Cavegirl was filmed in Western Cape Province, Republic of South Africa (Suid Afrika), based around Cape Town (Kaapstad). Maps below give some perspective of location. RSA is south of the equator so summer is reverse to the Northern Hemisphere where the series mostly airs.

Locations were provided by Cape Nature Conservation. They regulate a number of areas in the province. Locations used that are well-known are the Cederberg (Sederberg), Stadsaal Caves and the pools at Tweede Tol. The Cape is home to a wide variety of exotic flowers which provided some great shots in the series.

The Cederberg (Sederberg) is a mountainous region a couple hours drive north of Cape Town. It is part of the coastal mountains running to the north that separate the Atlantic Ocean and the Great Karoo in the interior. Most filming was done in this area.

The Stadsaal caves are located in the Cederberg. The caves are a sensitive geological and archaelogical site but are rented out for various purposes under strict supervision. Fortunately Cavegirl had yet to invent high heels. The caves were closed for several weeks to allow filming. Errant hikers must have thought they had found a lost tribe of lunatics!

Tweede Tol is located at Bains Kloof, about 45 minutes drive east from Cape Town. Right in the wine-producing area of Stellenbosch! No doubt a little wine-tasting was indulged in. It is a popular leisure and picnic area containing pools and the great waterfall that Cavegirl jumped off.

Cavegirl is produced by Two Hats Film and Television for CBBC. Page to Pictures was contracted to facilitate the filming. I have no details of Two Hats other than Daniel Peacock is involved in a major if not total way. He himself was nominated in the Writer category of the BAFTA awards in 2002. That was for another Two Hats production Harry and Cosh. Daniel Peacock also created the all-girl group/tv series Sister Said. You can find his acting bio at ImDB. Two Hats are producers of the puppet show "A House That's Just Like Yours!"

In 2004 the Cavegirl series won The Children's Award at the BBC's 12th Annual Awards Ceremony for Independent Producers.

As far as I have been able to determine, Cavegirl airs on the Beeb in the UK, BBC Kids in Canada and British Forces Broadcasting Service (wherever!).

A few unique quirks of the production:
The ripping claw wipe between scenes
The in-sepia-negative-backwards-play-what's-ahead clips between segments
The varying tones of the footage!
Cavegirl running frantically everywhere
Cavegirl's warning not to go away between two 15 minute episodes (in Canada)
The "camera click" ending

The two seasons of Cavegirl have some differences. Stephen Marcus (Dad) left near the end of the first season. Kenneth Collard (Chief) and Puleng Mpokotho (Babe) were added at the start of Season 2. Tanya Baleson (Nettle) and The Drummer (Jodi Balfour?) left early Season 2.

The ripping claw wipe was replaced by an expanding blob and the chant that accompanied the in-sepia-negative-backwards-play-what's-ahead clips was different (poorer imo). All the Season 2 episodes as they aired in Canada were in 30 minute time slots. Most of Season 1 was two episodes in a 30 minute time slot (in Canada).

Most recurrent cast not in the main list were Chad Burton (Little Bro), Jodi Balfour? (the Drummer), Raphael Kossew (Army recruiter, Claw, bush telegraph repeater) and the round-faced brown girl (sorry, have not figured the name yet so have labelled Perpetual Extra in the cast thumbs).

The Adventures of Sinbad was also shot in the RSA (about 6 years prior to Cavegirl). Several of the guest cast also appeared in Cavegirl. Patrick Lyster played Aidan/The Gift and The Interrogator/Two Tribes. Tessa Jubber/Jaye played Princess Gaia/The Ghoul's Tale and Legs/Summer Holiday. Adam Pike was in The Minotaur and the jewellry salesman in Swap 'til You Drop.

As mentioned elsewhere, crew members seem to have also been cast in some episodes, Summer Holiday in particular. You can find some typical episode production credits here

Please send any corrections or additions to: mail Starman*