Enjoy an in-depth look at our origins as modern humans (and thus our future!) at the caves at Pinnacle Point in Mossel Bay, with the archaeologist who introduced the caves to science. This experience will change the way you think about being human.

Point of Human Origins Experience: PLEASE NOTE: tours and cave visits by appointment only. Tours require moderate fitness.

Option 1: Point of Human Origins Experience with Dr Nilssen. Tour must be booked in advance and depends on Dr Nilssen’s availability (due to professional commitments). We prefer a group of not less than 8 people to run a full tour. Tour duration is approximately 3 to 4 hours. The experience is divided into two parts:

1st part – an introductory presentation by Dr Nilssen that will take you on a journey into pre-history where you learn about human nature and behaviour, sea levels, food sources, cave formation processes, stone tool technology, and how our earliest ancestors managed to survive a near-extinction event through their connection with and reliance on nature.

2nd part – scenic visit to the Pinnacle Point Caves in the company of Dr Nilssen. The only access to Cave 13B is via a series of steep wooden stairways and boardwalks (some 200 stairs in each direction).

Option 2: Cave visits with specially trained, knowledgeable guide. Booking is essential. This trip is ideal for individuals or groups who would like to visit this renowned site at short notice. Thre is no minimum group size. The tour duration is approximately 1.5 hours. The only access to Cave 13B is via a series of steep wooden stairways and boardwalks (some 200 stairs in each direction).

Dress for both tours: comfortable clothes and walking shoes

A portion of each person’s entry fee goes into a fund for the preservation and conservation of the sites visited. In recognition of this, each visitor receives a certificate as well as a booklet to serve as a memory jogger.