[1] The Clarens Formation is composed nearly entirely of fine to medium-grained, thickly-bedded sandstones that range from pale orange or pinkish to cream in color.

This particular feature of the Clarens Formation lead to the initial naming of these rocks the “Cave Sandstone” in older literature.

[2][3] It is thought that the geographical range of the Clarens Formation was much greater millions of years ago, covering most of southern Africa in a vast sand dune environment which stretched out from the main Karoo Basin westwards into Namibia and into Zimbabwe in the northeast.

Freshwater fish fossils such as that of Semionotus capensis, and crustaceans have been found in the playa lake facies deposits.

In South Africa, equivalent sedimentary facies to the Clarens Formation are present in the Lebombo Belt, north of Eswatini.