Oudtshoorn is one of those destinations that has made it onto our family travel list not once, but twice now, and it’s already high up there for a third visit! It has a bit of everything, and then some, and makes for the perfect family adventure. From fascinating wildlife encounters and unusual farm experiences to underground caves, dramatic mountain scenery and some seriously good Karoo hospitality.
Situated in the heart of the Klein Karoo, Oudtshoorn is also a destination where the journey is very much part of the adventure. The drive from Cape Town along Route 62 is road-trip happiness. Think beautiful mountain passes, wide-open landscapes, farm stalls, interesting roadside stops and scenery that changes dramatically as you travel inland. Keep your eyes peeled along the way as there are plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife and birds, and as you get closer to Oudtshoorn, you’ll start noticing a rather familiar local resident popping up everywhere: the ostrich!
As you approach Calitzdorp, look out for the spekboom growing along the way. This hardy indigenous succulent is a familiar plant in the Klein Karoo, and it’s one of our favourite local ingredients, too. If you’d like to try something a little different at your next braai, have a look at the spekboom recipe in our South Africa Adventure Journal. It’s a delicious addition to the braai and a lovely way to bring a little bit of the Karoo home with you.
Getting up close with Oudtshoorn’s ostriches
If you didn’t already know, Oudtshoorn is often referred to as the ostrich capital of the world, and you can’t really visit without getting up close to these rather impressive birds. A visit to Highgate Ostrich Show Farm is our recommended stop. It’s a great way to learn more about ostriches, their history in the Klein Karoo and the role they have played in the region.
The guided tour takes you behind the scenes of ostrich farming. You’ll learn about the eggs and incubators, discover a little about ostrich anatomy and breeding, visit the breeding camps and get the chance to feed the ostriches by hand. And if you’re offered an ostrich massage, just say yes!
An ostrich egg is roughly equivalent to 24 chicken eggs and is strong enough to support the weight of a person weighing up to 120 kg when stood on horizontally. Now that’s one seriously strong eggshell! You’ll also learn that these speedy creatures can run at around 70 km/h. Just imagine trying to keep up with one! There’s plenty to discover, making it a fascinating experience for curious kids and adults alike.
An early start with the meerkats
Another special experiences in the Oudtshoorn area is heading out before sunrise to watch wild meerkats emerge from their burrows. This is not a rushed wildlife encounter. It involves an early alarm, a bit of patience and plenty of quiet observation, but the reward is absolutely worth it.
You’ll join a guide and wait at a respectful distance as the meerkats begin their day. As the sun rises, they slowly emerge, warm themselves in the first rays of sunshine and get busy with their morning routines. You might spot a lookout keeping watch while the others forage, or catch a glimpse of their wonderfully curious personalities.
It’s a lovely reminder that some of the best wildlife experiences are the ones where you simply sit back, stay quiet and let nature do its thing. Meerkat tours are weather-dependent and operators have different age restrictions, so check the details before booking.
Go underground at the world-famous Cango Caves
The Cango Caves are another must-do while in the area. Hidden in the foothills of the Swartberg Mountains, this spectacular underground network of limestone caves is famous for its enormous chambers and fascinating rock formations.
Guided tours take you through the caves, where you’ll discover just how impressive the underground world can be. The Standard Tour is an easier option, while the Adventure Tour takes you further through the cave system and involves some narrower passages. Check the tour requirements before booking, particularly if travelling with children.
It’s a completely different kind of adventure from the wildlife experiences above ground, and another reason Oudtshoorn has so much variety.
Where to stay and eat: a taste of Klein Karoo life
We have a couple of favourite places to stay in and around Oudtshoorn, each offering something a little different.
Berluda Farm Cottages is a lovely option for families. The well-equipped cottages make it easy to settle in, there’s a beautiful swimming pool for warmer days, and a delicious farm breakfast is included, always a good start to the day! There are ostriches right there on the farm, and during one of our stays we were also lucky enough to spot tortoises and some amazing owls. It’s the sort of place where you can slow down, enjoy the space and keep your eyes open for what’s around you.
Just a short walk or drive away is one of our favourite lunch estaurants, Karusa. It’s particularly good with kids, thanks to its lovely big lawn where they can run around and burn off some energy while the grown-ups enjoy a platter, delicious pizza or perhaps a wine or gin tasting. A pretty good combination all round!
And for dinner, Buffelsdrift Game Reserve is firm favourite. The restaurant is open to the public, but you’ll need to book ahead. Enjoy sunset and dinner with the sound of hippos grunting in the background if you are lucky. Not your everyday dinner soundtrack! Definitly book a table on the tarrace overlooking the dam.
For your own Klein Karoo braai, pop into a local butchery, picking up some Karoo lamb chops and enjoy a braai under the stars. This is as good as it gets.
Slow down and enjoy the Klein Karoo
Oudtshoorn is a small town with plenty to see and do, but it also has that lovely, slower Klein Karoo pace of life. You don’t need to fill every moment with an activity. Take a scenic drive, stop at a farm stall, spend an afternoon by the pool or simply sit outside and enjoy the wide-open Karoo skies. And if you’re keen for a scenic drive, the surrounding mountain passes are worth exploring too.
It’s the combination that makes this destination so special: the dramatic mountain scenery, the wildlife, the farm experiences, the caves, the good food and those lovely moments in between. There is so much to notice, discover and talk about along the way.
And we promise, whether you’re watching meerkats wake up, learning about ostriches, spotting owls on the farm or enjoying a braai under a sky full of stars, both kids and adults alike will have plenty to add to their travel journals each day.