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The
Sudwala Caves are the oldest known caves in the world, and as such, are
a `must-see' on the itinerary of any visitor to Mpumalanga. These
incredible caverns lie in the Drakensberg escarpment which separates the
Highveld from the lowlands of Mpumalanga. The caves are situated in Pre-cumbrian
dolomite rocks of the Malmani Group, formed over a period of some 3000
million years, capturing in stone a time when the area was covered by
warm shallow in-land seas. These are amongst the second oldest known
sedimentary rocks on the earth, and represented in the cave are fossils
of the first oxygen producing plants on the earth, Collenia. One can
clearly see in the different layers and textures in the rock a
reflection of the result of the different weather patterns taking place
in the building of an ancient seabed. Besides the awesome rock displays
the caverns also boast an array of calcium formations, aged but active,
anciently and patiently still growing. |
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HOW TO GET TO THE SUDWALA CAVES
35Km before Nelspruit on the N4 to Pretoria/Johannesburg, turn off on
the R539 (Sabie) Turn — off and proceed 8km to the Sudwala caves.
Coming off the R539 you will cross over the Houtboschloop river and
continue past the Sudwala lodge where there is a convenient petrol
station, should you need fuel. Proceed 1.7km up the mountain where you
find the parking area for visitors to the caves.
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