Abanda Caves – A Cave Complex in Gabon
Abanda Caves are a cave complex in Gabon, located in the upstream of Fernan Vaz Lagoon. They were first mentioned by Dr. Marco Marti and Claude Werotte in the early 2000s, and fully explored during several caving expeditions by Oslisly, Testa, Sebag and Shirley. Abanda Caves are now famous for the Abanda Caves Artifacts, archeological artifacts that were found in one of the caves and seem to imply that humans settled near the cave as early as 15000 years ago!
Towering above Abanda village, Abanda Caves can be divided into three levels: Abanda Upper Cave (4.5km long), Abanda Main Cave (4.2km long) and Abanda Lower Cave (0.9km long). Abanda Caves are a great example of a tropical karst system, resulting from the dissolution of limestone bedrock by rainfall. They have been formed over thousands of years through both physical and chemical weathering which cause the disintegration of the rocks. Abanda Caves are part of a large cave system consisting of more than 100 kilometers of passages that run under Abanda, Fernan Vaz and Moukondo rivers.
The Abanda Main Cave is reached after a descent by rope through a narrow 40 meter shaft. The Abanda Main Cave has impressive speleothems, including large stalagmites and stalactites. Abanda Caves are frequented by thousands of bats that give Abanda its characteristic smell. Abanda is an amazing place to visit if you enjoy speleology or just want to spend a few unforgettable days in the African jungle!
The Abanda Caves have been made famous by Abanda Caves Artifacts. Abanda Caves Artifacts are archeological artifacts that were found in Abanda Cave System and seem to imply that humans settled near the cave as early as 15000 years ago! The human remains and tools date back to 12700 BC and represent some of the oldest traces of human settlement in Central Africa, together with the similar findings in Were Elua, Cameroon. Abanda Caves Artifacts are fascinating evidence of the human occupation of the Abanda Caves System over thousands years.
Abanda Caves were fully explored during these caving expeditions which made Abanda famous among speleologists all over the world! Abanda Caves are now known for their impressive speleothems that date back to 12700 BC! Abanda Artifacts are some of the oldest traces of human settlement in Central Africa, together with the similar findings in Were Elua, Cameroon. Abanda Caves are frequented by thousands of bats that give Abanda its characteristic smell. Abanda is an amazing place to visit if you enjoy speleology or just want to spend a few unforgettable days in the African jungle!
The Abanda Artifacts are archeological artifacts that were found in Abanda Caves. Abanda Artifacts are fascinating evidence of the human occupation of the Abanda Caves System over thousands of years.
Frequently Asked Questions About Abanda Caves
Are the Abanda caves open to tourists?
The Abanda caves are open to tourists.
What are some of the features of the Abanda caves?
The Abanda caves are located in Gabon, Africa. They are known for their stunning mineral formations and beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. The caves were formed over millions of years as water eroded the limestone rock.
The Abanda caves are open to the public and make a wonderful tourist destination. Visitors can explore the caves on foot or by boat. They offer a unique glimpse into the beauty and mystery of underground caverns.
What was your first impression of the caves?
The caves were absolutely beautiful and very peaceful. I was really impressed by how well-preserved they were and how stunning the formations were. It was an amazing experience to be able to explore them firsthand.
What is your favorite part of the Abanda caves?
My favorite part of the Abanda caves is the underground river. It’s so beautiful and peaceful down there, and it’s really a unique experience to be able to hike through a cave and then take a boat ride on an underground river. I definitely recommend it if you’re ever in the area!
Image Information: By Olivier Testa – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link
