Our Story

Karoo Game Skins was established in January 2017. The idea was born when JJ Oosthuizen saw the opportunity to tan game skins that are sourced from Aloe Meats, a registered Game and Ostrich Abattoir based in Uitenhage in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.  J.J has been involved on the meat side of venison and ostrich since 1998 and did not know a lot about tanning at the commencement of the venture.

After seeking a lot of advice from different role-players, a sizeable investment was made in equipment and a tanning operation was set up at nr 7 Lister street, Kruisrivier, Uitenhage. We quickly found out that the old saying of  “when it sounds to good to be true it normally is” was spot on.  After rectifying the initial teething problems and sorting out the bad apples in our staff compliment we are now grateful to say that we are up and running, and we are very grateful to have Johanna, Ricardo and their team on board.  They can be extremely proud of what they have achieved in a short space of time.

KGS tans game skins, such as Springbuck, Blue wildebeest, Kudu, Blesbuck, Fallow deer and Impala.

We are proud to say that the quality of our skins competes favourably with the best in the industry and the testimony to that is all our loyal and satisfied clients with whom we have built recurring business relations in a very short time.

As mentioned previously, all our skins are sourced from Aloe Meats.  Aloe Meats buys in game carcasses from culling operators all over South Africa who are registered with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestries.  All these animals are humanely culled for the use of the meat and the skin.  Aloe Meats is also one of the biggest role-players in the venison industry and this secures a constant supply of game hides for tanning.

Karoo Game Skins also started manufacturing ottomans and African style decorative furniture lately and we intend to expand this range within the next few months.