Oudtshoorn:  A small settler town in the area known as the “Little Karoo” on the banks of the Grobbelaars River. It owes much of its origin to the ostriches that roamed naturally in the area. The ostrich adapted itself well to the semi-desert habitat and just before the turn of the century, their feathers were highly sought after to embellish the Art Nouveau styles of the time. Farmers domesticated them, making fortunes shipping their plumes to Europe, and processing their meat. Unique sandstone “feather palaces” were built until the austerities of First World War, and changes in fashion, brought an end to this era.

Cango Caves:  In the limestone foothills of the Swartberg mountains a cave system was first discovered by the Bushmen people who inhabited the area. It was in 1780, that a herdsman discovered that the primary caves where Bushmen paintings were found was only the tip of a series of chambers filled with remarkable dripstone formations.

HOTELS & LODGES IN THE OUDSTHOORN AREA
MAP OF SOUTH AFRICA