Cango Caves

Cango Caves is a limestone cave system in South Africa’s Western Cape, near Oudtshoorn. Its extensive chambers and formations are a major feature of the region’s underground landscape.

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Karst: A landscape shaped by the dissolution of soluble rocks such as limestone, often containing caves and sinkholes. Cango Caves is part of a karst landscape formed in soluble rock.
Van Zyl's Hall: A large chamber in Cango Caves named after its discoverer, Jacobus van Zyl. It is one of the system’s prominent chambers.
Jacob van Zyl: A local farmer credited with discovering the entrance to Cango Caves in 1780. His discovery opened the way for later exploration of the cave system.
Show cave: A cave managed for public visits, usually with paths, lighting, and guided tours. Cango Caves’ developed route makes it a prominent South African show cave.
Limestone: A sedimentary rock composed mainly of calcium carbonate, commonly formed from accumulated shells and skeletal material. The cave system developed within limestone bedrock.
African Drum Room: A chamber in Cango Caves named for its distinctive acoustic qualities. Its sound gives one chamber a character beyond its size and formations.
Cango Caves exploration: The history of surveying and extending knowledge of the Cango Caves system. Exploration revealed chambers and passages beyond the original entrance.
Cave conservation: The protection of cave environments, formations, wildlife, and cultural resources from damage. Visitor access must be balanced with protecting fragile formations.
Speleothem: A mineral deposit formed in a cave by the deposition of minerals from water. The cave’s formations are speleothems created by mineral deposition.
Cango 1: The developed section of Cango Caves open to guided visits. This is the principal visitor route through the cave system.