Welcome to the colourful world of Oudtshoorn, where you will discover a tapestry of engaging activities and rich history.
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Beyond the popularity of its gorgeous ostriches, this village on the Garden Route invites you to discover a variety of interesting adventures. Let us go on a trip of wonder and adventure together.
1. Cango Caves
The Cango Caves, nestled in the foothills of the Swartberg range near Oudtshoorn, are a spectacular tribute to nature’s handiwork in South Africa’s Western Cape Province. This elaborate cave system, believed to be over 20 million years old, is carved into a hard limestone layer, creating an awe-inspiring underground wonder.
The Cango Caves, known as South Africa’s oldest tourist attraction and one of Africa’s greatest display cave systems, have enthralled visitors for generations. Their distinctive geological structures, which are exceptional in this region, are thought to have originated as a result of faulting, creating an alien underground landscape.
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These caves have been a hub of human activity since the early Stone Age. Their popularity skyrocketed over the nineteenth century, necessitating conservation efforts. Lord Charles Somerset issued the first Caves Regulation in 1820, which was a pioneering environmental protection measure that prohibited souvenir acquisition while protecting this natural wonder.
2. Meerkat Adventures
This morning tour, pioneered by Five Shy Meerkat Tours, provides an unparalleled opportunity to watch these captivating creatures in their native habitat. The trip begins with a warm cup of coffee near their burrows, where you patiently await the habituated wild meerkats to emerge and bask in the morning light. These intriguing trips, which are dependant on the weather, allow an intimate view into the daily lives of meerkats, which are members of the Shy 5 species group.
Meerkat Adventures, a must-do activity in the area, provides guests with a better understanding and admiration for these lovely critters. The tour includes comfortable seating arrangements near the burrows, allowing for a relaxing and enjoyable observation. It is a rare opportunity to observe meerkats’ natural behaviour up close, providing for a remarkable and gratifying experience in the wild.
3. Rust-en-Vrede Waterfall
This beautiful waterfall, hidden in the Swartberg Mountains along the Oudemuragie road, provides a peaceful respite from the stresses of daily life. The waterfall is located approximately 35 kilometres from Oudtshoorn and may be reached via a gorgeous drive followed by an 800-meter stroll via a green trail alongside a rippling stream, crossing quaint bridges and surrounded by bright foliage.
This calm site is not only a beautiful refuge, but it also serves an important role in the region by providing a large amount of Oudtshoorn’s water. Visitors are invited to enjoy the shaded picnic sites and braai amenities near the entrance, which are ideal for a leisurely dinner in nature. However, these facilities are carefully placed away from the waterfall in order to protect its natural beauty and ecological relevance.
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The trail to the waterfall, despite its small length, provides a lovely trek through natural beauties that leads to the gorgeous sanctuary. The drive, which includes a stretch on gravel roads, adds to the adventure’s rustic character. Despite the lack of wheelchair access and the prohibition on swimming, Rust-en-Vrede Waterfall is a mesmerising and calm destination, excellent for those seeking a serene experience with nature in the heart of Oudtshoorn.
4. Cango Ostrich Farm
The Cango Ostrich Show Farm adds a one-of-a-kind and fascinating experience to any Oudtshoorn agenda. This farm, located just 14 kilometres from Oudtshoorn and the way to the famed Cango Caves, provides an enriching and handy stop for travellers. The farm takes pleasure in providing individual care, ensuring that each visitor has a unique experience amidst the valley’s breathtaking grandeur.
Cango Ostrich Show Farm tours are both educational and interesting, allowing visitors to engage directly with these amazing creatures. Whether it is giving an ostrich a neck massage, standing on their sturdy eggs, or feeding them directly from your hand, each activity is intended to bring you closer to these amazing creatures. The guided tours run approximately 45 minutes and are given by expert instructors such as Bassie, who make the experience both instructive and fun.
Aside from participatory tours, the farm has a winery, a well-stocked curio shop, and a pleasant restaurant. The farm’s layout and facilities are designed to ensure the comfort and accessibility of all guests, including those with impairments. The gift shop sells one-of-a-kind gifts, like as feather dusters and ostrich leather handbags, that capture the essence of this unforgettable trip. The Cango Ostrich Show Farm is a wonderful and educational site ideal for families, single travellers, and anybody interested in ostrich farming and conservation.
5. C.P Nel Museum
The CP Nel Museum in Oudtshoorn, a treasure mine of history and culture, commemorates the region’s rich heritage. Originally planned as the Oudtshoorn Boys’ High School by British architect Charles Bullock in 1906, this great sandstone structure, with its late Victorian Colonial style and Corinthian ornamentation, exemplifies the architectural splendour of the time. The museum exists thanks to the foresight and dedication of several prominent personalities, especially Colonel CP Nel, whose rare collection of antiques, bequeathed to the public, serves as the museum’s central display.
After narrowly avoiding demolition in the 1960s, the building, once a symbol of the Ostrich Feather Boom’s success, was repurposed to hold Nel’s collection and reopened as the CP Nel Museum in 1972. The museum not only depicts the ostrich trade’s impact on Oudtshoorn, but also the cultural history and lifestyle of the Little Karoo region during the Victorian and early twentieth centuries. It has a unique synagogue within that is still in use today, which adds to its cultural relevance.
The CP Nel Museum, designated a National Monument in 1980, continues to attract tourists with its intriguing displays and historical relevance. It serves as a beacon of the region’s history, preserving the legacy of its major figures as well as the community’s collaborative efforts to protect their heritage. Whether you are a history buff or just inquisitive, a visit to the CP Nel Museum provides a deep dive into the rich fabric of Oudtshoorn’s past, ensuring that its stories continue to resonate with future generations.
6. Wilgehandel Holiday Farm
Wilgewandel, located only 2 km from the Cango Caves and close to other local attractions, is a must-see for visitors looking for fun and adventure in the Oudtshoorn area.
Wilgewandel welcomes guests of all ages and offers a wide range of activities. Camel rides provide a distinct thrill, as do water slides and the foefie slide, which soars across the farm dam. Mini-golfers may put their abilities to the test on an 18-hole course, while animal lovers will enjoy feeding rabbits, goats, ostriches, and more. On weekends and holidays, the more daring can enjoy paintball target shooting and donkey cart rides. The Tractor Train provides a leisurely tour of the farm, while the pedal cars and rowing boats are ideal for anyone looking to get some exercise.
Wilgewandel offers a variety of lodging alternatives, including self-catering and bed and breakfast. Guests can relax in comfortably furnished rooms equipped with useful conveniences such as gas heaters and rechargeable lamps to ensure continuous comfort during load shedding. The on-site restaurant serves a variety of delectable foods, like tramezzinis and burgers, salads, and breakfasts, all at moderate costs. During power disruptions, visitors can still enjoy meals from the load shedding menu.
7. Highgate Ostrich Show Farm
Highgate Ostrich Show Farm provides an unprecedented opportunity to explore the intriguing world of ostriches. Established in 1938 as the world’s first and most renowned ostrich show farm, it today functions as a compelling educational hub in the heart of the Klein Karoo valley.
Visitors to Highgate Ostrich Show Farm are welcome to interact closely with these majestic birds, enjoying the excitement of feeding ostriches by hand. The farm’s trained personnel exhibit the complicated technique of creating beautiful goods from ostrich feathers, eggs, and leather, providing insight into the practical side of ostrich husbandry.
More than just a watching experience, the farm offers an interactive trip in which tourists can sit on or even ride an ostrich while under cautious supervision. This fascinating experience is enhanced by stunning vistas of the Klein Karoo valley from the unique vantage point of an ostrich.
8. Cango Wildlife Ranch
Discover Cango Wildlife Ranch, an extraordinary conservation centre in Oudtshoorn that began as a crocodile show farm in 1977. This sanctuary, which today houses over 90 different animal species, focusses heavily on the preservation of endangered species, including the beautiful cheetah. Its growth as a conservation and education hub makes it a must-see destination for anybody visiting Oudtshoorn.
Visitors to the Ranch can participate in guided tours that combine educational information with engaging experiences. The ‘Valley of Ancients’, inspired by historical relationships to nature, provides an immersive experience into the world of conservation. The Ranch’s ‘Natural Encounters’ programme allows for close contact with a variety of species, including cheetahs, tiger cubs, and Nile crocodiles, making for a unique and memorable experience.
The Cheetah Preservation Foundation, which works to save and protect cheetahs and other endangered animals, is central to the Ranch’s purpose. The Foundation contributes significantly to wildlife conservation through captive breeding projects, research, and public awareness campaigns. A visit to the Cango Wildlife Ranch is more than just an entertaining experience; it is also an educational investigation of the necessity of animal protection.
9. Safari Ostrich Farm
Derek Fisch and Harry Lipschitz founded the farm in 1956 as an instructional centre regarding ostriches, and it has since grown into a successful attraction that remains true to its original aim. Visitors can take the world’s first tractor tour of an ostrich farm, where Safari Guides will provide an up-close look at these majestic birds, including the South African and Zimbabwean types, the rare White Ostrich, and even emus. The trip also covers the ostrich breeding process and the history of ostrich farming.
The Safari Restaurant offers pre-booked set menu meals featuring export-grade ostrich fillet or steak, while the Safari Café provides a more relaxed dining experience with a range of meals and drinks in a quiet garden setting. In addition to the gastronomic offerings, Safari Ostrich Farm sells a wide assortment of Ostrich Leather Products. These handcrafted goods, which range from handbags to wallets and belts, are created by expert artisans and highlight the distinctive texture and quality of ostrich leather. Visitors can also find wonderfully carved ostrich eggs and feathers, which make excellent ornamental gifts. Safari Ostrich Farm is a must-see destination in Oudtshoorn because it combines instructive tours, good food, and superb craftsmanship.
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