The 10 Best Things to do in Oudtshoorn, Western Cape

August 23, 2021 Brain Ambrose

Oudtshoorn, the "ostrich capital of the world", is a town in the Western Cape province of South Africa, located between the Swartberg mountains to the north and the Outeniqua Mountains to the south. Two ostrich-feather booms, during 1865-1870 and 1900-1914, truly established the settlement. With approximately 60,000 inhabitants, it is the largest town in the Little Karoo region. The town's economy is primarily reliant on the ostrich farming and tourism industries. Oudtshoorn is home to the world's largest ostrich population, with a number of specialized ostrich breeding farms, such as the Safari Show Farm and the Highgate Ostrich Show Farm.
Restaurants in Oudtshoorn

1. The Cango Caves

328 Approximately 30km (19 miles) from town on the R, Oudtshoorn 6625 South Africa +27 44 272 7410 http://www.cango-caves.co.za/adventure.php
Excellent
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Good
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Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 4,151 reviews

The Cango Caves

Though damaged through shortsighted tourism schemes in the 1960s, these caves are still worth a visit for their eerie dark tunnels and stunning limestone formations.

Reviewed By magsboy - North Vancouver, Canada

The Cango Caves are well worth the visit to see to large underground caverns and the awesome geologic formations (we only did the Heritage Tour) and you can get some spectacular photos - we took the earliest available tour and glad we did because the tour buses were rolling up when we left and hordes of people were arriving - I do think they need to limit the numbers - and also enforce their requests for visitors not to sit and touch where they are asked not to!

2. Highgate Ostrich Show Farm

Scenic Cape Route 62 Volmoed, Oudtshoorn 6620 South Africa +27 44 272 7115 [email protected] http://highgate.co.za/
Excellent
56%
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4.5 based on 966 reviews

Highgate Ostrich Show Farm

It's true. Highgate is the world's oldest ostrich show farm. But it is a working farm too. So we don't do things for show. We give you the real African farm experience. Our guided tour takes approx. 75 minutes & an expert guide will show you our modern breeding methods, how the largest eggs of any living bird species are incubated, and see the hatching room. Experience the opportunity of hand feeding an Ostrich. Enjoy our Pepper Tree Restaurant! We take advantage ofour magnificent all-year round climate to set the tables under our ancient Peruvian pepper tree so the whole family dines al fresco-style while enjoying the great outdoors. Catch your breath and visit our shop selling only genuine, South African-made products, many of which are produced by our skilled staff on the farm using our own resources. From beautiful decoupage ostrich eggs to delicate ostrich leather products. We are situated 10km outside Oudtshoorn on the R328 road to Mossel Bay.

Reviewed By RichardHugen - Roosendaal, The Netherlands

12 years ago we visited this farm also. This time we wanted to show Highgate to friends. Although it was our second time we enjoyed it as much. The four of us had a “private” tour that made it extra enjoyable. Our guide gave extensive explanations and responded to our points of interest. The one hour- tour was more than worthwhile.

3. Safari Ostrich Show Farm

R328 Road 6 KM From Oudtshoorn Towards Mossel Bay, Oudtshoorn 6620 South Africa +27 44 272 7312 [email protected] http://www.safariostrich.co.za
Excellent
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4.5 based on 1,566 reviews

Safari Ostrich Show Farm

Safari Ostrich Farm, established in 1956, welcomes you to the ostrich capital of the world. Come and enjoy the worlds only Tractor tour through a working ostrich farm. Get up close and personal with the worlds largest bird. Take awesome photographs, get to see chicks, feed an ostrich, hold a huge 2,5kg ostrich egg. Get to see different species of ostrich - Kenyan, Zimbabwean, South African and rare white ostriches. Learn about the industry, leather, feathers and carving eggs. A full hour of interesting stuff to see and do. Enjoy our cafe or restaurant for set menu or ala carte options

Reviewed By tobiel2017 - Centurion, South Africa

Fun and interactive tractor tour of the ostrich farm. Educational and interesting. Friendly staff. Exquisite ostrich egg, feather and leather art products at the curio shop. Restaurant serves delicious ostrich burgers and cake! Play area for the kids.

4. Swartberg Pass

192 Buitekant Street, Oudtshoorn 6625 South Africa +27 82 461 8253 http://www.truesouthtravel.co.za.
Excellent
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4.5 based on 1,633 reviews

Swartberg Pass

Reviewed By Curiosity28698317309 - Cape Town Central, South Africa

True! one of South Africa’s most beautiful mountain passes, once entering from Prince Albert side you enter into a majestic red Canyon inspired by amazing layered strata and majestic Mountain View’s. As you travel along this well maintained gravel road you ascend into the clouds and look down over a gorgeous scenic, fertile valley below. Along the way stop for your favorite cup of aromatic coffee to take in the fresh mountain zephyrs and watch the ever changing cloud formations as they dance along the mountain tops and pour through the valley openings. Have a farm breakfast at Kobus se gat or stop to view the local talents of Rogers art and photography gallery, where you can enjoy a latte while you watch the swallows build their mud homes beneath the eves of this historical building. A must for sight seers or the avid adventurer.

5. Cango Wildlife Ranch

191 Baron Van Reede Street, Oudtshoorn 6625 South Africa +27 44 272 5593 [email protected] http://www.cango.co.za/
Excellent
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4.5 based on 2,295 reviews

Cango Wildlife Ranch

Cango Wildlife Ranch is internationally recognised as one of South Africa’s premier tourism attractions. Conveniently situated en route to the Cango Caves near Oudtshoorn, the Ranch offers visitors a huge variety of awe-inspiring activities at one location for a value-packed price – suitable for the whole family and open 365 days a year! In addition to our wonderful encounter programs, where you can meet an ambassador cheetah, the ranch also offers two Firsts: Lemur Falls – the first interactive Lemur experience in Africa! - and Crocodile Cage Diving - a World First - where you can test your mettle against the dangerous gaze of a Nile Crocodile via a steel cage lowered into their watery domain! As a PAAZA (Pan-African Association of Zoos and Aquaria) accredited facility, a proud member of WAZA(World Association of Zoos and Aquariums), and a multiple winner of TripAdvisor's Certificate of Excellence, Cango Wildlife Ranch remains a unique world-class facility which strives to provide conservation through education by means of various conservation projects, initiatives and informative guided tours! A significant percentage of all proceeds go straight back into our conservation initiatives providing you with ethical and unforgettable fun and memories. For unlimited adventure for the whole family – visit Cango Wildlife Ranch!

Reviewed By EllaMacrae

A few days ago my Husband and I visited the Cango Wildlife Ranch and it was such an amazing experience ! I highly recommend the guided tour, our guide Micah made our time there so much fun, she was really informative so a big thank you to her. we could see everybody on the facility really cares about the animals, it was so awesome to see some animals we have never seen before like the white tiger. We will definitely come back, thank you to everyone who made this experience great !

6. Wilgewandel Holiday Farm

Cango Caves Road, Wilgewandel, Grootkraal R 328 north,, Oudtshoorn 6620 South Africa +27 72 784 6732 [email protected] http://wilgewandel.co.za
Excellent
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4.5 based on 332 reviews

Wilgewandel Holiday Farm

Wilgewandel holiday farm is open daily, Great Family fun! Water slides and Camel rides and lots of activities for young and old A fully a-la-carte restaurant and accommodation. 2 km from the Cango Caves

Reviewed By Strydoms5

Super friendly attendants; fresh air; camel riding; donkey cart riding; pedal cars, loads of animals; scenic views; reasonably priced food and a must for families with kids looking for day activites. We lodged at the beautiful De Oude Meul Country Lodge and made a day trip to Wilgewandel. Highly recommended!

7. Meerkat Magic

Scenic Cape Route 62, Oudtshoorn 6620 South Africa +27 44 272 3077 http://www.meerkatmagic.com/
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4.5 based on 155 reviews

Meerkat Magic

Reviewed By Lwood0

Be prepared to be up early as you need to meet before sunset, but it's worth every minute. We were quite lucky this morning as we didnt have to wait too long before the Meerkats woke up and came out to play. You need to be patient with this trip, they are living in their natural habitat and they do as they please so I can imagine some mornings they will come out quickly, some mornings you may have to wait around and just see what happens, the company cant predict how they will act that morning. Such a worth while experience we saw all the babies (2 months old) today play fighting and going by their normal day. After a while they started to leave their burrow we was given the option to follow and move closer but we chose to leave after an hour so they could continue on with their day. I would highly suggest a visit, make sure you read your emails carefully as you have to confirm you are attending once you have booked. Our guide was great, very useful information and comical. Rememberable experience.

8. Karusa Vineyards

Shoemanshoek Valley, Oudtshoorn 6625 South Africa +27 79 490 3356 http://www.karusa.co.za
Excellent
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4.5 based on 221 reviews

Karusa Vineyards

Karusa is a family operated and managed wine and fruit farm.The word “Karusa” is a Khoi San word meaning: Land with little water, a scarce resource in the semi arid plateau of the Klein Karoo.Karusa is situated at the foothill of the majestic Swartberg in the tranquil and scenic Cango Valley settlement of Schoemanshoek. The farm is en route to the world famous Cango Caves. It is situated 12km north of Oudtshoorn which is also the capital of the Klein Karoo region, and ostrich capital of the world.Karusa is the first and only Premium Private winery in Oudtshoorn.Directions to Karusa: Follow the R328 north (The Cango Route) from Oudtshoorn for 12km to Schoemanshoek. Turn left into Schoemanshoek and drive left around the back of the Church, the entrance to Karusa is ~200m on your right.

Reviewed By BeaPop - Western Shore, Canada

This lovely family owned and managed vineyard/eatery is well worth a visit. Lovely wine and craft beer with a selection of gin from the area. We enjoyed 2 wood oven pizzas, Chicken and Sal on salads and their wraps. Great service, good quality food in a safe and beautiful setting. When in the area do drop in, lovely grassed atea

9. Cango Ostrich Show Farm

Excellent
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4.0 based on 588 reviews

Cango Ostrich Show Farm

The Cango Ostrich Show Farm offers the ultimate ostrich experience with exciting and informative guided tours (daily from 8h00 to 16h30), a fantastic curio shop, a fine selection of award winning local wines; and a coffee shop / restaurant serving a lovely variety of light meals. We host groups and schools, whose itinerary often includes delicious pre-booked meals. Situated 14km outside of Oudtshoorn on the road to the Cango Caves.

10. Chandelier Game Lodge & Ostrich Show Farm

Oudtshoorn 6620 South Africa +27 72 742 4405 [email protected] http://www.chandelier.co.za
Excellent
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Satisfactory
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4.0 based on 115 reviews

Chandelier Game Lodge & Ostrich Show Farm

Reviewed By Mark0928sa - Greater Johannesburg, South Africa

We two friend decided to go to ostrich farm very late when we back from Congo Cave, on the way we go back to George we spent about 1 hour in Chandelier Game Lodge & Ostrich Show Farm for the very unforgettable ostrich guide and tour in the farm, also the ostrich ride experience is very very very interesting, very worthy to go there for the education or time killing, thanks for Chandelier Ostrich Show Farm Jaco’s professional guide that we can know a lot of things of the big bird, its very recommended. 當我們從剛果洞穴回來時,我們兩個朋友決定很晚才決定去鴕鳥養殖場,在我們回喬治的路上,我們在Chandelier Game Lodge&Ostrich Show Farm花了大約1個小時,難忘的鴕鳥嚮導和農場參觀,而且鴕鳥的騎行經歷非常非常有趣,非常值得去那裡進行教育或消磨時間,這要感謝Chandelier Ostrich Show Farm Jaco的專業指南,我們可以了解很多大鳥的東西,非常推薦。

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