Pleistocene Occupation Sites – The 11th South African World Heritage Site!

The Pleistocene Occupation Sites of South Africa has recently been inscribed asthe UNESCO World Heritage site, declared by Mr. Gayton McKenzie, Sport, Artsand Culture Minister, on 26 th July 2024, i.e., Friday.  For South Africa, this is anunforgettable moment and the continent to have yet another site added to themuch-respected World Heritage Listing, said the minister.At the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee in New Delhi, India, theinscriptions were made, recognizing the sites’ Outstanding Worldwide Values. It ismade of three separate archaeological sites, Diepkloof Rock Shelter, PinnaclePoint Site Complex, and Sibhudu Cave, situated in the Western Cape andKwaZulu-Natal provinces of South Africa. The excellent protection of these sites,amid the climactic challenges and increasing sea levels stand as evidence to theirancestor’s ingenuity, resilience, and transformation to environmentalmodifications.How to reach: The best way to reach Cape Town is by flight. From Cape Town onecan take train or taxi services which takes roughly 5 hrs 19 mins to reach westerncape. The Cape Town International Airport serves domestic as well asinternational flights. Emirates, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa and Ethiopian have theirflight services to Cape Town.Best Hotels: Canelands Beach Club, One&Only Cape Town, The Bay Hotel, andMadwaleni River Lodge – Babanango Game Reserve are few among many othersto consider.Other things to see: Other than these sites, one can also see boulders beach,Durba Botanic Garden, V&A Waterfront, Congo Caves, Cape of Good Hope andothers.Best Time to visit: Between December to March are the ideal times to enjoy thebeaches and sunny weather.Tourism Figures: Between January and March 2024, the attractions in WesternCape across its six regions recorded a total of 2,587,808 visitors.