WonderCave incl Self-Drive

Activity Description

History of the Bothongo Wonder Cave:
This is a Self-Drive activity, the facility is situated inside the Bothongo Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve and cannot be accessed by foot. We do not offer or provide transport and you need your own transport to reach the WonderCave.

The cave was discovered by Italian miners in 1898. They mined out approximately 15% from the formation and brought them to the surface. The formation consists of calcite which they placed in a self-built oven for 2 weeks at about 1100 degrees. This formed a powder which was taken by ox wagon to Pretoria & Johannesburg to make cement, toothpaste, use to extract gold, and the like. Mining was stopped in 1902 due to the outbreak of war and low productivity.
This is the 3rd largest chamber in South Africa, the largest being Cango Caves and the second largest Sudwala Caves.

Arrangements

Duration1 hour

WhenTOURS HOURLY: 09h00 - 16h00 Tuesday - Friday 09h00 - 17h00 Weekends & Public Holidays 09h00 - 16h00 Mondays open School Holiday & Public Holiday

WhereBothongo WonderCave 520 Kromdraai Road Kromdraai Krugersdorp --situated in the Cradle of Humankind, Gauteng

WeatherAll year service

What to WearComfortable clothing Closed shoes

Things to BringCamera Extra cash Own refreshments

Guests or SpectatorsOnly paying guests allowed

Requirements

Minimum Age0 years

Minimum Height0.0 m

Maximum Height0.0 m

Fitness LevelAverage

Maximum Weight0.0 kg

CertificationNot applicable

Experience LevelNo Experience Requirement

Inclusions and Exclusions

InclusionsEntry fee to a guided Tour of the 3rd largest chamber in South-Africa

Exclusions

• Food and beverages,
• Game Drive
• Accommodation
• Souvenirs
• Braai grid

Notes

Bothongo WonderCave Entrance
This is a Self-Drive activity, the facility is situated inside the Bothongo Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve and cannot be accessed by foot. We do not offer or provide transport and you need your own transport to reach the WonderCave.

The entrance to the cave is going down 87 stairs at a 45degrees angle dropping 22 meters below the surface. You will then go down in an elevator with a drop of a further 18 meters into the cave.
The total drop down is 40 meters

Health & Safety Warning: Risk of Histoplasmosis – WonderCave
Visitors to the WonderCave should be aware of the potential risk of Histoplasmosis, a respiratory infection caused by inhaling spores of the Histoplasma fungus. This fungus thrives in environments with bat or bird droppings, which may be present in caves. While the risk of infection is generally low, individuals with weakened immune systems, respiratory conditions, or pre-existing lung diseases should take extra precautions.

Safety Recommendations:
- Avoid disturbing soil, bat guano, or bird droppings inside the cave.
- Wear protective masks if you have respiratory concerns.
- If you experience flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, fatigue) after your visit, seek medical attention and inform your healthcare provider of your cave visit.

By entering the WonderCave, visitors acknowledge and accept any potential health risks and agree that the management is not liable for any health-related issues arising from exposure to environmental elements within the cave.