The Vredefort Dome (Crater) is currently the largest and one of the oldest known meteor impact sites in the world. It is South Africa's seventh World Heritage Site and this is largely due to the research scientist from Wits University, including Dr Rodger Hart.
Despite the importance of impact sites to the planet’s history, geological activity on the Earth’s surface has led to the disappearance of evidence from most of them, and Vredefort is the only example to provide a full geological profile of an astrobleme below the crater floor.
Vredefort is a small farming town in the Free State province It is home to 3,000 residents. The area displays exceptional scenic beauty and is rich in biodiversity with remarkable animal and plant populations. Various cultural features also add to the value of the area. The Vredefort Dome has an exceptional tourism potential, the Vredefort Dome is situated approximately 100 km from Johannesburg.
Not many impact craters are found on the surface of the earth (approximately 160), because much of the surface of our planet is covered by water and therefore exposed to the effects of erosion. The earth’s impact record therefore consists mostly of recent craters, and a few old, but very large ones.
Other World Heritage Sites: Robben Island, the Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park, the Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape, the Cradle of Humankind, the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park and the cape Floral Region.
Travel into the South African World Heritage site of Vredefort Dome.
Pass through the savanna, bushveld, mountainous areas and riverbeds.
Earth Adventures offers safe and exciting abseiling at a number of venues around the Vredefort Dome.
Vredefort Dome Tours are guided tours with a game viewer to the Dome lookout point.
Get in the saddle & seize this unforgettable riding experience along the course of the Vaal River.
A most spectacular flight, given favourable wind direction, you will fly over the Vaal River and the Vredefort Dome.
The Vaal river has some of the best fly fishing and our waters are home to Large and Smallmouth yellow fish.
A network of picturesque farm roads and challenging single track trails offer the mountain biker unforgettable cycling experience.
Circular routes for day hikes between 2 & 12km, as well as overnight hiking trails of up to 4 days with three different hiking camps.
The Vaal in the Vredefort Dome winds its way through a rocky landscape that offers both whitewater rafting and flat-water canoeing.
Koepel Mega Zip, situated in the Vredefort Dome, this unique Dual Zip Line stretches between the beautiful mountains, making it a 'nature-lover's' dream.
Some of the special species to keep an eye out for here include the scarce Brown-backed Honeybird, Common Scimitarbill, Golden-tailed Woodpecker and many more.
For information and enquiries, please email us at info@vredefortdome.co.za