Skip the Line: Highgate Ostrich Farm Tour Ticket

The first thing that catches your attention at Highgate is the bird itself: an ostrich is huge, fast, curious, and surprisingly handsome up close. You learn how it behaves, feed one by hand, and see the young birds before watching an ostrich derby.

I like the tour’s hands-on format, especially the feeding and close look at incubators, feathers, eggs, leather, and gizzard stones. I also like the setting, with the Klein Karoo valley and Swartberg Mountains adding a fine sense of place.

One point needs clearing up before you book: the description still mentions sitting on or riding an ostrich, but a recent update says riding is no longer offered. Treat the tour as a viewing and feeding experience, not a ride.

Key points to know before you go

• Feed an ostrich by hand: The close encounter is the tour’s most memorable activity.
• See the farm in two parts: The visit moves from the main yard to the farmlands.
• Meet the guides: Samantha, Ben, and Jean are praised for energy, clear explanations, and friendly answers.
• Watch practical demonstrations: Staff show how ostrich feathers, eggs, and leather become crafts.
• Finish with an ostrich derby: The final activity adds a playful touch to the farm visit.
• Allow about 75 minutes: The tour fits neatly into a day exploring Oudtshoorn and the Garden Route.

Meeting the world’s largest bird near Oudtshoorn

Highgate Ostrich Farm gives you a direct introduction to ostriches rather than a quick photo stop. The guided visit covers biology, behavior, farming, and the many useful materials that come from this unusual bird.

You begin in the main yard, where the guide introduces you to different ostrich feathers and explains how the birds are cared for. You also see incubators and learn how they work, an especially useful part of the visit if you are curious about how ostrich eggs become chicks.

The tour also explains gizzard stones. Ostriches do not have teeth, so this small detail gives you a useful glimpse into how their bodies handle food. The guide turns facts like these into a simple story about how the bird lives.

You can feed an ostrich by hand during the visit. That is the part I would value most if you want more than information from behind a fence. The bird’s size can be startling at close range, and hand-feeding gives you a clear sense of its long neck, powerful bill, and alert behavior.

The farm setting helps, too. You look across the Klein Karoo valley toward the Swartberg Mountains, so the visit feels tied to this part of South Africa rather than like a standalone animal display.

The main yard: feathers, eggs, incubators, and young birds

The main yard packs several different activities into the first half of the tour. You learn about the bird’s feathers, its enormous eggs, and the way the farm uses ostrich materials for decorative and practical crafts.

The staff demonstrate work made from feathers, eggs, and leather. This gives you a more complete picture of ostrich farming. You are not only seeing the live animals, but also learning how the farm’s products connect to the bird.

The incubators are another strong point. They make the breeding process easier to understand, especially for children, and add a working-farm element to the visit. You may also see young ostriches, including very small chicks. That can be one of the gentler and more appealing parts of the tour.

Guides matter here because the displays are only useful if someone explains them well. Samantha is praised for covering both ostrich facts and the farm’s history, while Ben is described as fun and energetic. Jean is also singled out for giving a strong presentation and answering questions.

Those names are useful when you arrive, but guide assignments can change. The important thing is that the tour is built around a live explanation, not a self-guided walk through signs.

The farmlands and the question of ostrich riding

Each tour has two parts, the main yard and the farmlands. The second section gives you a broader view of the farm and more contact with the birds beyond the indoor or display areas.

The original description includes sitting on or riding an ostrich. That detail is not reliable now. A recent update says the activity is no longer allowed, and the farm’s promotional wording appears not to have caught up.

You should plan on feeding, viewing, photographing, and learning, but not riding. This matters most if you are booking because of the promise of a ride. The experience still has plenty to offer, but the difference between advertised activities and current practice is worth knowing before you pay.

The change also makes sense from an animal welfare point of view. You can enjoy close contact without expecting a ride, and one of the supplied comments specifically notes that the animals have plenty of room and are treated well.

The farmlands section also gives you time to appreciate the setting. The valley and mountains provide a strong backdrop, while the open farm area helps you understand that ostrich raising is a local agricultural activity, not simply a staged attraction.

Feeding an ostrich, with a little caution

Hand-feeding is simple, but it is not passive. You are close to a large bird with a fast, precise bill, so listen carefully to the guide and follow the instructions you are given.

The feeding activity works well for families because it turns an abstract lesson into a clear memory. Children can connect the information about diet and behavior to the actual animal in front of them. Adults usually appreciate the same thing for a different reason: you quickly understand how different an ostrich feels from the smaller birds you see in an ordinary farm setting.

The tour also allows time for photographs. Keep your attention on the guide and the animal first, then take pictures when appropriate. The bird’s size, feathers, and eyes make for memorable images, but the close encounter is more enjoyable when you are not focused only on a phone screen.

Some of the strongest guide feedback centers on small extra details. Samantha is praised for adding information about pepper trees and other points beyond the basic ostrich talk. That suggests the tour can feel more personal than a fixed script, though the exact guide and presentation will vary.

The ostrich derby brings a playful finish

The tour ends with an ostrich derby. It gives the visit a lively final scene after the quieter explanations about biology, eggs, feathers, and leather.

You should think of this as entertainment rather than a serious sporting event. The derby helps keep the 75-minute visit moving and gives children a clear finale. It also shows you the speed and stride of the bird in a way that a stationary feeding session cannot.

The contrast works well. First, you learn what makes an ostrich unusual. Then you see how quickly that long-legged bird can move. The result is a better sense of the animal as both a farm species and a remarkable wild bird.

If you prefer a quiet animal encounter with no performance element, the derby may feel less important. For most families, though, it adds variety and prevents the tour from becoming a lecture.

How the $11.28 price measures up

At about $11.28 per person, the price is modest for a guided visit lasting roughly one hour and 15 minutes. Your admission, guide, feeding activity, demonstrations, and derby are included, so you are not paying an entrance fee and then adding a charge for each main activity.

That makes the tour good value if you want a focused introduction to ostriches. You receive live interpretation, close contact, a look at farm operations, and a bit of entertainment in one stop.

The value is less clear if you expect a full-day farm visit, extensive independent time, or an ostrich ride. The tour is short and structured. You are paying for a compact guided program, not open-ended access to the property.

Food and drinks are not included. The farm has a restaurant, so you can plan a meal or refreshment afterward, but you should budget separately. The gift shop is also available after the tour, with ostrich-related items and crafts connected to what you have just seen.

The mobile ticket is convenient for a Garden Route schedule. You can keep the booking on your phone, and confirmation is provided at booking. The tour is capped at 15 people, which should help keep the guide’s explanations and the feeding activity manageable.

Practical planning for a comfortable visit

Wear comfortable clothes, a hat, and sunblock. The advice matters because parts of the visit take place outdoors, and the Klein Karoo can feel bright and exposed.

The tour lasts about 75 minutes, so it is easy to fit around other Oudtshoorn sights. You can allow extra time afterward for the restaurant and gift shop, but the guided portion itself should not consume half your day.

Most people can take part. The supplied information says most visitors are able to participate, but it does not give detailed access information for every part of the farm. If you have a specific mobility concern, contact Highgate Ostrich Show Farm before booking rather than guessing.

The group limit is 15 people. That is small enough for questions, and several guides are praised for answering them well. Samantha is noted for her energy and extra local details, Ben for making the visit fun, and Jean for giving a strong explanation. You cannot choose a guide from the information provided, so treat those names as examples of the farm’s guiding team, not a guarantee.

Cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Inside that window, you will not receive a refund, and changes are not accepted. The cut-off follows local time.

Who will enjoy Highgate most?

I would choose this for families, first-time visitors to Oudtshoorn, and anyone who wants a short activity with a clear mix of facts and fun. The feeding, chicks, incubators, and derby give children several points of interest rather than one long talk.

It also suits curious adults. Ostrich biology is unusual enough to reward attention, and the craft demonstration explains the farm’s work in a practical way. You come away knowing more about the bird and the local industry.

Photographers should like the mountain setting and the striking birds, though the visit is guided and time is limited. If you want a slow, quiet wildlife outing, this may feel too organized.

I would be cautious if riding is your main reason for booking. The current information conflicts on that point, and the most reliable advice is to assume riding is not available.

Should you book this ostrich farm tour?

Book it if you want an affordable, family-friendly introduction to ostriches with real hands-on contact. The combination of hand-feeding, young birds, incubators, craft demonstrations, mountain views, and an ostrich derby gives the short visit plenty of variety.

I would especially recommend it as a stop on a Garden Route drive through the Oudtshoorn area. The tour is compact, priced reasonably, and easy to pair with a meal or time in the gift shop.

Skip it if you only want a ride, a long independent visit, or a quiet wildlife setting. For everyone else, Highgate offers a practical look at one of South Africa’s most distinctive farm animals, with guides such as Samantha, Ben, and Jean adding warmth and personality to the hour.

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 to Highgate Ostrich Farm included?

Yes. Entrance fees and all listed tour activities are included in the price.

Can I feed an ostrich?

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

Can I ride an ostrich?

You should not count on riding. The tour description mentions sitting on or riding an ostrich, but an update says riding is no longer offered.

What will I see in the main yard?

You can see different ostrich feathers, incubators, gizzard stones, eggs, and other farm displays. Staff also demonstrate crafts made from feathers, eggs, and leather.

Does the tour include food or drinks?

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

How large is the tour group?

The tour has a maximum of 15 participants.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable clothes, a hat, and sunblock. Parts of the tour take place outdoors.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes within that period are not accepted.