Carina, Author at AfriCamps Boutique Glamping South Africa

Ostrich Farm Tours

Ostrich farm tours are famous for this region. The tours which run at AfriCamps are headed up by Laura and her team, on one of the largest Ostrich farms in South Africa.

africamps boutique glamping south africa — As seen on the ostrich farm tour

We chatted to Laura to get the behind the scenes look at how it all got started and to find out a bit more about these birds.

When did you first start the Ostrich farm tours?

About 15 years ago, just after I met my husband. My mom in law asked me to show her guests at the B & B she was running at the time, the farm, as I speak German and Dutch.

How many Ostriches did you start with?

About 1000, and we now farm with over 25 000 birds, ages ranging from one day to about 15 years’ old.

Did you name them all?

No, we do not have so many names, to start with……

Do you or Piet have a favourite Ostrich?

We had a little dwarf female that grew to about half a metre, and then stopped… But unfortunately we had to kill her when bird flu was diagnosed on our farm about 6 years ago. All the birds had to be killed then, it was a very sad day. We had to start all over again.

Can you see different personalities in these birds?

Ostriches are very stupid animals. Their brains weigh about 40g, compared to the eye that weighs 60g! So you can just imagine. They stress very easily and they are frightened by the slightest noise or light. When thunder strikes, the just keep running around in circles like a chicken without a head. The breeding males are very aggressive; they do not allow anyone near them.

How old is the oldest Ostrich that you have?

Our breeding males are about 15 years old. We have one breeding pair on the farm, Jannie and Rosie, named after my mom and father in law. They are about 25 years old.

It basically says on Wikipedia that male ostriches’ have one true love. Is this true?

“Territorial males typically boom in defence of their territory and harem of two to seven hens;^[48] the successful male may then mate with several females in the area, but will only form a pair bond with a ‘major’ female.^[48]”

Yes, they say that ostriches mate for life. We have at least 2 females to each male, and they have to stay together on the farm. After the breeding season – Aug – April – they separate the males and females. They get a 4-month holiday, during which we harvest the feathers to export to Rio for the Carnival. Then we must make sure that the same males and females are put together again. They have tags on their necks to identify and help with this process.

Who takes care of the ostriches?

Japie Potgieter has worked on the farm with us for over 13 years. He knows everything there is to know about ostriches. When to pluck, vaccinate, feed, weigh etc. How many birds at any certain time on the farm – and he is responsible for about 10 000 of these birds! He has a team of dedicated workers (not everyone on the farm knows how to work with ostriches).

Ostrich Farm Tour Information

Witness first-hand how these large birds are plucked, fed, weighed, and how we raise these peculiar birds from day old to 12 months. On this 2-hour tour, you might have the opportunity to see them hatch and take their first breaths.

R250 per adult

R125 per child (6-12)

We have family packages available – please enquire.

Daily scheduled tours @ 9h00. Private tours (outside of the scheduled times) for smaller groups available on request.

Keep fit at AfriCamps Klein Karoo

While some of us need our weekends away to relax with a glass of wine in hand on the deck of a beautiful tent, there are those who are will gladly wake up at 6 am to keep fit. We have two trails at AfriCamps Klein Karoo which will give you the beautiful backdrop of nature while you run through a field of succulents and pass by buck lazily grazing on the property or use the deck to create your perfect yogi space.

Kaaimans Trail

Named after the dam on the property, the Kaaimans Trail is one for the whole family. Whether it’s an evening stroll that you are after, your morning jog or a quick mountain bike fix, you will get it all from this quaint trail.

This trail starts at Tent 5 and is approximately 700m. Perfect for taking young children on a nature walk. Use it as the perfect time to teach them about the Karoo plants and animals, as they double up on exercise and exploring.

The rest of the family can use this trail as a substitute for their gym time. Add in some of these workouts, Trail Fit: Full Body, No Equipment Necessary, Outdoor Workouts, to ensure you get your full exercise experience.

Springbuck Trail

The Springbuck trail is our more advanced trail that covers the whole farm. This one is for the more advanced mountain bikers who want to see and explore the farm. Set off on through the rocky land as you pass the breeding grounds for the springbuck to find out just how this trail got its’ name. The Springbuck Trail is about 6.5KM, ask Esti-Mari for more details on the exact route.

Yoga on the deck

Take your home or studio practice to the next level and take your yoga mat on holiday with you. Imagine waking up to the calming sounds of the Karoo and working through a few sun salutations on the deck at sunrise. Get one of your travel mates to snap a picture for that ultimate Instagram yogi experience.

5 tips to make Valentine’s day special at AfriCamps

With Valentine’s day fast approaching, most people have forgotten all about this day falling on a Sunday and making your Valentine’s day, into a Valentine’s weekend. Don’t worry, we have you covered here at AfriCamps Klein Karoo.

Indulge in something different this year, since you have probably done the chocolates, the teddy bears, the romantic dinners and expensive jewellery. Now is the time to try glamping…if you haven’t already.

Top 5 ways to make your Valentine’s day special at AfriCamps.

Afternoon picnic – Nothing says “I love you” more than an afternoon picnic. Check in time is 2pm so arrive early in the afternoon in Oudtshoorn and find the perfect spot on the farm to set up a picnic.
Wine tasting at Karusa– Add in some wine tasting on Saturday at Karusa, located in Schoemanshoek, just up the road from AfriCamps. They even have a brewery on site, if wine is not your thing. (They are open until 2:30pm).
Game drive with sunset drinks – Included in our Valentine’s weekend package is a guided game drive around the farm, stopping off midway to enjoy a drink while you watch the sun go down.
Tapas dinner on your private deck– Included in our Valentine’s weekend package as well is this romantic tapas dinner which will be set up for you and your partner on the deck of your tent.
Breakfast – Making breakfast in a tent has never been this easy, as our tents come fully equipped with everything that you need to be your own master chef. Order in a breakfast basket for 2 from our Camp manager Esti-Mari and treat that someone special to breakfast in bed. (Looking for glamping inspiration? Have a look at our Pinterest board).

10 Tips for Traveling with Kids

So you have booked your family vacation to AfriCamps and after the initial excitement of actually going on holiday, the reality of driving 6 hours in a car with tiny humans sets in. A quick panic and fear might cause you to pause and reconsider this already booked holiday. Don’t worry you are not the first to attempt this mission and you are definitely not the last. We have searched around and found our list of top tips from parents who have gone before you. They have made the mistakes and learnt lessons so that you don’t have to relive them.

Take a deep breath and relax. Your journey will be easier with these 10 Tips for traveling with kids

Planning goes a long way especially with kids, so pack the night before and ensure that everything you need has been crossed off the list. You wouldn’t want to find out half way on the R62 that you forgot the first aid kit.
Packing, every mom out there seems to swear by the second smaller bag of extras. This is packing a small bag with an extra set of clothes, another t-shirt, a comfy jacket and their fav toy. This will save you the trouble of stopping the car and digging clothing out of the bigger bag.
We all know the wrath of a hungry adult, now imagine that wrath in a little human. Preparing for the bursts of hunger along the way can be fun.

Let them help the night before to make little snack packs for themselves. This way they feel included and won’t complain when you hand them a bag since they packed it themselves.
Top tip with this one is no sugar, or limit the amount of sugar that you give them, no bouncy kids in the backseat.

Games and activities. The road can seem longer than it is if you have bored kids in the car. Take care of all their little needs by packing a bag full of toys and activities.

Some great ideas:

Dry erase board with some markers
Magnetic toys on a baking sheet
A ribbon tied to the car seat with a safety pin – you can use this idea to tie the cup, the markers, the stuffed toy anything you want to the car seat so that you are not having to pull over to find Mr. Fluffy.
Top tips:
Bring a ball with for the stops along the way to get rid of some of that extra energy.
Wrap small toys before you leave and unwrap them along the way for new toys on the road.

Education along the way. One great tip is to print out a map and laminate it the let kids trace the route and mark off the landmarks along the way.
First aid box. Never leave for a road trip without it. You never want to end up midway to your destination with a crying kid in need of a plaster.
Baby wipes, Ziploc bags and rubbish bags. This is self-explanatory but a definite must on all road trips.
Their own blanket and pillow. This helps a lot with kids adjusting to their environment. AfriCamps comes with blankets and pillows, however your little one might just feel more comfortable with their own blanket.
Traveling times. Always add in extra time when traveling with kids. Overestimate to take into consideration lengthy stops.
Top tip: Try and leave as early as possible most moms make use of this method since kids fall back asleep once they are in the car.

(Thanks to Super moms Illana Ferreira and Willemijn Assink for the top tips)

Cango Caves

As you exit AfriCamps Klein Karoo to the right and you continue down on the R328 away from the center of Oudtshoorn, this beautiful scenic drive will lead you to the Cango Caves. Located at the foothills of the Swartberg Mountains tucked away in limestone ridges, these beautiful caves are not to be missed.

There are two types of tours on offer at these caves. The Cango Caves standard tour and the Cango Caves adventure tour (if you are fit and able – do the adventure tour). Though the standard tour provides you with a good introduction into these magnificent caverns.

As you move through each cave, the friendly and informative guide will provide you with the rich history, mythology and random humour to ensure that you get the most out the tour.

This is both for young and old. You will truly get the same reaction from people at all ages when they see these magnificent caves.

Some more info on the Cango Caves tours:

Cango Caves Standard Tour

All standard heritage tours are led by experienced, knowledgeable, accredited cave guides. Learn about the stalactites and stalagmites that form in these caves. This tour will take you through a number of different halls, each enchanting you with its own mystery and wonder. Fun for the whole family, this tour will capture your imagination and educate you on the beauty of these formations.

Prices Per Person: R85,-
Children 5-17: R50,-
Bookings Essential

Cango Caves Adventure Tour

All adventure tours are led by experienced, knowledgeable, accredited cave guides. This tour starts off in the same hall as the standard tour but takes you on an adventure that will have you climbing up iron ladders and crawling through the tunnel of love, all the while learning about these mystical formations.

Prices Per Person: R105,-
Children 5-17: R65,-
Bookings Essential

Prices and activities may differ slightly and are subject to availability.

AfriCamps Klein Karoo – It’s in the details

Turn left towards the Cango Caves at the intersection next to the CP Nel museum once your reach the center of Oudtshoorn and after driving for about 3 minutes, you will find yourself at the stone gate entrance to AfriCamps Klein Karoo.

Our first location opened up on the 1^st of November and we have had great feedback from our first guests, one guest called it “the perfect paradise”. With the Karoo landscape as your backdrop and the Swartberg Mountains as your front view, it is easy to see that from the deck of each tent, you have your own piece of paradise.

Spacious Boutique Camping Tents

africamps klein karoo oudtshoorn boutique glamping south africa

View from the comfort of your own private deck

Mornings at AfriCamps

We can’t hide the fact at everyone loves their morning cup of coffee and there is no better place to have that first cup in the comfort of the lounge chairs.

Here’s our top three tips for that perfect cup of coffee;

Fresh beans, and for the freshest coffee beans in the area we recommend Beans about Coffee.
Use fresh filtered water. This one maybe an ‘old wives tale’ but many seem to swear that it makes the coffee taste better.
Don’t boil the water too much. A warm 200 degrees is perfect.

It’s in the details

In our latest media spotlight AfriCamps Klein Karoo was featured in the famed House and Leisure. This South African magazine with a keen eye on style noticed all the details in the tent, such as the wooden pallets in the kitchen and the corrugated iron in the bathroom.

We challenge you to see how many more unique details you can spot in our tents during your stay at AfriCamps Klein Karoo. (Tag us ‘Africamps_SA’ in your Instagram posts and you could be winning yourself a quirky AfriCamps mug to take home after your stay).

Day time fun at AfriCamps Klein Karoo

Besides just relaxing in the tents and taking the breath-taking views, some guests have found themselves trailing off around the property to see if they can spot some of the game on the farm. As we can see from the pictures that they took these animals have no problem posing for a photo.

Game pose: The majestic game on the farm standing proud

After a long day of exploring the Oudtshoorn area and spotting game on the farm, the evenings usually calm down with traditional farm braai outside your tent. With each tent having its own braai area, the only question left is who will be Braai Master.

With AfriCamps Klein Karoo now up and running we are happy to end off the year knowing that this is just the beginning.

Stay tuned for more locations opening in 2016.

AfriCamps Klein Karoo Build Up

Week one is complete and with that we can announce with pride that the structure for the first tent is up. The excitement was high on Monday morning as most of the guys had not been to Oudtshoorn before. With stacked trucks we headed off to Oudtshoorn, stopping for lunch along the way at the famous Diesel and Creme diner in Barrydale.

Tuesday was a full day of off loading all of the materials as we started at 7am and only finished at 6:30pm. This was the day where we uncovered a small speedbump in this plan. Sadly the bigger truck with all the materials could not make it all the way up from the road to the location of the tents. However thankfully with the help of the smaller truck, a tractor and a flatbed truck we finally got all the materials to the location. This worked out in our favour as it was easier to sort out everything that we needed into tent specific piles.

From Wednesday we started with the structure of the tents and the deck area. Finishing three tent structures within the first day.

From Thursday we were full steam ahead and by Saturday we had already completed the roof on the first tent.

As you can see, the views from the tents are incredible. Now with all that work done and with the start of the Rugby World Cup the guys needed a break to celebrate…(unfortunately South Africa lost to Japan that night).

Now with six weeks left until the launch of AfriCamps Klein Karoo, the excitement is high as we are on track to complete our first site.

From Concept to Creation

Based in our factory in Atlantis, we set out together with our AfriCamps team to bring our concept to life. Starting out with a team of 8 people we have overcome design changes and have learnt new skills to aid in this mission. From our first poles which stood in the factory to the wooden deck and flooring that runs throughout the tent, each week we saw our concept develop and grow until in the end we had a fully standing tent constructed in the factory.

Now to build these tents on the farm. Follow us on this journey as we set up our first AfriCamps site in Oudtshoorn.