The caves formed approximately 240-million years ago, when slightly acidic water began to seep through the rocks that would become the Malmani Dolomite Ridge, creating a series of caverns, which eventually joined together.

The Sudwala Caves have preserved fossilised evidence of some of the earliest forms of life on earth, and humankind’s relationship with the caves predates our own species.

Homo habilis, an early predecessor of Homo sapiens, used the caves for shelter about 1.8-million years ago (practically yesterday in relation to the age of the caves). A collection of the Stone Age tools created by these early hominins is on display at the entrance to the caves.

Centuries later, in the 1800s, the caves were once again used by human beings for shelter. During a conflict between two Swazi royal brothers, Mswati and Somquba, over possession of the crown, Somquba and his people fled from Mswati and his forces, and used the caves as a fortress.

At one point, Mswati tried to force his brother and his followers out of the caves by lighting a fire at the entrance to the caves, but natural ventilation in the caves (the source of which is unknown) meant that his plan did not succeed.

The caves are named after Somquba’s chief inDuna (advisor and general), Sudwala, who was the principal guardian of the entrance to the caves during the time of the conflict between the brothers. Legend has it that Sudwala’s spirit remains in the caves to this day.

During the second South African War (second Anglo-Boer War) the caves were once again used for military purposes, as Boer commandos used them as a concealed location in which to keep the ammunition for their Long Tom guns.

About 15 years later, in 1914, the caves’ military uses were exchanged for economic ones when prospectors began excavating bat guano (bat faeces) from the caves, which they sold to the farmers in the area as valuable fertiliser.

In 1965 Philippus Rudolf Owen bought the caves, along with the farm surrounding them. He opened the caves to the public and cherished them as a place of interest for visitors.

Since then the caves have been treasured for their archaeological and cultural interest. The same ventilation that saved Somquba also acts as natural air conditioning, keeping the temperature at a constant 17°C. This, and the excellent acoustics of the main chamber (called the Amphitheatre or the PR Owen Hall), make the caves a perfect venue for music and theatre performances.

The massive PR Owen Hall is 37 metres high, 70 metres in diameter, and can seat 500 people. Other spectacular parts are the many formations that grace the cave, which began to form between 160- and 200-million years ago.

Tours of the caves are conducted between 8:30am and 4:30pm, departing about every 15 minutes. On the first Saturday of each month, a special crystal tour is conducted, which will take the brave deeper into the caves, through small tunnels and watery caverns to the crystal chamber.

Crystal tours can be organised for other days by prior arrangement. Children under 14 years are not permitted to go on crystal tours.

Whether you go on the crystal tour or the usual one, you will treasure your exploration of one of South Africa’s most ancient places, where the caverns are both the womb and the mausoleum of times immemorial.

From: Kruger Lowveld Tourism

By: Sarah Came