If you’ve heard about the rockfall on the R328 and are wondering whether you can still visit Karusa or the Cango Caves – here’s the latest, honest update.
Where Is the Rockfall?
The rockfall is located in the hills before Wilgewandel Holiday Farm, on the R328 en route to the Cango Caves. This means the affected section is well past Karusa. Karusa Wine Estate & Craft Brewery remains fully accessible – you can reach us without any disruption along the road. Come for a tasting, enjoy lunch, and soak up the Klein Karoo as you always have.
Both Wilgewandel Holiday Farm and the Cango Caves are temporarily closed while repair and stabilisation work is underway.
Good News: Swartberg Pass Is Open!
For travellers coming from the George / Oudtshoorn side, there is a silver lining – the Swartberg Pass is open (at your own risk). One of our artists recently made the journey and shared this first-hand account:
“There are a few go-stops between George and Oudtshoorn, and between Oudtshoorn and Wilgewandel. At De Kombuys the whole road is blocked but there is a short detour through the farmer’s land. The Pass itself is more than reasonable and not a problem. The hole at Eerstewater has been filled with stones and the water running over the bridge is no longer that much. Bottom line – it can be done without a 4×4, as long as there’s no more rain and you drive carefully.”
What Happened?
A major rockfall struck the R328 (Cango Caves Road) on 6 May 2026. Specialist teams moved in quickly to begin slope stabilisation work, and progress was being made – until a severe storm system hit the region between 3 and 5 June 2026, causing additional erosion and damage to some of the preliminary stabilisation works already completed.
Government Update (9 June 2026)
Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers released an official update on 9 June 2026. Here’s a summary:
Specialist geotechnical teams returned to site on 8 June 2026 to resume slope stabilisation work after post-storm inspections.
Stabilisation work must be completed before rockfall debris can be removed and the road reopened.
No reopening date has been confirmed yet – the department says it would be premature to commit to a timeline at this stage.
Alternative routes (MR 363 via Buffelskoof and MR 369 via Swartberg Pass) have also suffered storm damage, and emergency repair teams are working to restore those routes.
Regular updates will be issued as work progresses.
You can read the full government statement here: Western Cape Government – R328 Update
The Impact on Our Region
The R328 is far more than a scenic drive – it’s the economic lifeline of the greater Oudtshoorn area. The Cango Caves, one of South Africa’s most iconic natural attractions, and the Swartberg Pass, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are both only accessible via this road. Farms, guesthouses, restaurants, and tourism businesses throughout the Cango Valley are experiencing real financial strain with every day that passes.
Over 4,000 people have already signed a petition calling on the Western Cape Government to prioritise restoration of the R328 and provide transparent timelines to affected communities and businesses.
Add Your Voice – Sign the Petition
A petition has been launched calling on the Western Cape Government and relevant authorities to act with urgency. It calls for:
- Declaring the R328 restoration an urgent priority
- Regular, transparent public updates
- Resources to expedite temporary and permanent repairs
- Support for affected businesses and communities
- If you care about this region – whether you live here, work here, or simply love visiting – please take a moment to sign:
✍️ Sign the R328 Petition on Change.org
Karusa Is Open – Come Visit
We want to be clear: Karusa is open and welcoming guests. The rockfall does not affect the road to us. If anything, now is a great time to support the Klein Karoo – come for a wine, craft beer, or gin tasting, enjoy a meal at our restaurant, and help keep the local economy moving while the R328 is being repaired.
We’ll continue to share updates as the situation develops. In the meantime, our thoughts are with all the businesses, communities, and families further up the valley who are most directly affected.
