Cango Caves

November 9, 2025

We left De Rust at 8 this morning hoping to avoid the severe heat of yesterday. We did accomplish that mostly because of so high cloud cover. It was actually a beautiful day for a bike ride. The first part was gravel with some gentle climbs but there were a couple of hills with some bite. Once we reach the tarmac we headed to the Cango Caves for a tour followed by lunch. After lunch we rode all the way to Oudsthoorn on sealed roads but into a significant head wind which negated to downhill effect. We are here for 2 nights with a well earned rest day tomorrow.

The Cango Caves have been here for millions of years dating back to when this part of the world was sub tropical rather the desert. They were initially discovered by the Koi Koi people but not explore until the 1700’s by a Dutchman. They are amazing caves that are not 80% dormant because of the change in climate. Only about half are open to all the remainder can be seen on an adventure tour but it means crawling through some very narrow spaces.

The route and profile. Most of the climbing was on the gravel section.

A map showing where started and ended with the stop at the caves.

I did not know there were olive groves in SA. They are for oil only.

Being spring it is lambing season so I guess these are lambing pens.

We were in serious blackout territory but I proved that you could connect here as the sign says.

I stopped at the top of a climb to take photos of the group and these guys were very interested in me.

Up the climb which reach 13% and we had descended the hill in the background. One was more fun than the other.

This sign was not for us, there was a cycle race happening in the area.

Up to the caves and back down to Oudsthoorn.

We regrouped a a camel farm before heading to the caves. Here is one of the camels.

Another formation dated to be 1.5 M years old.

On the way into town we rode by this guy with his dog in the basket. The dog wanted to jump out so he had to keep hold of him.

BBQ Ostrich steaks with in SA is called a braai.

My dinner of Ostrich steak, salad, rice potatoes and pesto pasta. There were Ostrich sausages and grilled chicken but I was full.

Today's ride: 73 km (45 miles)
Total: 557 km (346 miles)

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