Oudtshoorn, in the Western Cape province, is the largest town in the Little Karoo region. The town was established in 1847 at the foot of the Swartberg Mountains, when international demand for ostrich feathers created a boom in the local farming industry. Today, Oudtshoorn is still known for its ostrich farming and has the world's largest Ostrich population. A number of these specialised ostrich breeding farms offer tours.
Besides ostriches many tourists come here to visit the nearby Cango Caves. Oudtshoorn is also along part of the Route 62 wine route and some of South Africa's best wines are produced in the surrounding area. This is also where the trendy annual Klein Karoo Nationale Kunstefees (KKNK), which means "Little Karoo National Arts Festival” is held. KKNK is said to be South Africa's largest arts festival.