Skip the Line: Highgate Ostrich Farm Tour Ticket

The best part of this Highgate Ostrich Farm tour is the close contact. You learn how ostriches behave, feed one by hand, see young birds, and finish with an ostrich derby in the Klein Karoo. It is more than a quick photo stop, but it still fits neatly into a day around Oudtshoorn.

I like the small group limit of 15, which gives you a better chance to hear the guide and take part. I also like the mix of animal contact and useful farm detail, from incubators and gizzard stones to crafts made with feathers, eggs, and leather.

One point needs checking before you book: the description still refers to sitting on or riding an ostrich, but the latest tour information indicates that riding is no longer allowed. Treat feeding, viewing, and learning as the dependable parts of the visit.

Key points at a glance

• Hand-feed an ostrich: You get a direct, memorable encounter with the farm’s largest birds.
• See the farm’s working details: The main yard includes feathers, incubators, gizzard stones, and young birds.
• Learn traditional craft uses: Staff demonstrate how ostrich feathers, eggs, and leather are turned into decorative items.
• Watch an ostrich derby: The tour ends with a playful look at the birds’ speed and movement.
• Enjoy the Klein Karoo setting: The farm looks toward the Swartberg Mountains and the surrounding valley.
• Keep the timing manageable: The experience lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes, with admission and activities included.

Meeting the world’s largest bird near Oudtshoorn

Highgate Ostrich Farm sits in South Africa’s Western Cape, in the Oudtshoorn area of the Garden Route. The setting gives the visit a clear sense of place: you are not looking at ostriches in an indoor exhibit, but seeing them on a working farm with the Klein Karoo valley and Swartberg Mountains around you.

The focus is the ostrich itself. You will hear about its biology and behavior, then see how those facts connect to daily farm life. The bird’s size, feathers, eyes, and unusually large egg all become part of the tour rather than isolated facts from a guidebook.

I think this makes the experience useful for families and first-time visitors to the region. You get an introduction to one of South Africa’s most distinctive animals without giving up half a day. At roughly 75 minutes, it can slot between other Oudtshoorn sights, a meal, or a drive through the Garden Route.

The group limit of 15 matters here. Ostriches can be strikingly large, and a crowded group would make feeding and demonstrations harder to follow. A smaller party should give you a clearer view when the guide explains the birds and handles the farm displays.

The main yard: feathers, eggs, and incubators

The first part takes place in the main yard. This is where the tour gives you the basic tools for understanding ostrich farming and the birds’ unusual features.

You can expect to see different ostrich feathers, incubators, and the stones used in an ostrich’s gizzard. The incubators show how eggs are handled and hatched, while the gizzard stones offer a practical look at how these birds process food. Details like these give the tour more substance than simply standing beside an animal for a photograph.

The eggs are an obvious highlight. Ostriches lay the largest eggs of any living bird, and seeing them in person helps put that claim into perspective. The feathers are equally important, both for their beauty and for the farm’s craft demonstrations later in the visit.

You will also have a chance to feed an ostrich by hand. This is the moment most likely to appeal to children, though adults usually find it just as memorable. Follow the guide’s instructions closely and keep in mind that these are large, powerful birds, not oversized pets.

The farm also presents young ostriches, and the experience can include seeing very young chicks. One account describes four-day-old babies, which gives you a chance to compare their delicate appearance with the full-grown birds nearby.

A close encounter, with sensible limits

Hand-feeding is the most direct activity on the tour, and it gives you a quick lesson in ostrich behavior. You are close enough to appreciate the bird’s height and movements, but the guide controls the activity and explains how to take part.

The tour material also describes sitting on or riding an ostrich. However, a more recent note specifically says riding is no longer permitted and asks for that claim to be removed from advertising. I would not book this experience expecting a ride. If that activity matters to you, confirm its status with Highgate before paying.

That change is not a reason to dismiss the tour. Feeding, seeing the birds at close range, and learning about their care still form the heart of the visit. It is simply better to arrive with accurate expectations.

The animal welfare detail in the available feedback is encouraging. One visitor specifically noted that the ostriches have plenty of room and appear well treated. You should still follow staff directions, avoid treating the birds like cuddly pets, and let the guide set the pace of any contact.

From farm materials to practical crafts

Highgate adds a hands-on cultural and commercial angle through demonstrations using ostrich feathers, eggs, and leather. Staff show how these materials can become crafts, giving you a better sense of why ostriches have long mattered to farms in this part of the Western Cape.

The feather display is especially visual. You can compare different types and see why ostrich plumage has such a strong decorative appeal. The egg work provides a second angle, since the shell is not only large but also useful for detailed craftwork.

The leather demonstration helps round out the picture. Instead of presenting the bird only as a curiosity, the tour explains how several parts of the animal have been used in farm products and souvenirs.

This section is short, but it adds value to the entrance price. You are not only watching animals. You are also seeing the skills and products connected with ostrich farming. The craft work makes the visit more useful for adults who want context, while children can focus on the feathers, eggs, and birds themselves.

A gift shop follows the tour. It gives you a chance to look at ostrich-related goods without having to rush away as soon as the guided portion ends. The farm also has a restaurant, though food and drinks are not included in the ticket. Budget separately if you plan to eat there.

Ending with the ostrich derby

The final feature is an ostrich derby. This is the lighthearted part of the tour, showing the birds moving at speed and giving the visit a lively finish.

The derby works well because it shifts the experience from close observation to action. After learning about eggs, feathers, feeding, and farm care, you see the birds use their long legs and distinctive running style. It is also a good final photo opportunity, though you should stay within the areas set by staff.

The tour’s structure is sensible: information first, close contact next, then a demonstration. You get time to understand what you are seeing before the faster finale. At around 75 minutes, the pace should remain manageable for families and for anyone fitting the farm into a busy road trip.

Do not confuse the derby with an ostrich riding show. The available information says that riding is no longer allowed, so the value here is in watching the birds move, not in taking part as a rider.

What guides add to the visit

The guide can make a real difference at a small animal attraction. Samantha receives especially strong praise for explaining both ostrich facts and the farm’s background, with extra observations about pepper trees and other details around the property.

Ben is also described as bringing fun and energy to the experience, which may suit families with children or anyone who prefers a relaxed presentation. Jean is praised for answering questions and giving a strong tour of the farm.

Guide assignments can change, so you should not assume you will have one particular person. Still, these names give you a sense of the style available: personal explanations, questions welcomed, and more than a memorized list of bird facts.

I especially value the small side details. Learning about the farm’s pepper trees, for example, helps connect the ostrich visit with the place around it. You are seeing a piece of the Klein Karoo, not simply entering a generic animal park.

Is $11.28 good value?

At $11.28 per person, the price is modest for a guided visit that includes admission and all listed activities. You also receive the hand-feeding opportunity, craft demonstrations, the derby, and access to the gift shop and restaurant area after the tour.

The value is strongest if you take part in each section. A visitor who only wants a quick ostrich photograph may find the 75-minute visit longer than needed. But if you want an explanation of the birds, a farm setting, and a few hands-on moments, the price is fair.

There are no added charges listed for the included activities. Food and drinks cost extra, so the restaurant should be treated as a separate stop rather than part of the ticket.

The mobile ticket is useful during a road trip, since you do not need to carry a paper voucher. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the experience can be canceled free of charge up to 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, no refund is provided, and late changes are not accepted.

Practical details before you go

Wear comfortable clothes, a hat, and sunblock. The farm experience includes outdoor areas, hand-feeding, and time around the main yard and farmlands, so sun protection is sensible even when the day begins cool.

Most people can participate. The activity is not described as restricted to a special fitness level, but you should be comfortable standing and moving through the farm for the duration of the tour.

The experience is capped at 15 people, which is a useful limit for demonstrations and animal contact. If you are planning a larger group, keep that maximum in mind when arranging your visit.

Because the tour is popular enough to be booked an average of 34 days ahead, I would not leave it until the last minute during a busy Garden Route trip. The mobile ticket and included admission keep the booking simple, but your schedule still needs to allow about 75 minutes, plus any time you spend at the restaurant or gift shop.

The biggest practical tip is to check the riding claim before arrival. The written details are inconsistent, and the most dependable plan is to expect feeding, viewing, crafts, and the derby only.

Who should book this Highgate tour?

Families are the clearest match. Children get animals, feeding, young chicks, large eggs, and a derby, while adults receive enough background to make the visit worthwhile.

It also suits couples and independent visitors who want a short, local activity near Oudtshoorn. You do not need a full day, and the mountain setting gives the stop a strong regional character.

Photographers may like the feathers, chicks, birds, and Swartberg views, though the tour is guided rather than a dedicated photography session. Anyone hoping to ride an ostrich should choose another plan or confirm directly with the farm first.

I would also recommend it for people who prefer animal encounters with explanation attached. The tour shows you how the birds live, how eggs are incubated, and how farm materials are used. That makes it more thoughtful than a simple feed-and-leave stop.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a reasonably priced introduction to ostriches with a guide, a hand-feeding moment, farm demonstrations, mountain views, and an entertaining finish. Samantha, Ben, and Jean are all associated with warm, energetic guiding, and the 15-person limit should help keep the experience personal.

Skip it if your only goal is ostrich riding, since that activity appears to have ended despite older promotional wording. Also skip the restaurant portion if you need meals included, because food and drinks are separate.

For most people already passing through Oudtshoorn, the combination of short duration, included admission, and varied activities makes Highgate a sound choice. Just arrive ready to learn, wear sun protection, and judge the tour by the experiences that are clearly available now.

FAQ

How long does the Highgate Ostrich Farm tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Where is Highgate Ostrich Farm?

Highgate Ostrich Farm is in South Africa’s Western Cape, in the Oudtshoorn area of the Garden Route.

What is included in the ticket?

The ticket includes admission, 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.

Will I see ostrich chicks?

The farm experience includes young birds, and the tour can include seeing very young chicks.

Does the tour include ostrich riding?

The tour information mentions sitting on or riding an ostrich, but a more recent note says riding is no longer allowed. Confirm directly with Highgate if this is important to you.

Is food included?

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

Is there a gift shop?

Yes. You can visit the gift shop after the guided tour.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity has a maximum of 15 participants.

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 or accepted.