Echo Caves

The Echo Caves, located west of the Strydom Tunnel in the Molopong Valley, have served as a shelter for humans since the Middle Stone Age, and continue to protect some of the region's most inspiring ancient San rock engravings. The caves, which boast a chamber 100m long and 60m high, also have dripstone formations that echo eerily when struck.Visitors can feel the energy of Earth as you walk amongst the rugged rocks.

The Echo Caves were discovered in the 1920's by the owner of the farm, after his cattle mysteriously disappeared. After the completion of the Abel Erasmus Pass and the Strijdom Tunnel in 1959 the cave was opened as a tourist attraction and later declared a National Monument. The end of the cave has still to be found and it is estimated to be somewhere close to the Strydom tunnel.

There is ample evidence that the local people used one of the stalactites as a drum to warn of any approaching Swazi. As these caves extend for some 40 km, the sound travelled for surprisingly long distances, with the people being able to take refuge within the caves.

From an archaeological point of view, the caves are truly fascinating as finds here confirm the legend that strangers may years ago in long white robes came to look for gold and to barter with the inhabitants. Some of these finds are exhibited at the Museum of Man which is located a short drive away.