Country
Fossil hunting in South Africa
South Africa's Karoo Basin holds the world's richest Permian–Triassic terrestrial fossil record, and the Cradle of Humankind north of Johannesburg has produced more early hominin fossils than any other site on Earth. Both regions are protected by the National Heritage Resources Act.
Fossil collection anywhere in South Africa requires a SAHRA permit. Visitor access at heritage sites is via guided tours or designated trails. The Sterkfontein Caves guided cave descent is the only way to see the working dig where Little Foot (Australopithecus prometheus) is still embedded in the breccia.
Most major sites are accessible from Johannesburg or Cape Town with modest driving. The Cradle of Humankind sits about an hour from central Johannesburg. The Karoo Basin and Beaufort West are around 5 hours from Cape Town on the N1.
Top picks: Sterkfontein Caves, Gauteng (early hominins, in-situ guided cave tour). Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site (multiple fossil-hominin caves and visitor centres).
2 fossil sites
Updated 2 August 2026
Karoo National Park Fossil Trail Fossil Hunting Guide
Western Cape, South Africa
Dicynodonts (Aulacephalodon, Oudenodon), Gorgonopsids (Rubidgea), Pareiasaurs (Pareiasaurus serridens), Therocephalians
Sterkfontein Caves Fossil Site Guide
Gauteng, South Africa
Australopithecus, Hominin remains, Cercopithecid monkeys, Carnivores