Oudtshoorn Attractions
Many visitors following the Garden Route make a side trip (70km/43mi inland) to Oudtshoorn, the world's principal ostrich- breeding center. Its period of greatest fame was around 1900, when ostrich feathers from Oudtshoorn were sent all over the world. These days of glory are now past, but Oudtshoorn still makes a good living from ostrich farming. Ostrich feathers and ostrich meat find a ready sale, and Oudtshoorn's ostriches have been successfully marketed as a tourist attraction.
Another reason for visiting Oudtshoorn, the largest town on the LiIttle Karoo, is the beauty of the surrounding country. It lies in a fertile valley (tobacco, fruit, vegetables, grain), surrounded by the Swartberg and Outeniqua Mountains.
Oudtshoorn was founded in 1847, but its rise to prosperity began in the 1870s, when ostrich feathers were much in demand as a fashion accessory. Between 1880 and 1915 there were anything up to 750,000 ostriches on farms in this area. The ostriches flourished in the warm, dry climate, bringing the ''feather barons'' unprecedented wealth. After the out- break of the First World War ostrich feathers were no longer in demand in Europe and ostrich farming declined, though it was never entirely abandoned.
Oudtshoorn is a country town of modern aspect, with several large hotels. A number of luxurious mansions (known locally as ''feather palaces'') have been preserved from the heyday of ostrich farming.
Another reason for visiting Oudtshoorn, the largest town on the LiIttle Karoo, is the beauty of the surrounding country. It lies in a fertile valley (tobacco, fruit, vegetables, grain), surrounded by the Swartberg and Outeniqua Mountains.
Oudtshoorn was founded in 1847, but its rise to prosperity began in the 1870s, when ostrich feathers were much in demand as a fashion accessory. Between 1880 and 1915 there were anything up to 750,000 ostriches on farms in this area. The ostriches flourished in the warm, dry climate, bringing the ''feather barons'' unprecedented wealth. After the out- break of the First World War ostrich feathers were no longer in demand in Europe and ostrich farming declined, though it was never entirely abandoned.
Oudtshoorn is a country town of modern aspect, with several large hotels. A number of luxurious mansions (known locally as ''feather palaces'') have been preserved from the heyday of ostrich farming.
Read More
Ostrich Farms
Tours of local ostrich farms provide insight into the breeding and industry around these creatures. Watching or participating in ostrich riding and races is also entertaining.
Arbeidsgenot
The house once occupied by C. J. Langenhoven, a lawyer who came to Oudtshoorn in 1899 and composed the South African national anthem here, is now a museum.
Arbeidsgenot
Jan van Riebeeckweg 217
Oudtshoorn, Western Cape
South Africa
Jan van Riebeeckweg 217
Oudtshoorn, Western Cape
South Africa
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | Closed | Closed |
| Close | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | ||
| Open | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | ||
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
C.P. Nel Museum
In Oudtshoorn's main street is the C. P. Nel Museum housed in a sandstone building of 1907 with a striking bell-tower. Its collections range from artifacts illustrating the culture of the Bushmen to fashionable costumes with ostrich feathers and domestic equipment.
C.P. Nel Museum
3 Baron van Rheede Street
Oudtshoorn, Western Cape 6620
South Africa
3 Baron van Rheede Street
Oudtshoorn, Western Cape 6620
South Africa
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Cango Wildlife Ranch & Cheetahland
On the outskirts of Oudtshoorn (on R 328, the road to the Cango Caves) is the Cango Wildlife Ranch and Cheetahland, with over 300 crocodiles as well as snakes, cheetahs, lions and leopards, ponies and hippopotamuses.
Cango Crocodile Ranch & Cheetahland
Box 559
Oudtshoorn, Western Cape 6620
South Africa
Box 559
Oudtshoorn, Western Cape 6620
South Africa
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Facilities
Restaurant or food service
De Zeekoe Guest Farm and Reserve
De Zeekoe Guest Farm and Reserve is a 2,000 ha farm offering on-site accomodations for a traditional African experience. Visitors can enjoy hiking, cycling, lovely scenery and the chance to get up close and personal with meerkats.
De Zeekoe Guest Farm and Reserve
Box 226
Oudtshoorn, Western Cape 6620
South Africa
Box 226
Oudtshoorn, Western Cape 6620
South Africa
Facilities
On-site accomodations
Oudtshoorn Surroundings
Read More
Cango Caves
2 km tours of the Cango Caves lead past extraordinary stalactites and stalagmites in huge halls. These caves also display rock drawings left by Bushmen, indicating evidence of their presence.
Read More
Swartberg Pass
A scenic road, built in the 1880s, leads up to the Swartberg Pass, offering magnificent views.
Gamka Mountain Nature Reserve
35km/22mi southwest of Oudtshoorn (R 62, signposted to Calitzdorp, and in 12km/7.5mi left into track to Warmbad) is the Gamka Mountain Nature Reserve (area 9,400ha23,200ac), in which the rare mountain zebra can be seen, as well as antelopes, gazelles, caracals and 80 species of birds, including Verreaux's eagle.
There is a small visitor center which can supply information about walking in the reserve, from short walks to two-day hikes. Cars must be parked at the visitor center; no accommodation for visitors.
There is a small visitor center which can supply information about walking in the reserve, from short walks to two-day hikes. Cars must be parked at the visitor center; no accommodation for visitors.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 |
| Close | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 |
Meiringspoort
Meiringspoort is the lowest (716m/2,349ft) and fastest of the three passes in the Swartberg range. N 12 (Oudtshoorn to Beaufort West) runs through a 20km/12.5mi long gorge with folded sandstone formations.
Prince Albert, South Africa
70km/43mi from Oudtshoorn the road comes to Prince Albert (pop. 4,500), named after Queen Victoria's consort. Mountain streams supply an abundance of water for the fruit plantations round the little town (peaches harvested in January, grapes in March).
The Museum in Church Street, once the home of the Haak family, has a collection of Bibles, furniture, domestic equipment, weapons, old vehicles and tools.
The Museum in Church Street, once the home of the Haak family, has a collection of Bibles, furniture, domestic equipment, weapons, old vehicles and tools.
