Set along the banks of the Grobbelaars River south of the Swartberg range, Oudtshoorn was founded in 1847 and was named after Baron Pieter van Rheede van Oudtshoorn, governor-designate of the Cape, who died in 1773 on his way to take up the appointment. The town is popularly known as the world's 'feather capital' , a reference to its pre-eminent position as the centre of the late-Victorian and Edwardian feather industry.

During those years the bigger farms of the area each accommodated around 600 birds and some of the local farmers and businessmen made fabulous fortunes. The wealthiest built themselves marble-floored farmhouses, or moved into town and constructed mansions that came to be known as 'feather palaces'', hugely ostentatious multi roomed extravaganzas of turrets and gables and cast iron trimmings.

Ostrich farms are still very much a feature of the area. (Oudtshoorn is the only place in the world where feathers are still sold at auctions). Apart from the feathers - used mainly in the manufacture of fashion accessories and household dusters - the bird is valuable for its meat (ostrich steak and biltong), its egg (equal, in terms of an omelette, to 24 hen's eggs) and skin (handbags, wallets and shoes).

Oudtshoorn is also home to the Cango Wildlife Ranch which, besides being a major tourist attraction in the area is a world renowned breeding centre for crocodiles and cheetahs which are exported to other breeding centres around the world.

This complex, just outside town, is home to about 300 crocodiles; among other features of interest are a crocodile museum, snake park, tame animals and a children's farmyard.

Cheetahland, a complex within the ranch has a 200m raised walkway that meanders across the bushveld, enabling visitors to observe and photograph these graceful big cats (as well as lions and jaguars) in their natural environment.