Suggested Itinerary - Day Three
Cango Caves and Ostrich Farm
And so back to Oudtshoorn, but this time for a quick tour around the town, perhaps a visit to an ostrich farm, but most important, our World Heritage Site, the Cango Caves.
From Calitzdorp Country house, take the R 62 again, and then set the tone for the day by turning off to the left after 14 kms at the Kruisrivier sign.
This puts you on a good dirt road to see the beautiful and unique rock formations known as the Redstone Hills. These Enon Conglomerate deposits were dumped up against the mountains by the sea some 125 million years ago.
Turn right at the sign for Prince Albert and the Cango Caves. Guided tours take place hourly on the hour to display the electrifying visions of stalactites and stalagmites.
Remember how you were taught at school to recall the difference?
Stalactites grow down from the ceiling, so they have to hold on tight, while stalagmites rise slowly up from the floor, so they might reach the top some day. The last tour is at 16h00.
Now return to Oudtshoorn and lunch at SA top ten restaurant Jemima’s (044 272 0808) or Kalinka (044 279 2596), virtually opposite each other on the main drag, Baron van Reede Street.
Great range of curios, local art and craftwork at Bushman’s Curios, also in the main street.
Get a map from the local tourist office and visit the CP Nel Museum, then legendary Afrikaans poet Langenhoven’s home, Arbeitsgenot and take a stroll among the lovely old sandstone buildings.
On your way out of town on the iconic Route 62, note the sign left of the highway indicating Highgate and Safari ostrich farms – both do tours for visitors and Safari has a fabulous ostrich skin boutique. And so cheap by European standards……
Twelve to 14 kms out of Oudtshoorn, be sure to look out on the right for gorgeous Greylands house, a copy of the old ‘Volstruis Paleise’ (ostrich palaces) built on the roaring riches of the belle époque years around 1906, when Oudtshoorn ostrich feathers and skin were fashion essentials in London and Paris.
view day 4 - Steam train along the coast
