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South Africa🇿🇦 | townsOudtshoornCango limestone caves, ostrich farms, feather palaces, meerkat dawn | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Oudtshoorn
🌟 Highlighttown ranked #7
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Oudtshoorn once ran on ostrich feathers, and the 1900s boom built sandstone mansions for the farmers who sold them; today the money comes from ostrich meat, leather and tourists. You’ll find it in the Little Karoo of South Africa, inland from the Garden Route, a long drive north over the Outeniqua Pass. Skip the souvenir-heavy ostrich show farms that feel staged; the Cango Caves and the Swartberg Pass justify the stop. Getting here is easy by car, harder without one. Hostels are friendly and small, so meeting people is simple, though evenings are quiet. I paid about US$7 for an ostrich burger at a farm stall and would order it again. Hikers, drivers and slow travelers will like it most; nightlife seekers and anyone without a free day or two won’t.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #7 town in South AfricaWhat makes it a must-see town

Oudtshoorn works because it puts a very different landscape within easy reach of the coast. Most backpackers spend two or three nights here, using it as a base for the Cango Caves, the dramatic switchbacks of the Swartberg Pass and the dry, red hills of the Little Karoo. The town itself is small and walkable, with a few guesthouses and hostels that have pools, which matter in a place that gets properly hot. Evenings revolve around braais, a handful of restaurants and swapping plans with other guests rather than clubbing. That suits solo travelers, because shared day trips and lift-sharing happen naturally. It also suits hikers and drivers who want mountain scenery without a long approach. If you need a big social scene or lots of urban sights, a night or two is plenty, and you can move on to Cape Town or the coast without regret.

💡 HighlightsEssential experiences to have while visiting Oudtshoorn

  1. Cango Caves: The town’s best-known sight, about 30 km north, with huge limestone chambers and guided tours. The standard tour runs about an hour at roughly US$14, the longer adventure tour with tight squeezes costs around US$18. Go in the morning, when tour groups are smaller.
  2. CP Nel Museum: Housed in a sandstone building, it explains the feather boom, with period rooms and ostrich displays. Allow 1 hour, entry around US$2 to 3. Visit midday when the heat is high.
  3. Safari Ostrich Show Farm: One of the more informative farm visits, with a guided tour covering ostrich breeding, feathers and eggs. Tours take about 1 hour and cost roughly US$14 to 17. Go in the morning when the birds are active.
  4. Feather Palaces: Walk or drive past the sandstone mansions built by wealthy farmers around the early 1900s,
… read more 👉
  1. Cango Caves: The town’s best-known sight, about 30 km north, with huge limestone chambers and guided tours. The standard tour runs about an hour at roughly US$14, the longer adventure tour with tight squeezes costs around US$18. Go in the morning, when tour groups are smaller.
  2. CP Nel Museum: Housed in a sandstone building, it explains the feather boom, with period rooms and ostrich displays. Allow 1 hour, entry around US$2 to 3. Visit midday when the heat is high.
  3. Safari Ostrich Show Farm: One of the more informative farm visits, with a guided tour covering ostrich breeding, feathers and eggs. Tours take about 1 hour and cost roughly US$14 to 17. Go in the morning when the birds are active.
  4. Feather Palaces: Walk or drive past the sandstone mansions built by wealthy farmers around the early 1900s, such as Pierneef and Greyling-style homes now serving as guesthouses. The streets are free to see, and a loop takes 30 to 45 minutes. Late afternoon light is best.
  5. Meerkat Adventures: A pre-dawn trip to sit among a habituated colony of wild meerkats as they warm up in the sun. It takes 2 to 3 hours and costs about US$40 to 50.
For day trips, drive the Swartberg Pass to Prince Albert, walk through Meiringspoort gorge, or visit the Gamkaskloof valley, known as Die Hel. The Cango Caves tours and Meerkat Adventures are best booked a day or more ahead in busy periods, while the museum and farms accept walk-ins.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Oudtshoorn

Swartberg Pass,Prince Albert & Meiringspoort Daytrip

Swartberg Pass,Prince Albert & Meiringspoort Daytrip

5.0(56)
From €194
per personViator
7-Day Garden Route Safari Adventure from Cape Town

7-Day Garden Route Safari Adventure from Cape Town

5.0(20) 168h
From €545
per personViator
10 Day Cape & Garden Route Tour Combo with add-on accommodation

10 Day Cape & Garden Route Tour Combo with add-on accommodation

5.0(12) 240h
From €1,354
per personViator
Oudtshoorn Cango Caves and Ostrich Experience with Lunch

Oudtshoorn Cango Caves and Ostrich Experience with Lunch

5.0(10) 5h 30m
From €111
per personViator
7- 10 Days Tour Package Cape Town and Garden Route

7- 10 Days Tour Package Cape Town and Garden Route

5.0(9) 168h
From €998
per personViator
Full-Day Swartberg Mountain PRIVATE Tour (including lunch and transfers)

Full-Day Swartberg Mountain PRIVATE Tour (including lunch and transfers)

5.0(9)
From €233
per personViator
Klein Karoo "High 5" Stargazing Experience in Oudtshoorn

Klein Karoo "High 5" Stargazing Experience in Oudtshoorn

5.0(8) 1h
From €75
per personViator
4 Day Garden Route Tour from CapeTown Small Group Hiking and Game

4 Day Garden Route Tour from CapeTown Small Group Hiking and Game

5.0(7) 96h
From €1,139
per personViator
Garden Route and Addo National Park 4 Day Safari

Garden Route and Addo National Park 4 Day Safari

5.0(6) 96h
From €1,342
per personViator
Small Group 3 Day Garden Route Adventure from Cape Town

Small Group 3 Day Garden Route Adventure from Cape Town

5.0(5) 72h
From €993
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🏘️ NeighborhoodsUnderstanding the local layout

Oudtshoorn is compact, and the parts worth your time sit within a few kilometers of each other.
  • Central Oudtshoorn (around Church and High Streets): Skip nothing here. The sandstone “feather palaces” from the ostrich boom, the CP Nel Museum and the cafes on Baron van Reede Street are all walkable in a morning. Eat ostrich steak or a burger at a local grill. It is quiet after dark, with a few bars and little else.
  • Baron van Reede Street strip: The main drag for restaurants and small guesthouses. Worth an evening, but the nightlife is low-key and mostly ends by 10 pm.
  • Along the Route 62 and Cango Caves road (R328): This is where the ostrich farms and the Cango Caves entrance sit, 15 to 30 km north. You need a car, shuttle or tour. The farms are touristy but fun, and the caves are the one big-ticket
… read more 👉
Oudtshoorn is compact, and the parts worth your time sit within a few kilometers of each other.
  • Central Oudtshoorn (around Church and High Streets): Skip nothing here. The sandstone “feather palaces” from the ostrich boom, the CP Nel Museum and the cafes on Baron van Reede Street are all walkable in a morning. Eat ostrich steak or a burger at a local grill. It is quiet after dark, with a few bars and little else.
  • Baron van Reede Street strip: The main drag for restaurants and small guesthouses. Worth an evening, but the nightlife is low-key and mostly ends by 10 pm.
  • Along the Route 62 and Cango Caves road (R328): This is where the ostrich farms and the Cango Caves entrance sit, 15 to 30 km north. You need a car, shuttle or tour. The farms are touristy but fun, and the caves are the one big-ticket stop I would not skip.
  • Bridgton and Bongolethu townships: Guided township tours give useful context on local life, but they are not a wander-on-your-own area. Go with a local guide or not at all.
  • Industrial edges and the N12 outskirts: Nothing to see. Pass through.

⌛️ 1 day1-day itinerary for Oudtshoorn

7:30 AM: Cango Caves. Start here because the tour groups arrive later and the cave stays cool while the Karoo outside heats up. Take the hourly guided tour, then drive back toward town.
10:30 AM: Safari Ostrich Show Farm. Join the guided tour to learn how the birds are raised, and hold an egg. It is a short drive from the caves and an easy way to understand the local economy.
12:30 PM: Lunch on Baron van Reede Street. Order an ostrich fillet or burger at a local café, and rest in the shade through the hottest hours.
2:00 PM: CP Nel Museum. A walk of a few minutes from the center gets you here. The displays on the feather boom explain why the town looks the way it does.
3:30 PM: Feather Palaces. Stroll the nearby streets past the sandstone mansions. Look for the ornate gables and ironwork on the … read more 👉
7:30 AM: Cango Caves. Start here because the tour groups arrive later and the cave stays cool while the Karoo outside heats up. Take the hourly guided tour, then drive back toward town.
10:30 AM: Safari Ostrich Show Farm. Join the guided tour to learn how the birds are raised, and hold an egg. It is a short drive from the caves and an easy way to understand the local economy.
12:30 PM: Lunch on Baron van Reede Street. Order an ostrich fillet or burger at a local café, and rest in the shade through the hottest hours.
2:00 PM: CP Nel Museum. A walk of a few minutes from the center gets you here. The displays on the feather boom explain why the town looks the way it does.
3:30 PM: Feather Palaces. Stroll the nearby streets past the sandstone mansions. Look for the ornate gables and ironwork on the older homes.
5:00 PM: Rust en Vrede and the Grobbelaars river edge. For something off the usual route, wander the quiet residential streets at the edge of town and look for old farm buildings and orchards, where locals walk their dogs as the heat fades.
7:00 PM: Dinner at your hostel braai. Join other travelers over grilled meat and compare plans for tomorrow.

🌤️ When to go?Best time to visit Oudtshoorn

Spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) give the easiest weather, with days of 20 to 28°C (68 to 82°F) and cool nights.
  • Summer (December to February): Hot and dry, often 30 to 38°C (86 to 100°F), with long evenings. Cave tours and the ostrich farms are busy over school holidays, and rooms cost more.
  • Autumn (March to May): Clear skies, mild days and thinner crowds. Easter weekend is busy.
  • Winter (June to August): Sunny days of 15 to 20°C (59 to 68°F), but nights can drop to 2 to 5°C (36 to 41°F). Prices are lowest, and the Swartberg Pass can see snow.
  • Spring (September to November): Warm, green and breezy. The Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees arts festival in Oudtshoorn around March or April fills every bed.
Book beds at least a month ahead if your dates touch the festival or school holidays.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: highly recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: highly recommended for travelingMARMarch: highly recommended for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: highly recommended for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: good for traveling
when-to-go

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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas and accommodation options

The center, within a ten-minute walk of Baron van Reede Street, is the best area for a budget bed. Hostels, backpacker houses and guesthouses cluster here, and dorms run about US$12 to 20 a night. You can walk to restaurants, supermarkets, the bus stop and tour pickups, which saves on taxis.
Streets here are well lit and quiet at night, with the occasional dog barking or weekend braai noise. Look for places with secure parking or lockable gates, which most offer.
The second option is the stretch of leafy streets just north and east of the center, toward the Cango Caves road. Rooms are often in garden … read more 👉
The center, within a ten-minute walk of Baron van Reede Street, is the best area for a budget bed. Hostels, backpacker houses and guesthouses cluster here, and dorms run about US$12 to 20 a night. You can walk to restaurants, supermarkets, the bus stop and tour pickups, which saves on taxis.
Streets here are well lit and quiet at night, with the occasional dog barking or weekend braai noise. Look for places with secure parking or lockable gates, which most offer.
The second option is the stretch of leafy streets just north and east of the center, toward the Cango Caves road. Rooms are often in garden guesthouses with pools, a bit pricier but calmer, and some include shared kitchens. You will want a car or a shuttle to get around, though, and walking back after dark is not advisable.
Book ahead during the arts festival and school holidays, when the center fills up first.
Best hostels in South Africa


Best quality hotels in South Africa

🚌 Getting aroundTransportation options and practical tips

Oudtshoorn has no useful city bus service, so most backpackers walk the center and pay cash or card for the rest. Minibus taxis cost roughly US$0.60 to 1 a ride, paid to the driver in rand, but they serve the townships more than the sights. The center is flat and easy on foot, traffic is light, and the farms and caves lie outside town.
  • Walking: Free, and the right choice for the museum, feather palaces and restaurants. Daylight is fine. After dark take a ride for anything beyond a few blocks.
  • Ride-hailing and local taxis: Metered or app taxis cost about US$3 to 6 within town and US$15 to 25 to the Cango Caves. Call ahead, as cabs rarely cruise.
  • Rental car: The best option if you want the farms, the caves and the Swartberg Pass in your own time. Expect US$25 to 45 a day for a small car, plus fuel.
… read more 👉
Oudtshoorn has no useful city bus service, so most backpackers walk the center and pay cash or card for the rest. Minibus taxis cost roughly US$0.60 to 1 a ride, paid to the driver in rand, but they serve the townships more than the sights. The center is flat and easy on foot, traffic is light, and the farms and caves lie outside town.
  • Walking: Free, and the right choice for the museum, feather palaces and restaurants. Daylight is fine. After dark take a ride for anything beyond a few blocks.
  • Ride-hailing and local taxis: Metered or app taxis cost about US$3 to 6 within town and US$15 to 25 to the Cango Caves. Call ahead, as cabs rarely cruise.
  • Rental car: The best option if you want the farms, the caves and the Swartberg Pass in your own time. Expect US$25 to 45 a day for a small car, plus fuel. Gravel on the pass is fine for ordinary cars in dry weather.
  • Intercity buses: Intercape and Greyhound-operated coaches link Oudtshoorn with Cape Town (about 5 to 6 hours, US$25 to 40) and Gqeberha (about 5 hours). They arrive at a stop near the center, mostly in the early morning or evening, so check times in advance.
  • Minibus taxis: Cheap for regional hops such as George (about 1 to 1.5 hours, US$5 to 8). They leave when full and are crowded. Fine if you are flexible with time, but not worth it for sightseeing.

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Travel costs and budget guide for Oudtshoorn

Oudtshoorn costs about US$63 a day for a backpacker who uses dorms, cooks some meals and pays for one big attraction. Prices are in rand, but card payments are widely accepted.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm accommodationUS$12 to 20Low season sits near the bottom of the range. Festival and holiday dates push prices up.
MealsUS$12 to 22A grill or cafe main costs US$6 to 10. Supermarket self-catering is far cheaper.
Local transportUS$5 to 15Short app or local taxi rides cost US$3 to 6. Car rental is extra.
Basic activities/entry feesUS$8 to 15Cango Caves Standard Tour is about US$12 to 15. Ostrich farm visits cost similar amounts.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$4 to 8Water, snacks, tips (about 10 percent in restaurants) and data.
Total Daily BudgetUS$63A comfortable figure for dorm, mid-range meals
… read more 👉
Oudtshoorn costs about US$63 a day for a backpacker who uses dorms, cooks some meals and pays for one big attraction. Prices are in rand, but card payments are widely accepted.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm accommodationUS$12 to 20Low season sits near the bottom of the range. Festival and holiday dates push prices up.
MealsUS$12 to 22A grill or cafe main costs US$6 to 10. Supermarket self-catering is far cheaper.
Local transportUS$5 to 15Short app or local taxi rides cost US$3 to 6. Car rental is extra.
Basic activities/entry feesUS$8 to 15Cango Caves Standard Tour is about US$12 to 15. Ostrich farm visits cost similar amounts.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$4 to 8Water, snacks, tips (about 10 percent in restaurants) and data.
Total Daily BudgetUS$63A comfortable figure for dorm, mid-range meals and one activity.
Buy groceries at a supermarket and cook in the hostel kitchen to cut meal costs sharply.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🚌 Day tripsEasy escapes and nearby places

Oudtshoorn works well as a base for day trips, since the main sights lie within an hour on tarmac or good gravel, though a car helps.
Cango Caves:
About 30 minutes north, these limestone caverns are the area’s headline sight. The Standard Tour (about 1 hour, US$12 to 15) is easy, while the Adventure Tour squeezes through tight tunnels and suits only the fit. Book the adventure option early in the day, and skip it if you are claustrophobic. Year-round, but cooler months are more comfortable getting there.
👉 Explore Cango Caves
Swartberg Pass:
This gravel mountain road climbs to roughly 1,500 m, with hairpins and sweeping views of folded rock. Allow 3 to 4 hours for the drive over to Prince Albert and back, with a rental costing about US$30 to 45 plus fuel. Avoid it in wet or snowy weather, and … read more 👉
Oudtshoorn works well as a base for day trips, since the main sights lie within an hour on tarmac or good gravel, though a car helps.
Cango Caves:
About 30 minutes north, these limestone caverns are the area’s headline sight. The Standard Tour (about 1 hour, US$12 to 15) is easy, while the Adventure Tour squeezes through tight tunnels and suits only the fit. Book the adventure option early in the day, and skip it if you are claustrophobic. Year-round, but cooler months are more comfortable getting there.
👉 Explore Cango Caves
Swartberg Pass:
This gravel mountain road climbs to roughly 1,500 m, with hairpins and sweeping views of folded rock. Allow 3 to 4 hours for the drive over to Prince Albert and back, with a rental costing about US$30 to 45 plus fuel. Avoid it in wet or snowy weather, and a common error is leaving too late and driving the descent at dusk.

Meiringspoort:
The N12 gorge north of town takes about 50 minutes to reach and is free to drive. Stop at the waterfall walk and picnic spots, then continue to De Rust. Go any time of year, but avoid the heat of midday in summer.

Prince Albert:
A tiny Karoo village about 1.5 hours away. Local cheeses, olive tastings and old Cape Dutch houses make a gentle afternoon. Budget about US$35 to 55 with car hire, or join a tour. Do not try this on public transport, as there is none.

🛡️ SafetySafety Tips and Common Scams in Oudtshoorn

Oudtshoorn is broadly safe for travelers who use ordinary city sense. The center is fine by day, and petty theft is the most likely problem, so keep phones and bags out of sight in parked cars and avoid carrying valuables on foot at night. After dark, take a taxi instead of walking even short distances, especially if you are alone. Stay away from empty side streets and the edges of the township areas unless you are with a local guide. Occasionally someone offers unrequested parking help or asks for money, and a polite no is enough. Some tour touts push farm visits at inflated prices, so compare quotes with your accommodation. On the Swartberg Pass, tell someone your plans, since phone signal is patchy.
Check Country Safety

FAQTraveler FAQ

Oudtshoorn is worth two nights rather than a quick stopover, mainly for the Cango Caves (guided tours from about US$10 to 20 depending on the route), an ostrich farm visit, and the Swartberg Pass drive to the north. The town sits in the Little Karoo on the R62 and N12, so it fits between the Garden Route and Cape Town. Most backpackers who rush through in a few hours see only the ostrich farms and miss the mountain scenery.
Plan on two to three days in Oudtshoorn. One day covers Cango Caves (about 30 minutes north of town) and an ostrich farm, a second suits the Swartberg Pass and the village of Prince Albert or a bike ride, and a third is useful if you want to hike in the Meiringspoort gorge area or rest. Budget roughly US$40 to 70 a day including a dorm bed.
Oudtshoorn works as a day trip from George, which is about 60 kilometers (roughly 1 hour) away by road over the Outeniqua Pass, but it is a long day without a car. Intercity buses such as Intercape and Greyhound stop in Oudtshoorn on the route between Cape Town and the Garden Route, and fares run about US$15 to 30 each way. From Cape Town it is around 5 to 6 hours each way, so staying at least one night is much more sensible.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other South African towns near Oudtshoorn

Explore more nearby:

  • Wilderness—paragliding launch, forest boardwalks, long beaches| 56 km away
  • Sedgefield—lakeside trails, Saturday market, slow town ethos| 74 km away
  • Knysna—lagoon views, indigenous forest, oyster restaurants| 92 km away

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We 💚 feedbackSumming up the experience

Oudtshoorn deserves two nights, three if you want the Swartberg Pass without rushing. One night squeezes the caves and little else, and a week is too long for the town itself. I would rent a car for a day, book the early cave tour, and skip the shopping stops.

✈️ When did I visit South Africa?
I have visited South Africa, before and after my Zimbabwe trip in 2001.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in South Africa, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

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