TRAVEL: Out of time in Oudtshoorn

TRAVEL

Words & Photos: Lauren & Dale Barrow

Ostriches at the Cango Ostrich Farm are often as curious of people as we are of them.

Out of time in Oudtshoorn If someone had told me that two action-packed days would not be time enough to see and do everything in a small Klein Karoo town, I don’t think I would have believed them.

However, after clambering through caves, riding ostriches and meeting meerkats, we weren’t even halfway through our list of things to do. Two days is simply not enough time to appreciate all that Oudtshoorn has to offer.

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From our chalet stoep we could look out over the river and farmlands.

De Denne Guest Farm Our home for the two night stay in Oudtshoorn was De Denne Guest Farm, a working ostrich farm owned by Johan and Louise Keller. Not knowing what to expect before we arrived, we were completely blown away by the hospitality and charm of the place. Following a welcome drink in the beautifully restored farm house, we were taken to our own private chalet. Along with the tasteful décor and beautiful view, the rooms are equipped with all you need for your stay.

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However, that is not all this four-star guest farm has to offer. After arriving, we wished we had more time to relax and enjoy all the facilities and activities on offer. You can tour the working ostrich farm around you and, if you are lucky, also experience the ostrich chicks hatching. Hikes, bird watching, star gazing and mountain biking are just a few of the other activities on offer. The guest farm manager, Rudi, is also a wealth of information when it comes to the less-touristy attractions of Oudtshoorn, such as mountain climbing and exploring the lesser-known caves in the area.

If only we had more time ... .

Out of time in Oudtshoorn

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A giant stalagmite inside the Cango Caves.

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The Cango Caves are not only South Africa’s oldest tourist attraction but also one of the most magnificent.

Cango Caves The Cango Caves are the oldest tourist attraction in South Africa and our childhood memories of Oudtshoorn were of the wonder and excitement of these caves. As an adult, we were eager to return and find out if they really were as big and amazing as remembered. We were not disappointed.

Just one of the great chambers inside the cave is the size of a football field, and that’s not even the biggest one! The amazing limestone stalactites and stalagmites are also incredible and it is hard to imagine the amount of time it’s taken for them to form.

The nice thing about the tours of the Cango Caves is that they are suited for young and old, the adventurous and cautious. There is an hour heritage tour where you hardly need to duck your head and it is lit all the way. A knowledgeable guide will tell you all about the caves and its history, and you will be able to see many of the great formations. However, if you are eager for a bit more of a challenge and cave crawling experience, then I recommend the Adventure tour. Be sure to be ready to slip through small crevices and climb slim columns with names such as ‘The Postbox’ and ‘The Devil’s Chimney’.

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The Cango Ostrich Farm allows visitors to get up close and personal with the Ostriches.

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Cango Ostrich Farm One of the most famous attributes of Oudtshoorn is that it is the Ostrich capital of the world! Ostriches are very funny looking birds and to see and experience them up close is really entertaining. The Cango Ostrich Farm offers 45-minute tours where you can touch, feed and even ride these odd birds. I have never had the desire to ride an ostrich, ‘but when in Rome …’ It really is a peculiar feeling loping along on the backs of these prehistoriclooking birds, but I left Oudtshoorn able to say that I had done it.

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There can be no better way to end off the day than watching the sun go down at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge.

Buffelsdrift Game Lodge Another ‘must see’ in Oudtshoorn is Buffelsdrift Game Lodge.

Even if you just pop in for a meal, it is well worth it. From the reception and restaurant, set overlooking a 5-hectare dam with fish, hippos and lots of birds, you may even see the elephants heading off on the guided elephant safari.

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Meeting the three resident elephants at Buffelsdrift was an amazing experience. Being so close to these majestic creatures enables you to get an idea of just how powerful they are. Receiving a hug from an elephant is not for the faint of heart, but Jabari, Bulelo and Malaika are true gentle giants. If you come with some food for them, they will happily be your friend and even let you rub their soft, pink tongues as you feed them.

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Meerkat safari From the biggest in the park to one of the smallest, the meerkats. Don’t overlook them because what they lack in stature is more than made up in personality. Buffelsdrift offers a Meerkat safari, which was one of the highlights of our visit.

The safari involves waking up before sunrise and setting up camping chairs in the bush to wait for the meerkats to pop up from their burrows. We all enjoyed watching these little social animals, as our Buffelsdrift guide told us about each member in this particular family. Be sure to look out for the ones who fall asleep during their lookout duty.

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A family of meerkats enjoying the morning sun at Buffelsdrift.

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The elephant safari at Buffelsdrift offers visitors the opportunity of riding on these majestic animals.

Buffelsdrift Bush safari If you start your day off in the bush with the meerkats, then the only way to end it must be watching the sun go down with the rest of the animals in the park. And Buffelsdrift Bush safari is just the place to do this. See rhino, buffalo, hippo, giraffe, eland, zebra and many more animals, while an experienced guide teaches you about them, the birds and plants. Couple that with a cold sundowner overlooking the plains and you will have had a perfect day in the Karoo.

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Cango Wildlife Ranch When visiting Oudtshoorn, make sure you also leave at least half a day to spend at the Cango Wildlife Ranch, where you’ll see an array of animals up close and personal.

Crocodile cage diving is just one of the activities on offer, and it is an amazing experience to see these great beasts slide passed you in the water. Cheetahs, tigers, lemurs, lions, foxes, kangaroos, birds; you name it and they have it. It is also a great way to contribute to the rehabilitation programmes run there.

More information Route 62 www.route62.co.za Cango Wildlife Ranch www.cango.co.za Buffelsdrift Game Lodge www.buffelsdrift.com Cango Ostrich Farm www.cangoostrich.co.za De Denne Guest Farm www.dedenne.com Cango Caves www.cango-caves.co.za

Being up close with these animals makes one aware of their power.

Route 62 Route 62 is the longest wine route in the world and Oudtshoorn can be found at its centre.

Next time you are in the area or planning your vacation, don’t just pass through it and do one or two things. Take the time to get to know Oudtshoorn and its many wonders and you will be sure to return to this Klein Karoo gem. •

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