Cango Caves reopen after rockfall road closure near Oudtshoorn

update 23 July 2026

The Cango Caves management announced on 22 July 2026 that the Adventure Tour at Cango Caves has been suspended until further notice due to elevated water levels in the tunnels following recent conditions. The Heritage Tour remains open and operates as normal. 

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Travellers exploring the Garden Route and Klein Karoo can once again include the Cango Caves near Oudtshoorn in their itinerary. The popular attraction has reopened after a temporary closure caused by rockfalls and storm-related damage along the access roads. Following clearance work and safety assessments, access via the main access road has now been restored, although traffic controls remain in place while further work continues.
The temporary closure affected visitors from 09 May 2026, but access has now been restored and cave tours have resumed.

Road to the Cango Caves reopened

The Cango Caves Road (R328), the main access route to one of Oudtshoorn’s most popular attractions, was affected by a major rockfall in early May 2026. The damage followed a period of severe weather in the Western Cape, which contributed to erosion, slope instability and further risks along the mountain road.

Rock debris blocked sections of the route, and the road was closed while specialist teams removed fallen material, stabilised the affected slopes and carried out safety assessments. Because of the unstable rock face, clearing the road was not simply a matter of removing debris — further work was needed to reduce the risk of additional rockfalls.

After the necessary safety work was completed, the road reopened on 10 July 2026, with visitors able to return to the Cango Caves from Saturday, 11 July 2026.

A stop-and-go traffic system remains in place along the affected section of the R328, so travellers should allow extra time when driving to the caves. The route is open, but motorists should drive carefully and follow instructions from traffic officials.

Visiting the Cango Caves near Oudtshoorn

Located around 30 km north of Oudtshoorn at the foothills of the Swartberg Mountains, the Cango Caves are one of the Western Cape’s most popular attractions and South Africa’s oldest tourist attraction.

The caves form part of an extensive limestone cave system created over millions of years. Inside, visitors discover enormous chambers, dramatic rock formations, towering stalactites and stalagmites, and fascinating underground landscapes hidden beneath the Klein Karoo.

Guided tours offer different ways to experience the caves. The Heritage Tour explores the impressive main chambers and is suitable for most visitors, while the Adventure Tour provides a more challenging experience through narrow passages for those looking for something more adventurous.

A highlight of any Oudtshoorn itinerary

The Cango Caves are one of the must-see attractions when visiting Oudtshoorn, a town best known for its ostrich farms, Karoo landscapes and access to the spectacular Swartberg Pass.

A visit to the caves can easily be combined with other Klein Karoo experiences, from exploring local farms and mountain scenery to discovering the region’s food, wine and wildlife attractions.

For travellers driving between Cape Town, the Garden Route and the Eastern Cape, the Cango Caves remain a worthwhile stop — offering a completely different perspective on the Western Cape’s landscapes, far below the surface.

Travel tips for visitors

• Allow additional time for the stop-and-go traffic system currently operating on the R328.
• Check local weather conditions before travelling, particularly after periods of heavy rain.
• Wear comfortable footwear for cave tours, as some sections involve uneven surfaces.
• Combine your visit with other Oudtshoorn attractions to make the most of your time in theKlein Karoo.

With access restored, the Cango Caves are once again ready to welcome travellers looking for one of South Africa’s most unique natural experiences.

 

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Western Cape: Meiringspoort Pass remains closed until further notice! [update]

update (13 June 2024): The Greater Oudtshoorn Municipality in South Africa's Western Cape has anniunced that Meiringspoort will be opened at 17:00, 13 June 2024. The restrooms will remain closed due to damage. Travelling through Meiringspoort must be done at a lowered speed and with utmost caution.

The Greater Oudtshoorn Municipality in South Africa's Western Cape has announced that the Meiringspoort Pass, one of the most scenic mountain passes in South Africa, remains closed until further notice due to extensive construction works. Significant repairs are underway, including the rebuilding of sections of the road as well as addressing hazardous ditches formed along the riverbanks. These conditions pose a serious danger to motorists, necessitating the closure. The Pass and other roads in and around Oudtshoorn were closed due to heavy rains which caused flooding and rockfalls last week.

Meiringspoort is a mountain pass on the N12 in South Africa's Western Cape, where it crosses the Swartberg mountain range. The pass is a gateway that connects the Little Karoo and the Great Karoo, through a gorge with a 25 km road crossing the same river 25 times in the span of the 25 km.

Western Cape: Gamkaberg Nature Reserve temporarily closed!

CapeNature, the public institution with the responsibility for biodiversity conservation in South Africa's Western Cape, has announced that the Gamkaberg Nature Reserve is temporarily closed. This is due to heavy rainfall and flash floods, which caused damage to the Nature Reserve's entrance roads as well as the paths leading to the camps and tourism facilities. According to CapeNature, it is expected that Gamkaberg Nature Reserve will  re-open on 12 January 2023.
The Gamkaberg Nature Reserve (10 430ha) is located 33km south-west of Oudtshoorn and 32km south-east of Calitzdorp. It forms part of the 80 000ha Gamkaberg Conservation Area which is made up of various categories of protected areas, including privately owned stewardship Nature Reserves.

Western Cape: Anysberg Nature Reserve temporarily closed! [update]

update (28 October 2019): CapeNature's Anysberg Nature Reserve in the western Klein Karoo will remain closed until 30 April 2020. This is due to the ongoing drought in the Western Cape and the severe water shortage at Anysberg. If there is adequate rainfall before that date, there will be further communication on a possible earlier opening.

update (02 October 2019): CapeNature's Anysberg Nature Reserve in the western Klein Karoo will remain closed for the rest of the year and will only re-open on 01 January 2019. This is due to the ongoing drought in the Western Cape and the severe water shortage at Anysberg. If there is adequate rainfall before that date, there will be further communication on a possible earlier opening.

Due to the ongoing drought in the Western Cape, there is a severe water shortage at Anysberg in the western Klein Karoo. CapeNature, the public institution with the statutory responsibility for biodiversity conservation in South Africa's Western Cape, has closed the Anysberg Nature Reserve, including all accommodation, until 30 September 2019. If there is adequate rainfall before that date, CapeNature might consider to re-open the Nature Reserve earlier.
Anysberg Nature Reserve is located between the towns of Ladismith, Laingsburg, Touwsrivier and Montagu in the Klein Karoo. The World Heritage Site encompasses 79 629 hectares of plains and the majestic Cape Fold Mountains. Fed by three rivers, a diversity of life is supported here amid mountain fynbos and the characteristic veld of the Klein Karoo.

Oudtshoorn: Two major ostrich show farms stopped ostrich rides!

Two major ostrich farms in the Oudtshoorn area, the Cango Ostrich Farm and the Safari Ostrich Show Farm, have stopped offering ostrich rides. According to statements on their websites, both farms recognise a trend towards a more ethical interaction with animals and decided therefore to stop the sitting and riding of their ostriches. Two other ostrich show farms in the Oudtshoorn area, the Highgate Ostrich Show Farm and the Chandelier Game Lodge & Ostrich Show Farm, are sticking to the feature and are still offering ostrich rides.

Oudtshoorn, known to be the "ostrich capital of the world", is located in the Klein Karoo region of South Africa's Western Cape. The town is home to the world's largest ostrich population.

CapeNature: The Swartberg & Anysberg Nature Reserves are now linked

Two of CapeNature's biggest nature reserves in the Karoo, the Anysberg Nature Reserve and the Swartberg Nature Reserve, are now linked. The 12 800ha property connecting the two reserves, known as Grand Canyon, is extending the protected area to a size of 215 044ha and to an east-west stretch of land of about 280 km.
According to CapeNature, the new landscape corridor between the two reserves will help to restore landscape connectivity and will benefit the species living in the area, such as leopards, by increasing their home ranges and food resources. It will also help to reconnect fragmented and isolated animal and plant populations.
CapeNature's biggest nature reserve, the Swartberg Nature Reserve, lies in the Oudtshoorn district between the Great and Little Karoo, while the Anysberg Nature Reserve is situated between Montagu and Laingsburg.