Skip the Line: Highgate Ostrich Farm Tour Ticket

Big birds, bigger eggs, close-up fun. Highgate Ostrich Farm offers a compact, family-friendly look at ostrich life in the Klein Karoo, with guided talks, hand-feeding, craft demonstrations, and an ostrich derby. I especially like the chance to feed an ostrich and the excellent mountain views around the farm. At about $11.28 per person, it is good value for a 75-minute visit, though you should not count on riding an ostrich, despite older promotional wording that still mentions it.

The tour works well for families, curious first-time visitors, and anyone driving through Oudtshoorn along South Africa’s Garden Route. Guides such as Samantha, Ben, and Jean have earned warm praise for their energy and clear explanations. The main caution is practical: wear sun protection, and confirm the current activity schedule before arriving, since the riding option appears to have ended.

Key things to know before you go

• You feed an ostrich by hand: This is the most direct part of the visit and gives you a close look at the bird’s size, movement, and feeding habits.
• The tour has two distinct parts: You begin in the main yard, then continue into the farm areas for a broader look at ostrich raising.
• The craft demonstration adds local context: You see how feathers, eggs, and leather are used in decorative and practical work.
• The Swartberg Mountains provide the backdrop: The farm sits in the Klein Karoo, with striking views around the property.
• The derby finishes the visit: The ostrich race adds a light, entertaining ending after the more educational sections.
• Groups are kept small: The maximum group size is 15 people, which should make it easier to hear the guide and ask questions.

Why Highgate makes a good stop near Oudtshoorn

Oudtshoorn is closely linked with ostrich farming, and Highgate gives you a clear introduction without taking up half a day. The visit lasts about one hour and 15 minutes, long enough to see several activities but short enough to fit into a busy Garden Route schedule.

I like the balance here. This is not only a photo stop with a few birds in a pen. You get information about ostrich biology and behavior, see incubators and eggs, handle the subject through feeding, and learn how different parts of the bird are used in local crafts.

The setting also matters. The farm lies in the Klein Karoo, with the Swartberg Mountains visible around the property. Even if ostriches are your main reason for coming, the surrounding views give the visit a stronger sense of place.

The price, listed at $11.28 per person, is reasonable for the number of activities included. Admission, taxes, handling charges, the guided tour, feeding, demonstrations, and the derby are covered. Food and drinks cost extra, but the farm has a restaurant for anyone who wants to eat afterward.

A mobile ticket keeps the arrival process simple. Booking is often done well ahead, with an average advance booking time of 34 days, so I would reserve early if your Oudtshoorn schedule is fixed.

The main yard: eggs, feathers, and ostrich facts

The first section takes place in the main yard. Here, the guide introduces you to ostrich biology and behavior while showing several objects connected with the birds.

You can expect to see different ostrich feathers, incubators, and gizzard stones. The incubator display helps explain how eggs are handled and hatched, while the gizzard stones offer a useful detail about how ostriches process food.

This part gives structure to the rest of the visit. Instead of simply seeing a large bird and taking a picture, you learn why the ostrich’s body works as it does. The bird’s size, feathers, eyes, eggs, and feeding habits all become part of the story.

The egg display is one of the more memorable details. Ostriches lay the largest eggs of any living bird, and seeing one in person makes that fact easier to grasp than hearing it in a talk. The feathers also provide a good visual lesson, since their texture and appearance are central to both ostrich biology and the farm’s craft traditions.

The guide is important here. Samantha has been especially praised for explaining both ostrich facts and the farm’s background, while Ben is known for keeping the presentation lively. Jean has also received strong praise for answering questions and making the visit feel personal rather than rushed.

You should feel free to ask questions during this section. The group limit of 15 people gives the guide a reasonable chance to respond, though the exact feel of the tour will depend on the group size on your date.

Hand-feeding an ostrich at close range

The hand-feeding activity is the most hands-on part of the tour. You get close to an ostrich and offer food by hand, a simple activity that gives you a better sense of the bird’s long neck, quick movements, and impressive reach.

This is also where the tour works particularly well for children. Feeding turns an abstract lesson into something physical and memorable. Adults may find the bird’s size more striking than expected, especially when it moves its head toward the food.

Follow the guide’s instructions closely. An ostrich is a large, powerful animal, and the best part of the activity is staying calm and paying attention. The visit is designed as a guided encounter, not as an invitation to handle the birds however you wish.

There may also be a chance to see young ostriches. One account describes seeing chicks only four days old, which can be a highlight for families. Since animals and young birds develop on their own schedule, you should treat this as a possibility rather than a guaranteed part of every tour.

The focus is on observation and feeding, not forced contact. That is a positive feature. The farm appears to give the birds room, and one particularly useful comment praised the way the animals are treated and how much space they have.

From feathers to eggs: the craft demonstration

Highgate also shows how ostrich materials are used in crafts. Staff demonstrate work involving feathers, eggs, and leather, giving you a look at the practical and decorative side of the local ostrich industry.

The feather display is easy to appreciate because ostrich plumage is visually distinctive. The egg work shows another side of the farm, while leather demonstrates that ostrich farming has produced a range of products beyond food and feathers.

I find this section valuable because it connects the animals to the local economy. It also gives you context before you reach the gift shop. You can see how raw materials become finished objects rather than simply finding shelves of souvenirs with no explanation.

One guide, Samantha, has been praised for adding small details about the farm and nearby plant life, including pepper trees. Those extra observations can make the tour feel less scripted. They also help place the ostrich farm within its wider setting instead of treating it as an isolated attraction.

The craft demonstration will appeal most to visitors who like to understand how local products are made. If you only want animal contact, this section may feel slower. Still, it is short enough to keep the visit moving and gives the tour more substance than feeding alone.

The farm areas and Klein Karoo views

The tour is divided between the main yard and the farmlands. The second part gives you a broader view of the property and the setting around it.

The scenery is a real part of the attraction. The Klein Karoo valley and Swartberg Mountains create a strong backdrop, especially if this is your first visit to the Oudtshoorn area. The dry regional setting contrasts with the feathers and eggs on display, making the farm feel tied to its location.

The farm area also helps you understand that ostrich raising is not only an indoor or exhibit-based activity. You get a wider sense of where the birds live and how the property operates, although the supplied details do not specify the exact walking route or terrain.

Wear comfortable clothes, a hat, and sunblock. Those instructions matter in an outdoor setting, especially if you are visiting during a bright part of the day. Comfortable footwear is sensible because the tour includes movement between sections, though no special equipment is listed.

The tour is not described as difficult, and most people can participate. Still, anyone with specific mobility concerns should contact the provider before booking, since detailed accessibility information is not provided.

The ostrich derby at the end

The ostrich derby provides the tour’s most playful finish. After the biology talk, feeding, and craft demonstration, the race gives you a quick spectacle linked directly to the farm’s main animals.

The derby is not the main reason I would book this visit, but it helps keep the tour varied. You move from learning, to seeing, to doing, and then to watching. That sequence works well for families and mixed groups where not everyone has the same level of interest in animal facts.

There is one important point about the riding activity. The description still includes language about sitting on or riding an ostrich, but a recent account makes clear that riding is no longer allowed. I would treat riding as unavailable unless Highgate confirms otherwise before your visit.

This is more than a minor wording issue. Some people may choose the farm specifically because they expect an ostrich ride, then feel disappointed when they arrive. The current visit still includes feeding and close viewing, so it has plenty to offer, but riding should not be part of your booking decision.

Food, shopping, and the end of the visit

After the tour, you can stop at the restaurant and gift shop. Food and drinks are not included in the ticket, so plan to pay separately if you want a meal or refreshment.

The restaurant can make Highgate an easy stop during a day of sightseeing around Oudtshoorn. The supplied details do not give a menu or prices, so I would not build a specific meal plan around it without checking current information.

The gift shop makes more sense after the craft demonstration. You will have seen the materials and techniques first, so any purchase has more context. It is also a convenient place to find an ostrich-related souvenir without adding another stop to your day.

You do not have to buy anything, of course. The shop is an extra, not a condition of the tour. The strongest part of the visit remains the guided farm experience, particularly the hand-feeding and animal information.

Price, timing, and who will get the most from it

At $11.28 per person, the tour offers solid value for a 75-minute guided visit. The price covers entrance, all listed activities, taxes, fees, and handling charges. You are paying for a structured introduction rather than just access to the property.

I would recommend it most to:

• Families with children who enjoy animals and short interactive activities
• First-time visitors to Oudtshoorn
• People driving the Garden Route who want a compact stop
• Anyone interested in local crafts and farm products
• Visitors who enjoy guided explanations rather than wandering alone

It may be less suitable if you want a long wildlife safari or a quiet nature walk. This is a working attraction with scheduled activities, demonstrations, and a derby. The visit is designed to be informative and entertaining, not remote or wilderness-based.

The small maximum group size of 15 is another value point. A small group usually makes feeding easier to manage and gives you a better chance of hearing the guide. The actual group may be smaller, but the maximum is clearly limited.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Canceling or changing the booking within 24 hours does not qualify for a refund, and the cutoff follows local time.

What to bring and what to confirm

Keep your packing simple. Comfortable clothing, a hat, and sunblock are specifically recommended. Since much of the visit involves the farm setting, practical clothing is more useful than dressing for a formal attraction.

Before you go, confirm the current status of ostrich riding. The available description includes it, but the more recent information says it is no longer permitted. A quick confirmation can prevent an avoidable disappointment.

It is also worth checking the meeting and activity times on your mobile ticket. The visit lasts approximately one hour and 15 minutes, but exact timing can depend on the farm’s schedule and group flow.

Do not forget to leave a little time for the restaurant or gift shop if those interest you. They are optional, but the farm is set up to make them easy additions after the guided portion.

Should you book the Highgate Ostrich Farm Tour?

I would book this tour if you are visiting Oudtshoorn and want an affordable, organized introduction to ostriches. The strongest reasons are the hand-feeding, clear explanations, craft demonstrations, mountain views, and final derby.

The guides are a major part of the appeal. Samantha, Ben, and Jean have each been praised for bringing energy, answering questions, and adding details beyond the basic script. That can make a short tour feel much more worthwhile.

I would skip it only if your main goal is to ride an ostrich, since you should now assume that activity is not available. If you want close contact, practical information, and a family-friendly stop with a good setting, Highgate is a sensible choice.

FAQ

How long does the Highgate Ostrich Farm Tour last?

The tour lasts approximately one hour and 15 minutes.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $11.28 per person.

Is admission included in the ticket?

Yes. Entrance fees, taxes, handling charges, and all listed activities are included.

Can I feed an ostrich?

Yes. Hand-feeding an ostrich is one of the activities included in the tour.

Can I ride an ostrich?

The description mentions sitting on or riding an ostrich, but current information indicates that riding is no longer allowed. Confirm with Highgate before booking if this is important to you.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Yes. The farm describes the tour as suitable for the whole family, and most people can participate.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable clothes, a hat, and sunblock.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 15 people.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included unless specifically stated. The farm has a restaurant where you can stop afterward.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded.