Skip the Line: Highgate Ostrich Farm Tour Ticket

Meet South Africa’s largest bird up close. Highgate Ostrich Farm turns a simple farm visit into a lively 75-minute lesson on ostrich biology, feeding, feathers, eggs, and leather. I like the chance to feed an ostrich by hand and the clear, family-friendly mix of information and fun. I also like that the tour includes the entrance fee, craft demonstrations, and ostrich derby. One point needs checking: riding appears in some promotional wording, but the current experience may no longer allow it.

The setting adds real appeal. You look across the Klein Karoo valley toward the Swartberg Mountains, then move between the main yard and the farmlands. Guides Samantha and Ben receive especially strong praise for their energy and humor, while Jean is noted for giving a warm, thorough tour. At $11.28 per person, this is good value if you want an active animal experience, though food and drinks cost extra.

Highgate Ostrich Farm at a glance

• Hand-feed one of the world’s largest birds: You get close enough to offer food directly to an ostrich, a memorable activity for children and adults.
• Two-part farm visit: The tour moves through the main yard and farmlands, giving you more than a single viewing pen.
• Crafts with a local connection: Staff demonstrate how feathers, eggs, and leather become useful and decorative items.
• A short, lively finish: The ostrich derby adds a playful spectacle to the educational side of the visit.
• Mountain views included: The Klein Karoo valley and Swartberg Mountains provide a striking setting for photographs.
• Small group size: The tour is limited to 15 people, which should make questions and close viewing easier.

Why this 75-minute farm visit works

Highgate Ostrich Farm is not just a place to look at birds from behind a fence. The tour gives you several ways to understand ostriches: their body features, their behavior, their eggs, their feathers, and their place in farm life.

That variety matters because ostriches can seem familiar at first. They are big birds with long legs, dramatic feathers, and a reputation for comic behavior. Once a guide explains how they live and how the farm works, the visit becomes more than a photo stop.

I especially like the balance between watching and doing. You hear about ostrich biology, then feed one by hand. You see materials from the birds, then watch staff turn those materials into crafts. The derby gives the tour a light ending instead of leaving you with a lecture and a gift shop.

The experience lasts about one hour and 15 minutes. That is long enough to feel worthwhile but short enough to fit into a busy Garden Route day. You can also stop at the farm restaurant and gift shop afterward, although meals and drinks are not included in the ticket.

Starting in the main yard

The first part takes place in the main yard, where the guide introduces the basic facts and farm equipment. You can expect to see different ostrich feathers, incubators, and the stones used in an ostrich’s gizzard.

The incubators are useful because they show the practical side of raising ostriches. Instead of only seeing adult birds, you get a sense of how eggs are handled and how young birds develop under farm care.

The gizzard stones are a particularly good detail for children. They help explain how ostriches process food, and they make the biology feel tangible rather than abstract. A strong guide can turn a small object into the kind of fact you remember later.

The feather display gives you time to notice how much variety there is in ostrich plumage. Staff also demonstrate crafts made with feathers, eggs, and leather, connecting the animal to the products sold and displayed on the farm.

This is one place where the guide makes a big difference. Samantha is praised for explaining both ostriches and the farm’s story, with extra observations about the pepper trees and other details around the property. Ben is also described as fun and lively, making the information easier to follow for a family group.

Feeding an ostrich by hand

The hand-feeding portion is likely to be the most memorable part of the visit. You stand close to an ostrich and offer food directly, which gives you a better sense of the bird’s size and behavior than simply watching from a distance.

Ostriches have striking eyes, long necks, and a slightly awkward elegance. Up close, those features become much more impressive. You may also get good photographs here, though you should keep your attention on the guide’s instructions and the bird.

This activity suits children especially well, but adults will not feel left out. It is simple, hands-on, and brief enough that people who are unsure around large animals can still take part.

The tour may also include a look at young ostriches. One account describes seeing very young babies, including birds only a few days old. That detail can vary with the farm’s conditions, so I would treat it as a possible bonus rather than a guaranteed part of every visit.

Moving out to the farmlands

The second part of the tour takes you beyond the main yard and into the farmlands. This change of setting helps the experience feel like a working farm visit instead of a compact animal display.

You get a better sense of the space in which the birds are kept, with the Klein Karoo valley and Swartberg Mountains around you. The scenery is a major part of the appeal, especially if you are already touring the Oudtshoorn area and want a break from town attractions.

The farm setting also gives the guide room to talk about ostrich behavior in a more natural context. You can watch how the birds move and respond while still having the guide nearby to explain what you are seeing.

The group limit of 15 people is helpful here. A smaller group should make it easier to hear, ask questions, and get a clear view of demonstrations. It also reduces the chance that the experience feels like a crowded photo line.

Wear comfortable clothes, a hat, and sunblock. The tour includes outdoor areas, and the advice about sun protection is practical rather than decorative. Comfortable clothing matters if you are walking between the main yard and the farmlands.

Feather, egg, and leather demonstrations

The craft demonstrations add a useful cultural and economic layer. Ostrich feathers are famous for their beauty, but the tour also shows how eggs and leather are used. You see the materials as part of a larger farm tradition rather than as isolated souvenirs.

This section may appeal most to adults who want context, while children can focus on the unusual materials and the visual demonstration. It is also a good moment to ask questions about the objects in the gift shop before deciding if you want to buy anything.

I appreciate that the craft section is included in the ticket. You are not being asked to pay extra for each activity, so the $11.28 price covers a full set of experiences rather than only admission to the property.

The farm’s gift shop is available after the tour. Since the visit introduces you to the materials first, the shop has more meaning than a generic stop at the end of an attraction. You can decide for yourself how you feel about the products after seeing how they are made.

The ostrich derby finale

The ostrich derby gives the tour a dose of spectacle. It is designed as a fun finish, and it keeps the visit from becoming too serious or technical.

You should think of the derby as entertainment rather than a major sporting event. Its value is in seeing the birds move and watching the farm present them in a lively way. For families, this final section can be the part children talk about most afterward.

There is one important caution about the riding element. The published description includes sitting on or riding an ostrich, but a recent account says riding is no longer allowed and asks that the advertising be updated. I would not book this tour expecting to ride. If that activity is central to your plans, confirm the current policy with Highgate Ostrich Show Farm before paying.

Even without riding, the farm still offers plenty: feeding, bird behavior, young birds when present, craft demonstrations, outdoor views, and the derby. The warning simply helps you arrive with the right expectations.

Guides who shape the experience

The strongest part of the visit appears to be the guiding. Samantha receives repeated praise for her energy, clear explanations, and extra information about the farm and its surroundings.

Ben is also singled out for making the tour exciting and enjoyable for a family group. Jean is described as an excellent guide who answers questions and adds to the appeal of the farm.

That matters because the activities themselves are fairly simple. Feeding an ostrich is memorable, but a good guide gives it meaning. The difference between a rushed animal encounter and a satisfying visit often comes down to whether someone explains what you are seeing.

Guide assignments can change, so you should not assume a particular person will lead your tour. Still, the consistent praise for several guides suggests that the farm places real weight on the presentation.

Is $11.28 a fair price?

At $11.28 per person, the tour offers solid value. Your ticket includes the entrance fee, all listed activities, taxes, fees, and handling charges. You do not need to pay separately for the feeding, craft demonstrations, or derby.

The 75-minute duration also works in its favor. You get a focused activity without giving up half a day of your Garden Route schedule. The farm restaurant and gift shop give you the option to extend your stop, but you remain free to leave after the guided visit.

Food and drinks are not included. That is ordinary for an attraction of this type, but remember to budget separately if you plan to eat at the restaurant.

The tour is often booked about 34 days ahead. That does not guarantee that every date will sell out, but it is a useful sign that planning ahead makes sense, especially for a small-group activity capped at 15 people.

A mobile ticket keeps the arrival process simple. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the ticket includes all taxes and charges listed for the experience.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend Highgate Ostrich Farm to families, animal lovers, and anyone wanting a short, hands-on stop near Oudtshoorn. Children get feeding, young birds when available, craft displays, and the derby. Adults get biology, farm practices, scenery, and a chance to ask questions.

It also suits people who prefer guided activities over a self-guided display. The tour has a clear sequence, and the guides help connect the different parts.

You may want to choose another activity if you dislike animal encounters, outdoor heat, or demonstrations involving animal-derived materials. The farm uses feathers, eggs, and leather in its craft work, so that aspect may not suit everyone.

You should also reconsider if riding an ostrich is your main reason for booking. The information is not fully consistent, and the most useful practical advice is to treat riding as unavailable unless the farm confirms otherwise.

Booking, cancellation, and practical timing

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes in that period are not accepted.

The cut-off uses local time in South Africa. Keep that in mind if you are arranging the tour from another time zone.

Most people can participate, and the experience is limited to 15 participants. The available information does not provide a detailed accessibility description, so contact Highgate Ostrich Show Farm directly if you need specific assistance.

Plan on 75 minutes for the guided portion, then allow extra time only if you want to eat or browse the gift shop. A hat, sunblock, and comfortable clothes will make the outdoor sections more pleasant.

Should you book Highgate Ostrich Farm?

Yes, if you want an affordable, family-friendly animal experience with real interaction and a strong local setting. The best reasons to go are the hand-feeding, the two-part farm visit, the craft demonstrations, and the guides who bring energy to the subject.

I would book it as a compact Oudtshoorn stop, not as an all-day attraction. The price is modest, the group is small, and the activities give you more than a basic admission ticket.

Just remove ostrich riding from your expectations unless the farm confirms that it has returned. Arrive ready for sun, outdoor walking, and a close encounter with a very large bird. On those terms, Highgate Ostrich Farm offers good value and a memorable slice of the Klein Karoo.

FAQ

How long does the Highgate Ostrich Farm tour last?

The guided experience lasts approximately one hour and 15 minutes.

What does the ticket include?

The ticket includes entrance fees, all listed activities, taxes, fees, and handling charges.

Is food included in the ticket?

No. Food and drinks are not included, though the farm has a restaurant you can visit afterward.

Can I feed an ostrich?

Yes. Hand-feeding an ostrich is included as part of the tour.

Does the tour include ostrich riding?

The description includes sitting on or riding an ostrich, but current information indicates that riding may no longer be allowed. Confirm this with Highgate Ostrich Show Farm before booking if riding matters to you.

What will I see during the main yard portion?

You can see different ostrich feathers, incubators, gizzard stones, and demonstrations involving ostrich feathers, eggs, and leather.

Does the tour include the farmlands?

Yes. The experience has two parts, the main yard and the farmlands.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum group size of 15 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.