Skip the Line: Highgate Ostrich Farm Tour Ticket

The best part of the Highgate Ostrich Farm tour is the close contact. You can feed an ostrich by hand, examine its feathers and eggs, and see how these unusual birds live and behave. I like the mix of hands-on moments and useful facts, especially the look at incubators, gizzard stones, and young birds.

I also like the setting, with the Klein Karoo valley and Swartberg Mountains around the farm, plus the short ostrich derby at the end. The main catch is important: the farm information mentions sitting on or riding an ostrich, but recent tour feedback says riding is no longer offered. Confirm this before you go, and do not book the tour expecting a ride.

Key points to know before you go

• Feed an ostrich by hand: The close encounter is the tour’s most memorable activity, and it gives you a clear sense of the bird’s size and appetite.
• Two-part farm visit: The tour moves between the main yard and the farmlands, so you see both the educational displays and the working farm setting.
• Guides make a difference: Samantha, Ben, and Jean are praised for lively explanations, friendly energy, and answering questions.
• Craft demonstrations included: You see how feathers, eggs, and leather can be used in traditional farm crafts.
• A short, family-friendly outing: The visit lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes, with a maximum group size of 15.
• Riding may no longer be available: Treat the feeding, viewing, and derby as the dependable activities, and check the current policy about sitting on or riding an ostrich.

Meeting the world’s largest bird

Ostriches are hard to understand from a distance. A photograph shows a tall bird, but it does not prepare you for the long legs, broad body, large eyes, and quick, deliberate movements when one approaches your hand.

Highgate’s tour gives you a close look without turning the visit into a simple photo stop. You learn about ostrich biology and behavior while seeing the birds in the main yard and farmlands. That combination matters. You are not only told that ostriches are unusual. You can connect the facts to a real bird standing a few steps away.

The farm visit is also easy to fit into a Garden Route itinerary. At roughly 75 minutes, it is long enough to feel worthwhile without taking up half your day. With a maximum of 15 people, the group should remain small enough for the guide to keep the presentation moving and respond to questions.

This is especially useful for families. The subject is naturally entertaining, and the activities change often enough to hold a child’s attention: look at eggs, see an incubator, feed a bird, learn about feathers, and watch the derby. Adults get a better sense of the farming operation and the way ostrich products are made.

The main yard: eggs, incubators, feathers, and gizzard stones

The first part takes place in the main yard, where the guide introduces the basic facts of ostrich life. You see different ostrich feathers, learn about the eggs, and look at incubators and how they work.

The egg is an obvious star of the visit. An ostrich lays the largest egg of any living bird, and seeing one in person gives the fact some weight. The tour also covers gizzard stones, a detail that helps explain how ostriches process food. These small, physical examples make the biology easier to remember than a standard talk would.

The feather demonstration adds another layer. Ostrich plumage is soft, striking, and much more varied than you might expect. Staff explain how feathers are used in crafts, along with ostrich eggs and leather. You get a look at the practical side of the farm, not only the animal encounter.

I find this part most valuable when you listen for the details that change how you see the birds. Their huge eyes, powerful legs, and unusual feeding habits stop being odd curiosities and start making sense as features built for survival. The guide’s job is to connect those features to the bird in front of you, and the best guides do that with humor and a steady stream of small facts.

Samantha is repeatedly singled out for her energy and for adding extra information about the farm grounds, including pepper trees. Ben is also praised for making the visit fun and lively, while Jean receives strong approval for answering questions and explaining the birds clearly. The guide you get may vary, but the quality of the experience depends heavily on how actively that person brings the subject to life.

Feeding an ostrich by hand

Hand-feeding is the moment most people anticipate, and it is included in the ticket price. You get to offer food directly to an ostrich and watch the bird react at close range.

This is not a gentle petting-zoo encounter. An ostrich is large, fast, and built differently from familiar farm animals. Follow the guide’s instructions carefully, keep your attention on the bird, and let the staff control the pace of the interaction. The value is in seeing the bird’s behavior up close, not in trying to force a long cuddle or dramatic photograph.

For children, this can be the highlight of the visit. For adults, it is a useful reminder that wildlife does not need to be exotic or dangerous to be impressive. A feeding encounter puts the bird’s size and movements right in front of you.

Some feedback also describes seeing young ostriches, including very small chicks. That can make the visit especially appealing to families, but the availability and age of chicks can change. Think of them as a possible bonus rather than a promised part of every departure.

The farm’s treatment of the animals is another factor worth considering. Comments about the birds having plenty of space and being well cared for are encouraging. Still, you should follow the staff’s rules and avoid treating the animals as props. A good farm visit lets you observe and feed under supervision while keeping the birds’ welfare first.

The farmlands and the Klein Karoo setting

The second part moves beyond the main yard into the farmlands. This gives you a better feel for Highgate as a working ostrich farm rather than a small collection of display enclosures.

The setting adds real character. The Klein Karoo valley opens around the property, with the Swartberg Mountains providing a dramatic backdrop. Bring your attention away from the birds for a moment and you will see why this part of the Western Cape is so distinctive: dry open country, mountain walls, and a strong sense of space.

You do not need to be a bird enthusiast to enjoy the setting. The farm offers a compact way to pair an animal experience with a taste of the Oudtshoorn area. If your schedule already includes several museums or indoor attractions, the open-air portion provides a useful change of pace.

Wear comfortable clothes, a hat, and sunblock. The advice is practical, not decorative. Much of the experience takes place outside, and the sun can be strong. Good shoes and clothing you can move in will make the visit easier, particularly if you are traveling with children.

The tour is designed for most people to take part, but it is still a farm visit, not a polished indoor attraction. Expect sun, open areas, and an active setting. Anyone with particular mobility concerns should check directly with the operator before booking, since the available details only say that most people can participate.

How the ostrich derby fits into the visit

The tour finishes with a viewing of the ostrich derby. It is a short, playful ending that shows the bird’s speed and distinctive running style.

Do not think of the derby as a full sporting event with a long program. It works better as a lively demonstration after the educational portion. You have just learned about ostrich bodies and behavior, and then you see those long legs in motion. The contrast makes the earlier explanations more memorable.

This final activity also gives the group a shared moment after the quieter displays and feeding. It is likely to appeal most to children and anyone who enjoys a little spectacle. If you prefer a purely conservation-focused visit, the derby may feel less essential, but it is part of the farm’s traditional presentation and included in the admission.

One point needs clearing up before you arrive. The experience description says you can sit on or ride an ostrich, yet a recent account specifically says riding is no longer allowed and recommends removing that claim from advertising. Policies can change, so contact Highgate if this is a deciding factor. The feeding, farm tour, craft demonstrations, and derby are the safer activities to count on.

Crafts made from feathers, eggs, and leather

The craft demonstration gives the farm visit a practical and cultural angle. Staff show how ostrich materials, including feathers, eggs, and leather, can be made into decorative and useful items.

This section helps explain the broader ostrich-farming economy in Oudtshoorn. You are not simply looking at an unusual bird. You are seeing how different parts of the animal have been used in local craft traditions and farm commerce.

The demonstration is also a good time to ask questions. If you are curious about how an egg can be prepared for decoration, how feathers are selected, or what makes ostrich leather different, the guide can give context. The exact craft examples may vary, but the subject is built into the tour.

You can continue browsing in the gift shop after the tour. I would save a little time for it if you like locally themed objects or want a physical reminder of the visit. The shop is not included as a separate paid attraction, but anything you buy there is extra.

There is also a restaurant on site. Food and drinks are not included in the tour price, so plan to pay separately. That makes the farm convenient for a meal or refreshment, but you should not assume the $11.28 ticket covers anything beyond the stated activities.

Is $11.28 good value for 75 minutes?

At $11.28 per person, the tour is priced as an easy add-on rather than a major splurge. Entrance, the guided presentation, hand-feeding, craft demonstrations, and the derby are included. You are paying for a structured visit with several distinct parts, not just access to a farm gate.

The value is strongest if you want variety. In about an hour and a quarter, you get animal facts, a close encounter, a look at farming equipment and materials, views of the valley, and a short show. A family can fill a morning or afternoon without committing to a costly full-day activity.

The price is less compelling if you only want to see ostriches from a distance. You could feel rushed if you are hoping for a long, quiet wildlife observation session. This is a guided attraction with a set sequence, and the staff need to keep the group moving.

The small group limit helps. A maximum of 15 people is not a private tour, but it should be more comfortable than a large coach group. It gives you a better chance to hear the guide and take part in feeding without being buried at the back.

The tour is commonly reserved well ahead of time, with bookings averaging 34 days in advance. That does not mean every date sells out, but it is a useful planning clue. If Highgate is important to your Oudtshoorn schedule, reserve early rather than leaving it to the last afternoon.

Which guide and group experience should you expect?

You cannot choose a guide from the information provided, but Samantha, Ben, and Jean are names worth knowing because each is praised for a slightly different strength.

Samantha is associated with warm energy, clear explanations, and extra details about the farm and its plants. Ben is praised for making the tour exciting for families. Jean is noted for answering questions well and presenting the farm in a friendly way.

That guide-led quality is central to the visit. The birds themselves are the draw, but the facts can become a string of disconnected curiosities without a good explanation. A strong guide shows you why the feathers matter, how the incubators work, and what you are seeing when the birds feed or run.

The group size also affects the mood. With no more than 15 people, you are likely to get a more personal feel than at a mass attraction. Still, the experience remains shared, so you will not have complete control over how long you spend at each point.

A mobile ticket keeps the booking simple. Confirmation is provided when you book, and all taxes, fees, and handling charges are included. Keep the ticket available on your phone, and arrive ready for an outdoor activity rather than treating it like a quick indoor admission.

Who will enjoy Highgate most?

I would recommend this tour to families, first-time visitors to Oudtshoorn, and anyone curious about animals that do not fit the usual safari checklist. The hand-feeding makes it active, while the biology talk and craft demonstrations give adults something to take away.

It also suits people building a Garden Route trip around short stops. The duration is manageable, the price is modest, and the farm combines several activities in one place. You can add the restaurant or gift shop afterward without arranging a second outing.

Photography fans will appreciate the birds, feathers, eggs, and mountain views, though you should keep the camera secondary during feeding. Listen to the guide first, then take pictures when the staff say it is suitable.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is riding an ostrich. The information is inconsistent, and one account clearly says the activity is no longer offered. Check before payment if that specific experience is essential.

The same applies if you dislike organized demonstrations or farm attractions. Highgate is educational and hands-on, but it is not a silent nature reserve. You will follow a guided route and watch a planned derby at the end.

Booking, cancellation, and practical details

The ticket includes all activities, taxes, fees, and handling charges. Food and drinks are separate, and purchases at the restaurant or gift shop are not part of the admission.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes during that period are not accepted. The cut-off uses local time in South Africa, so keep that in mind if you are booking from another time zone.

The experience is offered by Highgate Ostrich Show Farm in the Western Cape. Most people can participate, and the small group limit is 15. Comfortable clothes, a hat, and sunblock are sensible choices for the outdoor setting.

Should you book this ostrich farm tour?

Book it if you want a short, affordable, family-friendly stop with real contact, clear explanations, and a little entertainment at the end. The strongest reasons are the hand-feeding, the look at ostrich farming and crafts, the mountain setting, and guides such as Samantha, Ben, and Jean who bring personality to the visit.

Skip it if you are seeking a long wildlife outing, or if riding an ostrich is the main reason you are interested. In that case, confirm the current policy first. For most people visiting Oudtshoorn, though, $11.28 buys a well-filled 75 minutes and a much better understanding of these remarkable birds.

FAQ

How long does the Highgate Ostrich Farm tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.

What activities are included in the ticket?

The ticket includes entrance to Highgate Ostrich Farm, all tour activities, ostrich biology and behavior explanations, hand-feeding, craft demonstrations, and viewing the ostrich derby.

Can I feed an ostrich?

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

Can I ride an ostrich?

The experience information mentions sitting on or riding an ostrich, but current tour information also says riding may no longer be allowed. Confirm with Highgate Ostrich Farm before booking if this activity matters to you.

Is food included?

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

What happens if I need to cancel?

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