Oudtshoorn Things to Do Tips by Jenniflower

Camel Rides at Wilgewandel Restaurants

Many people like to ride the ostriches. I gather they arent aware of the permanent damage the ostriches sustain when ridden? I do wish this sport was stopped.

They are strong animals and adults can ride on them, but their ankles are thin, and, over time, become damaged, and they are unable to run.

A good option then is to rather ride camels!!!

There are quite a few around Oudtshoorn, one being at Wilgewandel.. which has restaurants, rides and antiques.

Wilgewandel Holiday Farm is close by, with more camel rides, an obstacle course, 100m foefie slide, mountain bike and walking trails, donkey cart trips, boat trips, trampolines and accommodation. Great for the kids!

Wilgewandel Restaurants is more for the passer-by.

Directions: Couple km from Cango Caves, heading back to Oudtshoorn

Website: http://www.wilgewandel.co.za

Cango Caves ~ an overview

This was something I had always wanted to do! The caves have been declared a National Monument and has breathtaking beauty and charm.

The tunnels, halls (called 'phreatic chambers') and rock formations here are formed of limestone and rock, after many thousands of years of water dripping into the cave through cracks.

The cave itself is 5.3km in length, with some massive halls and smaller and narrower tunnels. The speleothems, stalagtites and stalagmites (please excuse my spelling?) are awesome, as are the crystal and flow structures.

A standard tour can be done in one hour, or a more involved adventure (and dirty!) tour and a half hours... but you need to be rather slim to do this one! I opted out ;)

The tour guide was very good and knew his stuff... although he did tell a few 'trying-to-be-funny' stories too... but some people enjoy that I guess! We tipped him R10 when we exited as a thank you.

Address: Cano Valley, Swartberg Mountains

Directions: The Cango Caves are situated within the Swartberg Mountains, about 28km from Oudtshoorn itself.

Other Contact: reservations@cangocaves.co.za

Phone: +27 (0)44 272-7410

Website: http://www.cangocaves.co.za

Cango Wildlife Ranch

The Cango Wildlife Ranch is a particular favourite for visitors, especially those with kids!

They have ostriches to ride on, cheetahs, Pygmy hippos, Nile crocodiles, white lions, Madagascar Ring-tailed Lemur, Campbell ducks, King Cobras and even Bengal tigers.

On their website they say 'Welcome to Cango Wildlife Ranch the conservation heart of the Little Karoo'

And they mean it.

They are a big part of the conservation process of various animals.. and many animals here arent local (South African, or even African!) animals, as seen in the list above.

They have breeding programs too, whcih mean some animals are only here for s short time, during their breeding season.

THE CHEETAH CONSERVATION FOUNDATION

This foundation was founded in 1988 and aims to ensure the survival of the cheetah and other endangered species. It is a registered non-profit organisation and depends on private funding and visitors to pay for the upkeep and ongoing running of the program.

They have an 'adopt a cheetah' facility, which is an excellent way to bring funds in for the cheetahs.

Address: Baron Van Reede Sreet (R328)

Directions: Just outside the town itself.

Other Contact: reservations@cango.co.za

Phone: + 27 (0)44 272 5593

Website: http://www.cango.co.za

Ostrich farms

You cannot come to the town of Oudtshoorn and not visit an ostrich farm! The Wildlife Ranch is a popular one to visit.

The South African ostrich farming industry is centred here.

They have lovely things for the kids to visit, go for rides etc... and are educational and fun. Adults riding them does damage their thin ankles and hinders their running ability, so I wouldnt personally ride them.

Many visitors do though.

After visiting a farm one realises how magnificent these huge flightless birds are, and how we should be wary of them... they run very fast and can hurt people quite easily. They stand taller than the average man and weigh about 150 kg.

Address: Baron Van Reede Sreet (R328)

Directions: Not too far outside the town itself.

Other Contact: reservations@cango.co.za

Phone: + 27 (0)44 272 5593

Website: http://www.cango.co.za