I’d recommend a visit to the above Wonder Caves by all intrepid travellers, especially local Gautengites. It’s located within the Rhino and Lion Park 50 kilometers North West out of Johannesburg on Beyers Naude. That same park obviously has the animals described in its name plus all other assortments of herbivores and Crocs.

Unfortunately there aren’t any Elephants, Leopards, Cheetahs and Wild Dogs, but ‘de Wildt’ (also in the area) has breeding programs going for the latter two. Across the road is also a rare ‘White Lion’ breeding program. And if you’ve always wanted to cuddle Lion and Cheetah cubs the Rhino and Lion park is also a worthwhile stop, at R15 a turn.

Further up another one of the half tarred roads in the opposite direction is in turn the Sterkfontein Caves; which while not as spectacular as the Wonder Caves’ main chamber is an archealogical dig site from which ‘Ms Ples’ was excavated.

There is also an ongoing seven year excavation there of ‘Little Foot’ – a 4+ million ape with links to the human evolutionary tree. A world class museum is also under construction there explaining human ancestory but looks only likely to be completed next year.

The Wonder Caves encatchment is reportedly also good for stargazing around the time of the New Moon.