Sometimes all you need to perk up the spirits is a road trip and a weekend away from civilisation. After spending just a night out in the Cradle of Humankind at the Maropeng Hotel, exploring the Sterkfontein Caves and learning more about the human race’s evolution at the Maropeng Visitor’s Centre, I have to say that the world seems put to right.

Starting at the Sterkfontein Caves, our group enjoyed the company of our guide, Lindiwe. The tour was informative, fun and there was a lot more information and detail than when I visited the caves a few years ago. We also got to explore what seemed like more of the caves than before and a group of archeologists working in the cave made it all that more exciting.

Our afternoon was concluded with cocktails on the wooden deck of the Maropeng Hotel, where we also checked in to stay the night. Friendly staff, a cold glass of chardonnay and a gorgeous sunset were the order of the afternoon and was followed up by a homely meal in the hotel’s restaurant.

After dinner, the afternoon’s clouds cleared enough for us to take part in a stargazing workshop with the hotel’s resident astronomer, Vincent Nettman. We got the chance to see what the skies would allow and I shot this incredible photo of the sliver of moon in the sky through the massive telescope set up outside for our use. Vincent also went through a presentation on basic astronomy, which I found a little cheesy and at times over my head, but if stars are you thing then there’s a lot of detail that you’d enjoy. I was just happy to stare through the telescope in the end, I could’ve done that happily for a few more hours.

After a good night in the massive bed at the Maropeng Hotel, we spent the morning learning about the evolution of the human race at the Maropeng’s Visitor’s Centre. The centre reaffirms details from the Sterkfontein Caves and also elaborates on the evolution of other species and takes a few guesses as to the future of our kind. It’s fun and interactive and includes an underground boat ride, walking through a simulated vortex (I wanted to vomit) and playing around with a few different exhibits.

If you’re looking for a weekend escape that’s great for anybody really, but especially for families, there really is something to be said of visiting Maropeng as an inclusive experience. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend the hotel for a family stay, but the rooms are really big and with a small terrace area overlooking the Magaliesberg, they’re perfect a for a couple’s getaway.

My visit to Maropeng was by invite through the centre and hotel. As with all my posts, editorial control remains my own.