The Cango Caves are a system of drip caves north of Oudtshoorn at the foot of the Swartberg on the edge of the Little KarooOver hundreds of thousands of years nature formed amazing stalactite formations in the most varied of variations in the quiet darkness. Sometimes stalactites and stalagmites were connected to form breathtaking limestone columns. Even today, the Cango Caves are still in a constant process of change and growth.
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history
The caves were discovered by humans around 80,000 years ago, back then it was probably they San (Bushmen) who found shelter in the caves, as the remains of some paintings still show. It was then around 1780 when Jacobus van Zyl, a local farmer, entered the cave and, by the light of a single candle, was overwhelmed by the enormous dimensions of the first chamber. The second chamber was discovered in 1792, and in 1816 the cave had already been penetrated 350 m. In 1938 the cave was declared a National Monument. From 1956 the cave became Cango 1 (a total of approx. 1200 m) from the SASA (South African Speleological Association), in 1972 the part Cango 2 (270 m long) discovered since 1978 is also Cango 3 (1600 m long) explored.
sightseeing
In the past the cave was open to the general public and concerts were even held in it. In order to avoid damage to the sensitive structures through carelessness or vandalism, the cave can only be visited as part of a guided tour. There are two types of tour, one of which is around 1 hour Standard tour and an extended 1½ hour Adventure tour. Guided tours are available in English or Afrikaans, and in German or French if you reserve in advance. In the cave there is a year-round temperature of approx. 17 ° C - 18 ° C, there are a few steps in the entrance area, otherwise the paths inside are good, but require a certain surefootedness. There may be bats in the cave.
Standard tour
The cave is open every day, except at Christmas, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., tours start every hour on the hour and last around 60 minutes, price for adults: ZAR 150. The tour goes about 600 m deep into the cave. There are several halls:
- Van Zyl's hall, approx. 90 m long, 50 m wide and 14 - 18 m high. Worth seeing: a stalactite curtain, called the Organ pipes and Cleopatra's needle, an approx. 10 m high stalagmite.
- Botha's hall, their largest formations is called leaning Tower of Pisa designated
- other halls of the tour are the Rainbow Chamber, the Bridal chamber with a four-poster bed with 14 posts and the Drum room.
Adventure tour
Tours start from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. every half hour and last approximately 90 minutes, price for adults: ZAR 220. It includes the standard tour, goes on beyond that Jacob's ladder and the Hexenschussallee in the Big hall, continue over King Solomon's Mines and the Devil chimney until Mailbox, the passage is only 27 cm narrow and therefore unsuitable for people with a larger body or claustrophobia.
miscellaneous
In the building complex in front of the caves is a Interpretive Center, an approx. 20-minute film with information is shown in the auditorium, including information about the inaccessible parts.
to buy
There is a souvenir shop in the entrance building
kitchen
A coffee shop and a restaurant with dishes from the region are on the upper floor of the building.
accommodation
Accommodation is in the near Oudtshoorn
