Welcome to Wonderful Oudtshoorn!

With things finally settling back to normal, it’s time to get travelling! Whether you’re a proud South African looking for a vibrant destination to recharge your batteries, or an overseas friend looking to experience a safari in all its glory, Buffelsdrift Game Lodge is proud to welcome you home to Africa! We've been an integral part of this gorgeous corner of the continent since 2015, and we love helping visitors to explore the land around us as well as the lodge proper. Oudtshoorn offers adventure around every corner, and an experience like nothing else. Don’t you think it’s time you came to visit?

Why visit Oudtshoorn?

The Klein Karoo is a truly special part of South Africa. Lying about 300km west of Cape Town’s bustling metropolis, it’s part of the arid semi-desert that will, eventually, stretch into the infamous Kalahari. Yet it’s linked to the Garden Route through Robinson Pass to Mossel Bay, and the Outeniqua mountains bring cooler weather and rain. This is ostrich country, where feathers and fame are the name of the game. It’s a haven of culture for the area, and has a well-known art circuit. Oudtshoorn has been recognised as a town since 1863, although its roots stretch back to 1839. The early town thrived on selling decorative ostrich feathers to high society, a trend that continued until 1914. In the meantime, the town had an influx of famous architectural names, each of who have left their mark on this unique town. Fascinated tourists can still explore the remarkable architecture and enjoy the distinctive vibe of the town. Feathers in your hair and hat may no longer be the mark of high society, but ostriches remain a vital part of this thriving Klein Karoo town, providing meat, leather, and tourist fun.Experiencing Oudtshoorn is experiencing a part of South African life and culture even many locals don’t know exists. From it’s unique links to the past to the thriving bustle of its future, it’s an authentic African experience unlike anything else.

What can I do around Oudtshoorn?

The town itself is far from the only attraction, however! When you’re not at the Lodge or exploring the quaint corners of this Karoo legend, there's plenty to keep you busy!The Cango Valley and its caves are a can’t-miss experience. This underground wonderland is one of the world’s best dripstone caverns, with twisting natural sculptures rising at every turn. Once the haunt of early ‘bushmen’ (Khoi-san), who’s cave paintings remain today, their plunging darkness has long fascinated mankind. Only the advent of portable electric light, however, has enabled a deeper exploration of this ancient space, and to this day we don’t know all their secrets. Although the last Khoi-san left almost three centuries ago, we still find relics from their time in the area within the Game Lodge’s borders. Of course, there’s the active ostrich industry to enjoy, and several ostrich farms in the area are open to visitors. This is also a cornerstone of the ‘Cape Floristic Region’. These areas are part of the WHO World Heritage Site. Unique Fynbos vegetation is found nowhere else in the world but in these areas. With the gorgeous beauty of the Swartberg Mountains also on hand, there’s plenty of fun and adventure to be had exploring this truly unique geographic area. Don’t forget to drink in the sites of Gamkaskloof, the ‘Valley of the Lions’, including the notorious plunging drops of ‘The Hell’. It’s a birders paradise, and leopards and lynx still roam the mountains alongside buck, baboons, and the iconic rock dassie. Oudtshoorn is an experience like no other, and one everyone should experience at least once in their life. Why not come meet the friendly Buffelsdrift Game Lodge crew, and find your own Oudtshoorn memories?