When we think of Cape Town, we invariably picture the towering Table Mountain, which watches over the city day and night. However, it is less often that we associate a visit to one of South Africa’s most popular cities with going underground. There are several opportunities to go below ground rather than upwards while you are visiting Cape Town, so why not try a spot of caving?

The Cango Caves

On the Garden Route, slightly North of Oudtshoorn and not far from Cape Town, you will find the Cango Caves. The entrance to the cave was often used for shelter in years gone by, until one day somebody ventured past the entrance. What they found was a subterranean world that fascinates, intrigues and amazes, and is now known as Cango 1. With enormous halls that feature stalactites, stalagmites and wonderful dripstone formations, there is so much to explore. For many years now, the caves have been installed with lighting, illuminating the way through them so that visitors can examine the geology more closely; as well as helping them to make their way along the staircases which can be uneven and require a certain amount of concentration. In recent years, professional guides have in fact broken through Cango 1, to find Cango 2 and 3, however these are currently closed to the public in order to protect the colourful crystalline formations within the deeper caves. If you want to see what’s underneath Cape Town, the Cango Caves should be your first port of call.

Peers Cave

Peers Cave can be found above Fish Hoek, and opposite the entrance to the Kalk Bay Pier. Though not the deepest of caves you might visit while you’re in Cape Town, it is certainly one of the most steeped in history. The cave was discovered by a man by the name of Victor Peers, an archaeologist with a penchant for fossils, who found the remains of a 12,000 year old skeleton inside the cave in 1927. Ever since, Peers Cave has been a place of fascination and intrigue. Guided tours of the cave are offered for those who want to find out more about both Fish Hoek and the history of the cave. However, if you prefer to find out for yourself, be sure to pay a visit to the Fish Hoek Valley Museum where you will find plenty of interesting and intriguing information about the remains found in Peers Cave.

Woodstock Cave

The Woodstock Cave is reached by hiking from a point a little way along the Tafelberg Road which can be reached by a short drive followed by a brief walk. A long and large horizontal crack found roughly halfway up the side of the Devil’s Peak, Woodstock Cave affords you breathtaking views of Cape Town itself, as well as Lions Head and Table Bay. Easily accessible, this cave is a great spot to head to for a good photo opportunity or for something a little different while you are walking. In winter months, if there has been recent rainfall, you are likely to see a mini waterfall cascading over the entrance of the cave, giving it a fantastic feel of mystery and atmosphere.

So, whilst the views of the mountains in Cape Town are something that you are not likely to forget in a hurry, the caves surrounding the city are also well worth a visit. To see Cape Town from a different perspective, try going underground.

Author Bio: Rachel Hill is a Southern Africa Travel specialist, a company specialising in luxury, tailor-made Cape Town holidays, as well as holidays to other destinations in Southern Africa. Our experienced consultants will help you design your very own luxury holiday, and will be happy to provide you with a free quote.

Category: Travel
Keywords: Cape Town