Surrounded by the dramatic Swartberg Mountains, Oudtshoorn is the largest town in the Little Karoo region. It is also home to the largest ostrich population in the world. Oudtshoorn was a small town that grew relatively slowly after it was settled by Dutch explorers in the 1830s. It faced hardships in this time, and a drought through most of the 1860s depleted the population.

But in 1869 the drought came to an end, and before long the newly rejuvenated farms were able to supply the demand for ostriches, as ostrich feathers had become a fashion item throughout Europe. The ostrich farming industry has ensured the town has prospered ever since, especially as the ostrich farms have become popular tourist attractions.