Echo Caves
A dolomite cave near Ohrigstad, found in 1923. Some of its stalactites ring when tapped, which gave the cave its name.
Found by a cattle farmer
The story is that a farmer went looking for cattle that kept disappearing and found that they were going into a cave to drink. The entrance led to a long series of chambers in dolomite.
The caves were opened to visitors and later declared a national monument. Stone Age tools found in the entrance area are shown in a small museum nearby.
Echo Caves at a glance
- Location
- near Ohrigstad, on the Limpopo–Mpumalanga border
- Rock
- dolomite
- Found
- 1923
- Visitor route
- about 2 km
- Named chambers
- Samson Chamber, Madonna Chamber
- Status
- national monument
- Tour
- about 45 minutes
- Nearby
- Blyde River Canyon, Abel Erasmus Pass
Samson and Madonna
The guided route passes through chambers named after their formations. The guide taps a stalactite to produce the echo that is said to carry far through the cave.
Some passages are low, and visitors have to stoop.
Echo Caves in figures
In pictures
Select a photograph to enlarge it. Authors and licences are listed in the photo credits.
Before you go
Getting there
The caves are signposted from the R36 north of Ohrigstad, about 30 km from the Blyde River Canyon viewpoints.
On the tour
Visits are guided. The route is lit and has some stairs and low sections.
Good to know
The site is privately run. Combine it with the Panorama Route or a drive to the Kruger National Park.
Opening times, access rules and prices change. Confirm them before you travel: the operator on site.
