Skip the Line: Highgate Ostrich Farm Tour Ticket

The big draw here is a close look at the world’s largest bird in its farm setting. You learn how ostriches behave, see incubators and gizzard stones, feed one by hand, and watch staff turn feathers, eggs, and leather into useful crafts. The Klein Karoo valley and Swartberg Mountains make a fine backdrop.

I like the hands-on format, especially the feeding, and I like that the tour gives you more than a quick animal encounter. Guides including Samantha, Ben, and Jean have made a strong impression with their energy, humor, and extra facts about the farm and its surroundings.

One point needs clearing up before you book: the description still mentions sitting on or riding an ostrich, but a recent experience found that riding was no longer allowed. Treat the feeding and viewing as the sure things, and confirm the riding policy if it matters to you.

Key points to know before you go

• Two-part farm visit: The tour moves between the main yard and the wider farm area, so you see both demonstrations and living birds in an open setting.
• Hand-feeding included: You get a direct, memorable encounter with an ostrich rather than only watching from behind a fence.
• Samantha, Ben, and Jean are praised guides: Their energy, clear explanations, and willingness to answer questions help bring the bird’s biology to life.
• Ostrich derby included: The closing race adds a playful finish to the educational portion of the visit.
• Small groups: The maximum is 15 people, a useful limit for a short tour with demonstrations and animal contact.
• Budget-friendly price: At $11.28 per person, the ticket covers admission and all listed activities, but food and drinks cost extra.

Meeting ostriches in the Klein Karoo

Highgate Ostrich Farm sits in South Africa’s Western Cape, in the Oudtshoorn area of the Klein Karoo. The setting matters. You are not simply entering an indoor exhibit, then leaving after a few facts. The farm gives you broad views toward the Swartberg Mountains while showing how ostriches live, are raised, and have shaped local craft traditions.

The experience lasts about one hour and 15 minutes. That is long enough for a useful introduction without taking half a day from a Garden Route road trip. I see it working especially well as a stop between Oudtshoorn’s other attractions, though you should allow extra time if you want to eat or browse the shop afterward.

The mobile ticket is handy for a road trip. Admission, taxes, fees, and the listed activities are included in the $11.28 price. At that rate, I think the tour offers good value, particularly for families, since the visit combines animals, scenery, demonstrations, and a bit of spectacle.

You will want comfortable clothing, a hat, and sunblock. The farm setting means you should prepare for sun rather than assume every part of the visit will be shaded. Most people can take part, and the group size is capped at 15.

The main yard: feathers, eggs, and incubators

The first part takes place in the main yard. Here, the guide introduces the basic facts that make ostriches so unusual: their size, feathers, eyes, eggs, and physical adaptations. The focus is not just on odd records. You get a working picture of the bird’s biology and behavior.

You will see different ostrich feathers and learn how the plumage is used in crafts. The staff also demonstrate work involving ostrich eggs and leather. This is one of the more useful parts of the visit because it connects the bird you are watching with the farm’s long-running craft traditions.

The incubators are another practical stop. Rather than treating reproduction as a vague farm mystery, the demonstration shows how the machines work. You also see gizzard stones, an unusual detail that helps explain how ostriches process food.

A guide can make a big difference here. Samantha has been praised for explaining both ostrich facts and the farm’s past, while Ben has been singled out for making the visit lively for families. Jean has also been praised for answering questions and giving a clear tour. If you get one of these guides, take advantage of the short stops to ask about anything you notice.

Hand-feeding an ostrich

The most memorable activity is feeding an ostrich by hand. It is simple, but it changes the visit from a talk about birds into a direct encounter with one. You quickly notice the bird’s size and reach, which can be more striking in person than in photographs.

This is also the moment when a guide’s instructions matter. Listen carefully and follow the staff’s directions, since an ostrich is a large, powerful bird even when it is calmly accepting food. The experience is designed for participation, and most people can take part, but it is sensible to let the staff control the interaction.

The farm may also show young ostriches. One account describes seeing chicks and even four-day-old babies, which can be a special sight for children. Still, young birds are living animals, so do not book this expecting guaranteed access to babies or a guaranteed cuddle.

The same applies to photos. You should have chances to take pictures during the visit, but the exact animal encounters can vary. A good approach is to enjoy the feeding first, then take photographs when the guide says it is appropriate.

From the main yard to the farmlands

Each tour has two parts: the main yard and the farmlands. That division gives the visit a little more shape than a single demonstration area. In the yard, you focus on objects, equipment, and craft work. In the farm section, you get a stronger sense of the birds as working animals in their surroundings.

The change of setting is also where the views become part of the attraction. The Klein Karoo valley and Swartberg Mountains provide a memorable backdrop, especially when you pause to look beyond the birds. You are getting a small piece of regional scenery along with the farm lesson.

The available details do not specify the exact walking distance or surface between these areas. Wear shoes and clothing that are comfortable for moving around a farm, and use sun protection. The hat and sunblock advice is worth taking seriously, particularly on a bright day.

Because the whole tour runs only about 75 minutes, the farmlands portion is an introduction rather than a long farm walk. I would choose this experience for a focused encounter with ostriches, not for a full agricultural tour.

The craft demonstration gives the visit context

Feathers, eggs, and leather are central to the staff demonstrations. You see how these materials can become decorative or useful items, and the process gives context to the gift shop. Instead of viewing souvenirs as unrelated purchases, you can understand the craft connection while watching the demonstration.

The feather work is especially tied to the bird’s appearance. Ostrich feathers are unusually attractive, and the tour explains why they have long been valued. The egg demonstration also helps you appreciate the scale and toughness of an ostrich egg, the largest egg laid by a living bird.

The leather element adds another side to the farm’s output. If you are interested in local products, this section may be more rewarding than a standard animal talk. If your main aim is simply to feed an ostrich, you can still enjoy it, but the craft discussion takes up part of the limited tour time.

Afterward, you can browse the gift shop. Food and drinks are not included, but the restaurant provides an option for extending your stop. That is convenient on a driving day, though you should budget separately for anything you buy or eat.

The ostrich derby finishes the tour

The ostrich derby is the tour’s lighthearted finale. After the biology, feeding, incubators, and craft demonstrations, a race gives the visit a clear ending and keeps the mood playful. Children are likely to enjoy the change from explanation to action, while adults get one more chance to see how unusual these birds look in motion.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is part of a short farm tour, not a full sporting event, and the supplied details do not promise a particular format or length for the race. Its value is as a fun closing demonstration rather than the main reason to visit.

One advertised activity needs special attention here. The tour information says you can sit on or ride an ostrich, but an account from a recent visit says riding was no longer permitted. Since those two details conflict, do not pay for the tour on the assumption that you will ride. Ask Highgate Ostrich Show Farm about the current policy before booking if that activity is essential to you.

What the price includes, and what it does not

At $11.28 per person, this is a modestly priced attraction. You get entry to Highgate Ostrich Farm, the guided tour, the feeding activity, the craft demonstrations, access to the farm sections, and the ostrich derby. Taxes, fees, and handling charges are also included.

I consider that good value because the ticket covers several different kinds of activity. You are not paying only for a short talk or only for a photo opportunity. The combination of wildlife contact, local craft, mountain scenery, and a derby gives the visit enough variety for its 75-minute length.

The price does not include food or drinks. If you plan to use the restaurant, treat it as a separate stop in your budget. The gift shop is also optional, of course, though the craft demonstration may make the products more meaningful to you.

The tour is often booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of about 34 days. That does not mean you must reserve exactly that far in advance, but it suggests that you should not leave it until the last moment if your Oudtshoorn schedule is fixed.

Who will enjoy this farm tour most

I would recommend Highgate to families, first-time visitors to Oudtshoorn, and anyone who wants a short activity with real animal contact. Feeding an ostrich is easy to remember, and the farm format gives children several points of interest: chicks when available, incubators, large eggs, feathers, and the derby.

It also suits adults who enjoy practical local detail. The craft demonstration explains how ostrich materials are used, and the guides may add small observations about the farm and its plants. One particularly enthusiastic account praised Samantha for sharing extra information about pepper trees and other details beyond the basic script.

You should consider another activity if you want a long wildlife outing, a quiet nature walk, or a guaranteed riding experience. The visit is structured, guided, and fairly brisk. It gives you a taste of farm life and ostrich biology, not a full day of independent exploration.

The maximum group size of 15 is a helpful feature. A smaller group gives you a better chance to hear the guide, see the demonstrations, and take part in feeding without feeling lost in a crowd. It also suits people who prefer a planned visit rather than working out the farm on their own.

Booking, cancellations, and practical timing

You receive confirmation at booking, and the ticket is mobile. That makes it easy to keep the reservation with your other road-trip documents. The advertised format is skip-the-line, but the provided details do not explain how queues operate on a particular day, so arrive ready to follow the farm’s check-in instructions.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancel at least 24 hours ahead for a full refund. Inside that window, no refund is provided, and changes are not accepted. The cut-off follows local time.

The experience provider is Highgate Ostrich Show Farm. Since the visit is in the Western Cape and many people reach Oudtshoorn as part of a longer drive, I would place it into your day with enough room for the 75-minute tour, parking or arrival needs, and any meal or shopping afterward.

Should you book Highgate Ostrich Farm?

Book it if you want an affordable, family-friendly Oudtshoorn stop where you can feed an ostrich, learn how the bird lives, see farm crafts, and finish with a derby. The strong guide feedback, small group limit, mountain views, and included activities make the price easy to justify.

Go in with two clear expectations. First, the tour is short and organized, so it offers a focused introduction rather than a slow day on a farm. Second, riding may no longer be allowed despite the older wording, so confirm that point before you reserve.

For most people spending time near Oudtshoorn, I think this is a sensible choice. You get close to an unusual animal, a useful lesson in local farm traditions, and a pleasant view of the Klein Karoo without committing a large part of your day.

FAQ

How long does the Highgate Ostrich Farm tour last?

The tour lasts approximately one hour and 15 minutes.

What is included in the ticket?

The ticket includes entrance to Highgate Ostrich Farm, all listed activities, taxes, fees, and handling charges.

Can I feed an ostrich?

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

Does the tour include an ostrich derby?

Yes. The tour finishes with a viewing of the ostrich derby.

Is ostrich riding available?

The information is conflicting. The tour description mentions sitting on or riding an ostrich, while a recent account says riding is no longer allowed. Confirm the current policy with Highgate Ostrich Show Farm before booking if riding matters to you.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included unless specifically stated. The farm has a restaurant where you can buy them separately.

How large is the tour group?

The tour has a maximum of 15 people.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded or accepted.