To celebrate the Festive season, Maropeng is offering a discounted price on all online entry tickets purchased to Maropeng and/or Sterkfontein Caves from 4 December 2013 until the 12 January 2014.
Tickets can be purchased through the Maropeng Shop only. Log onto www.maropeng.co.za and click on shop.
Ticket prices:
Maropeng
- R95 – Adult
- R65 – Child
Sterkfontein
- R100 – Adult
- R70 – Child
Combined Tickets
- R150 – Adult
- R120 – Child
7 December: Secret Treasures of Stellenbosch
The Maropeng Hotel has teamed up with wine Connoisseur Andre Craye to bring you Secret Treasures of Stellenbosch. Andre Craye has been on numerous explorations to find the unknown gems of the Stellenbosch winelands. He brings a passion and enthusiasm for wine that will leave you enthralled and feeling like a wine connoisseur yourself at the end of the day. A six course lunch has been specially created by Maropeng’s Head Chef Peter Langa to complement the carefully selected wines. The menu includes mouth watering delights that are paired perfectly with surprise wines revealed on the day!
- Age: Adults only
- Time: 12h00 for 12h30
- Venue: Maropeng Boutique Hotel
- Price: R375 per person, which includes the lunch and the wine tasting per course. Please note that any other drinks will be for your own account. As it is Maropeng’s 8th birthday, each guest will also receive a special gift to take home.
7 December: “Our Summer Skies.”
Explore the Universe with Maropeng’s resident astronomer, Vincent Nettmann.
The Taurus-Orion region is one of the best “beginner” areas of the sky to start your astronomical journey. The Great Orion Nebula is a vast cloud of dust and gas, a “stellar nursery”, where recently four hot young stars were formed. The Seven sisters, or the Pleiades, is an open cluster consisting of about 480 infant stars. Rigel is a huge young blue star burning its nuclear fuels at a very fast rate. Beetlejuice is a giant red star that’s 10 billion years old, and coming to the end of its life. Discover some amazing facts about the fascinating life-cycles of the stars as we take a last look at our summer skies for the season.
Guests are encouraged to dress warmly and bring binoculars to participate on a beginners laser guided sky tour. Weather permitting, the laser guided binocular tour while stargazing through our large aperture telescopes will take place after dinner, to which you are also invited.
- Age: All ages
- Time and venues: 17:30 – Arrival for Welcome Drinks in the Reception
18:00 – Stargazing presentation in the designated conference room
19:30 – Guests will walk up to the Restaurant for the buffet dinner - Cost: R230 per adult and R145 per child (4 to 14 years).
- Itinerary: Please note that you will receive the itinerary via SMS the day before the event.
10 December 2013 – 19 January 2014: “Mrs Ples and friends” New fossil display
Maropeng is proud to announce its new original fossil display opening in December 2013. Titled, “Mrs Ples” and friends, a selection of hominid fossils from the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, this display will give visitors the opportunity to see original hominid fossils, including “Mrs Ples” – the most well-known discovery in the Cradle. “Mrs Ples” was last on display eight years ago when Maropeng opened. This discovery by Dr Robert Broom in 1947 at the Sterkfontein Caves would turn the science world’s attention onto southern Africa and Africa as a whole in terms of its rich palaeoanthropological history. At the time of its discovery, “Mrs Ples” was the most complete fossil cranium ever found.
A chance to see “Mrs Ples”, alongside other very important hominid fossil remains, is a unique and special opportunity for all.
14 December: Bone Detectives
Join dynamic and upcoming young scientist, Brendon Billings, at Maropeng for an evening of fine dining and a robust discussion on the fascinating topic of paleoanthropology.
Brendon has hosted a series of themed walking tours at Maropeng over the past two years. These have been highly successful, now with new and exciting offerings. “The events this year have definitely been different. I have refocused my research around neuroscience, hence the brain and behaviour has been one of my more focal themes this year. The brain and behaviour has been a popular topic globally in recent years and I believe that this has definitely added a new twist to my discussion,” he explains.
After a sumptuous dinner at the Maropeng Hotel Restaurant, guests will gather in the lounge to enjoy a robust discussion with Brendon. Guests will have the opportunity to get to grips with some amazing fossil and bone casts.
Brendon will also include a historical review of pioneers in the field of paleoanthropology including a discussion dedicated to Professor Tobias.
“However, certain things will remain the same such as it being an interactive talk with many practical examples, so no lectures, just fun!” he says. Having grown up in Coronationville, Johannesburg, Billings has completed his MSc degree in the History of Science at the University of the Witwatersrand, and is currently doing a PhD in comparative neuroscience.
Billings is also the Curator of all collections housed within the School of Anatomical Sciences, at Wits Medical School. At just 31 years of age, Billings is a passionate young man with a special interest in Physical Anthropology. He represents the new face of science and brings a refreshing new perspective and energy to the field.
- Age: Adults only
- Time: 18:00 with welcome drinks
- Venue: Maropeng Boutique Hotel
- Cost: R375 per person which includes welcome drinks, a three-course set menu and the presentation.
Should you wish to combine this event with a stay at the Maropeng Hotel, please contact Mmathabo Maine on 014 577 9000 or mmathabom@maropeng.co.za to make a reservation.
25 December: Christmas Day Buffet lunch at the Tumulus Restaurant
What better way to enjoy Christmas day than with a delicious Christmas day buffet at Maropeng’s Tumulus Restaurant? The buffet includes delectable platters, salads, carvery and desserts to satisfy any palate. For more information on the menu visit Maropeng’s website.
- Age: All ages
- Time: 12:00 to 15:30
- Venue: Tumulus Restaurant
- Cost: R175 (children 5 – 14 years). R300 (adults)
25 December: Fine dining Christmas Day lunch at the Maropeng Hotel
Fancy some fine dining on Christmas Day? The Maropeng Boutique Hotel is offering a three-course meal to celebrate the day.
The menu includes a starter of salmon, prawns and hummus followed by a palate-cleansing sorbet. A choice of four mains will be on offer followed by an assortment of desserts, coffee, tea and handmade truffles to finish off the feast. For more information on the menu visit Maropeng’s website.
- Age: All ages
- Time: From 12:30
- Venue: Hotel restaurant
- Cost: R250 (children 5 – 14 years). R350 (adults)
Ongoing: Kiddies Birthday Parties
Maropeng has put together a number of fun and educational kiddies birthday party packages. While parents relax and enjoy the splendour of their surroundings, the children will be entertained by a guided tour of the Sterkfontein Caves or Maropeng Visitor Centre followed by supervised party games. A number of optional party extras such as a birthday cake, lunch pack, lucky packet, jumping castle and child minders are also available.
- Age: The party packages cater for all ages.
- Time: To be confirmed with the booking.
- Venue: Either at Sterkfontein Caves or Maropeng to be confirmed with the booking.
For more information on costs, events, bookings and essential requirements, call us on (014) 577 9000 or visit www.maropeng.co.za.
