Boesmansgat Sinkhole

About Boesmansgat Sinkhole

As another of the Northern Cape Province's fascinating natural wonders, Boesmansgat certainly promises visitors an impressive sight. This is a vertical cave that is acclaimed as being the sixth-deepest submerged cave in the world, also known as a sinkhole. It is situated on a farm called Mount Carmel, about 55 kilometres south of the town of Kuruman, within naturally gorgeous surrounds.

Several expert divers have died trying to reach the bottom of this cave, and a number of world records have been set in its astounding depths. To date, Boesmansgat has been estimated to reach a depth of 282.6 metres, or 927 feet, with the use of sonar equipment. What makes it a particularly tricky cave to dive is that it is positioned at an altitude of 1 500 metres or 4 900 feet above sea level. The pond at the surface has a diameter of 100 metres.

Although Boesmansgat has no fossils inside it, it is rich in geological and geographical value. The water inside the hole is believed to come from an underground sinkhole that is situated about 60 kilometres north. It was formed when the dolomite rocks above it dissolved and sank into the hole below, revealing an intriguing world that was once concealed by the rocky ‘lid'.

To get to the mouth of Boesmansgat, visitors need to climb down a steep rock face with adequate equipment. Therefore, it is suggested that the wonder and beauty be enjoyed from the edge of the rocks above (about 20 metres above the water), rather than by venturing down. Along the road to Boesmansgat, visitors should keep an eye out for the wildlife along the way. Often-seen species include springbok, wildebeest, eland, kudu and gemsbok. There are also many bird species soaring through the sky and perching in the vegetation, and these make for stunning sights for the alert avian enthusiasts that spot them.