After a delightful day at Kruger National Park, my next little escapade was a scenic drive via the captivating Sudwala Caves and the enthralling natural beauty of the Panorama Route.
Due to the distances involved and the expanse of scenery to be experienced, I opted to take two days to traverse this stunning region.
My first day was solely dedicated to exploring the Sudwala Caves, the world’s oldest known caves.
The caves were first carved 240 million years ago, from Precambrian dolomite rock.
The organised tours venture some 600 metres into the naturally formed labyrinth and some 150 metres underground.
The tour is fully guided and explains the formation of stalactites and stalagmites over the course of tens of thousands of years.
As a natural segue, the tour continues into the more expansive cave formations, showcasing the evolution of this natural wonder over millions of years.
The Sudwala Caves are around a 40 minute drive from Mbombela, or a little over three hours from Johannesburg Airport.
The entrance fee for adults is 130ZAR (£5.50 or $7) and includes a guided group tour.
I definitely recommend allocating at least half a day of your itinerary in Mpumalanga to this enthralling natural spectacle.
