Wonderwerk Cave

About Wonderwerk Cave

The Northern Cape is one of South Africa's lesser known treasures, as it is not quite the tourist hotspot that provinces like Gauteng and the Western Cape are. However, it is brimming with so many natural, historical and cultural attractions that reflect the variety and multi-faceted appeal of this country.

The Wonderwerk Cave is situated about 43 kilometres from the little town of Kuruman in the Northern Cape and is an archaeological wonder that delights visitors young or old. This cave is huge, extending some 139 metres into the earth. There are legends of old explorers being able to turn their wagons and full span of oxen around in the entrance of the cave.

Today, this cave is a National Heritage Site and a very valuable resource for its geological wealth. It is in the dolomite rocks of the Kuruman Hills and, thanks to the hillside erosion, the northern end of the cave has been exposed. Some of the deposits inside the cave are up to seven metres deep and tell the fascinating tale of the ancient world, even providing evidence of the plant, animal and human life that existed here millions of years ago.

Today, the cave continues to be used for ritualistic purposes. Local African folk sometimes visit the cave to collect water, which is used for their healing customs. In addition, there are rock paintings near the entrance of the Wonderwerk Cave, which testify to the lives and customs of the indigenous folk that once inhabited the region, and engraved stones from yesteryear.

The Wonderwerk Cave is open to the public who will have a memorable time exploring its depths with the help of an experienced guide. There is an interpretive centre next to the cave for educational purposes. The cave and the surrounding rock remain very important research tools and provide fantastic insights for tourists and scientists alike.