should I budget for separately?

Is this a private tour? What is the maximum group size and the starting price?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 7 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-7 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
Start time
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 7 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-7 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
Start time
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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