Oudtshoorn: An unexpectedly wonderful winter vacation destination

DISCOVER Oudtshoorn: An unexpectedly wonderful winter vacation destination BY SHARON WAUGH ESCAPE THE CHILL AND DISCOVER OUDTSHOORN'S HIDDEN GEMS! THIS KLEIN KAROO TOWN OFFERS A UNIQUE WINTER WONDERLAND EXPERIENCE THAT'S SURE TO WARM YOUR HEART. Oudtshoorn in the Klein Karoo has a certain unique charm all year round, but there are definite benefits to visiting in the colder months. If you're looking for a place to take yourself on a winter getaway with a difference, a trip to this town might be your best local travel decision yet. It's warm in the Cango Caves This impressive natural attraction is estimated to be around 20 million years old and has been nominated as one of the Seven Wonders of Southern Africa. Considering the sheer size of the caves and the spectacular rock formations found inside, that title doesn't seem to do them justice. Winter works best for stargazing As cold air is usually clearer than warm air, winter is generally the best time of year to go stargazing. With 4 000ha of property and only nine luxurious suites to accommodate a maximum of 24 guests, equating to at least 166ha of space per guest , Wildehondekloof Private Game Reserve, just outside of Oudtshoorn, is a great place to go if you want to get away from people and, in this case, the light pollution associated with populated areas. The remoteness of this game reserve makes it perfect for stargazing. For this guided activity, staff turn off all the external lights of the lodge to eliminate almost all light pollution within the 4 000ha area to magnify the illumination of the night sky for a truly surreal experience. These ancient limestone caves maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the year. Exploring them during winter means you can escape the chilly weather and marvel at their natural beauty in a warm, inviting and, okay, slightly humid environment. For the adventurous, you can also do the Adventure Tour, which means going deeper into the caves and braving your way through a few daunting crawl spaces. Squeeze yourself through "Tunnel of Love", where the rocks feel like they're hugging you from both sides, manoeuvre your way through "The Devil's Chimney" yes, it's every bit as scary as it sounds , and slide out the other side through a formation known as "The Letterbox". If the temperature in the cave doesn't warm you up, the adrenalin definitely will. Instead of a scarf, have you considered an ostrich neck massage? If you're looking for an unconventional way to warm up your neck, an "ostrich massage" will probably do the trick. At Safari Ostrich Farm, you can embark on an ostrich tractor safari yes, really . Then, with your back to these pretty intimidatinglooking creatures, you can hold a container of ostrich food in one or both of your hands, and "enjoy" if that's the right word the sensation of these birds vigorously rubbing their necks against yours as they devour the food. It might not be the most luxurious massage you'll ever experience, but you won't forget it in a hurry! seeing these adorable creatures in their natural environment is sure to warm your heart. Keep an eye on your car keys during that massage. You'll also get to stand on an ostrich egg and pose for a photo with ostrich feather accessories. I found the "things found inside an ostrich's stomach" display rather fascinating. Humans are not the only creatures seeking warm winter sunbeams If you want to see wildlife of a different kind, meerkats specifically, winter is a good time to visit Oudtshoorn. At 5 Shy Meerkats that is the name of the company; there are many more meerkats , you can witness these adorable creatures basking in the warm rays, just like you. This experience requires getting there just before dawn. While the temperature may be chilly, the benefit of going in winter is that you get to sleep in a little longer as the sun rises later. After the guides direct you to where the meerkat family has their burrow, and you arrange your camping chair in full view, it probably won't be too long before the meerkats come looking for the same winter sunbeam you're basking in. One of the best things about this experience is that you get to see these creatures up close in a completely ethical way. Absolutely no touching or feeding is permitted, and the company goes to great lengths to ensure that the human visitors don't have any negative effects on the animals' wellbeing. While winter mornings can be a bit chilly, 16 I WINTER 2025 rovesa.co.za Winter is the best time to see some wildlife Aside from the Ostrich tractor safari, winter is the best time of year to go on a safari in the more traditional sense. During the colder months, the vegetation is less dense and the wildlife is more visible. Wildehondekloof Private Game Reserve is home to many antelope species. With no dangerous predators, visitors can experience wildlife by game drive, mountain bike, hike, or guided walk. Giraffes, sable, Cape mountain zebra, kudu, springbok, eland, nyala, gemsbok, blesbok, and black wildebeest are among the creatures you are likely to see here. To help you brave the cold on chilly mornings, their safari vehicle comes equipped with blankets, hot water bottles, and everything you need for a tea and coffee break when you've found the perfect scenic stop. Whatever you decide to do, Oudtshoorn is sure to warm your heart like the sight of a halfasleep meerkat struggling to stay awake and upright in the early morning sun. Wildehondekloof Private Game Reserve, Safari Ostrich Farm, and 5 Shy Meerkats are members of Cape Country Routes. www.cangocaves.co.za www.capecountryroutes.com