Sudwala Caves, Nelspruit: Hours, Address, Sudwala Caves Reviews: 4.5/5
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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4.5
588 reviews
Excellent
274
Very good
267
Average
43
Poor
4
Terrible
0
Phila D
Johannesburg, South Africa1,030 contributions
Great visit
Jun 2021 • Couples
Such a great experience. The caves are brilliant and the tour's very well done.
Very informative and a great way to spend a few hours if your day when in the area.
Worth the visit, really enjoyable
Very informative and a great way to spend a few hours if your day when in the area.
Worth the visit, really enjoyable
Written 28 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
cjsimplyscraps
Hampstead, NC11 contributions
One of the highlights of my trip
Aug 2020 • Couples
I’ve
Been to many a cave or caverns in the United States and this was my first trip to Africa and I loved these caves. The best thing is that it was not all the same and there were some colored lights to highlight some areas but a lot of au natural . In the middle of the cave is a sort of stage. We happened to be there while a school was visiting. I spent 40 days in Africa and this was one of my highlights. The school got up on the stage and sang African music. I was in heaven. It was so beautiful inside this beautiful cave with a whole nother world of acoustics! This is a do not miss!
Been to many a cave or caverns in the United States and this was my first trip to Africa and I loved these caves. The best thing is that it was not all the same and there were some colored lights to highlight some areas but a lot of au natural . In the middle of the cave is a sort of stage. We happened to be there while a school was visiting. I spent 40 days in Africa and this was one of my highlights. The school got up on the stage and sang African music. I was in heaven. It was so beautiful inside this beautiful cave with a whole nother world of acoustics! This is a do not miss!
Written 22 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
nasihasurtee
Johannesburg, South Africa11 contributions
Admiration, awe and respect
Dec 2020
These caves are awe-inspiring and such an amazing experience. A must visit for anyone in the area or passing by. The information boards that were made to adjust during Covid are thoughtful, informative, short and quirky and even the teens enjoyed reading them. The guides and staff were super friendly and eager to answer any questions. Amazing milkshakes can be bought at the restaurant and great views from the deck of the surrounding mountains. Great value and money well spent.
Written 11 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lungi N
Durban, South Africa65 contributions
Worth the visit
Dec 2020 • Family
The Sudwala Caves are worth a visit. There seem to be two entrances- coming from the caves parking you can go up a very steep climb up stairs or from the parking at the dinosaur park you can take gentle, leisurely walk with amazing views. Due to Covid regulations they no longer offer guided tours so you do a self guided walk but there are plenty of tour guides located around the caves who share interesting information. Inside it is very spacious and there is a lot to wonder and marvel at and learn about. The time will fly past without you realising it.
Written 4 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Guide50362846025
Sandton, South Africa2 contributions
Magnificent experience.
Dec 2020 • Family
The facilities are extremely well kept, clean and tidy. The staff are helpful and friendly. All covid protocols are maintained.
Written 16 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
WanguiG
Sandton, South Africa78 contributions
Must see in Nelspruit (Mbombela)
Nov 2020
I was in awe of this magnificent work of nature, such wide and high spaces in some parts that you would be forgiven for thinking you were in a cathedral and not a cave. They have an amphitheatre in there!! what?!.... So glad we visited. Only disappointment was that the neighbouring Butterfly park at the entrance had released the butterflies so there was not much to see there. Awesome gift shops and hilarious guides make the experience informative and unforgettable. There's a steep set of steps from the parking lot to the cave entrance but after that, the rest is manageable even for an adventurous 3-year-old. Strategic lighting all over the caves make the place easy to navigate and great signage gives you some history if you would prefer to walk around without a guide.
Written 8 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Gerda Niemann
Bloemfontein, South Africa6 contributions
Interesting and friendly
Sep 2020 • Family
Friendly reception and service. The 'fairy land' was a highlight - love the names given to the formations!
Written 5 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Richard v
George, South Africa19 contributions
Great service
Sep 2020 • Family
Great welcoming service by staff and management. Well taken care of facilities. Lots of things to learn and highly recommended for all ages.
Written 1 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Meera
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa43 contributions
Oldest caves in the world.. 🌸
Nov 2019 • Family
This place was an amazin experience. Sudwala caves are historic and a wonderful experience. Scenery are amazing. The 🦕 Park was spectacular. Created beautiful memories here. Crystal caves were magnificent.. Fantastic weather, great atmosphere, excellent....
Written 14 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Alison H
Fourways, South Africa23 contributions
Enjoyable
Feb 2020 • Family
An hours tour guide which was really interesting
They need to think of people who are hard at hearing as the guide was not very loud at all but enjoyable
Great restaurant as well
They need to think of people who are hard at hearing as the guide was not very loud at all but enjoyable
Great restaurant as well
Written 17 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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 Africa166 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, Austria86 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, Israel238 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.
