South Africa is much more than beaches, culture, food, and nightlife. Do you wish to explore a new place? Let me introduce you to 'God's Window' when you take the Panorama Route (The Panorama Route is a scenic road in South Africa connecting several cultural and natural points of interest. This historic route is situated in the Mpumalanga province that lies in eastern South Africa, bordering Swaziland and Mozambique.)
The Route to the Caves
This route has interesting and fascinating stops with jaw-dropping views and attractions – The Kruger National Park, Blyde River Canyon, Berlin Waterfall and many more. Among these, rests the Sudwala Caves, a world for the bats. The Sudawala Caves are supposed to be the oldest in the world, dating back thousands of years. They opened it as sightseeing option for tourists in 1965. Until then, they were used as a hiding place and home for the natives.
Unique Formation
As a part of the Malmani Dolomite Ridge of the Drakensberg Mountain Range, these caves were formed out of natural gases in the groundwater. The gas-dissolved water used to leach into the cracks and crevasses in the rock.
Many structures were formed due to water seeping in the rocks. Some structures that were formed were the Screaming Monster, The Rocket and the Samson's Pillar. The Amphitheatre, also known as the PR Owen Hall is used for the concerts and other artistic performances. It is an imposing cave with an approximate height of 37 metres. The dome-shaped ceiling imparts it a characteristic dramatic style.
Cave Theatre
A strange mystic air envelops the atmosphere and keeps it cool. The cave interiors are world class and there is a seating capacity of around 500 people. A number of tours are conducted throughout the day inside the caves. Each tour takes around one and a half hour.
Enjoy a Spa
There is also a crystal tour every year, which takes around five hours to cover a 2000-metre trail through the caves, which eventually ends in a crystal chamber. The Garra Rufa Fish Spa is another exciting feature of the Sudwala Caves. This particular fish nibbles on human flesh, so they are used in spas.
Visitors indulge in exotic foot spa here with little fish employed for nibbling and rejuvenating their tired feet while they sit back and relax, enjoying the striking views of the valley.
Dino Park
The Dinosaur Park is 100 metres and the Mankele Mountain Bike Park is just three kilometres away from the Sudwala Caves.
Biking
There, one could also find the mountain biking trails as well as adventure zone for the children. A short drive from Sudwala caves will take you to Nelspruit, the capital city of Mpumalanga, which offers a plenty of activities to involve in, all set in a beautiful and friendly surrounding.
Meet the Chimps
Do not miss the exotic Chimp Eden, a sanctuary for chimps located quite close to the caves. The visitors are introduced to the animals, and they learn about their habitat, nature and interact with each other.
Martin Wynn
Nguyen An Tra My
