Oudtshoorn rose to fame during the 1800s when ostrich feathers became a fashion must-have on a
world-wide scale. No outfit was considered complete without a resplendent feather boa swept back
around a lady’s neck. The semi-arid regions of the Little Karoo proved to be ideal for raising these
large birds and by the time the railway network was extended to Oudtshoorn in 1913, the town had blossomed
into a cluster of multi-millionaire farmers. The town became filled with ‘feather palaces’ – large, ornate
and lavishly decorated mansions made from sandstone in an art nouveau style with circular turrets and intricate
iron railings. The ceilings and cornices were embossed while window panes were filled with vivid stained glass images.
Today many of these palaces still stand proudly as a monument to more prosperous times. The Ostrich feather trade
experienced a decline after the First World War but farmers managed to make a slow recovery with the introduction
of tourism.
Today there is more than one Ostrich farm in Oudtshoorn that is open to tourists. Modern Ostrich farms tend to focus
more on eggs, meat and leather than on the initial feather trade that once made them so prosperous. A decorated or
carved ostrich egg can fetch a fair amount of money while ostrich meat is become very sought after due to its low
fat content. Ostrich leather is supple and soft and is used widely in the making of a variety of leather goods –
both locally and internationally. The average visit to an ostrich farm in Oudtshoorn will start out with a somewhat
fascinating tour of the facilities. Here you will learn about how the eggs are incubated, how the chicks are cared for.
Afterwards you are usually introduced to some of the friendlier feathered inhabitants one the farm which you can hand-feed
and sometimes even cuddle.
As the tour near completion, some farms may offer the opportunity to sit on or ride these magnificent flight-less birds. It
should be noted that these actions are subject to a weight limit. Ostrich races are popular with braver tourists as riding
these gigantic birds is not for the feint hearted. The rider sits awkwardly behind the wings and leans forward to hold on
the neck for balance. Afterwards a hood is taken off the bird and it begins the jolting run down the race track. While it
has been noted that wild ostriches can reach speeds of up to 70 km/h, most ostriches running in such an enclosed environment
will rarely reach such high speeds. After the race the rider slides off the birds back and returns to friends and family to
share his or her memorable experience. After the visitors race, local ‘jockeys’ might entertain the guests with an
‘ostrich derby’.
Another option which is becoming increasingly popular is that of walking on Ostrich eggs. The thick, tough shells are
incredibly resilient and the public are invited to find this out for themselves. There is no weight limit and the task
is much less daunting than riding ostriches. Tours are sometimes offered in a variety of languages and
Ostrich riding and racing instructions can also be given in a language of choice. If you
enjoy participating in more extreme and unusual activities whilst on holiday, don’t forget to try Ostrich
Riding in South Africa!
