Page 234 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

232  THE WESTERN AND SOUTHERN C APE

q Oudtshoorn
Road map C5. N12 from George.
* 95,900. n 80 Voortrekker St,
044 279 2532. Open Mon–Sat.
∑ oudtshoorn.com
The town of Oudtshoorn was
established in 1847 at the foot
of the Swartberg Mountains, to
cater for the needs of the Little
Karoo’s growing farming
population. It gained prosperity
when the demand for ostrich
feathers – to support Victorian,
and later Edwardian fashion Visitors to Cango Wildlife Ranch can stroke tame cheetahs
trends – created a sharp rise
in the industry in 1870–80. w Cango Wildlife allow the visitor close-up
The Karoo’s hot, dry climate Ranch views of other powerful
proved suitable for big-scale hunters, including lions,
ostrich farming – the loamy soils Road map C5. R328 to Cango Caves. tigers and jaguars. The Valley
yielded extensive crops of Tel 044 272 5593. Open 8am–5pm of the Ancients is a well-
lucerne, which forms a major daily. & 0 = ∑ cango.co.za forested string of lakes that
part of the birds’ diet, and the are home to Nile crocodiles,
ground was strewn with the Part wildlife sanctuary, part pygmy hippos, monitor lizards
small pebbles that are a vital aid theme park, the ranch lies 3 km and otters, while birds include
to their somewhat unusual (2 miles) north of Oudtshoorn. flamingoes and storks. You can
digestive processes (see box Since the watch the crocodiles
on opposite page). establishment being fed by
Oudtshoorn’s importance as of the Cheetah hand, and other
an ostrich-farming centre Conservation thrills include
continued for more than 40 Foundation crocodile cage-
years, and the town became in 1993, the diving. Lemur
renowned for its sandstone ranch has Falls is the newest
mansions, built by wealthy ranked exhibit: built to replicate
ostrich barons. However, World among the Nile crocodile at the Cango a Madagascan forest,
War I and changes in fashion leading cheetah Wildlife Ranch it is home to
resulted in the industry’s decline, breeders in Africa three species of
and many farmers went bank- and is one of the world’s top Madagascan lemur – brown,
rupt. Ostrich farming eventually five protection institutions. ring-tail and white ruff. Exotic
recovered in the 1940s with the The breeding enclosure is not snakes in the Snake Park
establishment of the tanning accessible, but visitors may include a black mamba, a
industry. Today, ostrich products enter a fenced area to interact king cobra, a 4-m (13-ft)
include eggs, leather, meat and with tame cheetahs. boa constrictor and a
bonemeal. The town also Walkways elevated over a copper head viper.
produces crops of natural bushveld environment The ranch has a well-
tobacco, regarded programme of tours
wheat and and special events, a fast-food
grapes. outlet and a restaurant that
serves, among other things,
crocodile and
ostrich meat.

A sandstone “feather palace” on the outskirts of Oudtshoorn
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp386–7 and pp403–4

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