Location: Oudtshoorn
Top Things to do in Oudtshoorn
10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Oudtshoorn That You Shouldn't Miss
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. Magic Moments in Oudtshoorn
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 133 reviews
An unforgettable evening of live music and traditional South African food in the intimate setting of the home of the performers.
2. The Cango Caves
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,151 reviews
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!
3. Highgate Ostrich Show Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 966 reviews
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.
4. Safari Ostrich Show Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,566 reviews
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.
5. Cango Wildlife Ranch
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,295 reviews
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. Swartberg Pass
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,633 reviews
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.
7. Wilgewandel Holiday Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 332 reviews
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!
8. Waterval Rust en Vrede
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 92 reviews
Reviewed By 84margitk
A very recomendable thing to visit. From the gate (entrance fee 61 Rand for 1 to 4 people) it's a 2.5 km drive on a gravel road, then 300 m walking over various bridges - this es fun! At the parking there is a picnic area. Friendly staff at the gate.
9. C.P Nel Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 177 reviews
A synagogue and other Jewish attractions are inside this quaint museum located across from the Tourist Information Bureau.
Reviewed By Bansteadfamily
This is very easy to miss or give a miss. But don't!!! It is worth spending a happy one to two hours here. A huge collection of memorabilia from Oudtshoorn. Also a history of the area plus it includes the original old synagogue relocated into a wing of this museum. The old museum building itself is worth the visit. Definitely worth a visit.
10. Cango Ostrich Show Farm
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 588 reviews
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.
