Oudtshoorn is a town located in the Klein Karoo area of South Africa’s Western Cape. It is famous for its ostrich farms as well as the Route 62 wine route. Out of the many tourist locations, there is the central C.P. Nel Museum, which tells one about the ostrich boom era and in tandem with there, there are a lot of ranches and conservation parks nearby. But the world’s biggest birds is just one of the attractions over here.
10 Places To See The Oudtshoorn Wildlife
Go beyond the beaches and exotic locations of South Africa to explore these places to take a glance of the Oudtshoorn wildlife.
1. Cango Wildlife Ranch Cheetah Conservation
This is a major Oudtshoorn wildlife park. The Cheetah Conservation Program is a mainstay of the Cango Wildlife Ranch, which is home to a number of white tigers, cheetahs, jaguars, and other big cats. Visitors here can learn more about these animals and they can also enjoy an educational tour here. The cheetah preservation foundation was actually founded in the year 1988 ensure the protection of cheetah along with other endangered species. The foundation lets visitors contribute directly to the cause through time and money. People visiting here can stay at the Boulders Lodge & Spa or the Mount Noah Lodge, which comes at around R600 to R700 per night.
Location: 191 Baron Van Reede St, Oudtshoorn, 6620, South Africa
Timings: 08:30 - 17:00 during High Season (December to March)
Entry Fee: Adult: R180, Child: R135 (5 - 13 years), Natural encounters are charged separately.
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2. Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Oudtshoorn
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No wildlife experience is complete without getting a view from up above. So rise and shine early in the brisk Klein Karoo morning to catch the hot air balloon ride which will take you sailing all over the town. Nestle a cup of warm coffee as the balloon inflated and is made ready, then go on a stunning journey which will allow you to witness some of the most beautiful views of Oudtshoorn. Experience soaring gently over the rooftops and see the slow sunrise turn gently into dusty red and overtime into bright orange. After the ride gets over, head back to the ground to enjoy a cool glass of some sparkling champagne.
Location: Oudtshoorn, Klein Karoo, Western Cape, South Africa
Timings: The ride lasts for 45 minutes till an hour.
Entry Fee: Not sure
3. Cango Caves
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Wildlife in Oudtshoorn are many, but let's see something different. Situated about 28 km from Oudtshoorn, lies the Cango Caves in the stunning Cango Valley. These are vast underground caverns which form the extensive system of chambers and tunnels that stretch on for 4 kilometers. These big underground caverns which make up the caves lie in the precambrian limestone foothills of the Swartberg range. But only a small portion of it is open for visitors. What's more is that over time water has seeped into the limestone ridges over thousands of years and it has created some very amazing calcite masterpieces. You can opt to go on guided tours through the series of caves.
Location: Cango Valley Road, Oudtshoorn, 6625, South Africa
Timings: The tour can last for about one hour.
Entry Fee: Adults: R 120.00. Children: R 75.00
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4. Ostrich Palaces
Ostrich palaces are actually a very common sight in Klein Karoo town. The great feather boom began in 1870 with the ostrich feathers getting exported at about 450000 kilograms per year. The fashions of Europe demanded more feathers and so it got growth in the international markets. This meant that ostrich farmers got to experience a new level of luxury and were able to make stunning mansions made up of sandstone. But the boom did come to a standstill during the two world wars and it hasn't recovered.
Location: Oudtshoorn, Klein Karoo, Western Cape, South Africa
Timings: Check with the specific palaces.
Entry Fee: Check with them
5. Ostrich Show Farms
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The Klein Karoo is home to the largest bird in the world and this has marked a place for this town on the map. Presently, the Oudtshoorn is a home to a great number of ostrich show farms where visitors can spend from hour to more feeding and interacting with these birds. If you are truly adventurous, then try out ostrich riding.
Location: R328, Oudtshoorn, 6620, South Africa
Timings: 8am to 5pm
Entry Fee: Not Sure
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6. Cango Wildlife Ranch And Valley Of The Ancients
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It is an important Oudtshoorn wildlife sanctuary. Based in Oudtshoorn, Western Cape; it is home to more than 90 species of amazing animals. They have been engaged in conservation efforts for more than three decades and they guarantee an amazing experience for all ages. Go in with full day access and take a guided tour to truly enjoy this place. Here there is a very special encounter program which allows one a magic moment with an ambassador animal. There is also a kid zone, which offers virtually unlimited entertainment for the kids.
Location: 191 Baron Van Reede St, Oudtshoorn, 6620, South Africa
Timings: 8:30am to 4:30pm
Entry Fee: Adult: R180.00. Child: R135.00- from 5 to 13 years.
7. Meerkat Magic Tour
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The Meerkat Magic Tour, which takes place just outside of Oudtshoorn begins before sunrise and it lets you witness the while a family of meerkats wakes up in the morning. A walking tour lasts for three hours and is led by someone who has a wealth of knowledge regarding it. Here visitors will get to learn more about the way of life of these animals, known about their social dynamics and watch them in their natural environ foraging food and playing. Visitors can stay at the nearby Earthbound B&B or at Memories Self-Catering which starts at R300 to R600.
Location: Oudtshoorn, 6620, Scenic Cape Route 62, South Africa, South Africa.
Timings: All day
Entry Fee: Free
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8. Chandelier Game And Ostrich Show Farm
Situated between the garden road and Klein Karoo is the Chandelier Game which scratches over 3500 hectares of the amazing Karoo and Cape Fynbos. The farm has over 23 species of Waterbuck, Sable, Bontebok, and Kudu. It is also home to the black-backed jackal as well as the very rare and indigenous leopard. The farm also allows guests a game drive where guests are taken very high into the surrounding mountains and are treated to some sundowner and braai.
Location: Next to the N12 (R62) direction George, Garden Route.
Timings: all day
Entry Fee: Not Sure
9. Wilgewandel Holiday Farm
The Wilgewandel Holiday Farm is a little adventure place which lies next to the Cango Caves. The kids can play here on the rope slides or the trampolines. They can also go for a camel ride, a donkey cart ride or a bumper boat one. It's just tonnes of fun for the kids.
Location: R328 north, Cango Caves road Cango Caves Road, Oudtshoorn, 6620, South Africa
Timings: 8am to 5pm
Entry Fee: Not Sure
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10. Swartberg Mountains
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The amazing Swartberg mountains run east to west all along the northern edge of the Klein Karoo. All of it comes together to form a barrier between the Great Karoo and the Klein Karoo. The venue is characterized by high rocky outcrops as well as deep gorges. The Swartberg Mountains were once thought to be unconquerable and impenetrable since most of the mountains are more than 2000 meters high. It is actually the tallest range of mountains found in the Western Cape. There are three stunning passes which go through the passes that link the interior parts of the great Karoo with the towns present in Klein Karoo and also to the coast beyond. Navigating all those passes makes for a very daredevil experienced which are full of unforgettable scenery.
Location: Oudtshoorn, Klein Karoo, Western Cape, South Africa
Timing: All day
Entry Fee: Free
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Oudtshoorn is a place seldom seen on travel maps, but it is a great place to go for a tidy little vacation, which is full of unique wildlife farm Oudtshoorn adventures. So if a vacation to South Africa is on your mind, then don’t miss the chance to explore this less known place in the country!
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Exploring new places and trying out new food cuisines are two things that bring Seema all the happiness. Travel freak and a die-hard foodie are the synonyms that define her the best. Popular on social media by the name of ‘PandaReviewz’, lazing around the beaches, exploiting the sunset points, visiting the farthermost villages, exploring the renowned cities, trying out new food cuisines, and blogging about them are few things that keep Seema occupied, and happy!
