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
587 reviews
Excellent
274
Very good
266
Average
43
Poor
4
Terrible
0
Tarenso Herbert
2 contributions
We visit there because of our tourism subjects to observe and review some tourists attractions
Jan 2020 • Solo
We choose this because we have found out that you have some new attractions that we don't know and we were not aware of them
Written 22 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
tonykchetty
Durban, South Africa16 contributions
Sudwala Caves
Jan 2020 • Friends
History on our doorstep. To say the least, the might of Nature is awesome. The environment is near and very well maintained. We had a guide and his interactive approach made our visit both informative and entertaining. We did not realise that almost an hour had passed in the caves. A must for every proud South African.
Written 13 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tatenda
1 contribution
Best Guide ever
Dec 2019 • Family
Wish I hadn't forgotten his name but his energy and storytelling was so impactful to the experience! Loved it😊🤞🏾
Written 13 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Thomas Swart
Newcastle, South Africa4 contributions
Amazing
Aug 2019 • Couples
By far my best exploration experience besides the fact that it is so romantic...I proposed to my girlfriend while we were inside the caves and Im certain that its a day neither she or I or even the people who witnessed it, would ever forget
Written 6 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Miguel Rombe
Maputo, Mozambique33 contributions
Nature’s wonder and historical value
Nov 2019
It is a combination of natural beauty and an historical discovery mostly about Swazi people and their country. Good for all ages
Written 1 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
MKM
12 contributions
Awesome Caves
Nov 2019 • Couples
We were staying in Sudwala Lodge and decided to go up to the caves as a way to kill time .. good decision.
The caves are huge and are well displayed with appropriate lighting and excellent guides ..
The nearest to these that we have seen were in Gibraltar and these are as awe inspiring as those. It's a bit of a hike uphill throughout the caves and 60 - 70 steps from the parking to the cave entrance ..
The amphitheatre and the stalactites and stalagmites are really ancient and fabulous ..
Well with a trip if you are in the region. The butterfly garden which is included in the to cket price is quite ordinary.
Well worth a visit if in the region !!
The caves are huge and are well displayed with appropriate lighting and excellent guides ..
The nearest to these that we have seen were in Gibraltar and these are as awe inspiring as those. It's a bit of a hike uphill throughout the caves and 60 - 70 steps from the parking to the cave entrance ..
The amphitheatre and the stalactites and stalagmites are really ancient and fabulous ..
Well with a trip if you are in the region. The butterfly garden which is included in the to cket price is quite ordinary.
Well worth a visit if in the region !!
Written 24 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tshepo M
47 contributions
Walk in the history
Nov 2019
Sudwala caves are one of the oldest known caves in the world, with a rich history of the south Africans tribes such as Swazis and Northern Sothos who took shelter in this nature's splendid beauty. You will love the nature's theater in the cave.
Written 15 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
N1101AYvictors
Johannesburg, South Africa20 contributions
Best kept nature's wonder and rich Swati History
Dec 2019
Sites such as Sudwala Caves hold not only such rich history but highly educational. This also calls for serious nature conservation efforts. The original task of nature conservation to protect valuable areas and species has expanded over time, together with the awareness of people in general. I was impressed to see more young people acting as site guides. I hope and trust they will uphold this history and not mess it up.
Written 2 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
MsimangaMR
Harrismith, South Africa138 contributions
Nature wonder
Jul 2019
The place is a nature wonder. The caves are real but unbelievable. It was good to have a tour guide who gave some insight about the caves. Visitors should be prepared to walk some distance.
Written 1 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dilshaad
19 contributions
Absolutely beautiful inside!!!
Nov 2019 • Business
I recently went to see the caves and it is absolutely stunning!! Our guide who took us on the tour was so knowledgeable about the caves and gave us such interesting information. It is so incredible inside and all the history of the place is sightful too. I would definitely recommend this experience to anyone!
#Khwelaroadtrip2019
#Khwelaroadtrip2019
Written 24 November 2019
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.
