Cango Caves

The Cango Caves are the main attraction in Oudtshoorn

The Cango Caves are the main attraction in Oudtshoorn in the Klein Karoo. The Cango Caves are surely one of the great wonders of the world.

Thousands of years ago, an intrepid tribe of KhoiSan people wandered trough the arid plains of the Klein Karoo region, taking shelter in a large cave entrance. Many centuries later, in 1780, a colonial farmer named Van Zyl, dared to venture past the cave entrance, lowering himself into the unknown darkness. From the muffled echo of his uneasy voice he sensed a cavern of breathtaking proportions, and by the dim light of a burning torch saw glistening shapes that hinted at the subterranean wonderland.

He was indeed lowering himself 10 m into the first great hall, which is about 98 m long, 49 m wide and 15 m high. So began the human history of one of the greatest treasure chests of nature. From every nook and cranny glimmer stalactites (hanging columns), stalagmites (which grow upward) and helictites (which grow in all directions). Illuminated with electric light since 1929, the Cango Caves have become the biggest showcave operation in Africa, attracting and delighting thousands of international and local visitors every year. In 1938 the caves were declared a natural monument.

How much further Van Zyl continued is unknown. But over the years each of a vast sequence of chambers were given a fanciful name until, at 762 meters from the entrance, there seemed to be a dead end. Cave experts were certain that the sequence continued, for there was a draught of fresh air, but dripstone formations and rock falls had blocked the passage. It was the first sequence of caves – Cango One – that was developed and opened for tourists.

There are innumerable dripstone formations in the main chambers and ante – chambers. The first great chamber is called Van Zyl’s hall, after its discoverer. This mammoth chamber contains not only a variety of dripstone formations like Cleopatra’s Needle (9 metres high and at least 150 000 years old), but also a beautiful dark gray roof, which is smoothly sculptured into hollows and pendants, contrasts strongly with the yellow of the softer limestone witch forms the walls. From the main hall the route leads through a long series of chambers which slowly decrease in size as one proceeds further into Cango One. These are continuously decorated with some awe-inspiring formations. Of particular note is the "Completed Column" in the second chamber, which is about 0.5 metre in diameter and rises 125 metres from floor to ceiling in the centre of the chamber.

At the halfway point of the tour through the cave it becomes low enough in places to require stooping. Here visitors are given the option to return to the entrance unaccompanied at their own pace. For the more intrepid tourist the route continues via Jacob’s ladder - a long flight of stairs across a boulder chamber, and on to a further series of smaller, though no less beautiful, caverns.

At the end of the tourist route of Cango One, there is an interesting ‘assault course’, to give the more enthusiastic visitor a taste of what it is like to do some ‘real caving’. A steep ladder leads up to a small hole, high on the wall. This marks the start of a circular trip where one has to crawl on hands and knees in order to reach some fine small chambers beyond.

The mystery of the unexpected dead end of Cango One was cleared up in 1956, when the Spelaeological Society surveyed the caves. They noted that when the atmospheric pressure outside dropped, air flowed out of the caves and when atmospheric pressure mounted, air flowed into the caves. This proved that there was a continuation of the cave sequence. In 1972, three professional cave guides broke through to a breathtaking fairyland, a 270-metre extension of the sequence, Congo Two. In 1975, another extension of about 1600 metres, was discovered and named Congo Three.

Cango Two and Three are not open to the public. This is to preserve the pure, crystalline beauty of the dripstone formations found within these chambers. The pristine magnificence of the crystalline formations and natural colours are still intact and far surpasses that of Congo One, where the warm air breathed out by millions of tourists over more than a century has dimmed the original brilliance of the formations and their colours.

The temperature in the caves is a warm and humid 18 ºC. Sensible footwear and light clothing are recommended. Ample lighting makes uneven pathways and stairs easy to negotiate, and provides opportunities for memorable photographs. Even small children will be able to enjoy the caves, but children under 12 have to be accompanied by adults. The Cango cave system is one of the ways nature worked in the dark for many forgotten years, and then gave man the privilege of seeing a work which is still in the process of change and growth.

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