All tours are lead by experienced, knowledgeable and accredited caves guides. Goodwin carried out a test excavation in the cango caves in 1930. Step into the wonderous cango caves and explore the diverse array. In the starkly beautiful klein karoo area of the western cape lies one of south africas greatest geological treasures. Jun 07, 2019 isca sites include south africa s cango caves. Wandering the illuminated chambers and halls of cango caves, youll encounter a staggering number of fascinating dripstone formations, ornate crystals, stalactites, and stalagmites. The cango caves is south africas oldest tourist attraction and boasts a number of pioneering firsts.
The first fulltime guide, johnnie van wassenaar, is credited with opening many of the side chambers and introduced thousands of people to the caves during a career that spanned four decades. If you are the adventurous type, make sure you book the adventure tour, youll love every minute of it and youll have bragging rights for the rest of your life. The cave is known as one of the countrys finest, best known, and the most popular tourist caves. R328, 6620 oudtshoorn, south africa excellent location show map excellent location rated 9. Dec 01, 2015 as we descended from swartberg pas s, we passed cango caves about 30 kilometres north of oudtshoorn, an agriculture and tourism hub within the klein karoo, a long, narrow stretch of hilly, semiarid land sandwiched between the swartberg range to the north and the outeniqualangeberg mountains to the south. Oudtshoorn is visited by thousands of tourists each year to see the iconic cango caves. This region is found in the western cape province of south africa. Cango caves oudtshoorn is the only show cave in africa which offers a choice of heritage easy or adventure tours. Discoveredor discovered, depending on how you view history by a farmer in the late 1700s, the cango caves are a geological masterpiece.
In 1820 lord charles somerset published the first caves regulation. Cango caves, oudtshoorn south african history online. The country house is situated on the route to the cango caves, the swartberg pass and the circle route to prince albert, western cape via meiringspoort. We invite you to explore this unique site with a knowledgeable guide who will share his passion for the caves with you and tell you all about their geological history. Review of the cango caves, oudtshoorn, south africa tripadvisor. Thorntree country lodge, oudtshoorn, south africa a perfect base to explore the unique attractions of the area.
The cave system is south africa s oldest tourist attraction with its uniqiue formations. Any visitor to oudtshoorn will make a stop at the cango caves. The cango caves are known as one of the greatest natural wonders of the world and the biggest show cave systen in africa. Cango, the story of the cango caves of south africa. The first official tour of the caves was conducted in 1891, making the cango caves the oldest tourist attraction in south africa. Two ostrichfeather booms, during 18651870 and 19001914, truly established the settlement. Stalactite formations in the cango caves of south africas klein karoo photo by. Cango caves oudtshoorn mooiplaas country guesthouse. It was first to be protected by environmental legislation. Cango caves photos and premium high res pictures getty. The caves offer adventure and heritage tour that displays the rich natural history of south africa. The cango caves of south africa adventure and claustrophobia. Baron van reede street on road to cango caves oudtshoorn south africa. Cango caves is located in the swartberg mountain range, a limestone belt which is 1,5km wide and almost 16km long.
Head to cp nel museum to learn about the ostrich capital of the world and how the ostrich trade shaped this towns history. The cango caves are the biggest showcase cave system in africa and also south africas oldest tourist attraction. It is a city overflowing with attractions for visitors interested in history, art. The thorntree country house the thorntree country house,oudtshoorn in the klein karoo, south africa is the perfect base from which to explore the unique attractions of this area. Mar 11, 2021 to find out more about a tour at the cango caves, visit their website. The cango caves are considered to be the oldest tourist attraction in south africa. Youll venture into the inverdoom nature reserve, 2. This historic little town is the port wine capital of south africa.
The stalactites and stalagmites decorate the caves naturally. What type of room can i book at cango caves estate. The first fulltime guide, johnnie van wassenaar, is credited with opening many of the side chambers and introduced thousands of people to the caves. The first tour was conducted in 1891 and it has been a favourite ever since.
Thorntree country lodge, oudtshoorn, south africa home. Since then, archaeologists have found cave paintings and rock art formations dating back to the middle stone ages, making the caves and their artwork of. Visit cango caves on your trip to oudtshoorn or south africa. The principal cave is one of the countrys finest, best known, and most popular tourist caves and attracts many visitors from overseas. The cango caves in the little karoo garden route are some of the largest limestone caverns in the world and are still only partially explored. As per the website of cango caves it is mentioned that it is essential to book tours in cango caves in advance, but there is no link on how to book the tours. The cango caves are africas largest show caves and one of the seven wonders of southern africa, which makes the cango caves the archaeological. They are an extremely important site to the natural heritage of south africa. Boasting a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, a shared lounge, and a garden, cango caves estate features accommodations in oudtshoorn with pool views.
Situated near to the wellknown swartberg mountains, the cango caves are decidedly huge dripstone caverns, with vast halls and towering formations, known. In fact, you can only visit the caves today as part of a tour group. After the last few months negative news the cango caves in oudtshoorn, western cape, south africa, still remain one of the definite attractions to visit. A series of hidden chambers carved by ancient water eroding the precambrian limestone of the swartberg mountains, the caves are the biggest show cave system in africa.
The first tour was conducted in 1891 and its been a favourite tourist attraction ever since. The cango caves are located in precambrian limestones at the foothills of the swartberg range near the tow. The cango caves boasts a number of pioneering firsts. Exploring the cango caves in south africa the cango caves are the biggest showcase cave system in africa and also south africas oldest tourist attraction. Book a twohour dine with a local experience through. The caves are about 17 miles 27 kilometers from oudtshoorn, in the western cape province. Exploring the cango caves in south africa focused travels. Cango caves std or adventure tour, little karoo, garden route. The cango caves is one of the worlds great natural wonders, sculptured by nature through the ages fascinating limestone formations in a wide variety of colours. Stone artifacts and other cultural material show people had been living in the entrance.
About 28 kilometres from oudtshoorn in the beautiful cango valley lies one of the greatest wonders of the klein karoo the cango caves. You will be met by your own personal guide who will take you on a private tour of the ranch, whichever option you choose. The limestones are cambrian oolitic limestones formed by chemical processes about 750 million years ago. Made of evocative dripstones, its been a major attraction for over 200 years. Cango caves students britannica kids homework help. Explore the magnificent cango caves towering stalagmite formations.
There are guided tours starting at 9am and then every hour on the hour until 4pm. Meander to south africa s best kept secrets and experience lesotho. The caves were the first to be protected by environmental legislation and remain south africa s oldest tourist attraction. Cango caves r328 cango valley, oudtshoorn, 6625, south africa. The cango caves is south africa s oldest tourist attraction and boasts a number of pioneering firsts. The limestone beds of the cango group are made through movement in the earths crust, no longer in a horizontal plane. They are known for their spectacular rock formations. Scenic cape route 62, oudtshoorn 6620, western cape, south africa. In 1820 lord charles somerset, published the first caves. The cango caves was the first tourist attraction in south africa to employ a fulltime tour guide, ensuring that each person who visited the caves could do so with a professional. This is at the foothills of the swartberg range near the town of oudtshoorn. The cango caves oudtshoorn 2021 all you need to know. Already, this guide was betterpresenting me with facts about the caves history, and explaining.
In order to conserve the caves, they have strict limits on tour numbers. Jan 22, 2020 one of the worlds greatest wonders the cango caves 29 km from oudtshoorn, at the head of the picturesque cango valley, lie the spectacular underground wonder of the klein karoo the cango caves. Trained guides are at hand to conduct visitors along the magic paths of the worlds finest stalactite cave. Thereafter you will be taken to do the natural encounters of your choice.
Get into the wild and seek out africa s big five on this safari tour from cape town that includes lunch. The cango caves are some of the largest limestone caverns in the world. Apr 19, 2019 cango caves is located in the precambrian limestones. Cango caves, cape town ticket price timings address.
Cango caves is located in the precambrian limestones. From prices and availability to skiptheline options and mobile tickets, get all the information you need to make the most of your trip to south africa. They are a true natural wonder with a huge system of stalagmite and stalactite chambers and tunnels found in the swartberg mountains, nearly 30 kilometres north of oudtshoorn in the western cape province. A must landmark to visit in south africa if you are in the area we enjoyed every minute of the tour, i could not book over the phone because of the covid restrictions the groups were reduced to 20 people per hour and for that day was fully booked. Best time for cango caves in south africa 2020 best season. The cango caves is one of the worlds great natural wonders, sculpted by nature. The cango caves are a system of limestone caves in the foothills of the swartberg mountain range of south africa. Aug 11, 2015 after the last few months negative news the cango caves in oudtshoorn, western cape, south africa, still remain one of the definite attractions to visit. Apr 06, 2020 the principal cave is one of south africa s most popular caves. Wherecango caves, oudtshoorn, karoo, western cape, south africa. Although the extensive system of tunnels and chambers go on for over 4 km, only about a quarter of this is open to visitors, who may proceed into the cave only in groups supervised by a guide.
If youre feeling adventurous, you can opt for the twohour tour, during which youll need to climb the rocks and crawl into narrow, claustrophobiainducing passageways, to discover the caves. Cango caves in oudtshoorn photos and booking info sa places. The cango caves are located in precambrian limestones at the foothills of the swartberg range near the town of oudtshoorn, in the western cape province of south africa. About 29km from oudtshoorn, at the head of the picturesque cango valley, lies the underground wonder of the klein karoo. Members of the south african speleological association 1970. Ansichtskarte postkarte oudtshoorn sudafrika, the cango cave complex against its natural backdrop and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. In 1820 lord charles somerset published the first caves. Cango caves estate, oudtshoorn updated 2021 prices. Cango caves auditorium view a movie about cango 2 now closed to the public interpretive centre where you can learn more about the caves history. The cango caves are entrenched in south africa history, with their discovery in 1780 by a local farmer in the area.
The cango caves is situateds in a limestone ridge parallel to the well known swartberg mountains near oudtshoorn south africa. Town, history fans especially, must visit groot constantia to see both south africas oldest. They are also the most visited caves in the south africa. Cango caves oudtshoorn, south africa atlas obscura. Did you know honey badgers have been listed in the guinness book of world.
Cango caves, oudtshoorn accommodation south africa. Enhanced lights effect and bewildering natural beauty of cango caves makes it a popular tourist. They do not consist of animal shells and do not contain any fossils. Introducing the atlas obscura podcast a short, daily celebration of the worlds strange and wondrous places. Oudtshoorn landmark reopens after sixmonth closure one of the countrys most renowned landmarks and tourist attractions, the cango caves in oudtshoorn, reopened on friday, 11. The cango caves this 4500millionyearold cave of stalactites and. Due to a recent increase in visitors, it is essential to book either tour in advance. Caves celebrated as natural wonders and repositories of history. The cango caves near cape town are a great tourist destination. Since then, archaeologists have found cave paintings and rock art formations dating back to the middle stone ages, making the caves and their artwork of much interest for historians and archaeologylovers. Whencango caves are open 364 days of the year, closed christmas day standard tours. Cango caves adventure tour in south africa, near oudtshoorn. Cango caves photos and premium high res pictures getty images.
It was the first to be protected by environmental legislation. Cango caves, oudtshoorn ticket price timings address. The vast underground caverns that make up the caves lay in the precambarian limestone foothills of the swartberg range. Visit a working ostrich farm and learn about these fascinating creatures, before meeting the resident ostriches and feeding them. The cave system is south africas oldest tourist attraction with its uniqiue formations. For years, i had wanted to see south africa s oldest tourist attraction. The standard tour will take you to the main chambers and front parts of the cave, however adventure tours can be embarked on which take guests into the narrower and in depth parts of the cango caves. Thorntree country lodge, oudtshoorn, south africa, oudtshoorn, western cape. I could not book over the phone because of the covid restrictions the groups were reduced to 20 people per hour and for that day. Tours through the cango caves are offered on a daily basis and facilities include. Everything you should know about the stunning cango caves. The caves are situated 29km from oudtshoorn at the head of the beautiful cango valley. A novel, soho press october 1, 1997, hardcover 292 pp, isbn.
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