There’s something about a town whose unofficial mascot is an ostrich that’s irresistible. Oudtshoorn, South Africa, offers unique animal encounters that go beyond the traditional safari experience. From ostrich farms to wildlife ranches, this destination promises unforgettable adventures.
The Ostrich Farm Experience
An ostrich farm visit in Oudtshoorn is a must, even if it’s just because it’s one of the few opportunities you’ll have in life to pet an ostrich. I’m rarely content with just viewing animals from afar and I like to experience areas via non-traditional methods.
Learning About Ostriches
On our tour, we first learned the history of ostriches and how they migrated down to South Africa from northern Africa. Once our ostrich education was complete, we met Betsie the Friendly Ostrich. Since ostriches aren’t traditionally nice, Betsie was a special one. We pet her and fed her, and she even tried to pull food from one of the tourist’s lips on command.
Ostrich Riding
Then, it was on to ostrich riding! My ostrich was wearing a saddle of jean material and I had to hold him by his wings, which didn’t feel entirely secure. The ostrich ran around like a chicken with his head cut off, and he ran fast. Riding is completely optional and riders must weigh less than 176 lbs.
For More Information: Visit cangoostrich.co.za for more information. Tours last about 45 minutes and cost 50 rand for adults and 25 rand for children.
Read also: Visiting the Ostrich Farm
Ostrich riding Oudtshoorn
Cango Wildlife Ranch: A Closer Look at Exotic Animals
I loved the traditional African safari experience I had near Kruger Park earlier in my trip, but I wanted more. The Cango Wildlife Ranch in Oudtshoorn fit the bill.
General Tour and Unique Animal Encounters
I took a general tour and visited hippos, lions, tigers and more, but I had a more specific reason for visiting the ranch: the unique opportunity to pet cheetahs and tiger cubs in a protected area.
Cheetah Encounter
For my cheetah encounter, the guides took me through two sets of gates so I could meet my new furry friend. The cheetah was adorable and smaller than I’d expected.
Tiger Encounter
The tigers I pet were adorable, playful cubs who spent most of my visit licking each other and playing with their toys like curious puppies.
Read also: Ostrich: Fascinating Facts
Face-to-Face with Crocodiles
Next, it was on to face the crocodiles in their world. The guides warned me not to extend any limbs outside of the cage - after all, crocs have been known to munch on people. From there, I had two options: I could stand and view the crocs from the surface, or I could hold my breath, crouch, and watch them face-to-face.
I took a healthy breath, pulled myself to the bottom of the cage, and looked around. When she came near the cage to say hi, though, the fact that I was in the middle of a crocodile habitat finally hit me. What was I doing? A minute later, my tooth-showing buddy decided to crawl beneath the cage instead, which felt similarly eerie. Once I got over my initial fear, I developed a complete fascination. Never in my life would I have expected to get within inches of a crocodile. Secured in the cage, I felt the conflicting emotions of safety and exhilaration. This wasn’t the Discovery Channel.
For More Information: Visit cango.co.za for more information. Since you’ll emerge from the experience with wet hair, I’d recommend saving it for the end of the day. General entrance fee is R85 for adults and R55 for children 4-15.
Prices for the animal encounters are:
- Cheetah Encounter R140
- Tiger Encounter R300
If you’re looking for a combination of unique animal encounters, Oudtshoorn is an ideal destination.
Read also: Local State Farm Agent: Chad Winn
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tags: #Africa
