Whether naturally created or formed by human intervention, South Africa has many extensive excavations, cavities, and craters to experience and enjoy.
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Need help determining where these awe-inspiring formations reside? Here are a few holes in South Africa to visit, view, and explore.
Tswaing Meteorite Crater (near Pretoria)
Also known as the Pretoria Saltpan, this crater is much more than a mere space hit by an asteroid more than 200,000 years ago. A Tswana name meaning ‘place of salt’, the crater’s centre is filled with salt water.
A museum is dedicated to this structure nearby, and there are plenty of camping facilities near the site for travellers to spend the night and enjoy the natural splendours around this tourist attraction.
This natural structure is considered among the best-preserved meteorite craters in the world and is a marvel to see in person.
Big Hole (Kimberly)
This massive hand-dug hole, which prospectors have picked and prodded away in the past, is a historical landmark like no other. Previously known as the Kimberley Mine, this structure was once a prosperous location for diamond mining.
After this open-pit mining spot became too dangerous, a move to underground diamond mining was spearheaded. The Kimberley Mine Museum was opened in 1971 to showcase the extraordinary mining history of this location.
Hole in the Wall (Coffee Bay)
A stunning sight on the Wild Coast, Hole in the Wall is a natural wonder. It is a massive detached cliff with (you guessed it) a hole in the centre of the structure in Coffee Bay’s sea.
The force of the waves created this hole, which essentially carved an opening in this mountainous structure. Many activities exist in and around this detached cliff, such as nearby hiking trails and beaches.
Many myths and folklore surround this seemingly otherworldly structure, including the Xhosa belief that this location is a gateway between the living and the ancestral world.
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