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feather palaces Oudtshoorn, Oudtshoorn Klein Karoo, Oudtshoorn
Little Karoo, Oudtshoorn Little Karoo South Africa |
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South Africa,
Western Cape, Little Karoo, Oudtshoorn,
Cango Caves, Information, Accommodation, Hotels, Nature Reserves, Game
Reserves, Guesthouses, Tours |
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 Oudtshoorn,
the ostrich capital
accommodation, activities...
The town of Oudtshoorn
is the centre of ostrich-farming in the semi-desert of the Klein
Karoo. According to history ostrich-farming was started by
the British settlers near Grahamstown in 1840. Only after the
introduction of farm fences ostrich-farming became possible.
Ostriches
were first hunted and later farmed for feathers only. In the late
19th century ostrich feathers were extremely expensive. They
were en-vogue and sought-after especially in the entertainment
industry. In Oudsthoorn different species of ostriches were
interbred. It was only here that the quality of feathers from farmed
ostriches was the same as from their wild relatives!
Ostrich-farming was a lucrative business. Therefore some fine
estates and villas (ostrich feather palaces) have been built in the
Oudtshoorn area.
The industry
collapsed during World War 1st when it was no longer possible to export
ostrich feathers. On top some years later the fashion changed
completely. Some people say that due to the advent of motorcars big
hats were no longer wanted!
Many farmers
went bankrupt. It was only then that ostrich leather was produced from
the skin. Meanwhile about 50% of the income generated from ostriches
comes from leather. Another good income (40%) is generated from
ostrich meat. This meat is low in cholesterol and fat and therefore
quite healthy stuff! Today only 10% of the income
is made by selling ostrich feathers.
History taught the ostrich
farmers that this industry is quickly going up and down. Most farmers
chose to have side businesses like cattle farming.
Places to visit
- Cango Caves, outside Oudtshoorn
30km outside town on the way to
Prince Albert/Swartberg Pass (R328). Some magnificent halls with
stalactites and stalagmites can be visited on guided tours. The more
adventurous (only outside season!) can also crawl into halls not
open for the public
- Crocodile Farm with
interesting breeding projects (wild dogs, cheetahs)
- ostrich
show farms
around Oudtshoorn there are a lot of show farms where you can get
all information about this extraordinary bird
- C.P. Nel museum
... learn everything about the
history of ostrich farming
- nice shops ...
Are you into
extraordinary sceneries? Then stay a bit longer and
enjoy Swartberg Pass
and Meiringspoort. |
Tourism offers
map 1/7. Klein Karoo
A. Wilgemond Farm
map 1 all offers
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7. Klein Karoo:
1. Meiringspoort 2. De Rust... 3. Oudtshoorn 4. Cango Caves 5. Route 62 6. Prince Albert
7 Swartberg/a Swartberg Pass/b Die Hell |
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map 1:
1. Cape Agulhas 2. Cape Town & Peninsula 3. Cederberg 4. Garden Route 5. Karoo/Graaff-Reinet
6. Karoo National Park/Beaufort West 7. Klein Karoo & Swartberge 8. Swellendam, Bontebock... 9. West Coast
10. Winelands & Hermanus additional info N 1 N 2 N 7 N 9 N 10 N 12 |
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Southern Africa:
map 1 map 2 map 3 map 4 map 5 map 6 map 7 map 8 map 9 map 10 map 11 |
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