Cango Caves

Cango Caves Review

Between Oudtshoorn and Prince Albert, the huge and stunningly beautiful Cango Caves, filled with weird and wonderful stalactite and stalagmite formations, are deservedly one of the most popular attractions in the area. Only a small fraction of the caves, which extend for several miles through the mountains, is open. Unfortunately, due to shortsighted tourism schemes in the 1960s and vandalism, there's some damage, especially to the first chamber, but they are still very impressive and get more magnificent the more the tour progresses. One of the highlights is "Cleopatra's Needle," which is 29 feet high and at least 150,000 years old. You can choose between two tours: the hour-long standard tour and the aptly named adventure tour, which lasts 1½ hours. Think long and hard before opting for the latter if you're overweight, very tall, claustrophobic, or have knee or heart problems. It's exhilarating, but the temperature and humidity are high, there's not much oxygen, and you'll be shimmying up narrow chimneys on your belly, wriggling your way through tiny tunnels, and sliding on your bottom. Wear old clothes and shoes with a good tread. Standard tours leave on the hour, adventure tours on the half hour.