Klein Karoo

Wild Meerkat Tours

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Welcome to Five Shy Meerkats Based in Oudtshoorn, South Africa. Situated in the northern part of the Garden Route, with a lot of fun activities, natural wildlife and the home of Meerkat Adventures.

We are based on one of the most beautiful cattle and alfalfa (lusern) farms in Oudtshoorn, home of the original meerkat conservation site. Let our generation preserve the last frontier. All Information and photos on this site are from my own research and is based on findings and information from seven or eight groups of meerkats that I have worked with around Oudtshoorn in the Little Karoo (South Africa).

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Meerkats

Meerkats are small, highly social mammals famous for their upright stance and playful behavior. Found in the arid regions of southern Africa, they live in tight-knit groups and are a delight to watch as they forage, dig, and keep watch for predators in the Klein Karoo.

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The only diurnal or day active member of the shy five.

They earn their spot because of their enormous personal space bubble (around 200m-300m for a completely wild family away from human contact). You can find meerkats in the semi dessert and dessert like areas in Southern Africa.

They are insectivores living in gangs of up to 20 members but usually only about 7 - 12 members are average.

They are lead by a dominant female and her mate which can breed up to 3 times per year.

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Aardvark

The aardvark is Africa’s shy and mysterious night wanderer with a long snout and strong claws perfect for digging out ants and termites. Rare to spot, this unique creature quietly roams the Klein Karoo, offering an unforgettable glimpse into the wild.

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Orycteropus afer) is a medium-sized, burrowing, nocturnal mammal native to Africa.

It is the only living species of the order Tubulidentata, although other prehistoric species and genera of Tubulidentata are known.

Unlike other insectivores, it has a long pig-like snout, which is used to sniff out food. It roams over most of the southern two-thirds of the African continent, avoiding areas that are mainly rocky.

A nocturnal feeder, it subsists on ants and termites , which it will dig out of their hills using its sharp claws and powerful legs. It also digs to create burrows in which to live and rear its young.

It receives a "least concern" rating from the IUCN, although its numbers seem to be decreasing.

FAST FACT: Aardvarks can eat up to 60 000 ants and termites in one night, thanks to its 30cm-long sticky tongue.

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Bat-Eared Fox

The bat-eared fox is a small, nocturnal fox with striking large ears that help it detect insects and small prey. It is agile, curious, and mostly found in the open savannas and grasslands of southern Africa, making it a fascinating creature to encounter in the Klein Karoo.

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This specie of fox found on the African savanna, named for its large ears, which are used for thermoregulation.

Fossil records show this canid first appeared during the middle Pleistocene.

It is considered a basal canid species, resembling ancestral forms of the family.

The bat-eared fox (also referred to as Delalande’s fox, long-eared fox, big-eared fox, and black-eared fox) has tawny fur with black ears, legs, and parts of the pointed face. It averages 55 centimetres (22 in) in length (head and body), with ears 13 centimetres (5.1 in) long.

It is the only species in the genus Otocyon. The name Otocyon is derived from the Greek words "otus" for ear and "cyon" for dog, while the specific name megalotis comes from the Greek words "mega" for large and "otus" for ear.

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Aardwolf

The aardwolf is a nocturnal, insect-eating relative of the hyena, with a slender build and distinctive striped coat. Gentle and elusive, it feeds mainly on termites and can often be spotted quietly roaming the plains of the Oudtshoorn area at night.

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This is a small, insectivorous mammal, native to East and Southern Africa.

Its name means "earth wolf" in Afrikaans and Dutch. It is also called "maanhaar jackal" (Afrikaans for "mane jackal") or civet hyena, based on its habit of secreting substances from its anal gland, a characteristic shared with the civet.

The aardwolf is in the same family as the hyena. Unlike many of its relatives in the order Carnivora, the aardwolf does not hunt large animals. It eats insects and insect larvae, mainly termites. One aardwolf can lap up as many as 250,000 termites during a single night using its long, sticky tongue.

The aardwolf lives in the shrublands of eastern and southern Africa – open lands covered with stunted trees and shrubs. It is nocturnal, resting in burrows during the day and emerging at night to seek food.

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Porcupine

The African porcupine is a nocturnal rodent covered in sharp quills for protection. Slow-moving but impressive to watch, it feeds on roots, bulbs, and small plants and adds a unique and memorable element to the wildlife of Oudtshoorn.

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This nocturnal animal feasts on plant roots and loves veggies.

They are very commonly found throughout South Africa but seldom seen as they are shy Which is partially due to the fact that farmers see them as pests as they would dig up their crops or fields and would often shoot them on sight.

FAST FACT: Contrary to popular belief they cannot shoot the quills from their back like it is often seen in cartoons. They do however reverse into their enemy Impaling them and then the quills will dislodge and stick into the attacker.

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Sunrise tours meerkats, Porcupine, Bat Eared Fox
Klein karoo Oudtshoorn Guided Tours
Filming meerkats tour

Wild Meerkat Adventure Group Tours

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Swartberg and Outeniqua mountains, our guided tours give you front-row seats to this natural wonder. Sip your morning coffee as the veld comes alive, while expert guides share fascinating insights about meerkats and the unique biodiversity of the Klein Karoo.

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