Caves

Light writing by Reece in Oumatjie Cave, Plettenberg Bay

Darklife makes cave surveys freely available for research and reference purposes. Surveys are organised by administrative province and, within each province, by geographic area or mountain range.

Some surveys are from original digital material while others have been scanned from paper copies. Quality varies. Where errors or omissions are noted, please make contact so corrections can be recorded.

Location note: Survey files do not contain entrance coordinates. Exact locations are withheld by policy — see the About page for details. Researchers requiring location data for legitimate fieldwork purposes are welcome to make contact directly.

Western Cape

Surveys covering sandstone, limestone, and coastal cave systems within the Western Cape province, spanning multiple mountain ranges and coastal areas. The majority of the caves occur on the Cape Peninsula.

Browse Western Cape surveys →

Eastern Cape

Surveys covering cave systems within the Eastern Cape province, including systems within the eastern extent of the Cape Fold Belt and coastal sea caves.

Browse Eastern Cape surveys →

Northern Cape

Surveys of cave systems within the Northern Cape province, but mostly bordering the Western Cape.

Browse Northern Cape surveys →

Can't find what you're looking for? Some surveys are still being digitised and are not yet in the public library.

Provinces