Van Zyl Hall
As long as a football field.
Ad Meskens You are free to use this picture for any purpose as long as you credit its author, Ad Meskens. Example: © Ad Meskens / Wikimedia Commons If you use this work outside of the Wikimedia projec — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ad Meskens You are free to use this picture for any purpose as long as you credit its author, Ad Meskens. Example: © Ad Meskens / Wikimedia Commons If you use this work outside of the Wikimedia projec — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ad Meskens You are free to use this picture for any purpose as long as you credit its author, Ad Meskens. Example: © Ad Meskens / Wikimedia Commons If you use this work outside of the Wikimedia projec — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ad Meskens You are free to use this picture for any purpose as long as you credit its author, Ad Meskens. Example: © Ad Meskens / Wikimedia Commons If you use this work outside of the Wikimedia projec — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ad Meskens You are free to use this picture for any purpose as long as you credit its author, Ad Meskens. Example: © Ad Meskens / Wikimedia Commons If you use this work outside of the Wikimedia projec — CC BY-SA 4.0
The Cango Caves are among South Africa's best known show caves, in ancient limestone at the foot of the Swartberg range near Oudtshoorn. Their tunnels and chambers run for over 4 km, of which only about a quarter is open, and visitors may enter only in groups with a guide. Paintings and artefacts show that people used the caves in the Middle and Later Stone Ages. In 1780 the local farmer Jacobus Van Zyl rediscovered them, being lowered into a chamber as long as a football field that now bears his name. A second chamber was found in 1792, and the caves soon drew visitors. The Oudtshoorn municipality handles their daily management. The formations are shown under coloured lighting, from huge columns and limestone curtains to tower-like stalagmites. Two tours are offered. The Heritage tour takes about 60 minutes and suits most visitors, while the Adventure tour takes about 90 minutes and includes narrow passages and crawling, so it is not for anyone uneasy in tight spaces or with knee or heart trouble. The caves are 22 km in a straight line from central Oudtshoorn and 105 km from Knysna. Book ahead in busy seasons, since tours run at set times: sources mention Heritage tours hourly from 9 am and Adventure tours hourly from 9:30. Wear non-slip shoes, as the ground can be damp.
As long as a football field.
Under coloured lighting.
Narrow passages and crawling.
Cango Valley, Swartberg foothills, north of Oudtshoorn
Heritage suits most visitors, while Adventure is for those happy with tight passages and crawling.
No, entry is only in groups with a guide.