Oudtshoorn is the "ostrich capital of the world", situated in the Western Cape in South Africa and world-known for its ostrich farms and the nearby Cango Caves.

Understand

The town was founded in 1847, but scarce local water supplies limited the town's growth. However, despite the lack of water, ostrich farming proved to be a prosperous local industry, leading to significant growth during two "feather booms". During the first boom, which lasted from 1865-1870, the value of ostrich feathers (per pound) nearly matched the value of diamonds. Overproduction led to falling prices, although a smaller boom occurred from 1900-1914.

Today the town's economy is primarily reliant on tourism and ostrich farming, with the largest ostrich population of any place in the world. The human population is about 60,000, making it the largest town in the Little Karoo region.

Get in

By plane

There is no airport in Oudtshoorn. The nearest airports are in George (very small, local flights only), Port Elizabeth (domestic flights only) and Cape Town (domestic and international flights).

By bus

The main bus companies serve Oudtshoorn on regular schedules.

By car

It`s a scenic drive on the R62 from Montagu and the trip from George over the Outeniqua pass offers some spectacular views. Worth the drive!

By train

Up until a few years ago there was a regular train service east to Port Elizabeth as well as south to George, Knysna and Cape Town. However, these trains have been stopped and as of early February 2007 there are no scheduled passenger trains to or from Oudtshoorn.

See

The Cango Caves.

• 1 Cango Caves, ☏ +27 44 272-7410. The number one caves to visit in South Africa. From Oudtshoorn drive to the north. You will be there after approximately 15 minutes. 

Do

Ostrich farms

The "feather barons" made Oudtshoorn the "ostrich capital of the world", and today tourists can visit some ostrich farms in town. In most cases these are show farms, set up specifically for visitors, and most offer the same experience - an hour-long tour that explains everything about ostrich farming, from incubation through ostrich products, a visit to see the animals including a chance to feed ostriches and ride an ostrich (subject to weight limits), and finally a trip to the gift shop to purchase ostrich souvenirs. Don't expect the same experience as you would get seeing wild ostriches roaming the savannah - ostrich farms are most definitely farms, and the animals are domestic animals raised for human consumption, so they are not treated with the same respect as their wild brethren. Nonetheless, if you can get past any moral qualms the farms are interesting places that are worth a visit. Many farms offer discounts to guests of hotels that they have partnerships with, so be sure to ask at your hotel before visiting a farm.

• 1 Cango Ostrich Show Farm (14km outside of town on the main route towards the Cango Cave), ☏ +27 44 272 4623, cango.ostrich@pixie.co.za. 08:00-16:30. A smaller, privately owned farm. Adults: R85.00, Children: R50.00. 
• 2 Highgate Ostrich Farm, ☏ +27 44 272-7115. The largest farm in the area, tours also offer the option of an ostrich meal afterwards for an additional charge. Adults: R110.00, Children (6-12 Years): R60.00, private tours R180.00 per person. 
• 3 Safari Ostrich Farm, ☏ +27 44 272-7311, info@safariostrich.co.za. 08:00-16:00. Offers a similar experience as at Highgate, but smaller. Adults: R100.00, Children (under 14): R50.00. 

Other activities

Climbing near Oudtshoorn

• Barons Palace Gaming Centre, ☏ +27 44 279-1727, baronspalace@webmail.co.za. Gaming Machines, Casino Style Pub & Grub. 
• 4 Bufflesdrift Game Lodge, ☏ +27 44 272 0000, info@buffelsdrift.com. This private game lodge is situated on a large open expanse and offers bush safaris, meerkat safaris, and the opportunity to feed or ride elephants. Animals on the property include hippos, elephants, giraffes, eland, zebra, buffalo, rhino, springbok and others. Note that these are not truly wild animals - the property is managed as essentially a giant ranch rather than a nature preserve - but the animals have plenty of room to roam, making it a far better experience than any zoo. No fee is charged for entry, which makes this lodge a particularly nice place to have lunch or enjoy a drink. Nature activities are all charged on a per-person basis. Tented and lodge accommodations are available for those looking for a more extensive wildlife experience. 
• 5 Cango Wildlife Ranch, ☏ +27 44 272-5593, reservations@cango.co.za. Reptiles and wild cats are bred for conservation and where it is possible you can enter the enclosures and interact with the animals. 
• 6 Meerkat Adventures (Tours start from the intersection where the R328 from Mosselbay joins the R62 from Calitsdorp), ☏ +27 84 772 9678, deveyg@gmail.com. Meerkat Adventures offers the chance to spend time in close proximity (several meters) to a family of wild meerkats. Devey Glinister, a passionate and eccentric local who might best be described as the Crocodile Dundee of meerkats, has spent years habituating wild meerkats to the presence of humans, and now leads groups out before dawn to watch these animals awake from their dens and go about their morning routines. Time spent with the meerkats is entirely dependent on the animals - if the meerkats are feeling lazy the encounter can last for a few hours, but if they feel like foraging they might disappear into the brush after only ten or fifteen minutes. Devey meets participants near the main highway and then leads them onto a private ranch where coffee and tea are provided, as well as background on meerkat behavior, before everyone is handed a folding chair and led on a short hike to the meerkat den. Tour sizes are limited and usually fill up in advance so reservations are necessary. Children must be older than ten to join tours. R550 per person, R100 discount for guests staying at De Zeekoe Guest Farm. 
• Rock Climbing (near the campsite about 12km outside of the town in the direction of the Cango Caves). Oudtshoorn has some of the best quality limestome rock climbing in the world. 

Events

• Klein Karoo National Arts Festival: 3–11 April 2015.  (date needs updating)

Eat

As this is the ostrich capital, this is the place to taste everything one can get out of this species. Most of the ostrich (show) farms offer a restaurant or braai facilities.

Drink

• The Barons Palace Hotel, Corner High & Hope Street, ☏ +27 44 279-1727, fax: +27 44 279-1747, info@baron.co.za. Reveals to her guests an era of affluence and opulence. The Hotel was Built at the turn of the century by a wealthy Ostrich Baron. Lush drapes, high ceilings, ornate fireplaces and original ostrich plume showcases recreate an era of gracious elegance. Ascending the majestic staircase to the sweeping reception rooms and vast veranda, one imagines the lavish entertaining that took place in celebration of the flourishing ostrich feather industry. The hotel is ideally equipped to host weddings and other special functions. 
• De Oude Meul Restaurant, Schoemanshoek (R328, 14km from Oudtshoorn en-route the Cango Caves), ☏ +27 44 272-7308. 7 days/week. An a la carte rRestaurant, specializing in Ostrich & Venison dishes. 

Sleep

• Karoo Soul Travellers Lodge, 170 Langenhoven Road/ 1 Adderley Street, ☏ +27 44 272-330. Art, travel, peace, action, sharing, magic space, highest hill in Oudtshoorn with stunning views. Style, comfort and generosity. From R100pp. 
• 1 Miles B&B Guest House, 104 Church Street, ☏ +27 44 272-4311. Check-in: 14h00, check-out: 10h00. Five minutes away from the centre of town, but near the hiking trails in the area. 
• 2 La Pension Guest House, 169 Church/Kerk St, ☏ +27 44 279 2445. This B&B is located on a one acre plot that includes several buildings, all in good repair. Gardens, a pool, gated parking, and common rooms create a pleasant environment that is enhanced by the very friendly owners, who will do their best to provide travel advice and ensure that you are having a pleasant stay. R800 for a king room (September 2014). 
• Straussennest, 46 Lategansvlei, ☏ +27 44 279-1800. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10PM. Located in beautiful surroundings for long walks and hiking trails. Has rooms in different sizes. All 3 of the rooms are stylishly and comfortably furnished. From R200pps. 
• De Oude Meul Country Lodge (15 km from Oudtshoorn towards the Cango Caves along the R328), ☏ +27 44 272 7190, deoudemeul@mweb.co.za. Check-in: 14h00 (2PM), check-out: 10h00 (10AM). This lodge is situated in Schoemanspoort and is completely surrounded by mountains. The willow trees and river provides a peaceful tranquil setting for couples, families, individuals as well as groups (updated Feb 2016)

Go next

Go to the Garden Route and visit the Tsitsikamma National Park. Cape Town is also not far away (go there via the scenic R62).