Oudtshoorn - The Best Things to Do and See

Enjoying all Oudtshoorn has to offer

Oudtshoorn (also known as the “ostrich capital of the world“), is situated in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Located on the famous Route 62 and situated between the Swartberg Mountains and the Outeniqua Mountains, it forms part of the longest wine route in the world.

The town is centrally located for travellers, as it is approximately halfway between Cape Town and Port Elizaberth, as well as close to beautiful places like: George, Knysna, Wilderness and Calitzdorp. Furthermore it forms part of the Cape Garden Route, which includes the following towns: Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Mossel Bay, Great Brak River, Little Brak River, Wilderness, Sedgefield and Nature’s Valley; with George, the Garden Route’s largest city, as well as Albertinia, Riversdale, Heidelberg, Ladismith, Calitzdorp, Oudtshoorn, De Rust and Uniondale. Taking a road trip up or down the Garden Route is something every Capetonian must do and travelers from around the world will find interesting.

When planning your holiday or vacation to Oudtshoorn, there is a few fabulous things you must include in your itinerary.

Architecture, Museums & Food

Start your visit to Oudtshoorn by appreciating the beautiful architecture of the town and visiting popular museums. But first you need breakfast or maybe a late brunch. Try the local cuisine with true authentic Karoo dishes.

Baron van Rheede Street – stop for Breakfast at Nostalgie Restaurant. Order breakfast or a traditional Karoo dish. Afterwards end your meal with true South African milktart and coffee. There are quite a few pretty restaurants and coffee shops that serves traditional Karoo dishes. Definitely worth a try.
The Le Roux Townhouse Museum and the C.P. Nel Museum-complex (Address: 146 High St, Oudtshoorn, 6620) – An architecture and history pitstop. (You can read more about these buildings on the C.P . Nel Museum website.)
Arbeidsgenot – home of C.J. Langenhoven a famous South African writer. You can read all about the history and story behind C.J. Langenhoven and his home, on their website – link above. (Address: 217 Jan Van Riebeeck Rd, Oudtshoorn, 6625)
See the St Jude’s Anglican Church (the oldest stone building in Oudtshoorn) – This is one of the beautiful historical buildings you will find along Baron van Rheede Street.

Ostrich Farms

Next stop: Visit a working ostrich farm (Safari Ostrich Farm, Highgate Ostrich Show Farm and Cango Ostrich Show Farm)

No visit to Oudtshoorn will be complete without a visit to a working Ostrich Farm. These farms offer tours, nice cafés, curio shops where you can buy real ostrich feather or leather products and just a real nice family outing for the morning or afternoon.

Cango-Caves

From the Ostrich Farm, make your way to the Cango Caves (South Africa’s largest show caves). Right from the start the very impressive ‘Van Zyl Hall’ will make a huge impression already. There are two options and you can decide how far you are prepared to explore into the cave. If you’re a little bit nervous in small spaces, you can do the first half with ease while the rest of the ‘brave ones’ continue deeper into the cave. But it is beautiful and most definitely worth a visit. In my opinion this is actually a “must-see” stop in Oudtshoorn.

Zipline and Pizzas

The Cango Caves Estate is approx. Approx. 1 km from the Cango Caves. Here you can book a wonderful zipline experience. Thereafter enjoy a wood fired pizza or participate in the pairing of local wines with Ostrich products. (This is also a nice place to wind down after a busy day of sight-seeing.)

Depending on how much time you spend at each stop, you can start a new day with the following activities or you might end your fist day with a stop at the Cango Wildlife Ranch. Just make sure you have enough time to really enjoy this adventure:

One stop for all: Cango Wildlife Ranch

This venue has a lot on offer for the whole family. To mention only a few:

Amazonia Rainforest – Visit the aviary filled with rainbow colored lorikeets! You also get the chance to purchase nectar and feed them while they sit on your shoulders and head.

Cheetah Land – From the treetop lookout you can view cheetahs, lions, the breathtakingly beautiful African leopard and the awesome white Bengal tiger.

Lemur Falls – Lemurs are one of the most fascinating animals to watch. Visit the replica Madagascan forest with whistling ducks and set against the backdrop to the indigenous Betselio Village.

See dazzling real life flamingos with their pink plumage and Pygmy Hippos enjoying the water. The Ranch offers loads of activities that both young and old will enjoy.

Then be brave and go for the ultimate bucket list item: Crocodile Cage Diving.

More things to do in and around Oudtshoorn

For the animal and nature lovers there is Minwater Eco Adventures – Offering nature tours, hiking and 4×4 trails.
Go on a camel ride and at Wilgewandel Holiday Farm
Enjoy wildlife adventures like Shy Five Meerkats, Buffelsdrift Game Lodge and Chandelier Game Lodge
Nature and water – See the Rus n Vrede Waterfall and Meiringspoort Waterfall
Travel on the famous Swartberg Pass, Swartberg Circle Route and visit a place called “Die hel” (Gamkaskloof)
Visit the Swartberg Nature Reserve (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

The Swartberg Circle Route is a scenic drive that takes you from Oudtshoorn or Calitzdorp over the Swartberg Pass and through Meiringspoort to the towns of De Rust, Klaarstroom, and Prince Albert.

A good tip is to stop at the local Tourist Office in town and they will also point you in the direction of current events. Or you can email them should you need more information before your road trip.

E-mail: info@oudtshoorn.com

(Address: 80 Voortrekker Street, Oudtshoorn, Western Cape, 6625)

Gamkaskloof (Die Hel) and Groot Swartberg Nature Reserve

Rust-en-Vrede Waterfall

We recommend exploring this hidden and ‘secret’ Waterfall in a group of friends and family. (Take your swimming gear.)

There are lovely places to stay in Oudtshoorn. Below as part of the “Where to stay” paragraph, we list the most popular places in Oudtshoorn as rated by real guests.

Self-catering accommodation option:

KKNK - Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees (in Afrikaans)

The ‘Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees’ (Klein Karoo National Arts Festival) is an Afrikaans language and art festival that takes place every year in Oudtshoorn. This festival of music, theatre and so much more is a huge favorite in the Western Cape. During this time the town is crazy-busy with people from all over the world. It will be well worth your while to book accommodation well in advance.

The festival includes both the visual and the performing arts and is officially recognized by the South African government as a national arts festival. Top artists and productions all in one: Each year during March and April. For more information visit their website at: KKNK