Skip the Line: Highgate Ostrich Farm Tour Ticket

Big birds make fine tour guides. Highgate Ostrich Farm offers a lively 1-hour-15-minute introduction to ostrich biology, farming, and crafts in South Africa’s Klein Karoo. I like the chance to feed an ostrich by hand, and I like that the tour includes both animal encounters and useful farm history rather than just a quick photo stop. The main drawback is that ostrich riding appears to have stopped, even though some older promotional wording still mentions sitting on or riding one.

The setting is another strong point. You look across the Klein Karoo valley toward the Swartberg Mountains while guides such as Samantha, Ben, and Jean bring plenty of energy to the group. At $11.28 per person, the tour is easy to fit into a Garden Route day, though you should bring a hat and sunblock, and confirm the current riding policy before booking if that is important to you.

Key points at a glance

• Hand-feed one of the world’s largest birds: The close encounter is the tour’s most memorable moment, especially for families.
• Two-part farm visit: You move through the main yard before heading into the farmlands, giving the tour more range than a single animal display.
• Real ostrich materials on show: See feathers, eggs, leather, incubators, and gizzard stones, then watch staff demonstrate traditional crafts.
• A lively guide can make the difference: Samantha is praised for her facts and energy, while Ben and Jean are also singled out for making the visit fun and informative.
• Mountain views add a strong sense of place: The Klein Karoo valley and Swartberg Mountains give the farm a memorable setting.
• Ostrich riding needs clarification: Older wording mentions sitting on or riding an ostrich, but current feedback says this is no longer offered.

A 75-minute introduction to ostrich country

Highgate Ostrich Farm sits in the Oudtshoorn area of South Africa’s Garden Route, in the dry Klein Karoo region. The farm visit lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes, a useful length for families and for anyone fitting several Oudtshoorn sights into one day.

I like the balance here. You are not simply led past a pen, given a few quick facts, and sent to the gift shop. The visit combines animal behavior, farm work, food and craft traditions, and a short show at the end. That gives the experience more substance for the modest admission price.

The tour is capped at 15 people. That does not guarantee a private experience, but it should help keep the group manageable when everyone wants a turn feeding an ostrich or looking at the demonstrations. A mobile ticket makes arrival simple, and confirmation is provided when you book.

Starting in the main yard

The first part takes place in the main yard. Here, the guide introduces you to ostrich biology and behavior, with practical examples rather than a formal classroom lecture.

You can expect to see different ostrich feathers and learn why they are valued. The staff also explain how ostrich eggs are handled and show incubators used in the breeding process. That is a useful detail because it connects the impressive adult birds in front of you with the work required to raise young ostriches.

The tour also covers gizzard stones. Ostriches use stones to help process food, and seeing those stones as part of the farm presentation gives you a concrete detail to remember. Small facts like this help explain how an unusual bird functions instead of reducing the visit to its size and comic appearance.

The farm’s materials are part of the story too. Feathers, eggs, and leather are shown as sources for traditional crafts. Staff demonstrate how these materials can be turned into decorative and useful items, giving you a clearer idea of how ostrich farming supports more than meat and eggs.

Feeding an ostrich by hand

The hand-feeding session is likely to be the highlight for most people. You get close enough to appreciate the bird’s size, long neck, large eyes, and curious behavior. The experience is active, not just observational, which helps children stay interested.

Ostriches are famous for being the world’s largest birds, but size alone does not explain the appeal. Their eggs are the largest laid by any living bird, their feathers have a distinctive look, and their eyes are unusually striking. The guide uses these traits to make the animal feel less like a novelty and more like a creature with its own biology and habits.

You should listen carefully to the staff during feeding. The point is to enjoy the contact while following the farm’s instructions. The tour is designed for ordinary visitors, and most people can take part, but young children will benefit from an adult close by.

The farm may also show chicks or young birds. One account describes seeing four-day-old babies, a special moment if the timing works out. That is not something I would treat as guaranteed, but it adds another reason the visit can feel different from a standard animal encounter.

From feathers and eggs to farm crafts

The craft demonstration gives the tour a human side. Staff show how ostrich plumage, eggs, and leather are used in handmade products. You are not only looking at attractive objects in a shop. You are seeing the raw materials and the skills that shape them.

This part also helps explain why ostrich farming has such a strong connection to Oudtshoorn. The town and surrounding area are closely associated with ostrich production, and the farm visit gives you a practical look at that local industry.

I find this section especially useful for visitors who want more context than a quick animal photo. You learn how the farm’s products connect to the birds, and you can then browse related items in the gift shop after the tour. The demonstration may interest adults as much as children because it shows work, tools, and materials rather than relying only on spectacle.

The farmlands and the Swartberg view

The tour has a second part beyond the main yard, in the farmlands. This shift matters because it gives you a broader sense of the property and the setting around Oudtshoorn.

The Klein Karoo valley and Swartberg Mountains form the backdrop. The scenery gives the visit a strong regional identity, and it also offers good photo opportunities. Bring your hat and sunblock, since the supplied practical guidance specifically recommends protection from the sun. Comfortable clothing is a sensible choice as well.

The setting is not a polished city attraction. It is a working farm environment, and that is part of the appeal. You get a look at ostriches within the area where they are raised, rather than seeing them only in an enclosed display. At the same time, conditions outdoors can feel more exposed, so dress for the weather and avoid treating the visit like an indoor museum stop.

Ending with the ostrich derby

The tour finishes with a viewing of the ostrich derby. This adds a playful finale after the more educational parts of the visit.

The derby works best as entertainment rather than a serious sporting event. It gives the group something to watch together, and it sends the tour out on a lighter note. If you are visiting with children, this final activity can help hold their attention through the biology and craft sections.

The important point is that all activities are included in the admission price. You do not have to choose between the main tour and an extra show once you arrive. That makes the $11.28 cost easier to judge, since the ticket covers the farm presentation, animal interaction, demonstrations, and derby viewing.

Be clear about ostrich riding

This is the one area where I would ask a direct question before booking. The tour description includes wording about sitting on or riding an ostrich, but current feedback says riding is no longer allowed. One person specifically found the advertising disappointing because the activity was still shown even though it had ended.

The sensible approach is to treat feeding, learning, and viewing the derby as the reliable features. Do not book this tour solely for a riding photo. If riding matters to you, contact Highgate Ostrich Show Farm before your visit and confirm the current rules.

The change also makes practical sense from an animal welfare point of view. The available information does not explain the farm’s policy in detail, so I would not speculate about the reason. Just make sure your expectations match what is currently offered.

The guides shape the experience

The strongest praise is directed at the guides. Samantha is repeatedly described as warm, energetic, and generous with information. Her commentary can extend beyond the birds to details such as pepper trees and other small features around the farm.

Ben is also praised for making the experience fun and exciting, especially for families. Jean receives similar approval for answering questions and leading a memorable visit. Guide quality can vary from one departure to another, but these names suggest that Highgate places real value on the human side of the tour.

That matters because ostriches are unusual, but the facts can become dry if they are delivered without personality. A good guide turns the bird’s size, feathers, eggs, and behavior into stories you will remember later. If you enjoy asking questions, this is a good setting to do so.

Is the $11.28 price good value?

At $11.28 per person, the tour is priced as an accessible short attraction rather than a major day trip. Entrance fees, taxes, handling charges, and all listed activities are included. Food and drinks are extra.

I consider that good value if you want a focused Oudtshoorn experience lasting about an hour. You receive a guided presentation, a hand-feeding opportunity, craft demonstrations, access to the farmlands, and the derby. The gift shop and restaurant also let you extend the stop, though purchases and meals are not part of the ticket.

The value is lower if you expect a long farm visit, extensive riding, or a full-day excursion. This is a compact attraction. Its strength is variety within a short time, not a large number of separate activities.

The tour is booked, on average, 34 days ahead, which suggests that planning early is wise during busy periods. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, the payment is not refunded, and late changes are not accepted.

Who should book this farm tour?

I would recommend Highgate to families, first-time visitors to Oudtshoorn, animal lovers, and anyone looking for a light but informative stop along the Garden Route. The short duration makes it easy to combine with other local sights.

It also suits visitors who enjoy learning how a local product is made. The feather, egg, and leather demonstrations give the tour more depth than a simple encounter with farm animals.

You may want to skip it if you dislike animal-contact activities, have no interest in ostriches, or want a very quiet nature experience. The derby and group format give it an entertaining, family-friendly feel rather than a calm wildlife viewing atmosphere.

Practical tips before you go

Wear comfortable clothes, a hat, and sunblock. The farm includes outdoor areas, and the guidance specifically calls for sun protection.

Keep your mobile ticket ready, and allow the full 75 minutes rather than planning a tight connection afterward. The maximum group size is 15, but the pace still depends on the guide and how long people spend at each activity.

Save time after the tour for the gift shop and restaurant if those appeal to you. Food and drinks are not included, so budget separately for them.

Most people can participate, but the activity is still hands-on and outdoors. If someone in your group has concerns about the feeding session or current riding policy, ask the farm before arrival rather than relying on older promotional wording.

Should you book Highgate Ostrich Farm?

Book it if you want a friendly, affordable introduction to ostriches with real interaction and a sense of the Oudtshoorn farming tradition. The strongest reasons are the hand-feeding, the craft demonstrations, the mountain setting, and guides such as Samantha, Ben, and Jean.

Go in expecting a compact farm tour, not an all-day adventure. Most important, confirm that riding is not part of the current program unless the farm tells you otherwise. With that expectation set, Highgate Ostrich Farm offers good value and a memorable stop for families and curious first-time visitors.

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 fees, taxes, handling charges, and all listed tour activities.

Can I feed an ostrich?

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

Can I ride an ostrich?

The information includes older wording about sitting on or riding an ostrich, but current feedback says riding is no longer allowed. Confirm the present policy with the farm before booking if this matters to you.

Does the tour include the ostrich derby?

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

Are food and drinks included?

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

How large is the tour group?

The activity has a maximum of 15 participants.

What should I wear?

Comfortable clothing, a hat, and sunblock are recommended.