OUDTSHOORN, Western Cape — The Cango Caves, one of South Africa’s oldest and most beloved tourist attractions, have officially reopened to the public, marking a vital milestone in the Little Karoo’s tourism recovery. The historic site is once again welcoming visitors following a two-month closure triggered by devastating storms on May 6, which caused severe flooding and massive rockfalls across the Garden Route region.
The extreme weather events led to the closure of the R328 road, completely cutting off access to the caves and other tourism businesses in the Cango Valley. According to local tourism representatives and the mayor of Oudtshoorn, the prolonged closure resulted in millions of rands in lost revenue as tourists were forced to cancel their trips. The economic ripple effect was felt as far as the southern side of the regional mountain ranges, negatively impacting coastal towns like Mossel Bay and George, where visitor traffic dropped significantly.
Highlighting the severe impact on small businesses, local leaders noted that the financial toll is difficult to fully quantify but remains deeply felt across the community. For instance, during a recent meeting with the mayor, it was revealed that one local garage reported selling approximately 50,000 liters less fuel per month due to the drastic reduction in road traffic. Overall, the region lost an estimated 20,000 visitors during the closure period.
Despite these challenges, the reopening of the Cango Caves offers a beacon of hope. Just 24 hours after the provincial government gave the official go-ahead for the road to reopen on Friday, July 10, cave management immediately began plans to welcome the public back the following day. Staff members have returned to work with renewed vigor, noting that the reopening feels distinctly different and more hopeful than the pandemic-induced closures experienced in 2020.
While the caves and local hospitality venues are now fully operational, infrastructure challenges remain. The Meiringspoort pass remains closed as critical flood damage repairs continue. Local officials confirmed they are in active conversations with the provincial government, emphasizing that repair crews are working hard to resolve the issue and restore full access.
With tourism taking a significant knock in the region, local spokespersons are issuing a heartfelt call to action. They are urging South Africans to visit the area, support small businesses, and help boost the local economy. All tours, activities, and facilities are now open for business and ready to welcome families and travelers back to the sunshine of the Little Karoo.
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