Cango Caves
Explore South Africa's largest show cave, a 20-million-year-old natural wonder with breathtaking mineral formations.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, better photos
Cango Caves
Best Time
Fewer crowds, better photos
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore South Africa's largest show cave, a 20-million-year-old natural wonder with breathtaking mineral formations.
"Absolutely stunning, great guide who is very knowledgeable and humorous."
👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes
Sturdy, non-slip shoes are essential for navigating uneven surfaces and stairs.
📸 Camera Ready!
The caves offer stunning photo opportunities, especially when floodlights illuminate formations.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Grand Chamber
Main cave system
Marvel at the sheer scale and intricate mineral formations in this breathtaking cavern.
Devil's Chimney
Adventure Tour route
Experience a thrilling, narrow passage that tests your agility and offers unique cave views.
Crystal Gardens
Various chambers
Discover delicate stalactites and stalagmites, showcasing millions of years of geological artistry.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Book Your Cango Caves Adventure
Choose Your Cango Caves Tour Wisely
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes
Sturdy, non-slip shoes are essential for navigating uneven surfaces and stairs.
📸 Camera Ready!
The caves offer stunning photo opportunities, especially when floodlights illuminate formations.
💧 Stay Hydrated
Bring water, especially for the Adventure Tour, as it can be physically demanding.
⏳ Allow ample time
Tours can last 60-90 minutes, plus time for browsing the gift shop and facilities.
Tips
from all over the internet
👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes
Sturdy, non-slip shoes are essential for navigating uneven surfaces and stairs.
📸 Camera Ready!
The caves offer stunning photo opportunities, especially when floodlights illuminate formations.
💧 Stay Hydrated
Bring water, especially for the Adventure Tour, as it can be physically demanding.
⏳ Allow ample time
Tours can last 60-90 minutes, plus time for browsing the gift shop and facilities.
🤏 Adventure Tour Squeezes
Be prepared for tight squeezes; the Adventure Tour is not for the claustrophobic or very large.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise the Cango Caves for their stunning geological formations and the knowledgeable, engaging guides. The Heritage Tour is highlighted as accessible and informative, while the Adventure Tour offers a thrilling experience for the daring. Some reviews mention large tour groups can detract from the experience in smaller chambers.
"Quick Takeaways
🗺️ Easy to find — well signposted, main-road access, and ample parking
🧭 Guided tours only, with optional adventure upgrade for tighter sections
🎤 Excellent guide (Winfred) — funny, informative, and inclusive
💡 Beautiful lighting and impressive formations
🎶 Would benefit from music in the main cavern to showcase its acoustics
🪜 Comfortable walk — about 1.2 km, manageable stairs, and good headroom
🛍️ Shops on-site — souvenir, sweet, and café options
👍 Highly recommended — suitable for most ages and fitness levels
Full Review
Visiting the caves is straightforward and well organised. The site is easy to find, clearly signposted, and accessible via main roads with ample parking available. To reach the cave entrance, you walk to the top floor of a multi-storey building, which also houses the on-site shops.
I joined the standard guided tour, but for those seeking more adventure, there’s an optional upgrade where you can crawl through smaller spaces and explore deeper sections of the cave network.
My guide, Winfred, was funny, engaging, and very knowledgeable. He made sure everyone felt included and never rushed us — allowing plenty of time for photos and timing the route so we didn’t cross paths with other groups.
Although not the largest cave system in the world, it’s still very impressive. The lighting creates a great atmosphere, and the formations are beautifully presented.
The walk covers about 1.2 km, but it doesn’t feel strenuous. There are some stairs, yet the pace is easy, and even at 6’7” I never had to duck once.
The only thing that could make the experience even more memorable would be to play music in the largest cavern — the acoustics are incredible, and it’s easy to imagine how magical it must have sounded when musical performances were held there up until the mid-1990s.
After the tour, there’s a souvenir shop, sweet shop, and café on-site — all clean and well run.
Overall, this is a well-managed, fascinating, and atmospheric attraction.
Highly recommended."
MilPoPo
"We had a great visit to the Cango Caves (July 30, 2025) and were genuinely impressed by how massive and beautiful the formations are. The chambers are spectacular—towering stalactites, dramatic rock curtains, and incredible natural sculptures that look almost too perfect to be real. The guides were knowledgeable, engaging, and made the experience both fun and educational.
I recommend to book ahead, especially during busy seasons as tours fill up quickly. There are two options for tours. Choose the tour type that fits your comfort level. The Heritage Tour is easy and scenic, while the Adventure Tour involves tight squeezes, crawling, and ladders—great for thrill-seekers. Wear comfortable shoes with good grip as the floors can be slippery and bring a light jacket.
Overall, the Cango Caves are an impressive natural wonder and absolutely worth a stop in Oudtshoorn. It’s a fun, fascinating experience for all ages."
Kristie Ang
"We booked in advance but this made no difference. Ticketing was slow....
The caves are stunning and the guides know there stuff.
However, our tour group was over 40 so we couldn't see him but his voice carried. We didn't mind and lingered at the tail end to get pictures without people.
Overall we were in the caves for the heritage leisurely walk tour for about 90 minutes.
The caves are really awesome.
And on a hot day 20C is welcome.
Gift shop is reasonable."
Nic Hatto
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Cango Caves are located near Oudtshoorn, about a 5-hour drive from Cape Town. You can drive yourself via the N2 highway or consider it a stop on a Garden Route road trip.
Public transport options are limited. Renting a car or joining a guided tour that includes transport is the most convenient way to reach the Cango Caves.
The most common route is via the N2 highway towards Mossel Bay, then inland towards Oudtshoorn. Alternatively, you can take the scenic Route 62.
The Cango Caves are approximately 30 kilometers north of Oudtshoorn, making it an easy drive.
Yes, it's possible to visit Cango Caves as a day trip, especially if you're already in the Oudtshoorn area or on a Garden Route tour.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Ticket prices vary depending on the tour. The Heritage Tour is generally more affordable than the Adventure Tour. Check the official website for current Cango Caves ticket prices and Cango Caves cost details.
It is highly recommended to book your Cango Caves tickets in advance, especially for the Adventure Tour, as tours can sell out. Online booking is available for Cango Caves booking online.
The Cango Caves are typically open daily from 9 am to 4 pm, with tours running at regular intervals. Confirm Cango Caves opening hours before your visit.
The entrance fee is included in the tour price. There isn't a separate Cango Caves entrance fee; you pay for the guided tour experience.
Yes, there are two main tours: the Heritage Tour (panoramic path) and the Adventure Tour (more challenging with squeezes). +1
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The Heritage Tour is a guided walk through the main chambers, focusing on the cave's history and geological formations. It's suitable for most visitors and involves some stairs.
The Adventure Tour involves crawling, climbing, and squeezing through narrow passages like Devil's Chimney. It's physically demanding and not for the claustrophobic.
The Heritage Tour has some stairs and uneven surfaces, but is generally manageable. The Adventure Tour is not accessible for those with mobility issues.
Yes, photography is allowed during the Heritage Tour, especially when floodlights are on. Some tours may have restrictions to protect formations.
Tours typically last between 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the chosen tour and group size.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, there is a cafe and an ice cream shop on-site, offering refreshments and snacks.
While there are facilities for purchasing food, it's advisable to check their policy on bringing outside food. Picnics might be allowed in designated areas.
Oudtshoorn offers various dining options, from local eateries to more formal restaurants, serving traditional South African cuisine.
📸 📸 Photography
The Grand Chamber and areas with prominent stalactites and stalagmites offer the most dramatic photo opportunities.
Flash photography is generally permitted during the Heritage Tour to highlight formations, but always follow your guide's instructions.
Use a tripod if possible for low-light shots. A wider aperture and higher ISO will help capture the cave's details.
Video recording is usually allowed, but be mindful of other visitors and follow your guide's guidance.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider visiting during off-peak hours to avoid large crowds, making the experience more enjoyable for everyone. There are also facilities like a cafe and gift shop on-site for snacks and souvenirs.
🚶♀️ Adventure Seekers
Be prepared for a physically demanding journey; this tour is not for the faint-hearted or claustrophobic. Ensure you wear appropriate clothing and footwear. If you're looking for a memorable and challenging exploration, the Adventure Tour will not disappoint.
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
While flash photography is generally permitted, it's always best to follow your guide's instructions to protect the delicate cave environment. Consider bringing a tripod for low-light shots to achieve sharper images. The Adventure Tour also offers unique photographic opportunities, but the challenging terrain might make it difficult to manage equipment.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Choosing Your Cango Caves Tour
The Adventure Tour, on the other hand, is designed for the more intrepid traveler. This tour involves crawling, climbing, and squeezing through narrow passages, including the famous Devil's Chimney. It's a more physically demanding experience and requires a good level of fitness and comfort in confined spaces. Participants on the Adventure Tour often describe it as thrilling and a unique way to experience the cave's hidden depths.
When deciding, consider your physical condition and what you hope to gain from the visit. Both tours provide a fascinating glimpse into this ancient natural wonder, but the Adventure Tour offers a more hands-on, adrenaline-pumping encounter.
Geological Marvels of Cango Caves
+1Visitors can marvel at stalactites (hanging from the ceiling) and stalagmites (rising from the floor), which grow at an incredibly slow rate, often just a few centimeters per century. These formations, such as those found in the Crystal Gardens, showcase intricate and delicate structures. The sheer scale of chambers like the Grand Chamber highlights the immense power of natural erosion and deposition over vast timescales.
These caves are not just a tourist attraction but a living geological museum. Understanding the slow, continuous formation process adds another layer of appreciation to the stunning visual spectacle. The unique mineral composition and the ongoing geological activity make the Cango Caves a significant natural landmark.
Planning Your Cango Caves Visit
Consider visiting on a weekday morning to experience fewer crowds and potentially better lighting for photography. When packing, comfortable, non-slip footwear is essential, as the cave floors can be uneven and wet.
Bring water, particularly if you opt for the Adventure Tour, which can be physically demanding. While photography is generally allowed, be mindful of your guide's instructions and avoid using flash in sensitive areas. Remember that the Cango Caves are located near Oudtshoorn, a town rich in attractions like ostrich farms. You can easily combine a visit to the caves with other local activities for a comprehensive Klein Karoo experience.
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