South Africa attraction - Oudtshoorn, the ostrich-feather capital of the world, is famous for the Cango Caves and the ostrich farms which are plentiful in this area.
Oudtshoorn is accessible via 2 scenic drives - The Robinson Pass from Mossel Bay or the Outeniqua Pass from George. It is situated approximately 55km's from George and about 420km's from Cape Town and is surrounded by the Swartberg and Outeniqua Mountains.
The Cango Caves is one of the world's great natural wonders and a series of 80 caverns filled with stalactites and stalagmites. The variety of natural coloured limestone formations create a beautiful underground fantasyland. The Cango Caves is the biggest attraction to Oudtshoorn.
The Cango Caves comprises a series of dripstone caverns extending 5km's into the mountain. A 1.2km stretch is open to visitors. Upon entering the entrance chamber of the Cango Caves, you will notice the increased humidity and pleasantly warm temperature.
The Standard Tour is suitable for most ages and lasts approximately 60 minutes. Tours depart every hour on the hour.
The Adventure Tour departs every hour on the half hour and lasts approximately 90 minutes. The Adventure Tour covers the Standard Tour and then leads deeper into the cave and there is some 'squeezing' and leopard crawling parts.
The Standard Tour is suitable for most ages and lasts approximately 60 minutes. Tours depart every hour on the hour.
The Adventure Tour departs every hour on the half hour and lasts approximately 90 minutes. The Adventure Tour covers the Standard Tour and then leads deeper into the cave and there is some 'squeezing' and leopard crawling parts.
Jacob's Ladder has over 200 steps, Lumbago Alley is 85 metres long and the roof is low but emerging from this tunnel, you can glimpse delicate roof crystals and get to view some of the lovely smaller grotto's, the roof of Crystal Palace is decorated with 'hanging crystal gardens', adorned with ice-like crystals and weirdly contorted helictites (a distorted form of stalactite), An iron ladder ascends from King Solomon's Mines into the unique caving adventure of The Devil's Chimney section - first you have to crawl through The Tunnel of Love, a low passageway narrowing at one point to about 30 centimeters into The Ice Chamber, next is The Coffin, Ice-Cream Parlour into the colourful beauty of the Devil's Workshop, to Devil's Kitchen with it's notorious Devil's Chimney and Devil's Post Box. All and all, a great caving adventure.
The Cango Caves is open every day except the 25th December. Standard tours operate from 9am - 4pm and Adventure Tours operate from 9am to 3.30pm.
There are plenty of ostrich farms that offer rides on a ostrich and many ostrich egg and feather souvenirs.
Well worth a visit in this area is the Cango Wildlife Ranch which is a sanctuary to many endangered animals from around the world such as the ring-tailed lemurs and pygmy hippos etc. Crocodile cage diving is also offered here for the adventurous. Have your photograph taken with a white lion or cheetah plus many other attractions.
Your guided tour will take you through the alligator and crocodile enclosures and then off to Cheetahland where you will meet the big cats. A tour will last anything from 45 – 60 minutes. We recommend visitors set aside at least 2 hours to experience everything we have to offer.
After your tour you are welcome to walk around and perhaps re-visit some of the enclosures for extra pictures.
The Cango Wildlife Ranch is very educational and a thoroughly enjoyable experience for all ages.