Oudtshoorn & the Little Karoo★★
Oudtshoorn is not directly on the Garden Route but behind the mountains in the Little Karoo — a semi-desert plain that is surprisingly different from the green coast. The drive over the spectacular Outeniqua Pass (from George, 60 km) or the Robinson Pass (from Mossel Bay) is an experience in itself.
Highlights
- Ostrich Farms: Oudtshoorn is the "Ostrich Capital of the World". Safari Ostrich Farm and Highgate Ostrich Farm offer tours where you can see the giant birds up close (and yes, you can ride them — but you don't have to). From 200 ZAR (10€).
- Cango Caves: A spectacular dripstone cave system, 30 km north of Oudtshoorn. The Standard Tour (1h) leads through illuminated halls with ceilings up to 30 m high. The Adventure Tour (1.5h) crawls through narrow passages — not for claustrophobics! 170/225 ZAR.
- Route 62: The longest wine route in the world runs through the Little Karoo — a scenically stunning alternative to the N2 between Cape Town and the Garden Route. Wineries, lavender fields, fruit farms, and quirky villages like Barrydale and Montagu.
- Swartberg Pass: The untarred pass road over the Swartberg mountain range (1,583 m) is one of South Africa's great driving adventures. Built by Thomas Bain 1881–1888 with convict labor, UNESCO World Heritage Site. No 4×4 needed, but respect the switchbacks.
