South Africa Attractions

Venue: Wonder Cave    When: Daily

Close to the Sterkfontein Caves, which have revealed early hominid remains that have proved fundamental to our understanding of our species' ancestry, is the Wonder Cave. Estimated to be 2.2 million years old, only recently - since 1991 in fact - has the cave been open to visitors, who can view its remarkable stalagtites and stalagmites.

This enormous single cave chamber deep underneath the Witwatersrand has a volume of 45,000 cubic metres (if you can imagine that) and is full of wonderful rock formations. For those worried about claustrophobia or with limited mobility, there is no clambering or bending needed here, although there are some 90 steps to the lift that takes you down to the cave; from there on the walkways are wide and high.

Recent finds have included ancient non-hominid remains and the investigation of a "talus cone," by which caves gradually get filled in, dating back only a few thousand years, helping geologists and scientists to work out how caves develop over time. The Wonder Cave also has its own colony of bats.

Entrance is by guided tour only.