Tannery - Oasis Tanning Co

Your Skin, Tanned to the Highest Standard

From a single skin to a bulk commercial order, Oasis Tanning has the expertise, the equipment, and the heritage to deliver leather of the highest quality. Normal turnaround is four to five months, with giraffe skins taking eight to nine months.

How We Tan Your Skin

From drop off to collection, here is exactly what happens to your skin.

Drop off & contract. You bring your skin to us, and we draw up a contract with your name, contact details, and the agreed price. A 50% deposit is paid upfront.

Your skin is tracked, not lost. The contract number is marked directly onto your skin. From this point on, no matter how many other skins are moving through the tannery at the same time, yours is always identifiable as it moves through the process.

The queue. Every skin goes through in order. Normal tanning takes four to five months. Giraffe skins take longer, usually eight to nine months, and up to twelve months if any issues come up along the way.

Tanning, shaving & splitting. Your skin goes through the full tanning process, including shaving and splitting, using the method suited to that skin type.

If a problem comes up, we tell you. Occasionally, a skin develops an issue during the process, such as hair slip or flay cuts. If that happens, we issue a status report and contact you before continuing, so you can decide whether to proceed. The tanning price stays the same either way, since the cost is based on the labour and time involved, not the condition the skin comes through in. Unless it has too much hair slip to proceed as fur, but still good for leather, there will be a slight price difference.

Collection. Once your skin is ready, we phone you. You come out to the tannery, collect your finished leather, and pay the remaining 50%.

Every Skin, the Right Method

Vegetable, mineral, chrome, and specialist Cape tanning, chosen for the skin in front of us, not for convenience.

Exotic game skin tanning

For hunters, game farms, and leather traders who want the finest finish on Southern Africa’s most prized skins.

We tan the full spectrum of Southern African exotic game skins.

Each skin is treated with the method best suited to its type, ensuring the right texture, durability, and finish for its intended use. Whether it is for a wall hanging, a floor rug, upholstery, or a product, we get the result right.

Bovine hide tanning

For leather traders, manufacturers, and businesses needing reliable, high-quality cattle leather.

We source our bovine hides from developing farming regions across South Africa. We process them using vegetable tanning (ideal for belts, shoes, gun holsters, knife pouches, and more), chrome tanning (for bags, upholstery, clothing, and more), and mineral tanning methods (for riempies), depending on the end use.

The result is consistent, durable leather that meets international quality standards, ready for manufacturing or resale.

Cape tanning

A specialist process for specific skin types requiring traditional Cape tanning methods.

Cape tanning is a distinct process suited to particular skin types and end use applications. Our team has the knowledge and experience to advise whether Cape tanning is right for your skin and to carry it out to the standard the process demands.

Not sure if this applies to you? Get in touch and we’ll guide you.

Raw skin supply

For tanners, exporters, and manufacturers who need quality raw skins at the source.

This is a sourcing service for trade buyers, not for hunters bringing in their own skin. If that’s you, see our Raw Preparation guide instead.

We procure game skins directly from game farms across South Africa. If you are looking for a reliable supply of raw exotic skins, we can work with you on quantity, species, and condition requirements.

All skins are sourced responsibly, with attention to the protection of South Africa’s fauna and flora.

Global export

Oasis Tanning Company supplies leather and hides to international clients across:

Europe
United States
Australia
The Middle East
The Far East

Our experience with international export means we understand the documentation, quality requirements, and logistics involved in getting your order where it needs to go, on time and to standard.

Not sure what you need?

Whether it’s a single skin or a bulk order, our team will help you figure out exactly what you need and what it will cost.

Skin types we specialise in

Zebra

Kudu

Springbuck

Blesbuck

Red Hartebeest

Gemsbuck

Impala

Blue Wildebeest

Ostrich

Elephant

Buffalo

Giraffe

Nyala

Waterbuck

Nguni

Crocodile