Explore a Cave on International Cave and Karst Day

South Africans are invited to discover a world that lies only metres beneath their feet as the South African Speleological Association opens the underground world to the public on Sunday, 13 September.

To mark the IUCN International Cave and Karst Day, the South African Speleological Association (SASA), together with its affiliated caving clubs, will be encouraging members of the public to experience a real South African cave accompanied by experienced cavers.

For most people, caves are something seen on television or experienced as part of a guided tourist attraction. Yet across South Africa there are thousands of caves, sinkholes, underground passages and karst landscapes, many of which have been explored, surveyed and documented by generations of volunteer cavers.

On Sunday, 13 September, SASA wants to introduce a few more South Africans to that extraordinary underground world.

“Our message this year is very simple: come and explore a cave,” says SASA President André Grove.

“You do not need to be an experienced caver. You do not need to own specialist equipment, and you certainly do not need to know what you are doing before you arrive. That is why experienced cavers will be there.”

The aim is not to turn first-time visitors into extreme explorers overnight, but rather to introduce people to caves responsibly and safely and to show them what recreational caving is actually about.

Depending on the location and local club, participants may encounter crawling passages, larger underground chambers, unusual rock formations, and the complete darkness found only underground.

They will also meet the people who voluntarily spend their weekends exploring, mapping, photographing and helping to conserve South Africa's caves.

MORE THAN JUST HOLES IN THE GROUND

Caves play an extraordinary role in South Africa's natural and cultural heritage.

They contain geological records stretching back millions of years, provide habitats for specialised wildlife, preserve archaeological and palaeontological material and contain some of the country’s most remarkable underground landscapes.

South African cavers have also played an important role in exploring and documenting caves throughout Southern Africa, assisting with underground rescues and contributing to cave conservation and scientific research.

Yet much of this world remains almost completely invisible to the general public.

“People drive across dolomite and limestone landscapes every day without ever considering what might exist below them,” Grove says.

“There is an entire landscape beneath parts of South Africa that most people will simply never see.”

BRING A FRIEND TO A CAVE

SASA is therefore encouraging existing cavers to bring a friend to a cave and inviting interested members of the public to contact the association to find out whether an introductory trip is being arranged in their area.

Trips will be subject to location, available spaces, weather, cave conditions and the requirements of the individual club or trip leader.

Participants should expect to get dirty.

Very dirty.

Old clothing, sturdy footwear and a willingness to crawl through places where sensible people might normally choose not to crawl are highly recommended.

A sense of humour also helps.

Safety remains the priority, and visitors will be briefed by experienced cavers before entering a cave. Suitable helmets, lighting and other necessary equipment will be arranged or specified by the relevant club.

JOIN US UNDERGROUND

Members of the public interested in joining a trip on Sunday, 13 September 2026, or in learning more about caving in South Africa, are invited to contact the South African Speleological Association.

The association can also put interested people in contact with an established caving club in their region.

Come and discover the South Africa beneath South Africa.

You may have driven over it hundreds of times.

Now come and see what is underneath.