In all the years working as a tourist guide I drove past Wilgewandel near the Cango Caves countless times and never stopped. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to, but there was just never time on a busy itinerary. I often just referred to it as the place with the camel rides. That was until a visit to the Cango Caves with the family while on holiday. Drama Princess really wanted to ride a camel and the nagging started when we passed Wilgewandel on our way to the caves already. Leaving the caves the tone of nagging became more consistent and there was no way I could drive past without having a major meltdown on the back seat. And that I stopped is quite evident in the fact that Drama Princess is sitting on the first camel in the top picture. Camel ride ticked off her very young bucket list.
What I did find out from my visit was that Wilgewandel is so much more than just the camel ride place between Oudtshoorn and the Cango Caves. They have a host activities suitable for both big and small and all at very reasonable rates. When we arrived I was afraid what the stop may end up costing me but I was pleasantly surprised that I didn’t have to sacrifice an arm and a leg for the KidZ’s pleasure. The one thing I tried myself was the little paddle boats where you use your arms and not your legs to propel yourself. Even the Damselfly ventured onto the water for this one.
Chaos Boy wasn’t interested in the camel ride and rather preferred to do the foofy slide across the dam. I was kinda worried that he may end up in the dam but then I remembered that he is half monkey anyway. The foofy slide is just one of many other activities that the kids can do while their parents sit down for a bite to eat or something to drink. There are also go-carts, an obstacle course, donkey cart rides and, for the littlies, a touch farm where you can feed bunnies and other farm animals.
After the KidZ had their fill of activities we sat down to have our fill of hamburgers on the outside veranda overlooking the dam. I would show you what our yummy burgers looked like but I was so focused on it that I forgot to take a pic. It was good, to say the least. Very good. As for Wilgewandel, I now get it. Its a great family attractions and well worth the stop if you have kids or if you don’t, just stop for the burgers.
Wonderfull article and fotos, greeting from Belgium
I saw that place but did not stop. I'd rather ride a camel because it is the only mode of transportation across the sand. Sure looks like the kids had fun.
I take my tourists there so that they can experience a taste of the local entertainment, friendly service and well priced food. They are busy building more activities on site. Stop in and introduce yourself and you won't be sorry.