Cango Caves South Africa

The Cango Caves are one of the oldest tourist attractions in South Africa. When faced with the choice between the Adventure Tour and the Standard Tour, we eagerly opted for the adventure. However, we didn’t anticipate the challenge of crawling through extremely narrow passageways named the Devil’s Chimney and Lumbago Alley.

Lumbago refers to lower back pain, and believe me, you will experience it as you navigate through this section of the Cango Caves.

As I struggled with memories of my claustrophobic crawl through the Cuchi Tunnels in Vietnam, I managed to maintain a brave face for my partner, Dave, and our guide, Cedric. We leisurely explored the expansive chambers of this remarkable cave system.

The Cango Caves Adventure Tour

One of the significant advantages of the Adventure Tour is that it includes all the sites featured in the Standard Tour.

Our first destination was the magnificent Van Zyl’s Hall, measuring 90 meters long, 50 meters wide, and 18 meters high. This impressive cavern was once a venue for concerts, and standing in front of the old stage, I could almost hear music resonating among the majestic stalactites.

Although the next chamber is smaller, it is undoubtedly the most aesthetically stunning of all the formations. With its crystal waterfalls and pipe organ formations alongside gargantuan stalactites and stalagmites—some affectionately named The Leaning Tower of Pisa—it feels absolutely surreal to be enveloped in such beauty underground.

Tours of the Cango Caves

The exploration of these caves dates back to the early 1800s, as Cedric explained how early adventurers maneuvered through the system using oil lamps.

The passageways have been opened up significantly over the years, thanks to the removal of packed clay left from underground rivers, making for a much more comfortable experience than that of early explorers.

In 1780, Jacobus Van Zyl discovered the Cango Caves after being lowered into the first chamber. Twelve years later, the second chamber was discovered, and from there, the rest is history.

Visitors today can explore the caves over well-maintained steps and packed clay floors illuminated by soft lighting.

For the thrill-seekers, the Adventure Tour begins where the Standard Tour ends, offering a gateway to more exhilarating experiences.

After journeying through a narrow passage, we encountered a steep ladder leading us to the fabled King Solomon’s Mines.

Anticipation surged as we prepared to navigate the narrow enclosures. With a deep breath, we trusted our guide and proceeded with excitement!

As we delved deeper, we noticed the thicker air filled with the scent of bat droppings, and the temperature increased significantly.

Perspiration streamed down our faces, and our breaths became heavier, a mix of the effort required to twist through the solid rock and the underlying anxiety of being hundreds of meters below the surface.

Experience and Conclusion

We squeezed through the aptly named Tunnel of Love, which offered a snug passage. Eventually, we crawled our way to the Devil’s Post Box, infamous for its diminutive height of only 27 centimeters.

Passing through this narrow threshold felt akin to sliding an envelope through a mail slot at home. As I maneuvered through, I couldn’t help but chuckle at the humor of the situation.

Just as I was adjusting to the close confines above me, Dave paused to set up his camera. Here I was, tucked beneath solid rock, reminding myself to breathe deeply while resisting the urge to panic.

Emerging from the Devil’s Post Box was a relief, but I also experienced immense joy in completing this entire challenge!

On our exit, we encountered another guide who had just emerged from the Tunnel of Love, shouting jovially to those about to enter. His laughter echoed because some participants found the tunnel too constricting and decided to retreat.

We felt immensely proud of our achievement, completing the adventure tour without hesitation.

To learn more about visiting the Cango Caves, consider exploring their website. For adrenaline junkies, the Adventure Tour awaits you—an experience you’ll cherish and boast about for the rest of your life.

Yes, we truly squeezed through just 27 centimeters of solid rock. What an unforgettable thrill!