Sudwala Caves
Sudwala Caves
4.5
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
About
The Sudwala Caves is the oldest known caves in the world and lie in the Drakensberg escarpment.Regular guided tours take you 600 meters in and 150 meters underground. Tours leave every 10 min (approx) and take about 30 minutes.The caves have some amazing formations including stalactites, stalagmites, flow stones and pre cambrian fossils. The most famous formation is the Screaming Monster. This is actually a stalactite that has joined with a stalagmite and has formed a column that is 200 million years old.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
602 reviews
Excellent
285
Very good
270
Average
43
Poor
4
Terrible
0
miki121
Johannesburg, South Africa1,227 contributions
Mar 2023 • Family
Both and adults enjoyed the tour. The caves are well managed and the guides are knowledgable. My kids especially loved the fairy land cave. Well worth a visit.
Written 21 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ash
Pietermaritzburg29 contributions
Mar 2023
The Sudwala caves were just amazing! We were lucky to have a guide, Helen, all to ourself and she made it a totally fun learning experience. Highly recommended if you're in the Nelspruit area.
Written 11 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
mpymokoena
3 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
Best part was the cave and two way zip line experience. And our guide in the cave was excellent.
I also enjoyed the restaurant and the slash puppy next to the cave entrance.
I also enjoyed the restaurant and the slash puppy next to the cave entrance.
Written 9 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Africa Spear Safaris
Kruger National Park, South Africa3 contributions
Jun 2022 • Friends
We were 6 friends who did the Crystal Caves and it is a must. It is fun and we really enjoyed the experience. But remember to take old clothes that you don’t want after the tour as you will get dirty.
Written 20 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Megan B
9 contributions
Nov 2022
The drive alone to the caves was so beautiful and scenic! My husband and I did the Sudwala cave tour November 2022. We had a wonderful experience with the tour, that gave us enough time to learn about the dolomite cave, it's formations, and past inhabitants. Our tour guide was highly knowledgeable. The caves themselves were beautiful and we took excellent photos. If we had time we would have zip lined, because the outside of the caves was as beautiful as the inside.
The staff inside and outside of the gift shop were friendly. We stopped to get some snacks before our drive back to Johannesburg.
Would recommend for any age or group.
The staff inside and outside of the gift shop were friendly. We stopped to get some snacks before our drive back to Johannesburg.
Would recommend for any age or group.
Written 12 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sammy M
Nairobi, Kenya252 contributions
Jun 2021
An excellent activity that I highly recommend. The caves are beautiful and filled with history. The guides are highly knowledgeable and make the tour both informative and fun.
Written 29 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
CareneMouton
Johannesburg, South Africa143 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
Amazing geological site. Apparently these caves are the oldest in the world. The tour guides are well-informed and hospitable. Would definitely recommend a tour. The restaurant probably has the most beautiful view in the province. Unfortunately, the branding and decor is quite tacky. However, the site is lively and in good condition.
Written 6 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sandra Dickason
7 contributions
Apr 2022
Well worth the time to visit when you in the area. For all age groups. Having a soft serve ice cream at the end of the tour was fabulous.
Written 2 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Leslé
Johannesburg, South Africa6 contributions
Apr 2022 • Solo
So thankful for such an incredible experience. Our guide, Felix was simply the best! He gave spoke to us about the history and formations of the caves in a very interesting and humorous way.
Written 1 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Anthea H
1 contribution
Mar 2022 • Family
Great family outing and a must-see in the Lowveld. Our guide (Weavil) was fantastic: she was very knowledgeable, well-spoken and enthusiastic and made it an engaging experience for everyone. Highly recommended!
Written 13 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hi. The directions say "2km scenic winding road". Is the road to the place accessable with a campervan?
Guy E
Valencia, Spain4 contributions
It's advisable to use the top car park next to the Dinosaur park for larger vehicles. We have large busses that access that carpark so it should be fine for your camper van.
Taahir N
1 contribution
I have a 1 and half year old baby
Would it be possible to take him into the cave
Guy E
Valencia, Spain4 contributions
Hi Taahir. Yes you can take a baby into the caves. It would be best if you carry them because the floor is uneven but i don't see a problem if you used a stroller. You would not be able to access the elevated section of the cave with the stroller but you could carry your baby up the stairs. Please be advised that sections of the cave can be a bit slippery depending on the time of year so wear stout shoes. If you are coming with the baby and stroller please use the top car park. You can then access the cave entrance up a gently sloping path rather than the stairs.
Freda232015
Pretoria, South Africa172 contributions
We are traveling with dogs - is this pet friendly?
ABCDHo
Johannesburg, South Africa64 contributions
The cave is not recommended but all other areas are pet-friendly.
How “ little “ is the stairs to the entrance
Guy E
Valencia, Spain4 contributions
For an able bodied, regular person the stairs are not that challenging. It does have a sturdy handrail and rest benches for those that want to take it more slowly. There is an alternative route via the top car park. This is a gentle slope and is ideal for wheel chair access.
Do you make bookings prior or is it payable on arrival?
Becks J M
Durban, South Africa3 contributions
Hello :)
I have never made a booking before. Just arrived and paid, and waited for the next available tour. I think if you want to do the deeper tour that goes way further into the caves, you have to book in advance. It's their extreme cave crawling tour where you crawl through tiny tunnels and swim through water, etc... But the standard tour doesn't require you to book in advance.
juma2005
Tulln, Austria87 contributions
Is parking safe? We have all our luggage in the car when we are on our way to sabie
Thanks
Guy E
Valencia, Spain4 contributions
Hi. Parking is generally safe. On busy days we have car guards at the first car park. We have had very few incidents of theft at the Sudwala Caves but its always best to follow sensible practice when leaving your car anywhere. I would suggest locking your luggage in the boot of the car and keeping your passport and valuables with you. That being said we have only had two cases of B&E vehicle theft since 1967 so i think its quite safe.
oferta10
Tel Aviv, Israel239 contributions
Hi
We are 2 adults that intend to visit Sudwala caves and the Dinosaur park.
Can you advice how many time should we consider to each one of them?
Guy E
Valencia, Spain4 contributions
Hi. Our guided tours leave every 15 minutes and take approximately 45 minutes each. I would allocate 60 minutes for the cave and 30 minutes for the dinosaur park.
Sudwala Caves (Nelspruit) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Sudwala Caves
- Sudwala Caves is open:
- Sun - Sat 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
- Hotels near Sudwala Caves:
- (15.95 km) Caracal Lodge
- (15.63 km) Kilmorna Manor
- (8.95 km) Crocodile Nest B&B
- (13.09 km) Panorama Guest Farm
- (8.73 km) Die Rots Guesthouse
- Attractions near Sudwala Caves:
- (0.00 km) Mankele Adventures
- (2.30 km) Sudwala Dinosaur Park
- (8.99 km) Joubert en Seuns Padstal