meerkat safari oudtshoorn

• Standard Rooms
• Luxury Rooms
• Superior Rooms
• Deluxe Rooms
• Honeymoon Rooms
• Stone Cottages
• Wildehondekloof
• Meerkat Tours
• Tranquility Spa
• Ostrich Leather Purses and Wallets
• About De Zeekoe
• About Oudtshoorn
• Social Awareness

Meerkat Adventure Tours

Please note that the starting point for these tours is roughly 16 km from the main house and requires self-driving.e main house and requires self-driving., five shy meerkat tours – original tours since 2004.

The most popular of our activities we offer are without a doubt the daily wild habituated meerkat tours. These tours that commence only at sunrise are dependent on fair weather, since these little creatures will not venture outside their burrows on cold and rainy days. (No tours on rainy days & Christmas day).

Meerkats are part of the so-called Shy 5 which also includes the bat-eared fox, the aardvark, porcupine and aardwolf.

The meerkat tours last between 2-3 hours and booking is essential. Upon arrival at the meerkat burrows, guests are treated to a hot cup of coffee, after which they are issued with a lightweight aluminium chair to sit in while observing the meerkats as they come out of the burrow into the sunshine and then go about their daily routine of foraging and frolicking. These habituated wild animals are never fed or handled by humans.

Tours are presented by JD Glinister, and his team. It is a fantastic experience & unique privilege to get this close to these little creatures in the wild.

Have a look at our meerkat videos and direct meerkat website.

GENERAL GUIDELINES:

R660per person  for  De Zeekoe Guests ( De Zeekoe guests will receive a discounted rate) Rate increase from 1 May 2024 R720 per person.

(Credit or Cash)  &  R660 per person  for day visitors Sunrise tours only. Bookings are essential.

The day before the booked tour, JD has to go out and search for the meerkats. Upon his return from the field he will then inform us of the meeting point and time.

No children under the age of 10 years allowed  as you have to sit very quietly in order not to scare the little creatures.

Babysitters can be organized at an additional fee.

Pictures may be taken with guide’s permission.

Please note we have a cancellation policy.

Five Shy Meerkats

Contact Information

Cell: +27 (0)84 772 9678 E-mail: [email protected]

Address: Oudtshoorn, Western Cape, South Africa, 6625

Website: www.fiveshymeerkats.co.za

Download Brochure

Privacy overview.

Meerkat Magic

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travellers

Meerkat Magic - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

• (0.99 km) Earthbound Guest House
• (1.00 km) Pictures Boutique Hotel
• (1.74 km) La Pension Guest House
• (1.42 km) Karoo Sun Boutique Guest House
• (1.73 km) Le Roux's Guest House
• (2.56 km) Nostalgie Restaurant
• (3.41 km) Beans About Coffee
• (2.59 km) Bello Cibo Restaurant
• (2.70 km) Jemima's Restaurant
• (2.86 km) The Black Swan Restaurant & Wine Bar

Meerkat Magic

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travellers

Meerkat Magic - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• (0.99 km) Earthbound Guest House
• (1.00 km) Pictures Boutique Hotel
• (1.74 km) La Pension Guest House
• (1.42 km) Karoo Sun Boutique Guest House
• (1.73 km) Le Roux's Guest House
• (2.56 km) Nostalgie Restaurant
• (3.41 km) Beans About Coffee
• (2.59 km) Bello Cibo Restaurant
• (2.70 km) Jemima's Restaurant
• (2.86 km) The Black Swan Restaurant & Wine Bar

• Travel Website
• Travel trade website
• Business events website
• Corporate & media website
• Welcome to South Africa
• What you need to know
• Things to do
• Places to go
• Get in touch

Choose your country and language:

• South Africa

Asia Pacific

• South Korea
• Netherlands
• United Kingdom

By creating an account, I agree to the Terms of service and Privacy policy

Wildlife safari

Meerkat encounters in oudtshoorn, western cape: wake up alongside the cutest denizens of the little karoo.

T T here is something magical about watching a meerkat greet a new day , and the experience is waiting for you in Western Cape province ’s Little Karoo .  

Go out before sunrise on De Zeekoe G uest F arm outside Oudtshoorn on Route 62, and you’ll encounter meerkats in a non-invasive way, gain ing a real insight into their lives within their natural habitat.  

Meerkats hate the cold, so they’re only up once sunlight hits their burrow. By then, you’ll be seated on portable chairs in a semi-circle, and you ’ll have had had a full rundown on meerkats and their intriguing lives.  

Actually, only one meerkat will come up initially – the sentinel. She’ll face the sun, arms at her side, absorbing heat through her ‘solar panel’ – the dark patch on her belly. You’ll see her head swivelling, her dark eyes moving ceaselessly back and forth. She will study the people, then the surrounding bush, then gaze at the skies, on the lookout for the meerkats’ most feared foes – birds of prey.  

Then, one at a time, she will be joined by the others, and as sentinel she’ll give a quiet, regular chirrup, reassuring them that all is well. Zoologists call it ‘ the Watchman’s Song ’ . They will all line up to greet the sun and warm up. Meerkats don’t have much fat at all, so they rely on the sun to rev up their metabolisms, somewhat like reptiles.  

This colony of a dozen or so meerkats at De Zeekoe is habituated to humans. So while they won’t necessarily scamper up to you, they won’t run for the hills either, as a normal wild troop would.  

After the warm-up, some of the younger meerkats will start to play. The adults will start digging here and there for grubs, and the meerkats will disperse into a loose group (still guarded by the sentinel, still incessantly scanning the horizons and skies).  

And you ’ ll follow them for a while, learning something about a day in the life of a meerkat troop.  

When it ’ s time to go, you ’ ll leave them to their mad scrabbling and insect hunts , and soon they’ll be all but invisible behind the short Karoo shrubs.  

Meerkat encounters are just one of the things to do on Route 62, which meanders through the Little Karoo from Montagu to Humansdorp offering wine tours, ostrich farms, hiking, mountain - biking , 4-wheel drive trails and adventure sports, horse-riding, traditional arts and crafts, museums , historical sites and cultural tours , safaris, angling and even sky-diving .  

T T ravel tips & Planning  info  

Who to contact

Meerkat Adventures   Cell: +27 (0)84 772 9678   Email: [email protected]      

De Zeekoe G uest F arm   Tel: +27 (0)44 272 6721   Cell: +27 (0)82 584 9957   Email:  [email protected]  

How to get here

The closest airport to Oudtshoorn is George, about 65km away. (George is in the centre of the Garden Route). From George take the N12 north over the mountains through the spectacular Outeniqua P ass. Depending on photographic stops, it will take you under an hour to get to Oudtshoorn .   

I f you’re coming from Cape Town, it is about a 5 -hour drive along the R62. From Port Elizabeth, it’s also just over 5 hours’ drive. Take the N2 westwards and at George, take the N12 north. De Zeekoe is only 8km from the western edge of Oudtshoorn , along the R328 to Mossel Bay.  

Best time to visit

You can visit the meerkats any time of year. They rise later in winter (April to September), and they stay underground if it’s raining , which in these parts is also more likely in winter .  

Around the area

P opular attractions around Oudtshoorn include the world- famous Cango Caves, the Cango Wildlife Ranch and , of course, ostrich farms.  

Tours to do

If you’re staying at De Zeekoe , you can go on a tour of the farm, either towed by a 1958 tractor or on horse back .  

Once you’ve parked your car near the meerkat colony, Devey Glinister will guide you on a short walk to the burrow.  

Length of stay

The meerkat experience lasts about 3 hours. But there’s so much to do around Oudtshoorn that you could easily spend a few nights here. Also, if the weather is inclement, you may miss the meerkats on the first morning , so perhaps book a stay of at least 2 nights .  

What to pack

In summer (October to March), bring a hat – and sunscreen all year round. In winter (April to September) bring your warmest gear, including beanies, gloves and warm socks. Don’t forget your camera.  

Where to stay

De Zeekoe has excellent accommodation varying from luxurious to comfortable. Alternately, Oudtshoorn has many options.  

What to eat

When in Oudtshoorn , try ostrich meat, which is lean , tasty and low in cholesterol . Karoo lamb, which gets its distinctive flavour from the drought-adapted vegetation that sheep graze on in this region, is also a speciality.  

What's happening

Oudtshoorn hosts the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees (‘Little Karoo N a tional Arts Festival’) – a cultural festival celebrating the Afrikaans language – every year in March.  

Ostrich meat, ostrich biltong, ostrich feathers, ostrich feather-dusters, and ostrich - egg shells (decorated or plain).  

Related l inks  

• Meerkat Adventures  
• De Zeekoe guest farm  
• Oudtshoorn Information  
• Route 62  

South Africa on social media

The BMW International Open has made us excited for the BMW Golf Cup World Final to be hosted in SA. We caught up wi… https://t.co/XiU3waBo1T

Always a pleasure partnering with local businesses to promote SA on the global stage. Warren Weitsz, Co-Founder of… https://t.co/YRxoX6Jdtx

To say the players are bringing their A-game is an under statement! Round 2 has given us many unforgettable moments… https://t.co/4bBdAuXMUL

"...Patrons have been keen and interested in engaging on where the best fairways in SA are. Paired with some of our… https://t.co/tIoXM2uUrh

Our stand at the BMW International Open has been drawing a lot of attention – and rightfully so! “We are proud and… https://t.co/ulYSTje4CB

Clear skies, rolling greens, supportive crowds – the conditions couldn’t be better for a day at Golfclub München Ei… https://t.co/3TMmUxsN0m

What happens when an amateur and pro hit the fairway together? Find out in the Pro-Am Tournament, where 3 amateurs… https://t.co/hkvHUw0H0E

Ready to get into the swing of things? The Pro-Am Tournament of the 2023 BMW International Open starts today in Mün… https://t.co/WqLU7FshdH

South Africa has many exquisite golf courses. As we gear up for The BMW International Open in Germany, we hope to s… https://t.co/vTFwgOa78W

South African Tourism will be showcasing our beautiful country's offerings in Germany! We have so much to offer glo… https://t.co/O1m4yVy491

#DidYouKnow South Africa has produced some of the top golfers in the world. As we gear up for the BMW International… https://t.co/E1GsW6z1Fy

#DidYouKnow ? #VisitSouthAfrica ❤️🇿🇦 https://t.co/Y4zWjb8xIz

RT @Roberto_EUBXL: Amazing #YouthDay2023 long weekend in @MidlandsMeander ! Another 💎 of multifaceted #SouthAfrica : touches of 🇬🇧 🇧🇪 🇱🇺 co…

What does golf, South Africa, BMW and Germany have in common? The 34th staging of the BMW International Open in Ger… https://t.co/YdvuWOjs8O

Golf was first played in South Africa in 1885, in Cape Town. Now we are taking our love of golf to the world, as we… https://t.co/dXc5uIyGxI

RT @PublicSectorMan: Today marks 47 years since the youth uprising of 16 June 1976. Deputy President Paul Mashatile will lead the commemor…

We look forward to showcasing South Africa’s abundant tourism offerings to a global audience while reminding them a… https://t.co/yVz97hDGaa

A dynamic collaboration between SA Tourism and the iconic BMW Group is set to supercharge the country’s efforts tow… https://t.co/JhLDwHlLix

50 days until the kick-off – or shall we say the tip-off – of the Vitality #NWC2023 in SA! Excitement levels are at… https://t.co/Ni2fHwh2NJ

#VisitSouthAfrica ❤️🇿🇦 https://t.co/ApcA6wNNop

• Useful links
• Travel partners
• Business events
• Travel trade
• Accommodation
• Useful contacts
• Visa & entry info
• Digital Assets Library
• Image Library

• See How It Works
• My Wishlist

• Eastern Cape
• KwaZulu-Natal
• Western Cape

Use the Map or Links to Find the Perfect Experience Gift

• Hikes And Walks
• Rock Climbing & Abseiling
• Target Sports
• Canopy Tours & Zip Lining
• Sandboarding
• Safari Experiences
• City Sightseeing Tours
• Animal Experiences
• Personal Shopping
• Supercar Driving
• 4x4 Driving
• Quad Biking
• Segway Tours
• Driving Training
• Vehicle Hire
• Flying Lessons
• Paragliding
• Helicopter Tours
• Microlight Flights
• Tandem Skydiving
• Wine Tasting
• Dinner & Lunch Cruises
• Baking & Cake Decorating
• Food & Drink Tours
• Beer & Breweries
• Spirit Tasting & Tours
• Afternoon Tea
• Overnight Breaks
• Arts and Crafts
• Cosmetics & Beauty
• Dance Class
• Horse Riding
• Photography Lesson
• Spa Day for Two
• Spa Day for Him
• Makeover & Photoshoot
• Overnight Spa Breaks
• Watersports
• RIB & Power Boats
• Whale and Dolphin Watching
• Shark Cage Diving
• Snorkelling
• Diving Experiences
• Canoe & Kayaking
• Paddleboarding
• Kitesurfing
• Gifts For Men
• Gifts For Women
• Gifts for Juniors
• Gift Vouchers

Sunrise Wild Meerkat Tour in Oudtshoorn

Pull up a chair and observe wild meerkats in their natural habitat during this unique sunrise wildlife experience in Oudtshoorn!

• Oudtshoorn (George)
• Gift Voucher valid for 1 Participant
• VOUCHERS VALID FOR 3 YEARS
• FREE EXCHANGES
• INSTANT E-GIFT AVAILABLE

Looking for a specific date rather than a voucher? Wherever you see the  Book Now  banner, we can check live availability and make reservations for you!

Observe meerkats going about their daily activity during this unique wildlife encounter in Oudtshoorn. It’s an animal experience you’ll never forget! 

On the morning of the 2-3-hour tour, your guides will lead you to the meerkat burrows, where you’ll enjoy a hot cup of coffee to start the day. As the sun rises, you’ll then take your seats on the lightweight aluminium chairs provided. The meerkats are wild but habituated to humans, so provided you sit very quietly, they’ll emerge from their burrows and go about their daily routine undisturbed. Though it’s not possible to feed or handle them, you can watch and take photos as they forage and frolic in the morning sunshine. Meanwhile, your guides will talk a bit about their unique behaviours and complex social structure, helping you make sense of all the activity taking place in front of you. Trust us, you could happily watch these little creatures all day!

The Sunrise Wild Meerkat Tour in Oudtshoorn offers a fascinating insight into the lives of these remarkable animals, and it would make a unique experience gift for anyone interested in wildlife. Surprise them with an Experience Days gift certificate today! 

Read full description

Item/SKU Number 5227

Meerkat sighting tours can be booked on weekdays and weekends throughout the year, subject to weather conditions and availability.

Minimum age : 10

Experience Duration: 03:00

Time Spent at Venue: 03:15

The tour lasts approximately 2-3 hours, depending on the meerkats and weather. 

Start times will vary throughout the year from 5 am - 7:30 am.

Participants: The Sunrise Wild Meerkat Tour in Oudtshoorn is for 1 participant.

Max Group Size: 11

Spectators Allowed on Site: No

This Meerkat experience requires a minimum group size of 2 to go ahead. Please note, if the required group size is not met, you experience may be rescheduled. 

Maximum group size : 20

Please wear warm, comfortable outdoor clothing.

Meerkats do not emerge in the rain, so in bad weather the tour will be scheduled for another date.

• Customer Reviews

Write a review

(Maximum of 3 images; maximum size 4mb)

Thank you for your feedback. We will review your submission and notify you when we publish you review.

Enquire about this experience, thank you for your feedback. we will reply to you soon., you added 1 item to your cart.

You have X items in your cart

• All Locations
• All Eastern Cape
• East London
• Port Elizabeth
• Tsitsikamma
• All Free State
• All Gauteng
• Johannesburg
• All KwaZulu-Natal
• All Limpopo
• All Mpumalanga
• All Western Cape
• Franschhoek
• Somerset West
• Paternoster
• Plettenberg Bay
• Touws River
• Stellenbosch
• All Adventure
• All Days Out
• All Animal Experiences
• All Driving
• All Food & Drink
• All Dinner & Lunch Cruises
• All Getaways
• All Glamping
• All Lessons & Classes
• All Spa & Beauty
• All Spa Day for Two
• All Spa Day for Him
• All Overnight Spa Breaks
• All Occasions

How it Works

Orders are placed online with the option to write a personal message to your recipient. Customer service live chat is available Monday to Friday 11:00am to 7:00pm

An Experience Days E-Certificate is sent instantly to the chosen delivery email. The voucher includes everything your recipient needs to redeem and book an experience.

Gift Vouchers are valid towards the chosen experience for one year, then a further two years as Experience Days credit, allowing the recipient the freedom to enjoy an experience at their convenience.

Get inspired

Would you like to spot animals from The Shy Five in addition to The Big Five? Afrikaans Safari offers you a unique safari during your trip, namely to experience the morning ritual of the meerkats up close! In the morning, you will depart from a gathering location in Oudtshoorn and get a cup of coffee with Rusks. A Rusk is a typical South African coffee cookie. While enjoying a cup of coffee you can see the meerkats awaken and see how they start their day with all their rituals. Seeing the meerkats can best be combined with your visit to Oudtshoorn, which is part of the Garden Route!

Our trips are covered by the guarantee of VZR Garant . You can find the terms and conditions of this guarantee scheme on the VZR Garant website.

Murchison Falls

Other activities.

Personal trip

Safari Extreme activities Nature Golf Hiking Birding Culture Wine

Meerkat Adventures

• See all photos

Similar Experiences

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

MEERKAT ADVENTURES: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Meerkat Adventures

• See all photos

Similar Experiences

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Meerkat Adventures (Oudtshoorn) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Meerkat Magic

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travellers

MEERKAT MAGIC: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

• (0.99 km) Earthbound Guest House
• (1.00 km) Pictures Boutique Hotel
• (1.74 km) La Pension Guest House
• (1.42 km) Karoo Sun Boutique Guest House
• (1.73 km) Le Roux's Guest House
• (2.56 km) Nostalgie Restaurant
• (3.41 km) Beans About Coffee
• (2.59 km) Bello Cibo Restaurant
• (2.70 km) Jemima's Restaurant
• (2.86 km) The Black Swan Restaurant & Wine Bar

Meerkat Safaris

Come experience Namibian prestigious tourism destinations and warm hospitality

Meerkat Safaris strive for perfection meeting your needs through excellent service delivery.  Having developed an extra sense through working knowledge, our service are grafted to pay attention to individual customer needs.  We are represented on SafariBookings.com .

Meerkat Safaris offers shuttle / transfer services  as well as  guided day excursions around the city of Windhoek and Katatura township and 3-12 day tours to discover the jewels of Namibia in safe, reliable & comfortable vehicles ..

Meerkat Safaris ​ is an eco-friendly tour company supporting Etosha National Park and the mission of the Global Alliance of National Parks .

Meerkat Safaris complies with all regulations and protocols which are put in place by the Namibian ministry of health and social services.

Meerkat Safaris take utmost care to protect its clients.  All our drivers and guides are fully vaccinated, wear mask and sanitize their environment frequently.  We also expect our clients to be vaccinated if applicable as well as wearing mask and sanitizing their hands.

Elias Kahuadi

Meerkat Safaris was founded in 2018 by business owner Elias Fritz Kahuadi, who is a tour guide with more than 20 years of experience with customer service in the tourism industry. 

Our team is made of individuals whose passion is to give you Namibian hospitality in unique way.  Our consultants will tailor all our schedule tours where possible into individual private request.

Meerkat Safaris takes pride in selecting comfortable and reliable vehicles with air-conditioning as well as excellent lodges and campsites to make your stay memorable. 

Depending of the number of participants, we use different vehicles such as  sedan car, SUV, streched cruiser, minibus or safari bus.  Our drivers and tour guides are trained professionals who ensures your safety during excursions and tours.

Owned and managed by Namibians, traveling with Meerkat Safaris help us build a legacy for future generations to come.