Riding the OstrichView Google map stay at Karoo Soul

Oudtshoorn is a great place for families.

It is better as a destination than a day trip from Cape Town.

We made this our third stop on our South Africa family adventure from Cape Town → Hermanus  →  and then here to Oudtshoorn.

We spent 3 nights here which we felt was the perfect amount of time to enjoy the area at a slow and easy pace with kids.

Breakdown of costs for 3 nights and 2 full days for a family of 4 in Oudtshoorn

  • Accommodations –  Karu Soul $183 for 3 nights
  • Excursions – $61
  • Groceries – $40 (lasting 4 days)
  • Eating out – $35

Total: $319

Things to do with Kids in Oudtshoorn

There are 3 big things you have to do when you go to Oudtshoorn. I would recommend at least 2 days to make sure you can enjoy your time.

Cango Ostrich Farm

Cango Ostrich Farm – There are several Ostrich farms on the route but this one came highly recommended. It is a 1-hour tour and you have a lot of time to interact with the Ostriches.  Your kids will love to ride or sit on the ostriches, you will have a chance to feed them and interact with them during the guided tour. Although it seems a bit touristy (because it is) the kids loved it and probably was the most memorable thing we did in Oudtshoorn.

Cango Caves

Cango Caves – Our children were surprisingly scared in the caves. I think it is because they have been listening to too much Harry Potter. Regardless I thought the caves were amazing. There are two tours, I recommend the heritage tour for children 12 and under. There is an adventure tour as well, but climbing into small narrow spaces in a dark cavern may be fighting for little children.

Cango Wildlife Ranch

Cango Wildlife Ranch – The Wildlife Ranch is basically a zoo, and if you are going to be going on Safari it probably won’t blow your mind. That being said it is a fun day for the kids, the tour is interesting and there is a wonderful kiddie play land with an easy going petting zoo which will provide hours of entertainment afterward.

Where to Stay with Kids in Oudtshoorn

Where we stayed: Karoo Soul – We stayed in the family “cottage” for US$60 per night. Nice and close to town, with a full kitchen and private bathroom. This was a bit more than we wanted to spend for 3 nights but definitely comfortable and the staff was super friendly. On the plus side, we received discounts to activities probably worth about $20 on the first day alone.

Eating in Oudtshoorn

Buffelsdrift Restaurant – You can sleep here as well if you have the dough. Otherwise eat the dough in the form of amazing bread and a wonderful atmosphere.

Food here is wonderfully inexpensive, great wine and the pond fish will entertain the kiddos while the parents enjoy some time to catch up. I cannot recommend this enough!

Jump into the Gap

"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived" - Henry David Thoreau

About Stephen

To teach our children the meaning of gratitude, to grow as a family through love, adventure, service community and of course travel.

3 comments add your comment

  1. This sounds line a great spot for kids.
    Those caves look amazing!

  2. Yep Dom, it was really a great spot. Reminded me of Fall River Valley. Very dry and a bit arid when compared to the rest of South Africa. We had a great time!

  3. This is wonderful and the kids seem very happy. I hope they’re over all their nervousness. I like the way the site is set up.