Gansbaai Caves
- Tour Price = R80
- Duration = 1 Hour
- Included = Hard Hats, Lights and Glow Sticks
- Bring: Swimming costume and camera
The coast here has one of the most unusual and
distinctive geological features in the form of a series
of underground caves beneath the cliffs. Known formerly
as Die Drup Kelder (the drip cellar) the town is today simply
called De Kelders (Dutch for the cellars).
These natural caves - there are a number of them, both large
and small - contain stalactites and stalagmites and crystal
clear pools with cool water perfect for swimming. This cave
we will visit, known as the Freshwater cave, is famous for
its spring water pools, but only accessible to the tour
and not open to the general public in a bid to conserve
its original beauty. We are the only ones permitted to access
the caves. The group will put on helmets with head lamps
and the guide will take the clients through the caves and
explain the history and archeology of the caves. The caves
are also a unique as they have 2 different spieces of bats.
The common and the Horshoe Bat. Do not worry though ladies
as they do not do anything when we enter the cave and they
are totally harmless. Following the tour the clients will
have the opportunity to swim in the pool in the caves and
enjoy the highest quality natural mineral water that anyone
can experience. The waters in the cave are famous for their
healing qualities and were visited by many from far from
as long as 150 years ago. The water flows continuously into
the caves at a rate of approximately 1 million litres per
day. The water then flows through the pools in the caves
and into the ocean.
As the caves were open to the public however they were mis-used
and neglected and the decision was made 10 years ago to
lock the caves to the public. Fortunately we have the opportunity
to now take people on an exclusive tour of the caves and
enjoy the oldest caves in South Africa.
