Cradle battlefields weekend (October 4 - 5)

During the second half of 1900 the Anglo-Boer War shifted dramatically into its most devastating phase. The guerrilla tactics used by one side and farm destruction by the other changed the course of the war and the next century of South African history.

The Magaliesberg/Cradle area became one of the most important theatres of the new warfare. From a vantage point high in the Mogale’s Gate Nature Reserve we will look down on the sites of three critical battles: Dwarsvlei, where two Victoria Crosses were awarded and the Boers lost one of their finest generals; Nooitgedacht, where Beyers and De la Rey destroyed a British farm-burning column; and De Wet’s famous ride to bring the two Boer presidents together, one of the most incredible accomplishments in military history.

Join renowned historian Vincent Carruthers as he takes you on a journey to discover the military manoeuvres of the armies and discuss the heroism and tragedy of the colourful individuals who took part.

The weekend getaway includes one night’s accommodation at the luxurious Maropeng Hotel, all meals, a walking tour to the battle sites, an evening discussion with Vincent and entrance into the Maropeng Visitor Centre. The battlefield weekend getaway costs R1 950 per person. Booking is essential as space is limited.

Friends of the bat (October 11)

The Gauteng & Northern Regions Bat Interest Groups will present an interesting talk about bats, clarifying facts and myths in an effort to conserve the declining bat population. Suitable for families, the presentation costs R195 for adults and R120 for children, which includes dinner at the Tumulus restaurant, followed by a walk in the Maropeng grounds looking for bats.

It promises to be an evening to go absolutely batty for. Guests wishing to stay overnight can book the hotel special of R620 per person sharing per night including luxury accommodation and breakfast (in addition to the “friends of the bat” cost).

Click here to see our Events Calendar.

Maropeng / Pink Boudoir girls’ weekend
(October 18 - 19)

The idyllic setting of the four-star Maropeng Hotel is ideal for the last girls’ weekend for 2008! In response to the enthusiastic feedback of the previous pamper weekends, Maropeng, together with The Pink Boudoir (www.thepinkboudoir.co.za), will be hosting a weekend of utter indulgence, exclusively for ladies on October 18 and 19.

Set aside your roles of mother, wife and career woman and rediscover your fun and feminine side. The package includes all meals, one night’s luxury accommodation at the Maropeng Hotel, pamper treatments, a variety of sensual workshops and presentations including pole-dance and lap-dancing lessons, surprise gifts and bubbly with meals.

The cost is R1 950 per person. Ladies will be able to check in to the hotel from 14h00 onwards on Saturday Octoberr 18.

Contact sylviam@maropeng.co.za or 014 577 9000.

Click here to see our Events Calendar.

Stargazing: Living amongst the stars (October 25)

“Do we gaze at the stars because we are human, or are we human because we gaze at stars?”

From the beginnings of time, early humans gazed upward and beheld the awesome splendour of our night skies. They wondered what the stars were and what lay beyond. They no doubt speculated about the stars’ origins, and the origins of their own existence.

Our popular after-dinner astronomy talk this month is entitled “Living Amongst the Stars” and it’s about how astronomy relates to our lives today. The evening is suitable for families, and the cost of R170 per adult and R95 per child includes a three-course dinner at the Tumulus Restaurant and stargazing presentation.

After the illustrated talk, our guests are invited to a leisurely star-gazing session through large-aperture telescopes (weather conditions permitting). Guests wishing to stay overnight can book the hotel special of R620 per person sharing per night, including luxury accommodation and breakfast (in addition to the stargazing cost).

Join Vincent Nettmann, Maropeng’s resident astronomer, as we explore the universe.

Contact sylviam@maropeng.co.za or 014 577 9000

Christmas Day Buffet at Maropeng (December 25)

Be merry on Christmas Day at Maropeng, the official Visitor Centre for the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site. Bring the whole family for lunch at Maropeng’s Tumulus Restaurant on December 25 for a festive buffet feast.

The buffet will begin with an irresistible selection of platters including the chef’s soup of the day, sliced roast beef, smoked salmon with capers and cream cheese dip, a salad symphony and freshly baked breads. The main buffet will be laden with melt-in-the-mouth rosemary leg of lamb with apricot and mint sauce, roast turkey stuffed with pineapple and herb filling with cranberry sauce, beef curry with sambals, and chicken potjie, all complemented with roast baby potatoes, basmati rice, tender roast vegetables and creamy broccoli and cauliflower in cheese sauce.

Christmas would just not be the same without traditional Christmas pudding with plum sauce, and it will feature on the decadent dessert display together with malva pudding, marbled chocolate mousse, chocolate fudge brownies, crème caramel and fresh fruit salad and ice cream.

The cost per person for the Christmas Day buffet lunch is R275 and bookings are essential as space is limited.

Click here to see our Events Calendar.

Download our screensaver and enjoy the stunning visuals of Maropeng from your desk

Return to your desk after a few minutes away, and see a stunning image of Maropeng’s picturesque setting, overlooking the Witwatersberg and Magaliesberg mountains.

Our new site offers visitors the opportunity to download a free Maropeng screensaver, available in formats suitable for both Mac and PC users.

The screensaver offers a range of images of Maropeng and Sterkfontein Caves, showing the Tumulus building, the magnificent vistas of the area, and the boutique hotel, as well as images of the exhibitions themselves.

Browse through our gallery
The new Maropeng website now has a comprehensive gallery section, covering many of the stimulating visuals in the Maropeng Visitor Centre and at Sterkfontein Caves.

Grab a glimpse of what the exhibitions offer before you experience them first hand, peek into the bedrooms of the luxurious boutique hotel, see what a memorable event a wedding at Maropeng can be …

There is so much to see at Maropeng and the online gallery delivers the highlights in an accessible way to previous, future or online visitors.

At Maropeng, we pride ourselves on our educational focus. We cater for school groups to Maropeng itself, as well as to Sterkfontein Caves, our sister site. Read about why the Cradle of Humankind is an important part of anyone’s education, no matter their age, in our Education section.

Contact Sylvia on sylviam@maropeng.co.za or 014 577 9000 for bookings, menus and further information. Booking is essential for presentations and special events as space is limited. Directions are available on www.maropeng.co.za.