The mountain passes of the Klein Karoo and Garden Route rate with the best in the world for scenic beauty and contrast.  The vegetation and climate changes faster between the coastal plains and the Klein Karoo than anywhere else in the world. 

Spectacular Meiringspoort, rival the amazing canyon De Chelly in Arizona as a drive through experience.  Imagine cliffs rising up to 1 000 m skyward on both sides of the narrow gorge.  The freshly resurfaced road is now in excellent condition and a great alternative route to Cape Town.

The R 62 is an interesting alternative, either from Worcester in the west through the Cogmanskloof and Huis River Pass to quaint Calitzdorp, or from Longkloof, the pretty fruit growing region, in the east.  In winter this road and including the Willowmore, Oudtshoorn road, often offers the South African the rare privilege of snow gazing.  The Swartberg can be quite stunning after heavy snowfalls. 

From Mossel Bay, the 860 m high Robinson Pass offers a stunning panorama of many peaks to the west. 

The most amazing and awe-inspiring however is the Swartberg Pass.  The winding gravel road has some of the most amazing rock formation in the world with spectacular views from the top of the pass of the Nuweveld mountain range to the north and Oudtshoorn as well as the Outeniqua mountains to the south are surpassed.  This pass is one of South Africa's jewels and a two-day stay is recommended, to accommodate the Swartberg Pass.  Prince Albert and Meiringspoort on a circular tour.

More hospitable is the very scenic Buffelskloof, Kruis River route to the Cango Caves from Calitzdorp, the pretty Garcia Pass north of Riversdal, the Seweweekspoort, south of Laingsburg, or the Prince Alfred Pass north of Plettenberg Bay.  There are 4X4 tours and Bushman walking trails in the red hills at Kruis River available.

Oudtshoorn has developed a unique ambience of a focal point area of just four blocks in Baron van Reede road and close proximity, where the tourist can walk along and decide at which of the many fine-eating establishments they want to enjoy a meal.  A great variety of international and local or traditional fare is available.  Ostrich steak is a speciality.  Live entertainment over weekends is available in this area.  Try the best Klein Karoo wines, port and “witblitz”. 

One of the ostrich farms stages a 40 minute cabaret from Monday to Friday evenings at sunset.  The Cango Struisvogel Stories, staged by local from Schoemanshoek, is an amazing experience not to be missed. 

Oudtshoorn is a fun place.  Everything is easy to reach with ample parking. 

With everything so centrally located and with a delightful green belt stretching right through the town, it is the ideal and natural place for the Klein Karoo Arts Festival.  150 000 People flock to Oudtshoorn the beginning of April for the annual arts festival.  More than fifty theatres offer some of the best local and international talent.  Many additional pubs with music, food and temporary restaurants spring up during the week of the festival - an amazing experience.  Everything possible is done at present to develop Oudtshoorn as the festival capital of South Africa.  The next major festival in the making is the annual July Youth Festival. 

The town has interesting national monuments like the C.P. Nel Museum, Le Roux Town House, the Suspension Bridge in Church Street, fine ostrich palaces and Afrikaans pioneer C.J. Langenhoven’s house, Arbeidsgenot, is open to the public.

The Cango Caves is synomous with Oudtshoorn, the district's premier attraction recently underwent a major facelift.  An up market restaurant, coffee shop, food court and curio shop, an Interpretative Centre was added, all in a wheelchair friendly environment.  A variety of tours are on offer in the spectacular and world class flagship of tourism in the Klein Karoo.

A great variety of additional attractions like camel ride, or imposing waterfalls, like the 74m high Rust-en-Vrede falls are within easy reach.

Famous new arrivals, Rajah and Kiri, the rare white Bengal tigers, make the Cango Wildlife Ranch a most unique attraction to visit.  There are only 250 left in the world.  It will be a triumph for the ranch if it can create a successful breeding programme.  The ranch offers an enthusiastic insight to crocodile, wild dog and cheetah breeding and conservation.

Oudtshoorn has the reputation of being very hot in summer.  However high ceiling and roofs insulate against the heat and buildings are cool inside.  The town has a wealth of tall trees lining the streets, offering welcome shade during summer.  In winter the sunny days with crisp cold nights offer beautiful snow mountain vistas during the day.

Accommodation caters to every need.  From budget back packers to budget guesthouses to medium and up market guesthouses.  Country lodges and farm stays.  Comfortable chalets at most reasonable rates, excellent and very clean hotels cater for groups and individuals.  In fact Oudtshoorn caters for every need.  Outdoors adventure activities including team building exercises, hiking and fishing.  It is an excellent venue for international sporting teams.  The town has the only tartan athletics track between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth.  Facilities of all descriptions are good with the added attraction of rural hospitality.

Oudtshoorn enjoys meeting visitors.  It goes out of its way to make you feel welcome.  Oudtshoorn is the ultimate experience!