Cango Caves

Cango Caves

The interior of the visitor centre.

The last time I was in the Cango Caves, I must have been about 10 years old. Ian Georgeson (CEO of Cross Country Insurance Company) had never been through these caves. The weather was cold, misty and rainy, and so we decided that it would be the perfect opportunity to explore them. 

Our hired car, looking somewhat like an off-road vehicle after our traverse of the Swartberg Pass.

On leaving Swartberg Pass, and heading towards Oudtshoorn, the Cango Caves are about 30 mins (approximately 24 kms) further on the left side. After the unpaved roads of the pass, it was quite refreshing to once again be on tar.

The route from the Swartberg Pass to the Cango Caves.

Many, many moons ago, the semi-nomadic Khoisan took refuge against the cold winters, and the hot summers, in an overhang in the foothills of the Swartberg mountains where the Cango Caves are situated. Their lifestyle consisted of men hunting or fishing for food, whilst the women gathered berries, roots and herbs from the surrounding landscape. Part of their culture was the documentation of their lives by painting on the walls of the overhang / caves with feathers, animal hair or reeds using charcoal, eggs, animal blood, and different shades of clay / sand / water. Around 500 years ago this nomadic tribe departed from the area, leaving very little behind – other than a few pieces of artwork (which have subsequently been destroyed). 

Ian in the Cango Caves.

Legend has it that the Cango Caves were first ‘discovered’ in 1780 by herder Klaas Windvogel, who  was a simple herder searching for his cattle when he came across the entrance to the cave. Jacobus van Zyl, the local farmer, was subsequently lowered into the cavity, assisted by Barend Oppel (a local teacher) and Windvogel. They discovered that the chamber he was lowered into was longer than a football field!  This chamber is now named in his honour. However, research fails to reveal anybody by the name of Van Zyl in the Cango area in the 1770’s. We now also know that these caves have been known to man since the Early Stone Age. Always the contradictions…

The ‘Frozen Waterfall’.

From the entrance, a flight of stairs descends to Van Zyl’s Hall, an enormous cavern that is 107m long, 54m at its widest and up to 17m in height. The formations are incredible, some with names such as the impressive 10m high Cleopatra’s Needle, the Organ Pipes and the Frozen Waterfall.

The “Organ Pipes”.

The Cango Caves were formed over millions of years, as underground water seeped into limestone rock. Gradually this rock dissolved. The gaps created in the rock became caves. The process is ongoing, so eventually a large system of tunnels and chambers was created. The Cango Caves are located in a limestone belt stretching 1.5 kilometres wide and almost 16 kilometres long. Their formations, created by intricate chemical processes, were further shaped over time by water and the relentless force of rivers carving into the rock. 

The structures are breathtaking. 

The caves finally dried out and transformed into fossil caves. This gave rise to the stalactites, stalagmites and helictites which adorn every corner of the caves. The effect is magnificent. The caves were originally estimated to be an impressive one kilometre long but, upon exploring further, the pioneers found the chambers extended well over five kilometres. Only about a quarter of the caves are accessible to the public, whilst the remainder are closed to preserve the natural heritage and for further research and exploration. 

Cleopatra’s Needle.

These caves are South Africa’s oldest tourist attraction, and the first official tour was conducted in 1891. Even before that it was a popular informal tourist attraction. Unfortunately, over time visitors broke off parts of the structures and vandalised most of the rock paintings at the entrance into the caves. Recognizing the need to preserve these caves, the Governor of the Cape at the time, Lord Charles Somerset, enacted the first Caves Regulation in 1820. This groundbreaking regulation aimed at safeguarding the caves as an environmental resource and prohibiting the collection of souvenirs. There used to be music concerts held in the Cango Caves – which were eventually stopped because people insisted on breaking pieces of the formations off – as souvenirs… Just sad.

One can see where pieces of the stalactites have been broken off.

There are two tours, the Heritage Tour and the Adventure Tour. The Heritage Tour is a 60-minute moderate walk and is held on the hour between 09h00 and 16h00. The Adventure Tour is 90 minutes in duration and is a more challenging adventure – you crouch and crawl through the passages and constricted tunnels of the deepest sections of Cango 1. It is only recommended for lean people and those who are reasonably fit. Check the link in the info box for times.

TIPS:

  • Light clothing and comfortable footwear are recommended
  • You’re not allowed to walk alone in the cave, so if you wish to exit, you need to inform your guide, and alternative arrangements will be made to fetch you and walk you out safely.
  • You are most welcome to take photos.
  • You may NOT smoke, touch or climb on formations, tamper with light switches, or take food / drinks into the caves.

If you happen to be in the area over the holidays (or even if you live nearby), I highly recommend popping in and enjoying a tour. We have many awe-inspiring tourist attractions in South Africa, and the Cango Caves are definitely up there with the best!

Jacqui Ikin & The Cross Country Team

INFO BLOCK
https://www.cango-caves.co.za/

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