Cango Caves

27km/17mi north of Oudtshoorn, at the foot of the Great Swartberg, are the impressive Cango caves, with magnificent stalactites and stalagmites. Visitors are taken on a conducted tour of the cave system for a distance of 2km/1.25mi, taking about an hour.

In earlier centuries the caves, which have a constant temperature of 18°C/64°F, were occupied by Bushmen, who left rock drawings, little of which can now be distinguished, as evidence of their presence. At the entrance to the caves is a tableau depicting the life of the Bushmen. The conducted tour takes visitors into a series of huge chambers with impressive stalactites and stalagmites, the effect of which is enhanced by spectacular lighting effects. The Van Zyl Hall is named after