Plan your visit
Season, guides, health and what to bring.
Five things to know first
Conditions differ a great deal between countries.
Distances are large. The sites on this guide are in eight countries. Plan each one as part of a trip to that country.
South Africa is the easiest place to start. Cango, Sterkfontein and Echo Caves have paths, lighting and regular tours.
Elsewhere you need a guide. At Sof Omar, Amboni and Kitum there is no lighting. Hire a guide on site and bring a torch.
Check the season. Roads to Sof Omar and the Tsingy de Bemaraha are closed or difficult in the rains.
Take health advice. Ask a travel clinic about vaccinations and malaria, and follow local advice on bats.
When to go
| Season | What to expect | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Africa | Dry, cool winters from May to September. Caves are open all year. | Cango, Sterkfontein, Echo Caves, Chinhoyi, Otjikoto |
| East Africa | Two dry seasons, roughly January to February and June to October. | Kitum, Amboni |
| Ethiopia | Dry from about November to March. River levels are low. | Sof Omar |
| Madagascar | The west is dry from about May to November. Parks close in the rains. | Tsingy de Bemaraha |
| Morocco | Mild all year. Summer is busy on the coast. | Caves of Hercules |
Torch, shoes and water
- A head torch and spare batteries, even where guides have lamps
- Closed shoes with grip
- Drinking water
- A light layer for cool caves at altitude
- Cash for entrance fees and guides
- A dust mask for caves with bat colonies
Caves on a wider trip
Cango fits a drive along the Garden Route. Sterkfontein is a half-day from Johannesburg. Echo Caves is on the way to the Kruger National Park. Otjikoto is a stop on the road to Etosha, and Chinhoyi lies between Harare and Kariba.
This site is an independent guide. It does not sell tickets and has no connection with the operators of any site. Opening hours, prices and booking rules are set by each operator and change. Follow the official link on each page.
