The business centre for the Klein Karoo, Oudtshoorn is famous the world over for its ostrich farms. Meat and feathers have been farmed here for decades and a visit to one of the farms is a must.
Oudshoorn sits inland in the Western Cape province and is an important ecological area with three plant biomes (succulent Karoo, Cape Thicket and Fynbos) cover the area. It is between the Swartberg and Outeniqua mountains and is also home to the natural wonder of the Cango Caves. These have been sculpted from the underground rocks over millions of years and offer the visitor a magical journey through underground caverns and limestone formations. They are 1600m long and were declared a National Monument in 1938.
The town of Oudtshoorn has many tourist facilities but most of the accomodation is out on the farms and in guest houses.
Scenic drives can be taken in any direction with the Swartberg Mountains providing a spectacular backdrop. Passes through these mountains now link this area of Klein Karoo to the Great Karoo and are well worth the detour for dramatic scenery. The 27km Swartberg Pass is one of the finest mountain passes in the world and winds to the summit 1583m above sea level - it can become snow covered in the winter months.
