South Africa is back in the spotlight this week as we continue to promote some of our key destinations with helpful tips and holiday recommendations.
After their hugely successful staging of the World Cup, South Africa is firmly on the map. The scope of possible discovery in this exhilarating country is just massive. We’ve all heard great stories about Cape Town and Kruger National Park, so let me begin by telling you about one area of relative hidden treasure.
The area known as the Klein Karoo is situated in the Southern Cape of South Africa and forms part of the Garden Route where an annual micro climate makes it perfect conditions for the production of wines, brandies and port. Indeed, champion Muscadel is also produced here in abundance along with a host of rich red and crisp white wines.
Stretching along the Route 62 from Montagu in the west to Langkloof in the east, this region is graced by spectacular mountain ranges, blossoming vineyards and tranquil riverbeds making it an ideal location for exploration.
But the Klein Karoo is not just about wine and stunning scenery, venture a little further into the Western Cape (Still in the Klein Karoo) and drop by at the Cango Caves, a series of dripstone caverns that open onto enormous arenas of giant stalagmite formations. Guests can enjoy fantastic subterranean adventure walks to see best that the caves have to offer.
These extensive tunnels and chambers stretch for around 4km with around a quarter of this open to the public and traversable in around 90 minutes. Perhaps its most known attraction is known as Cleopatra’s Needle, an epic 9 metre tall structure that dates back at least 150,000 years.
Opening Hours:
The Cango Caves are open 364 days of the year, closed only on Christmas Day (25 December).
Standard tours (60 minutes) are available from 09h00 to 16h00 (tours depart on the hour).
Adventure tours (90 minutes) are available from 09h30 to 15h30 (tours depart on the half hour).
Ticket Prices:
Standard tours cost R55 per adult and R30 per child.
Adventure tours cost R70 per adult and R45 per child.
Prices are subject to change. Please confirm when booking.
If you fancy a stay here why not consider one of the following hotels which are situated close to Oudtshoorn (famous for its ostriches!) which is around 45 minutes drive from the Caves:
De Zeekoe Guest Farm, Garden Route
Thorntree Country House, Garden Route
Or, if you fancy discovering the Klein Karoo as part of wider South Africa package holiday, why not take the 16 day Shongololo Express train and see Kruger National Park as well!
