Nestled between the majestic Swartberg and Outeniqua Mountains, lies a semi-desert region known as the Little Karoo. Derived from the Khoi word, karo, meaning drought, this region has become known as the centre of ostrich farming. Due to the ideal climate for ostriches, the town of Oudtshoorn produces almost 75% of the world’s ostrich products today, and is therefore known as the ostrich capital of the world.

The farm Buffelsdrift, 4km outside the town of Oudtshoorn was established by the De Jager family. Buffelsdrift is an Afrikaans name meaning “the place where the buffalo cross the river” (buffels=buffalo; drif(t) =a shallow fordable point in a river). In the post-war years (1945-1970) this farm became one of the prominent ostrich farms in the region.

Although the original farm of almost 10 000 hectares has since been subdivided into smaller farms, the legend of ostrich farming lives on here.

In 2003, Piet and Laura Schoeman bought a 2100 hectare portion of the original farm. Piet is a member of the 8th generation of Schoemans, who traditionally farmed in the Schoemanshoek valley, some 8 km from Buffelsdrift. He is currently utilising the farm for the purpose of extensive ostrich farming, which is his main, but not sole farming activity.

Their home language is Afrikaans. They have two children, Jan-Hendrik, almost four, and Stephanie, 20 months. The children share their parents’ passion for farming and the outdoor life of the Little Karoo. 

The Schoemans’ stately Cape Dutch manor house on the farm was built in 1948 by the late Mr Louis de Jager. Mr De Jager was the first chairperson of the Klein Karoo Agricultural Co-operative. Founded in 1945, this co-op had the objective of managing the affairs of the ostrich farmers after the fall of the feather industry.

The couple invite you to join them on an informative and enjoyable tour on the farm, where you will obtain first hand knowledge of their ostrich farming enterprise.