Oudtshoorn, Karoo

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Western Cape Destinations

Oudtshoorn, Karoo

Oudtshoorn
Oudtshoorn, Karoo

Visit Oudtshoorn, the principal town of the Little Karoo, where you will be welcomed with hospitality which has become synonymous with the people of the Klein Karoo. The Klein Karoo is an oasis-like setting in a fertile valley cupped by the Swartberg and Outeniqua mountain ranges, and originated as a settlement along the Grobbelaars Rivers which meanders southwards from the Swartberg, providing fertile soil and water for irrigation. Crops such as lucerne, tobacco, fruit, grapes and grains grow here in abundance.

Outdshoorn is a town with the most sunny days per year in the whole country, 365 sunshine days, 4 summers and sunny, dry winters await the visitor to the Klein Karoo. Shielded from the coastal belt by the mountain ranges the Klein Karoo also enjoys many windless days.

Oudtshoorn, Karoo
Oudtshoorn is situated on the edge of the Garden Route, between the Outeniqua and Swartberg Mountain Passes. Oudtshoorn is also a wonderful exciting halfway stopover when traveling between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, with the coastal town of George about 56 km's away. Oudtshoorn is spread along both banks of the Grobbelaars River, a tributary of the Elephant's River, and its fertile valleys are encompassed by the Swartberg Mountains to the north and the Outeniqua Mountains to the south.

One of South Africa's eight wine regions, the Klein Karoo is large in area but small in production and these wines are classed with the best in the South African Context. Visit numerous estates on the Klein Karoo Wine Route from Montagu in the West to Meiringspoort in the East.

Oudtshoorn, Karoo
First class hotels, lodges, inns and guesthouses await the visitor. Enjoy the relaxed, friendly, hospitable atmosphere offered in town or at various surrounding farms.

Experience the joy of life in the country and breathe in the healthy, unpolluted air. Taste the art of the fine local wines and dine on the excellent cuisine of restaurateurs from a five course meal which could include Ostrich, to a delightful lighter meal, all exquisitely available to satisfy every taste

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Featured Attractions in (or near) Oudtshoorn

Anysberg Nature Reserve

Anysberg Nature Reserve lies in the Little Karoo between Ladismith, Laingsburg, Touwsrivier and Montagu, and is approximately four hours drive from Cape Town. The Anysberg reserve offers the visitor some of the most striking scenery in the Karoo as well as fascinating wildlife and plants and various ... more information

Cango Caves

Almost 30 kilometres outside of Outshoorn in the Klein Karoo, and certainly one of the main reasons for placing this little town on your itinerary, other than the prospect of riding an ostrich, lie the Cango Caves, some of the biggest stalagmite formations in the world set in Precambrian times ... more information

Gamkaberg Nature Reserve

Lying in the Little Karoo is the remote Gamka mountain range, isolated because of the conduit of the Gouritz River that slices between the Gamkaberg, and its nearest neighbour, the Rooiberg. The Gamkaberg Nature Reserve encompasses almost the whole mountain range, established in 1974 to ... more information

Kammanassie Nature Reserve

Lying in the Little Karoo between the Swartberg and Outeniqua Mountains, lies an inselberg or monadnock - an isolated hill or small mountain that rises abruptly from the surrounding plain - called Kammanassie Mountain. The entire mountain catchment area, and a large portion of state land, make up almost ... more information

Little Karoo Wine Route

A little surprising, perhaps - that grapes can grow in a semi-arid area - but grow they do in this region, renowned for its extremes in soils and climate. Despite the low rainfall for the area, viticulture happens in the riverine sites, kloofs and valleys of its spectacularly rugged mountains and produces ... more information

Oudtshoorn Golf Course

The Oudtshoorn Golf Course is stuated in the Little Karoo, and forms an oasis of green fairways in the dry scrubland that is so characteristic of the area. The Little Karoo is a far cry from a true desert and occasionally good rains are experienced. During extended dry periods the course is ... more information

Route 62

Route 62 is modeled after the iconic US Route 66, made famous by the late, great Nat King Cole in the song of the mid 20th century. Travelers headed for the Garden Route will find that Route 62 offers a better alternative to the dull N2 motorway between Cape Town and George, being more scenic and ... more information

Swartberg Nature Reserve

The Swartberg Nature Reserve lies in the Oudtshoorn district between the Great Karoo and Little Karoo, bordered by the Gamka River in the west and the Uniondale / Willowmore road in the east. The Swartberg Reserve encompasses 121,000 heactares of mostly state-owned land. Gamkapoort ... more information

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Things To Do in Oudtshoorn

Cango Caves Tours

Where: Oudtshoorn
How much (per person): R1 to R100

The Cango Caves are a series of dripstone caverns that open into vast halls of towering stalagmite formations with names like ‘the bridal co ... more information

Ride an Ostrich at Ostrich Show Farm

Where: Oudtshoorn
How much (per person): not specified

To ride an Ostrich, visit one of the Ostrich Show Farms in Oudtshoorn, South Africa. Here you can observe large flocks of Ostriches at diffe ... more information

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Events and/or Festivals in Oudtshoorn

event starts: 14 August 2010
August
TBC

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On Holiday in Oudtshoorn

Oudtshoorn Map
Cango Caves - A Visitors Perspective
Oudtshoorn Accommodation
Oudtshoorn Bed and Breakfast
Oudtshoorn Guest Houses
Oudtshoorn Hotels
Oudtshoorn Self Catering
Oudtshoorn Family Friendly

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Visiting Oudtshoorn?
Also see Things To Do in Karoo or check out Things To Do in Western Cape to view activities by category, including watersports, sightseeing activities, arts & crafts and many, many more.

South Africa is one of the most diverse and enchanting countries in the world. With eight world heritage sites, a multitude of game reserves and national parks, over 1350 ha of national botanical gardens, and exotic combinations of landscapes, people, history and culture, South Africa offers the traveller a unique and inspiring experience. To start planning your holiday click here to find accommodation in South Africa. Enjoy your stay in Oudtshoorn!
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