Cango Caves
A limestone cave system in the Swartberg foothills. It has been shown to visitors for about two centuries.
South Africa's oldest attraction
The Cango Caves lie in a limestone ridge that runs parallel to the Swartberg mountains. Only the first section, Cango 1, is open. Cango 2 and Cango 3 were found in the 1970s and are closed to protect their formations.
According to tradition a local farmer, Jacobus van Zyl, was lowered into the first chamber in 1780. The Cape governor issued rules for visitors in 1820, among the earliest cave protection regulations anywhere.
Cango Caves at a glance
- Location
- 29 km north of Oudtshoorn, Western Cape
- Rock
- Precambrian limestone
- Known system
- about 4 km, in three sections
- Open to visitors
- Cango 1, about 760 m
- Largest chamber
- Van Zyl's Hall, about 98 m long
- Temperature
- about 18 °C
- First recorded
- 1780
- Tours
- Heritage (about 1 hour), Adventure (about 1.5 hours)
Van Zyl's Hall and the first chambers
The standard tour covers the largest halls. Van Zyl's Hall is about 98 metres long, 49 metres wide and 15 metres high. It contains Cleopatra's Needle, a stalagmite about nine metres tall.
The route is on paths and stairs and suits most visitors.
The Devil's Chimney and the Letterbox
The longer tour continues into narrow passages. Visitors climb the Devil's Chimney, a steep tube, and slide through the Letterbox, a slot under 30 centimetres high.
It is not suitable for anyone who is claustrophobic or has limited mobility.
Cango Caves in figures
In pictures
Select a photograph to enlarge it. Authors and licences are listed in the photo credits.
Before you go
Getting there
The caves are 29 km north of Oudtshoorn on a tarred road. Oudtshoorn is about an hour from George, which has the nearest airport.
On the tour
All visits are guided and leave at fixed times. The cave is warm and humid, so light clothing is enough.
Good to know
Book ahead in South African school holidays. The Swartberg Pass and the Klein Karoo ostrich farms are close by.
Opening times, access rules and prices change. Confirm them before you travel: cango-caves.co.za.
