Oudtshoorn Navigation

About Oudtshoorn

Oudtshoorn is situated in the Western Cape of South Africa. Oudtshoorn backpacking tours are a highlight of any Cape adventure and offer a range of attractions for visitors.

Oudtshoorn Budget Travel

Oudtshoorn budget travel is very easy with great value for money backpacking tours and fantastic highlights. Below is useful information on Oudtshoorn to help you plan your budget holiday in Oudtshoorn. We offer a variety of budget tours and backpacking advice in Oudtshoorn.

Airports

Oudtshoorn airports include the following:
• Cape Town International Airport
• Oudtshoorn Airport

Birdlife

Oudtshoorn birdlife is mostly synonymous with ostriches - the large flightless birds which are farmed in the region for meat, leather and feathers. Other species to be seen includes African Fish Eagle, Pale Chanting Goshawk, Jackal Buzzard, Barn Owl, Cape Robin, Karoo Robin, Egyptian Goose, Reed Cormorant and Peacock.

Conservation

Oudtshoorn conservation is very developed, with a number of wildlife and nature reserves found within the region. Key reserves include the Cango Wildlife Ranch, plus the nearby Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, Meiringspoort Nature Reserve, Swartberg Reserve and Gamkaberg Reserve.

Malaria

Oudtshoorn is a malaria free zone, so you will not have to worry about malaria medication, unless you are planning to travel to a malaria zone in South Africa or to a known malaria zone country in Africa. If you are travelling to a malaria zone after your visit to Oudtshoorn, talk to a local doctor about malaria medication you will need to take.

Money

Oudtshoorn money and banking info includes the following:
• Banks and ATMs can be found across the town
• Credit cards are accepted at some outlets, but not every outlet
• Currency can be exchanged at the airport or banks
• Travelers cheques can be exchanged at the airport or banks, at varying rates

Plants

Oudtshoorn plant life is rich and varied, with a number of vegetation regions ranging from mountain fynbos, dry fynbos, fire-prone transitional shrub and woodlands, succulents and tracts of shrub, to patches of indigenous forests in the kloofs.

Safety Tips

• Oudtshoorn is a very safe and friendly place to visit
• Crime is almost non-existent in this small sleepy town
• Just to be on the safe side and to avoid tempation, do not leave valuables lying around in cars or hotel rooms
• Do not ever wander off alone during a Cango Cave tour - and listen to your guide at all times
• Take basic precautions around wild animals, and be wary around the ostriches - these birds have quite a kick!

Travel Books

Oudtshoorn recommended travel books include the following:
• The Geology of the Cango caves, Oudtshoorn, C.P. by Lester Charles King
• The Garden Route and Little Karoo by Leon Nell
• Guide to the Little Karoo, Route 62 and Overberg by Brent Naude-Moseley and Steve Moseley
• Oudtshoorn: A Visitor's Guide to the Ostrich Capital of the World by Leon Nell
• The Rough Guide to Cape Town & the Garden Route by Tony Pinchuck and Barbara McCrea

Visa Requirements

Get more information on visas in South Africa

Wildlife

A number of Oudtshoorn wildlife can be seen at the Cango Wildlife Ranch, as well as the nearby Sanbona Wildlife Reserve. Species to be seen ranges from typical game found in the Little Karoo area such as red hartebeest, eland, klipspringer, duiker and zebra, as well as lion, cheetah, Madagascar lemur, tiger and many other species.

5 Overland tours through Oudtshoorn recommended for you

Discover South Africa

20 days From ZAR 17950

Johannesburg to Cape Town

Durban to Cape Town

13 days From ZAR 12650

Durban to Cape Town

Garden Route Discoverer

7 days From ZAR 4950

Cape Town to Port Elizabeth

Cape Town and Garden Route

7 days From ZAR 5500

Cape Town to Cape Town

Short Garden Route Safari

5 days From ZAR 4600

Cape Town to Port Elizabeth

Recent Feedback

I consider every moment of Overlanding Africa's efforts to have surpassed my hopes and expectations. T.J. and Bervin, our crew, were knowledgeable, kind, and genuine. I felt s...

— Diane P from United States

Thanks much. I'm really tickled I discovered you folks. Again I say: "you rock!". (To shamelessly borrow your company's response, to some of our initial inquiries.)

— John C. (65) from United States

(East Africa Private Charter Trip) Steve our driver... Wow what an amazing, patient driver!!! We felt very very safe with his driving - and on such difficult roads! I couldn't beli...

— Anne M from South Africa

(East Africa Private Charter Trip) Moffat our cook was such a kind, nurturing cook! We called him our chef - or "comrade chef"! He had to deal with 2 vegetarians, 1 vegan who didn'...

— Anne M from South Africa

(East Africa Private Charter Trip) About the crew: These guys were our heroes! First, Kevin our tour leader, was confident, professional, experienced, calm, focused, collaborative...

— Anne M from South Africa

We are back from our trip! *(East Africa Private Charter Trip)* I had to write you and thank you PROFUSELY for all your help in setting up the trip and guiding us on our itinerary....

— Anne M from South Africa

I am planning to travel to Africa within the next 2 months and have reading all the complimentary comments. If it is all true I am keen to be pursuaded your way. Please tell me mo...

— Shirley Miller from United Kingdom

Re Newsletter: This article certainly got my attention and I have saved much of the content. Just to let you know that you are reaching me and that I am paying attention!!! :)

— Ruth from United States

Checked out the Overlanding Africa website the other day - what a fantastic site! Such a shame I didn't find it before I started this trip, has a great design and loads of valuabl...

— Sonya from Australia

I will definitely recommend your services!!

— Perrick from France

Thank you again for making our trip as wonderful as it was

— Rick C. from United States

We spent 4 nights at the Mandela Rhodes Hotel in Cape Town and I highly recommend it!

— Rick C. from United States

The boys and I had an absolutely fantastic time in South Africa. Your country is so beautiful, the folks there so nice and accommodating and the trip you put together for us was s...

— Rick C. from United States

I wanted to go to Africa ever since I can remember and going there last month far exceeded my expectations and then some! Louise was so quick to respond to any query I had and the ...

— Anne B (27) from Ireland

The trip was outstanding. Our two guides Albert and Sydney were superb in every way - interest flora and fauna - amazing organization and as people wonderful to meet. We got to pla...

— Tessa Z from Israel

Thank you for making my booking so easy and for the advice you gave me about my stay in Jo'burg too, it really made the entire experience so much more enjoyable. I've already recom...

— Tamsin C (21) from United Kingdom

I did have a great trip, thank you! I was satisfied with your services on such late notice. You were great and I'm just very pleased that you went the extra mile to get me on this ...

— Rannelle M. (32) from United States

…yes there is something else! Always I ask you a question I get a prompt and useful answer! This is the way I like it! You make things so much easier for me. Can I invite you for...

— Dr. Michael T. (49) from Germany

...it was "ABSOLUTELY AMAZING"... from start to end we were taken care of and along the way we made more friends.

— Jaz O (40) from United Kingdom

In regard to the trip, it was "ABSOLUTELY AMAZING", and if wasnt for your exceptional service and last minute request from myself, you got me this perfect adventure at my price and...

— Jaz O (40) from United Kingdom

Go to all feedback