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We offer holidays to the four corners of the globe. If you want specialist advise please phone our travel team and we will be happy to help.
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- Destinations
- Africa
- South Africa
- Oudtshoorn
Oudtshoorn
Situated in the heart of the Little Karoo (locally referred to
as the Klein Karoo), Oudtshoorn is a lovely town that makes a
popular stop on any holiday in the Western Cape of South Africa,
especially along the scenic drive between Cape Town and Port
Elizabeth.
Surrounded by the majestic Swartberg Mountain range, the
landscape around Oudtshoorn is a patchwork of farms and forests
that receives more than 300 days of sunshine each year. The area is
part of the Cape Floral World Heritage Site, and the stunning
displays of fynbos and other local flowers make for great vacation
photos.
Oudtshoorn's main claim to fame is as the 'ostrich capital of
the world', and several farms in the area offer tours, shows, and
other family-friendly activities for visitors. The presence of so
many unique birds is also apparent in the many ostrich feathers and
eggs available in tourist shops, and the abundance of ostrich on
the menus of local restaurants which are complemented by excellent
local wines.
The other most popular attraction in Oudtshoorn is exploring the
famous Cango Caves, South Africa's largest show cave system.
Towering stalagmites with names like the 'bridal couple' and the
'hanging shawl' are visible in the 3,200 feet (1km) of the caves
that are open to visitors.
A number of nature reserves are located nearby, and while they
may lack the excitement of the 'big five' predators, those looking
for a wilder experience can explore other animal farms in the area
offering up-close-and-personal experiences with cheetahs, meerkats,
and even crocodiles. Great hiking and mountain biking trails, golf
courses, horseback riding stables and 4x4 routes provide plenty of
activities for busy holidaymakers in Oudtshoorn, and there are
plenty of cosy guesthouses and B&Bs to retire to after a busy
day in the sunshine.
Information & Facts
Language
South Africa has 11 official languages, including
Afrikaans, English, Xhosa, Zulu and Sotho. English is widely
spoken.
Money
South Africa's currency is the Rand (ZAR), which is divided into
100 cents. Money can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and
the larger hotels. ATMs are widely available (there is a daily
limit for cash withdrawals) and major international credit cards
are widely accepted, except in petrol stations where cash is
required. Visitors should be vigilant when drawing cash from ATMs,
as con artists are known to operate there. Travellers cheques and
some foreign currencies are accepted at larger hotels and shops,
but commission is charged, otherwise all commercial banks will
exchange them.
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