Oudshoorn

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Oudshoorn is the largest village in the semi-desert Kleine Karoo, and lies between the Swartberg and the Outeniekwabergen. The city is known as the center of ostrich farming, and as the host city of die Klein Karoo Niemeale Kunstefees, an important African-language cultural event.

Other tourist attractions are the Cango Caves, the Swartberge and the nearby Wild Life Range. Oudtshoorn was named after Pieter van Reede van Oudtshoorn and the city was at its peak of it’s fame when at the end of the 19th century every woman in the Western Hemisphere was adorned with an ostrich feather.

In the heart of the center of Oudshoorn there is a reasonably large taxi rank.

Oudshoorn - George: taxis (public or black) leave from the taxi stand when they are full. Duration is about 45 minutes and the costs are 50R.

Besides the fact that you can eat well in the hostel (see below) there are quite a few nice but expensive restaurants in

Oudshoorn. Most are located in the main street Baron van Rheede.

• Name: Backpackers Paradise

Address: 148 Baron van Rheede street

Price: 90R (camping) / 130R (dormitory)

Phone nr. : 044 272 3436

Website: www.backpackersparadise.net

Content:

Something from the center but in the main street is this beautiful very professional backpackers paradise. There are three large blocks of buildings; the first of which is the café, restaurant, reception and braai (bbq) function. You can use WIFI for free here and book your tours (see general) that are offered frequently and professionally. You will also receive some discount coupons. The second building is for dormitories while the third contains the other rooms (single/double) and has a balcony on the road where you can enjoy the beautiful sunset.

Marius and his wife run the company with some volunteers and permanent staff. You can order an ostrich dinner here for 85R, shuttle buses to George for 150R and there is free coffee and tea. There is also breakfast (if you want) and you can sit by the camp fire at the bar in the evening. Everything you need is there in the kitchen. Camping is on a small field in front of the dormitory building with fine grass but less shelter. There is a small swimming pool and there is a hammock.

CANGO WILDLIFE RANCH:

• Basic tour entrance: 140R (you get a 10% discount with the receipt of the hostel)
• Premium tour entrance: 270R (the basic tour with a meeting of your choice with a wild animal) - no discount)
• Only a meeting with a wild animal costs 180R
• The crocodile cage costs 220R.

The tour takes about 1.5 hours and the guide takes you through a number of rooms where he/she explains everything about the animals in question. You can take photos everywhere. After the tour you are free to go and stand where you want; you can spend time in the snake or reptile house and other areas where there are monkeys, birds and other animals (like bats).

The encounter with a young or adult cheetah is about 5 to 7 minutes. You can leave your bag in a small locker and three employees go into the cage. Your hands are sprayed and you have to put your shoes in the anti-bacterial water. You should not approach the beast from the front but always from behind (or sides). The cheetah may be stroked upside down, back and side but not at its tail, head or stomach. Photos are taken by a photographer (one can be picked up for free) and he can also take photos with your own camera.

At the restaurant (there are also snack shops) you can order a dish with a crocodile burger for 78R. You get salad  vegetables and fries here.

Ostrich farm:

Costs of a 45-minute tour are around 85R p.p. With a discount voucher from the above-mentioned hostel you get the tour offered for 45R. For a ride on an ostrich you have to weigh under 75kg.

TOURS offered by Backpackers Paradise:

• A) You are taken to the top of the Swartberg Pass from where you cycle back to the hostel on a borrowed bike. On the way back you can go to the Cango caves, camels and / or Cango ostrich farm, tea garden (lunch and swimming) and the wildlife ranch - costs 450R.
• B) You will be taken to the Cango caves, where you will return your bike yourself on a borrowed bike. See A for more options on the way back - costs 290R
• C) You will be taken to the Cango Ostrich Farm from where you can return your bike yourself on a borrowed bicycle. See A for more options on the way back - costs 250R.
• D) This option gives you the chance to go with a van to the Cango caves, Cango ostrich farm or Wildlife Ranch - costs 150R.