The Cradle of Humankind – Maropeng (36.6km) Maropeng means “returning to the place of origin” in Setswana, the main indigenous language in this area of South Africa. The Cradle of Humankind is an easy drive of about an hour from Johannesburg or Pretoria. Our ancestors have lived in this area for more than 3-million years. By coming here, you are coming to the birthplace of humanity. Welcome home. The Cradle of Humankind Site comprises a strip of a dozen diplomatic limestone caves containing the fossilised remains of ancient forms of animals, plants and most importantly, hominids. The dolomite, in which the caves formed, started out as coral reefs growing in a worm shallow sea about 2.3 billion years ago.
The Sterkfontein Caves are one of the richest and most productive palaeo-anthropological sites in the world and form part of the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site. Amongst the most remarkable findings to have been made by numerous world famous scientists within the Cradle of Humankind is the famous Mrs. Ples, the first complete Australopithecus skull to be discovered and more recently, “Little Foot”, a 4.17 million-year-old almost complete ape-man skeleton was also discovered in the same caves.
The Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve is a privately owned, non-subsidised game reserve, covering approximately 1 600 ha on the typical Highveld of Gauteng. The reserve is situated in the "Cradle of Humankind", a declared World Heritage Site, about 40 km north-west of Johannesburg and 60km east of Pretoria The reserve was founded in 1985, with the aim of preserving the scenic area for private leisure.
The Crocodile Ramble Route The Crocodile Ramble includes The Ramble in the Cradle of Humankind & The Ramble around the Hartbeespoort Dam. Here you will find a variety of interesting products and services, ranging from restaurants, arts & crafts to conference centres and nurseries. You can also opt for picnic, nature reserves, bird walks, 4x4 trails, hiking and horse trails or a heritage tour.
Eagle Canyon Golf Estate (1.8km)
This is a top standard 18 hole golf course with a driving range which was constructed in an old sand quarry. The course plays along the Canyon cliffs, along and over water with a clubhouse perched on the highest point with a full view of all 18 holes.
Ruimsig Golf Course (9.7km)
Nestling in the tranquil countryside of Ruimsig, west of Johannesburg, lies one of South Africa's most challenging championship golf courses, Roodepoort Country Club. It is well known and recognised that condition-wise the course is consistently among the top 10 in South Africa. The rolling bent grass greens are spectacular and similar to those that the world's top professionals encounter on the United States Tour. There are 72 bunkers to contend with and seven water hazards offering all handicap golfers a challenge yet the good golf shot will always be rewarded.
Soccer City Stadium is situated in Diepkloof near Nasrec, some 10 kilometres to the south-west of the city centre (and close to the old west reef gold mines.). Soccer City (also know as the FNB Stadium) is earmarked to host both the opening and final matches of the 2010 Soccer World Cup. Built in 1987, Soccer City has played host to some of the most memorable matches in South Africa’s soccer history.
Key Matches and Dates
• Friday, 11 June 2010 - Opening Match
• Sunday, 27 June 2010 - Round of 16
• Friday, 2 July 2010 - Quarter Final
• Sunday, 11 July 2010 - Final of the World Cup
First Round Matches at Soccer City Stadium:
• Friday 11 June 2010 - South Africa vs Mexico
• Monday 14 June 2010 - Netherlands vs Denmark
• Thursday 17 June 2010 - Argentina vs Korea Republic
• Sunday 20 June 2010 - Brazil vs Ivory Coast
• Wednesday 23 June 2010 - Ghana vs Germany
Soccer City has been enlarged to a seat 94 700 for soccer’s showcase event. Some significant changes were made to the original two-tiered bowl for the World Cup: the upper tier was be extended around the stadium, while an encircling roof was added.
Ellis Park Stadium is a major football venue in South Africa. Ellis Park Stadium has been ear-marked as a semi-final venue for the 2010 South Africa World Cup. The Stadium underwent major renovations. New upper tiers were added behind each goal, adding an extra 10 000 seats and bringing the seating capacity to the required 70 000. Ellis Park now meets all requirements as a semi-final match venue.
Key Matches and Dates:
• Monday, 28 June 2010 - Round of 16
• Saturday, 3 July 2010 - Quarter Final
First Round Matches at Ellis Park Stadium:
• Saturday 12 June 2010 - Argentina vs Nigeria
• Tuesday 15 June 2010 - Brazil vs Korea DPR
• Friday 18 June 2010 - Slovenia vs USA
• Monday 21 June 2010 - Spain vs Honduras
• Thursday 24 June 2010 - Slovakia vs Italy
Ellis Park stadium has a special place in South Africans' hearts after the 1995 Rugby World Cup final, when South Africa beat New Zealand during extra time in what was one of the most thrilling rugby matches ever!
In the city of Tshwane (Pretoria), Loftus Versfeld is situated 5 km from the city centre. To qualify for selection as a first and second round venue for the World Cup, the floodlights, sound system and scoreboard at Loftus Versfeld were upgraded and designated media areas were constructed in the lower level of the west stand. Loftus Versfeld Stadium is the homeground of the Sundowns Football Club, one of South Africa’s premiere professional clubs. Since 1977 Loftus Versfeld has undergone many renovations and its four major stands have been completely rebuilt.
First Round Matches and Dates:
• Sunday, 13 June 2010 - Serbia vs Ghana
• Tuesday, 15 June 2010 - South Africa vs Uraguay
• Friday, 18 June 2010 - Cameroon vs Denmark
• Wednesday, 23 June 2010 - USA vs Algeria
• Friday, 25 June 2010 - Chile vs Spain
The Coca-Cola Dome (5km)
The Coca-Cola dome is situated adjacent to Northgate Shopping Centre on the corner of Olievenhout Avenue & Northumberland Road, in Johannesburg's northern suburb of North Riding. The North Riding area is just North of the N1/ Western Bypass highway. The Dome is 5km from Jozi Apartments.
The Coca-Cola Dome is one of the 4 "Park & Ride" venues for the 2010 World cup Shuttles to the games.
