The Renowned Wits Sterkfontein Caves Reopen: Tickets, Opening Hours & Visitor Info

The world-renowned Wits Sterkfontein Caves reopened to the public on 15 April 2025, marking a new chapter for one of humanity’s most important palaeontological sites as it transitions to full management under Wits University.

Tourists and curious minds alike can book a tour of this important Heritage Site and explore ancient fossils, delve into the mysteries of human evolution, and more!

Inside the Wits Sterkfontein Caves by Brett Eloff | What's on in Joburg — Inside the Wits Sterkfontein Caves | Image by Brett Eloff

A World Heritage Site reimagined

Whilst previously serving primarily as a tourist destination, attracting thousands of international and local visitors, the reimagined Wits Sterkfontein Caves will offer a more immersive research and educational experience, bringing visitors closer to the science that has defined the site for nearly 100 years.

“This reopening represents a significant evolution in how we share the story of human origins,” says Prof. Nithaya Chetty, Dean of the Wits Faculty of Science. “Visitors now have unique opportunities to engage with active live science and research, all happening in real time.”

The enhanced visitor experience features:

Direct interactions with scientists and students conducting research
Behind-the-scenes access to fossil preparation laboratories
Guided tours of the Wits Sterkfontein Caves with enhanced scientific context
Educational programmes focused on human evolution and palaeoanthropology, as well as other scientific disciplines in the Earth Sciences, such as Climate Science and Geosciences
Exhibits showcasing the latest discoveries and research findings

Wits Sterkfontein Caves Fossil Technician Andrew Phaswana in the casting laboratory by Brett Eloff | What's on in Joburg — Caves Fossil Technician Andrew Phaswana in the casting laboratory | Image by Brett Eloff

The significance of the Wits Sterkfontein Caves

Located within the Cradle of Humankind UNESCO World Heritage Site near Johannesburg, the Wits Sterkfontein Caves have yielded some of the most important hominin fossil discoveries including the iconic “Mrs Ples” (1947) and “Little Foot” (1997) along with hundreds of other fossils of human relatives.

These discoveries have been crucial to informing the global understanding of human evolution and the origins of humanity. Since taking over the management of the Sterkfontein site in 1966, Wits University’s researchers have made many contributions to the study of human evolution. The University now houses the world’s largest repository of hominin fossils, many of which were discovered in the Wits Sterkfontein Caves.

The limestone caves have preserved critical evidence of relatives of the human race. For millions of years, the remains of hominins and many other animals living on the Cradle of Humankind landscape have accumulated underground, creating a fossil record spanning several million years of human evolution.

The Caves continue to yield new discoveries that shape human understanding of who we are and where we come from.

Inside the Wits Sterkfontein Caves Museum by Brett Eloff | What's on in Joburg — Inside the Wits Sterkfontein Caves Museum | Image by Brett Eloff

Meet the new management

Under the new management structure, Dr. Job Kibii serves as the Head of the Wits Sterkfontein Caves, overseeing daily operations and visitor experiences, while Professor Dominic Stratford continues to lead research activities as the research permit holder.

Dr. Job Kibii is a product of Wits University and the Wits Sterkfontein Caves, having obtained his Master of Science and Doctorate degrees in 2000 and 2005 respectively, analysing fossils from Sterkfontein Caves.

Professor Dominic Stratford is a lecturer in the School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies at Wits. He investigates the site formation and stratigraphy of archaeological and palaeoanthropological sites in southern Africa.

Entrance to the Wits Sterkfontein Caves by Brett Eloff | What's on in Joburg — Entrance to the Wits Sterkfontein Caves | Image by Brett Eloff

Book a tour

The Museum, Fossil Preparation labs, and the “Timeline Walk” are all accessible by wheelchair, though the Caves are not, and include stairs and tight spaces. The Cave tours are not recommended for visitors with mobility issues or claustrophobia.

Every tour is approximately 60 to 90 minutes in length and each tour group is limited to 30 people.

Cost: R150pp for adult. R100pp for pensioners (60+ years). R125pp for kids aged 6 to18 years. Free entry for kids u/6 + on birthdays. R80pp for Museum and prep lab tour only | Book via Webtickets

When: Tuesday to Sunday (Closed Mondays). Tours depart hourly from 9am to 4pm (Last tour departs at 4pm)
Where: Wits Sterkfontein Caves, Kromdraai Rd, Johannesburg