Skip the Line: Highgate Ostrich Farm Tour Ticket

The most memorable part of Highgate Ostrich Farm is the close contact. You learn how these huge birds live, then feed one by hand while taking in views of the Klein Karoo and Swartberg Mountains. The tour also includes a look at ostrich eggs, feathers, leather, and young birds.

I like the hands-on feeding and the way the tour mixes animal facts with working-farm details. I also like the strong guides, including Samantha, Ben, and Jean, who bring plenty of energy and answer questions clearly. At $11.28, the price is easy to justify for families and curious adults.

One point needs checking before you go: the experience information still refers to sitting on or riding an ostrich, but a recent update says riding is no longer allowed. Treat that activity as uncertain and confirm with the farm if it matters to you.

Key points to know before you go

• Hand-feed an ostrich: You get close to the world’s largest bird instead of only viewing it from a distance.
• See the farm’s working side: The main yard includes feathers, incubators, gizzard stones, eggs, and craft demonstrations.
• Visit the farmlands: The tour has a second section beyond the main yard, with open views toward the Klein Karoo and Swartberg Mountains.
• Meet lively guides: Samantha, Ben, and Jean have each been singled out for clear explanations, humor, and extra details.
• Finish with an ostrich derby: The short race adds a light, entertaining finish to the educational visit.
• Allow time afterward: The farm has a restaurant and gift shop, though food and drinks are not part of the ticket.

Why this short farm tour works so well

Highgate Ostrich Farm gives you more than a quick animal encounter. In about 1 hour and 15 minutes, you move from basic biology to direct feeding, farming equipment, craft work, and a derby. That variety matters because a visit focused only on photographs could feel thin. Here, each part gives you a different reason to pay attention.

The tour suits families especially well. Children can watch large birds up close, see incubators and eggs, and take part in feeding. Adults get practical information about ostrich behavior and the farm’s products. Most people can participate, and the maximum group size is 15, which should make it easier to hear the guide and ask questions.

The farm’s setting adds real appeal. You are in the Western Cape’s Klein Karoo, with the Swartberg Mountains framing the visit. The mountain views are not a separate sightseeing stop, but they give the farm a strong sense of place and make the outdoor sections more enjoyable.

Start in the main yard with feathers, eggs, and incubators

The first part takes place in the main yard. This is where the tour turns the ostrich from a strange, oversized bird into a living animal with specific habits and useful adaptations.

You can expect an introduction to ostrich biology and behavior, along with a look at different feathers, incubators, and gizzard stones. These objects help explain how the farm raises birds and how ostriches process food. The incubators are particularly useful for families because they show the care involved in raising young birds rather than leaving the subject at simple animal trivia.

The eggs are a natural focus. An ostrich lays the largest egg of any living bird, and seeing one in person makes that fact far more concrete than hearing it in a guidebook. The feathers and leather also explain how ostrich farming connects to craft and trade.

This section is strongest when you stay curious and ask questions. Samantha has been praised for explaining both the birds and the farm’s past, while Ben has been described as making the visit fun and lively. Jean has also earned praise for clear answers and a friendly manner. Guides can vary, but these names give you an idea of the personal style you may encounter.

Feed an ostrich by hand

Hand-feeding is the tour’s most direct activity. You are not simply looking into a large enclosure. You take part in a controlled interaction that lets you see the bird’s size, movement, and feeding behavior at close range.

The sheer scale can surprise you. Ostriches are tall, powerful birds, and their long necks bring their heads close to your hand. Follow the guide’s directions and keep your attention on the animal. The point is not to rush for a photograph, but to notice how the bird behaves.

This is likely to be the favorite moment for children, though adults often find it just as memorable. The activity gives the biology lesson a practical edge. After hearing how ostriches behave, you get a chance to watch that behavior in front of you.

Some of the feedback also refers to seeing very young chicks, including babies only a few days old. That makes the farm’s breeding work feel more immediate. Since the presence and age of chicks can vary, consider it a possible bonus rather than a guaranteed part of every visit.

Walk beyond the yard into the farm setting

The tour has two parts: the main yard and the farmlands. The second section gives you a broader sense of the property and lets you enjoy the open setting around the farm.

The Klein Karoo valley and Swartberg Mountains provide the backdrop. If you enjoy taking photographs, this is a good place to include the surroundings rather than framing only the birds. The setting also helps explain why a farm visit works well here. Oudtshoorn is closely linked with ostrich farming, and the open country gives the subject a natural context.

You should wear comfortable clothes, a hat, and sunblock. The information provided does not promise shade throughout the visit, so sun protection is a sensible choice even for a short tour. Comfortable clothing also helps if you are moving between outdoor areas and standing during demonstrations.

The tour lasts about 75 minutes, so it is not an all-day farm outing. That is useful if you are building a busy Oudtshoorn schedule. You get a focused introduction without giving up half a day.

Watch feathers, eggs, and leather become crafts

One of the more unusual parts of the visit is the craft demonstration. Staff show how ostrich materials are used in items made from feathers, eggs, and leather.

This section adds context to the farm’s products. Instead of seeing an ostrich feather as a decorative object with no story behind it, you learn how different parts of the bird have practical and artistic uses. The demonstration also gives the tour a cultural and economic angle, connecting the living animals with the goods sold through the farm.

I like this balance. The visit does not treat the ostriches only as photo props, but it also does not turn into a technical lecture. You see the birds, learn about their biology, and then see how farm materials are handled.

You can continue browsing at the gift shop after the tour. The ticket does not include food or drinks, but the farm has a restaurant, so you can make the stop longer if your schedule allows. The gift shop and restaurant are useful extras, not reasons by themselves to book the tour.

The ostrich derby brings a playful finish

The final entertainment is an ostrich derby. It gives the tour a lively ending after the more instructional parts in the yard and farmlands.

The derby is best viewed as a fun demonstration rather than a serious sporting event. It adds movement and humor, and it can help hold younger children’s attention through the final minutes. For adults, it offers a memorable way to finish the visit and a chance to see how unusual these birds look in motion.

The farm also describes sitting on or riding an ostrich as part of the traditional experience. However, one recent comment specifically says that riding is no longer permitted and asks for that wording to be removed from advertising. Because the information conflicts, do not book this tour expecting to ride. Ask Highgate Ostrich Farm before arrival if sitting or riding is important to your decision.

How much value do you get for $11.28?

At $11.28 per person, this is a low-cost activity by major attraction standards. The admission fee covers the guided tour and all listed activities, as well as taxes, fees, and handling charges. You are paying for more than entry to the property: the price includes the explanations, feeding, demonstrations, and derby.

The value is strongest if you want an organized introduction to ostrich farming. A casual stop at a gift shop or farm entrance would not give you the same sequence of information. You also avoid having to arrange separate payments for each activity.

The price is less compelling if you have no interest in animals, working farms, or hands-on demonstrations. The visit is built around ostriches from start to finish. That focus is its strength, but it also means the tour will not suit someone looking for a broad cultural tour of the Klein Karoo.

With an average booking lead time of 34 days, it is sensible to reserve ahead if your Oudtshoorn dates are fixed. A mobile ticket makes the booking easy to carry on your phone. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the group limit is 15 people.

Who should book this Highgate visit?

I would recommend it to families, animal lovers, and anyone driving through Oudtshoorn who wants a short activity with plenty of variety. The hand-feeding makes it more engaging than a standard farm walk, while the incubators and craft work give adults something to think about.

It also suits people who prefer a guided visit over reading signs on their own. Samantha, Ben, and Jean have each been praised for energy, clear explanations, and helpful answers. You may not get the same guide on every departure, but the farm clearly puts effort into the human side of the tour.

Photography fans should enjoy the mix of subjects: large birds, feathers, eggs, young chicks when present, farm details, and mountain views. Just remember that a good photograph should not replace listening to the guide during the feeding portion.

The tour may be less suitable if you have limited tolerance for outdoor sun or standing. Wear a hat, use sunblock, and choose comfortable clothing. Also, if your main reason for booking is to ride an ostrich, resolve that issue before paying.

Booking, cancellation, and practical details

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Inside that 24-hour window, you cannot receive a refund, and changes are not accepted. The cut-off follows local time, so check the start time carefully if you are booking from another time zone.

Most people can participate. The provided information does not list special accessibility arrangements, so you should contact the farm directly if you have mobility or access needs that require specific support.

Food and drinks are not included in the ticket. You can use the on-site restaurant after the tour, but plan to pay separately. The gift shop is also open for browsing after the activity.

Should you book it?

Book Highgate Ostrich Farm if you want an affordable, family-friendly Oudtshoorn stop with real contact, clear explanations, and several short activities in one visit. The hand-feeding, craft demonstration, and derby give the 75 minutes a good rhythm, while the Klein Karoo setting adds visual appeal.

I would pause only if riding is essential to you, because the available information is inconsistent and a recent update says it is no longer allowed. For everyone else, the $11.28 price, small maximum group, mobile ticket, and strong guide feedback make this an easy addition to a Garden Route itinerary.

FAQ

How long does the Highgate Ostrich Farm tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 1 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 part of the tour.

Will I learn about ostrich biology and behavior?

Yes. A guide explains ostrich biology and behavior during the visit.

Does the tour include an ostrich derby?

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

Can I see how ostrich materials become crafts?

Yes. Staff demonstrate crafts made with ostrich feathers, eggs, and leather.

Is food included in the ticket?

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

Is ostrich riding included?

The available information is conflicting. The activity description mentions sitting on or riding an ostrich, while a recent update says riding is no longer allowed. Confirm this directly with Highgate Ostrich Farm before booking if it matters to you.

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 and changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.