Skip the Line: Highgate Ostrich Farm Tour Ticket

Ostriches, up close and practical. At Highgate Ostrich Show Farm on the Garden Route, you get a guided, hand feeding experience plus craft demos that connect what you see to how ostriches live.

I love the Klein Karoo valley and Swartberg Mountains views you catch as you move through the grounds. I also like how guides such as Samantha, plus Ben and Jean, explain ostrich biology and the farm story in an easy, family-friendly way.

One consideration: sitting or even riding an ostrich is mentioned as part of the experience, but some groups have been told that part is no longer allowed. So, set your expectations around learning, feeding, and watching behavior, not guaranteed riding.

Key things to know before you go

• Feed an ostrich by hand with staff guiding the experience
• See how incubators work, and learn why gizzard stones are part of the story
• Watch crafts made from feathers, eggs, and leather, all included in the tour price
• Enjoy an ostrich derby viewing, a focused burst of action and behavior watching
• Small group size up to 15 travelers, so it stays interactive
• Stop by the gift shop and restaurant after the tour, for souvenirs and a meal

Highgate Ostrich Show Farm on the Garden Route, and why it works

Highgate Ostrich Show Farm is a great fit for the Garden Route, especially if you’re basing yourself around Oudtshoorn. It’s a farm experience, not a long museum slog, and you get to move through the property with a guide. That matters, because ostriches can be both impressive and confusing if you just look from a distance.

The best part is how quickly the tour connects the dots. You’re not only seeing the world’s largest bird, you’re also hearing how people raise and care for ostriches, how eggs and feathers factor into farm life, and how the animals behave day to day. And because the tour runs about 1 hour 15 minutes, it’s easy to slot into a busy itinerary without feeling like you gave up half a day.

You’ll also appreciate the setting. Guides point out the surroundings as you go, and the Klein Karoo valley plus the Swartberg Mountains make the time feel like more than just another attraction stop. You’ll walk, look, listen, and then get to wrap up with the gift shop and restaurant.

Your time on-site, step by step

This is a short guided visit, built around a clear flow. Even if you’ve never been to an ostrich farm before, you’ll know what’s coming and why each part exists.

You start at Highgate Ostrich Show Farm, where the tour is typically described as having two main areas: the main yard and the farmlands. The order can vary slightly by day, but the tour logic stays the same.

Part 1: Main yard, the hands-on learning zone

In the main yard, you’ll see a focus on the basics of ostriches. Expect to look at feathers and learn about incubators, including how they work. You’ll also encounter gizzard stones, which is one of those farm details that turns into real learning when your guide explains the connection.

This is also where the hand feeding part happens. Having staff there is a big deal. They control the pace, explain what to do, and keep the experience safe and orderly. If you like animal encounters, this is the moment you’ll remember.

Part 2: Farmlands, where the animals feel more “real”

After the main yard, the tour typically shifts to the farmlands area. This is where the visit feels less like a demonstration and more like a functioning farm. You’ll still be guided, but you’ll have different angles on the birds and a better sense of how the property is laid out.

Finisher: The ostrich derby viewing

To close things out, you’ll get a viewing of the ostrich derby. This part is short but fun, because it turns the biology talk into motion. Watching how ostriches move, react, and interact is a nice payoff after learning their habits.

After the tour: gift shop and restaurant

Once the guided portion ends, you can stop by the restaurant and gift shop. If you want souvenirs, snacks, or just time to decompress with an easy meal, this is the point where it fits naturally. Since food and drinks aren’t included in the ticket price (unless specified), having the restaurant right there is practical.

Hand feeding and ostrich biology, what you’ll actually learn

Ostriches can look like they’re from another planet. But the tour is structured so you leave with usable knowledge, not just a pile of photos.

You’ll learn ostruch biology and behavior in a guided format that’s aimed at families and first-timers. The tour messaging highlights a few signature facts that you’ll hear explained during the visit, including that ostriches are the world’s largest birds and that they lay very large eggs. Your guide also draws attention to features like their feathers and eyes, which helps you understand why ostriches have been both studied and farmed.

The “how and why” details are what make this experience feel educational. In the main yard, the incubators and how they work give you insight into the farming process. Seeing gizzard stones helps explain that farm care is not just about food, it’s also about digestion and animal well-being.

And then you have the payoff: the hand feeding moment. It changes the experience from passive to active. When you’re close enough to feel the scale of the birds and understand what the guide is telling you, the facts stick.

A practical note about feeding time

Since this is a guided farm tour, feeding is controlled. Don’t expect to wander up or take unlimited attempts. Instead, treat it like one carefully guided segment. If you want the best photos, listen for the staff instructions on where to stand and how to hold your hands.

Crafts from feathers, eggs, and leather, and why that matters

One of the most interesting parts of this visit is that you get to see how ostrich farm materials connect to everyday items. The tour includes staff demonstrations for crafts using plumage (feathers), eggs, and leather.

That might sound like a sales angle at first. But on this tour, it’s more like a bridge between biology and farm output. Watching the demonstration helps you understand why ostriches are valued beyond just their size. Feathers have a clear purpose in craft work. Eggs and leather show up in other ways that you can see and ask about while you’re on-site.

It also gives you a way to talk about sustainability and farming with real examples. You can look at what’s made, then connect it back to what you learned earlier about the animals and the farm operations. Even if you don’t buy anything, this makes the tour feel more grounded.

If you like hands-on teaching moments, this segment is a strong reason to choose Highgate. It’s included in your ticket and doesn’t feel like a last-minute add-on.

The ostrich derby viewing, motion as a learning tool

The ostrich derby is the kind of thing that’s easy to underestimate until you watch it. After a tour focused on incubators, feathers, and feeding, a derby provides a different angle: behavior and movement.

It’s also a nice way to keep kids engaged. Older kids and adults get to see how ostriches react and perform when there’s a more energetic moment. The viewing portion is short, but it gives the whole visit a satisfying rhythm, learning first, then action.

If your priority is watching animals rather than crafts, you still get value here because the derby is a targeted look at behavior.

Guides who make the farm story click: Samantha, Ben, and Jean

Guides are the secret sauce on short tours. Here, multiple guides are praised for turning facts into something you can remember.

Samantha is highlighted for making sure the group understands both ostrich details and the farm history. Ben is praised for keeping the tour fun and exciting, which matters a lot on a short itinerary. Jean gets credit for an outstanding experience, and for the impression that the animals have plenty of space and are well cared for.

You don’t need to search for a specific guide when you book. But if you’re choosing between tours, keep an eye out for guides with that mix of clarity and energy. In a farm setting, a good guide helps you see the difference between “wow, big bird” and “I understand what I’m looking at.”

Price and value at about $11.28, and what you should budget for

At about $11.28 per person, this tour is priced to be accessible, especially because your ticket includes the entrance fees to Highgate Ostrich Farm and all the tour activities. That’s the kind of pricing structure that makes planning easier. You can arrive knowing you won’t be hit with multiple separate ticket costs for the key parts.

It’s also worth noting what’s not included. Food and drinks aren’t included unless specified. So, if you want lunch or a drink during or after the tour, plan on paying extra. The fact that a restaurant is on-site helps, but you should still treat meals as an additional budget line.

For many visitors, the value equation looks like this:

• A short guided experience
• Hands-on feeding
• Craft demonstrations
• A derby viewing
• Gift shop and restaurant access after
• All activities included in the ticket price

For $11.28, that’s a lot of included time and content.

What to wear, what to bring, and how to stay comfortable

The tour is outdoors at a working farm, so your comfort affects how much you enjoy it.

Wear comfortable clothes, and bring a hat and sunblock. Even if you’re not staying in the sun all day, you’ll be in open areas and moving between spots. I also recommend simple shoes with decent grip, because farm paths can be uneven.

If you tend to get hungry, grab a snack before you go, since food isn’t included. After the tour, you can use the restaurant option, but a little foresight keeps your energy up.

Tips to get more out of your visit

A few habits help you leave feeling like you got your money’s worth.

• Ask questions during feeding and incubator moments. Those are your highest-learning parts, because you can connect what you hear to what you’re seeing right in front of you.
• Take photos, then listen. It sounds basic, but photos without context turn into clutter later. Use the guide explanations to make the pictures meaningful.
• Plan your day so you’re not rushed. The tour is about 1 hour 15 minutes, and it feels best when you can linger at the gift shop and restaurant after.

One more thought: because sitting or riding an ostrich is mentioned in the experience description, but some recent groups reported that it was not allowed, don’t build your day around guaranteed riding. If it is available on your date, great. If not, focus on feeding and learning.

Should you book Highgate Ostrich Farm?

I’d book this tour if you want a short, affordable, hands-on ostrich experience on the Garden Route. The included hand feeding, craft demonstrations using feathers, eggs, and leather, and the ostrich derby viewing give you a full, satisfying arc in just over an hour. The small group size up to 15 travelers also helps the guide keep things interactive.

Book it especially if you’re traveling with family, you’re visiting Oudtshoorn and want a practical activity close to the action, or you prefer experiences where you can ask questions and get real explanations, not just a quick look at animals.

I’d be cautious if riding an ostrich is a must-do for you. The experience description includes it, but there are indications it may not happen consistently. If that’s your top goal, contact the farm or ask the guide directly on arrival, then decide based on what’s actually allowed that day.

FAQ

How long is the Highgate Ostrich Farm tour?

The tour runs for about 1 hour 15 minutes.

How much does the ticket cost?

The price is $11.28 per person.

What is included in the tour price?

The ticket includes entrance fees to Highgate Ostrich Farm and all activities during the tour, including the guided learning, hand feeding, crafts demonstrations, and the ostrich derby viewing.

Do I get to feed an ostrich by hand?

Yes. You’ll be able to feed an ostrich by hand as part of the guided experience.

Is food and drinks included?

Food and drinks are not included unless specified. You can use the restaurant after the tour.

Is there time to visit the gift shop?

Yes. After the tour, you can stop by the gift shop and also the restaurant.

Can I cancel for free?

Yes, you can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.