Of South Africa’s eight World Heritage sites, four are ‘cultural’, three are ‘natural’ and one is ‘mixed’ (the uKhahlamba/Drakensberg Mountains) which is both a cultural and natural attraction.
Launched in 1972, the World Heritage List is selected by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) with the aim of “identifying, protecting and preserving superb natural and scenic areas and historic/cultural sites for the present and future of the citizens of the world”.
Adventure for everyone
Apart from the sites themselves, each area offers a stimulating range of activities, places to stay, places of interest and adventures for tourists of every age and fitness level. Consult the links at the end of this article.
The Cradle of Humankind
Just an hour’s drive to the northwest of Johannesburg is one of the most remarkable fossil sites in the world – known as the Cradle of Humankind.
For millions of years, hominid ancestors lived and died among these cave-rich, rolling hills where almost 1000 ancient hominid fossils (one-third of all known hominid fossils worldwide) have been found.
Amongst these is the 3.3-million-year-old Little Foot: the only complete adult Australopithecus skeleton in the world, discovered in 1994.
Start your visit to the Cradle with a trip down into the depths of the famous Sterkfontein Caves. Then drive up to the Maropeng Visitors Centre and enjoy breathtaking views over the mountains while you enjoy a tasty meal.
Robben Island
As international icons go, they don’t get much bigger than Nelson Mandela. Which is why Robben Island - where Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years - has become a global tourism pilgrimage.
Catch the ferry from Cape Town across several kilometres of ocean to Robben Island with its 500-year-old history.
The earliest record of the island is in the 1500s when European seafarers stopped here to stock up on seals and penguins before continuing on the trade route to the East Indies.
From the 1960s, Robben Island was used to imprison the political enemies of the apartheid state. Famous ‘Islanders’ include Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and Govan Mbeki.
Inhale history and legacy as you explore this momentous piece of South Africa’s past.
Mapungubwe National Park
In the far north of South Africa in the Limpopo Province is Mapungubwe, site of an ancient African civilisation dating back 1000 years.
At the time it was inhabited by Bantu-speaking people who traded in gold, ivory and hides, with the Arab and Indian merchants sailing the East African coast.
Enriched by their trade, the people of Mapungubwe consolidated themselves into a vast and powerful empire, which peaked around 1200AD.
Ruled by a king with 5000 citizens, this civilisation produced exquisite ornaments made from ivory and gold – including a golden sceptre, bowl and rhino – which were discovered in the royal grave. The ‘crown jewels’ of South Africa are now on display in the Mapungubwe Museum at the University of Pretoria.
Experience the mystery of Mapungubwe – now a National Park. Attractive new rest camps have been constructed and wildlife is being reintroduced amidst the ongoing archaeological excavations.
Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape
UNESCO has declared the Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape a cultural World Heritage Site. It is the first World Heritage Site in the Northern Cape,and the eighth site to be proclaimed in South Africa.
Located in the north-west part of South Africa, the Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape is the last area where the Nama people still cling to a pastoral lifestyle handed down to them by their ancient descendants, theKhoi-Khoi, over two millennia ago.
Nomadic Guardians
The Nama are semi nomadic graziers. Once widespread across Southern Africa, they are now the last custodians of this subsistence way of life. They build traditional dome-shaped houses, called |haru om, out of reed mats, which they disassemble and reconstruct as they seasonally migrate with their flocks between stock posts.
It is the preservation of these practices as well as the unique fauna and flora of this mountain desert region which makes this area and its people deserving of recognition as a World Heritage protectorate.
Conservation Salvation
The Richtersveld was returned to the Nama after a successful land restitution campaign a few years ago. The community has since elected to dedicate this vast area completely to conservation, thereby ensuring the protection of this extreme landscape and their livelihoods.
In doing so they have met the highest international standards for the management of environmental and cultural assets. This is an extraordinary accomplishment that will serve as an inspiring example for community based initiatives all over the world.
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Mountains
Within uKhahlamba’s ancient mountainous embrace, you will discover countless caves and rock-shelters featuring Africa’s largest and most concentrated group of paintings south of the Sahara.
Made by the Bushmen (or San) over a period of 4 000 years, the rock paintings are truly outstanding in quality and diversity of subject matter. Depicting the world of animals and human beings, they reflect the daily life, culture and intricate spiritual life of the San people who once lived in this region.
Their works are of utmost global significance as their culture is the oldest identifiable human culture on Earth.
Geographically the mountains are situated on the eastern border of KwaZulu-Natal and extend over 200 kilometres.
The uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park covers 2 500 square kilometres and is the single largest, protected mountain wilderness area in Africa, with 2,153 plant species, 48 mammal species and over 300 bird species identified.
For more information on any of South Africa’s World Heritage Sites, pick up a copy of the Southbound Pocket Guides on South Africa’s World Heritage Sites at leading bookstores or on www.30degreessouth.co.za.
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Mapungubwe: Picture courtesy of and copyright of UNESCO