Cango Caves: Discover South Africa's First Tourist Attraction and Its 80,000-Year History
Deep within the Swartberg Mountains of the Western Cape lies a subterranean wonder that holds the distinction of being South Africa's very first tourist attraction. The Cango Caves have drawn visitors from across the globe for more than two centuries, their mysterious limestone chambers filled with glistening formations that tell a geological story stretching back approximately 80,000 years.
For travel professionals seeking unique experiences to offer clients exploring the Garden Route and Klein Karoo region, the Cango Caves represent an essential inclusion. Located near the town of Oudtshoorn, these ancient caverns combine natural spectacle with remarkable historical significance, creating the kind of multi-layered destination that increasingly appeals to modern travellers seeking depth and authenticity.
The caves first entered the tourism sphere in the early 1800s, when their breathtaking stalactites, stalagmites and curious rock formations proved irresistible to adventurous visitors. Entry came at a considerable cost, with tickets priced at five rixdollars, a sum equivalent to approximately R2,300 in today's currency. Despite this substantial fee, or perhaps because of the exclusivity it implied, visitors arrived from distant corners of the world, eager to witness the subterranean marvels.
Unfortunately, these early tourists proved rather destructive in their enthusiasm. Many hacked off stalactite formations to take home as souvenirs, while others carved their names into walls and limestone pillars, leaving permanent marks on structures that had taken millennia to form. The damage became so extensive that in 1820, Lord Charles Somerset introduced South Africa's first environmental protection laws specifically to safeguard the delicate cave ecology. This pioneering legislation stands as an early example of conservation awareness, remarkable for its time.
The Cango Caves also claim another notable first in South African tourism history. Johnnie van Wassenaar became the country's first official tour guide, dedicating decades to exploring and opening many side-chambers between 1891 and 1934. His work helped transform the caves from a curiosity into a properly managed attraction, establishing traditions of guided interpretation that continue today.
Popular legend attributes the caves' modern discovery to a man named Jacobus van Zyl in 1780. According to the story, a herder called Klaas Windvogel stumbled upon a great hole in the earth while searching for lost livestock. Van Zyl, intrigued by the discovery, had himself lowered into the darkness using rawhide thongs. He became the first person in unknown centuries to witness the initial chamber, a vast space roughly the size of a rugby field that now bears his name.
Today, the Cango Caves offer visitors a choice of guided tours ranging from the accessible Heritage Tour through the main chambers to the more challenging Adventure Tour, which requires participants to squeeze through narrow passages and climb limestone formations. This variety makes the attraction suitable for diverse client profiles, from families with children to active adventure seekers.
The caves maintain a constant temperature of around 18 degrees Celsius throughout the year, providing comfortable conditions regardless of the season outside. This makes them an ideal year-round attraction and a welcome respite during both the hot summers and cool winters that characterise the Klein Karoo climate.
For African travel businesses building itineraries in the Western Cape, the Cango Caves combine naturally with nearby attractions including ostrich farms, the Cango Wildlife Ranch and the scenic passes crossing the Swartberg and Outeniqua mountains. This clustering of experiences within easy reach of Oudtshoorn creates excellent opportunities for day trips from the Garden Route or overnight stays that allow deeper exploration.
As travellers increasingly seek experiences that connect them to place, history and natural wonder, destinations like the Cango Caves gain renewed relevance. Their story of ancient geology, early tourism and pioneering conservation offers precisely the kind of meaningful narrative that transforms a simple visit into a memorable journey through time.
