This charming town in the Western Cape Province of South Africa claims to have four summers a year, with the highest number of sunny days in the country. A great destination all year round, Oudtshoorn gives its guests a taste of the semi-desert Klein Karoo (Little Karoo) region, its unique culture, and warm hospitality. A visit to this great destination is incomplete without a drive to one of the most visited sites in South Africa, Cango Caves. This world-class show cave is a natural landmark that offers a memorable experience for its guests.
- Oudtshoorn is the best place in the country to see the largest birds on earth - ostriches. These powerful, flightless birds reach the fastest land speeds of any bird, standing up to 2.8 m (9 feet) tall.
- The most popular destination in the Oudtshoorn area is without a doubt the 20 million-year-old Cango Caves, an experience not to be missed.
- Outdoor and adventure activities in and around Oudtshoorn, with attractions including the scenic Swartberg Mountains, meerkat tours, nature reserves, and walking trails.
Cango Caves is a cultural and heritage landmark and is South Africa's very oldest tourist attraction. Considered to be right up there with some of the world's greatest natural wonders, these subterranean chambers and limestone formations were sculpted by nature over thousands of years creating an other-worldly wonderland in the depths of the earth.
Oudtshoorn falls within the Garden Route district in the northeast of the Western Cape, South Africa. The agricultural hub is nestled in the valley between the Outeniqua Mountains and the Great Swartberg range. In the Swartberg Mountains, 30 km north of Oudtshoorn, you’ll find the Cango Caves, one of the most visited sites in the country.
The dripstone caverns feature incredible examples of stalactites and stalagmites that you’ll see as you wander through the series of hidden chambers at Cango Caves. The number of visitors on every tour are limited in an effort to preserve the site. Of the two tours available, one is known as the easier Heritage Tour and the second is the Adventure Tour.
The Adventure Tour takes you into intriguing sections of the caves, such as King Solomon's Mine, the Devil's Chimney, the Lost Chamber, Jacob's Ladder the Coffin, and the Devil's Kitchen, with a final leopard crawl through a narrow passage to reach the exit. Not for the faint-hearted!
The vast 1,2km caverns of Cango are open to the public, while the rest of the hidden chambers which stretch 5,3km into the earth are closed to the public. New caves and secret passageways are still being discovered today.
The ostrich feather boom in the late 1800s and early 1900s made this dusty arid region the prime destination to acquire these gorgeous and highly fashionable feathers. The high demand for these fluffy accessories by Europe's elite saw the rise of the feather barons and the building of feather palaces in and around the Klein Karoo town of Oudtshoorn. At the height of its heyday, a pair of ostrich feathers could fetch up to $1500 a pair. Today the demand for feathers has significantly declined and the industry relies more on the production of ostrich meat and leather to drive profits, as well as tourism.
Although ostriches are its most well-known wildlife residents, meerkats also call the surrounding semi-desert regions of Oudtshoorn home. A sunrise or sunset walking tour is the best way to get up close with these shy mammals. Other species in Oudtshoorn include springbok, Cape Mountain zebra, Karoo eland, black wildebeest, Karoo rat, and aardwolf. For fans of big cats, the Cango Wildlife Ranch has cheetahs, white tigers, and jaguars among others.
The best time to visit Oudtshoorn is between January and May and between August and December when the weather is warm. The town mostly maintains warm and sunny weather conditions throughout the year, making it a great destination regardless of when you plan to visit.
Oudtshoorn is a semi-arid area, receiving almost no rain and having clear skies all year around.
Summer sees high temperatures ranging between 16.2°C and 27.7°C during the day. In Winter, temperatures drop to a chilly 7.3°C, especially in the mornings and at night, and rise in the daytime to 16.8°C.
Our tours to Oudtshoorn all combine it with the renowned Garden Route area of South Africa - a beautiful region, ideal for outdoor lovers and adventure seekers.
The cost of the tour will depend on the duration of your visit, starting point, the number of people in your group, and your travel style. Tours range between US $836 per person for a 3-day tour and US $3619 per person for a 20-day tour. These costs usually include your transport, meals, and accommodation.
Entrance fees for Cango Caves range from US $7 for children and $10 for adults for the Heritage Tour to US $10 for children and $13 for adults for the Adventure Tour.
African Budget Safaris has tour options that include Oudtshoorn and Cango Caves, ranging from 3 to 20 days in length. Contact African Budget Safaris to speak to an experienced safari consultant and receive recommendations based on your specific needs.
There are different options for traveling to Oudtshoorn and Cango Caves. The international airports in Johannesburg and Cape Town offer flights to George, which is an hour’s drive from Oudtshoorn.
If you’re in Cape Town and would like to take a road trip, the drive will take about 5 hours and offers scenic views.
Known for its warm hospitality and hearty local cuisine, the town of Oudtshoorn offers a great range of accommodations to suit all requirements. You can choose from highly rated hotels and guesthouses to quaint B&Bs and tented accommodations for a Karoo getaway like no other.
Pack sensible footwear, a sun hat, and light clothing because the Klein Karoo gets very warm. Tightly woven, loose-fitting clothes will help protect you from the sun. Regardless of the time of year, you will need sunscreen to protect your skin from sun damage.
The Oudtshoorn area has warm to high temperatures and prolonged exposure to the sun can cause exhaustion and heat cramps. Be sure to stay hydrated, wear a hat, stay in the shade as much as possible, and apply sunscreen.
At Cango Caves, stay on the designated routes and areas and avoid entering dark areas. Stick with your group and pay attention to your guide at all times.
Complete your visit to Oudtshoorn with a stop at a working ostrich farm.
Visit the souvenir shop at the Cango Caves administration center to get a gift or originally crafted collectible.
When visiting Cango Caves, stop in at the Spekboom restaurant to enjoy freshly prepared meals with the local flavor.
Learn about the Ostrich trade and the history of the Klein Karoo people at the CP Nel Museum.
Enjoy a safari at the Cango Wildlife Ranch, Gamkaberg Nature Reserve, and the scenic Rust en Vrede Waterfall.
Go on a Meerkat Adventure. Enjoy a guided tour of the burrows that these little animals call home.
Wine lovers, Karusa Winery and Grundheim Cellar offer a chance to taste local wines and enjoy cellar tours.
The Guarrie Trail is a treat for those who would like to explore on foot while 4x4 superfans can get an adrenaline rush at Minwater Eco Adventures.
Oudtshoorn promises clear skies throughout the year but it wouldn’t hurt to check the weather when packing for your trip. To help you out, we have put together a rough forecast of the weather month-by-month. We’ve tried to be as accurate as possible, but Mother Nature has the last say.
Temperatures reach intense highs in Summer, making it important to find shade and stay hydrated. February is the warmest month with temperatures reaching a high of 28°C and a low of 16.3°C. The Cango Caves offer a natural escape from the heat while also providing a cultural experience for visitors.
March marks the beginning of Autumn with moderately hot temperatures reading a high of 28°C. From April, the weather changes from warm to pleasant with cooler night temperatures
Winter starts in June although the weather is still comfortable at this point. July is the coldest month with temperatures reaching a high of 16.8°C and dropping to a low of 7.3°C.
Spring brings pleasant weather in Oudtshoorn with temperatures reaching a high of 23.8°C and a low of 8.7°C. This also marks the start of the “rainy season” in the semi-arid town.
The Cango Caves were discovered in 1780 by a farmer while he was searching for his lost livestock. In 1898 the first official guide to the caves, Johnny van Wassenaer, reportedly walked for 25 hours into the cave along an underground river and is estimated to have ventured about 25 km into the depths of this mysterious underground world.
Cango Caves will satisfy the adventurous spirit in anyone and leave you in awe of nature's beauty and timeless power.
Contact African Budget Safaris to plan your tour to Oudtshoorn and the underground wonder that is the Cango Caves. We have helpful and friendly travel experts that are ready to answer all your questions and design a custom trip tailored to your unique needs and budget. Get in touch with us today and set off on a South African adventure of a lifetime.
Use the Google map to explore Oudtshoorn & Cango Caves.