Skip the Line: Highgate Ostrich Farm Tour Ticket

The star of this visit is the hand-feeding session, when an ostrich comes close enough for you to appreciate its size, speed, and wonderfully odd manners. The tour also covers eggs, feathers, leather, incubators, and the farm’s working side before ending with an ostrich derby.

I like the small maximum group of 15, which should make it easier to hear your guide and get a turn at the activities. I also like the setting, with the Klein Karoo valley and Swartberg Mountains adding real scenery to what could otherwise be a simple animal stop.

The one point to check before booking is ostrich riding. The tour information still mentions sitting on or riding an ostrich, but recent on-site feedback says riding is no longer allowed. Confirm the current policy if that matters to you.

Key points at a glance

• Hand-feed an ostrich: You get a close look at the world’s largest bird and take part in one of the tour’s most memorable activities.
• See the farm’s working details: The main yard includes feathers, incubators, and gizzard stones, giving the visit more substance than a quick photo stop.
• Learn practical ostrich biology: Guides explain behavior, eggs, feathers, and other features in a family-friendly way.
• Watch an ostrich derby: The tour finishes with a playful farm demonstration that gives the visit a clear finale.
• Meet a lively guide: Samantha, Ben, and Jean have been singled out for energy, clear explanations, and answering questions.
• Allow about 75 minutes: You can add a meal or browsing time at the farm restaurant and gift shop afterward.

Why Highgate works as an Oudtshoorn stop

Highgate Ostrich Farm is in the Western Cape, near Oudtshoorn and the Garden Route. This is the part of South Africa where ostrich farming is a familiar local industry, so the visit gives you more context than a standard animal encounter.

I like that the tour connects the living bird with the things produced from it. You see feathers, eggs, leather, and farm equipment, then watch the birds themselves. That link helps explain why ostriches have mattered to the area while keeping the focus on biology and animal behavior.

The setting helps, too. You will see the Klein Karoo valley and the Swartberg Mountains around the farm, so the visit does not feel like an indoor presentation followed by a quick exit. Bring a hat and sunblock, since much of the activity takes place outdoors.

At $11.28 per person, the price is modest for a guided visit of about one hour and 15 minutes. Since entrance and the activities are included, you are not building the cost one small extra at a time. Food and drinks are separate, but you can decide after the tour if the restaurant suits your schedule.

The main yard, where the tour gets practical

The first part takes place in the main yard. This is where the guide introduces you to ostrich biology and behavior, with physical examples that make the explanation easier to follow.

You can expect to see different ostrich feathers, incubators, and gizzard stones. The incubators show how eggs are handled on the farm, while the gizzard stones offer a useful glimpse into how ostriches process food. These details give the tour a working-farm feel rather than turning it into a simple parade of birds.

The feathers are especially good for younger visitors because you can see their texture and size up close. The eyes are another memorable feature. Ostriches have large, expressive eyes, and a guide can help you understand how the bird’s body is built for its unusual way of life.

This section is also where you get the chance to feed an ostrich by hand. It is a simple activity, but it changes the mood of the visit. You are no longer only looking at an enclosure. You are paying attention to the bird’s movements, its bill, and the way it responds to food.

You should follow the guide’s instructions closely. The birds are large, and the point is to have a controlled encounter rather than treat them like tame pets. The available information does not promise a private feeding session for every person, so expect the guide to organize the activity for the group.

From feathers to eggs and leather

Highgate adds a craft demonstration to the animal portion. Staff show how ostrich materials are used in crafts, including plumage, eggs, and leather.

I find this useful because it explains the farm’s wider economic role. A feather is not only something to admire on a bird. An egg is not only an oversized shell. Leather has its own place in the story. Seeing these materials presented together gives you a clearer sense of how ostrich farming developed in the region.

The demonstration also breaks up the outdoor animal time. If you are visiting with children, this change of pace can help keep the 75-minute tour moving. Adults may appreciate it for a different reason: the farm becomes easier to understand as a working operation, not only as a place designed for photographs.

The tour includes the activities, so you do not need to pay separate fees for each part. The gift shop afterward may offer additional items, but purchases there are not included in the admission price.

The farmlands and the birds themselves

The second part of the tour moves beyond the main yard into the farmlands. This is where the setting becomes especially important. You get the Klein Karoo valley and Swartberg Mountains as a backdrop while seeing more of the farm’s open spaces.

The exact order and length of each segment can vary, so it is best to think of this as a guided farm circuit rather than a fixed museum route. The tour description places the main yard and farmlands together as the two parts of the visit, with explanations and animal contact spread between them.

The farm’s scale matters here. One particularly encouraging detail is that the animals are described as having plenty of room and being well cared for. That does not answer every question about farming practices, but it is relevant if animal treatment is part of your booking decision.

You may see young ostriches as well. Recent comments describe sightings of chicks, including very young babies. That is not a guaranteed part of every departure, but it is one reason the farmlands can feel more varied than a presentation focused only on adult birds.

The ostrich derby makes a clear finish

The final planned feature is the ostrich derby. It gives the tour a light, show-like ending after the more educational sections.

An ostrich derby is also a good reminder that this is a farm attraction, not a wildlife sanctuary or a quiet nature walk. You are getting a mix of animal education, demonstrations, and entertainment. If you prefer a purely natural encounter, the derby may feel staged. If you want an outing with a clear finish and something children can anticipate, it adds value.

I would treat the derby as a bonus rather than the sole reason to pay for the tour. The hand-feeding, biology explanations, incubators, and craft display carry much of the visit. The derby rounds it off.

One important correction concerns riding. The tour wording refers to sitting on or riding an ostrich, but a recent experience report says that this is no longer permitted and asks for the advertising to be updated. Do not book on the assumption that you will ride. Ask Highgate about the current rule before you arrive.

Guides can shape the whole visit

The strongest guide names connected with this tour are Samantha, Ben, and Jean. Samantha is praised for explaining both ostriches and the farm’s background, and for adding small details about the pepper trees and other parts of the property.

Ben is described as making the tour fun and exciting, which may matter if you are bringing children or a mixed-age group. Jean is praised for giving clear answers and helping the visit feel personal rather than rushed.

Guide quality is important here because the farm’s appeal depends on explanation. Without a good introduction, feathers, incubators, and gizzard stones can seem like disconnected objects. A lively guide ties them to the birds and to the farm’s daily work.

The maximum group size is 15. That is not a private tour, but it is small enough for a guide to manage the feeding activity and respond to questions. If your group wants a particular guide, the available information does not promise guide selection, so plan around the tour rather than a named individual.

How much time and money should you allow?

The advertised duration is about one hour and 15 minutes. That makes Highgate fairly easy to fit into a day based around Oudtshoorn or a wider Garden Route drive.

I would allow extra time beyond the formal tour if you want to browse the gift shop, eat at the restaurant, or take photographs around the farm. Those stops are available after the tour, but food and drinks cost extra.

At $11.28, the value is strongest for families and first-time visitors to the area. You get admission, guiding, animal-related activities, the craft presentation, and the derby in one price. A short visit with several different parts often feels better value than paying a similar amount for one brief viewing platform.

The price is less compelling if you are only interested in wild animals behaving naturally. This is a managed farm visit with demonstrations and a show element. Its value comes from variety, access, and explanation.

Booking 34 days ahead is the average pattern, so the tour can fill well in advance during busy periods. A mobile ticket makes it easy to keep the booking on your phone, and confirmation is received at the time of booking.

What to wear and what to expect on arrival

Wear comfortable clothes, a hat, and sunblock. Those are not decorative suggestions. You will be outside, and the valley sun can make a short tour feel much longer if you arrive unprepared.

Most people can participate. The available information says most visitors are able to take part, but it does not provide detailed guidance about every mobility need or surface at the farm. If you have a specific access concern, contact Highgate before booking.

The tour is family-friendly in tone and content. Feeding the ostrich, seeing chicks if present, handling your attention between birds and craft displays, and watching the derby give children several points of interest. Adults who enjoy local industries, animal behavior, and regional scenery will find enough context to keep it from feeling like a quick novelty stop.

Because activities are included, you do not need to decide on the day whether to add the feeding session or derby. The main question is how much time you want afterward for the restaurant and shop.

Who should book this farm tour?

I would recommend Highgate to you if you want an easy, affordable activity near Oudtshoorn that combines animals, local farming, and scenery. It works especially well for families, first-time visitors, and anyone who likes guided stops with several short sections rather than one long talk.

It also suits photographers who want close views of ostriches and a mountain backdrop, though the birds and timing are not fully under your control. Bring patience and listen to the guide during feeding. The best photographs may come from watching the bird’s behavior rather than trying to force a pose.

You may want to skip it if your main goal is an unstructured wildlife encounter, a long hike, or a quiet rural visit. The craft display and derby make the attraction more organized and theatrical than a simple farm walk.

I would also skip booking until you confirm the riding policy if sitting on or riding an ostrich is essential to your plans. The current information is inconsistent, and the safer choice is to treat hand-feeding as the confirmed animal interaction.

Should you book Highgate Ostrich Farm?

For $11.28, this is a sensible short stop with a good mix of education and entertainment. I like the included activities, the small group limit, the mountain setting, and the chance to connect ostrich biology with the farm’s feathers, eggs, leather, and incubators.

Book it if you want a family-friendly introduction to ostriches and can spare about 75 minutes, plus time for the restaurant or gift shop. Before paying, confirm the current riding rules and come prepared for outdoor conditions. If you do that, Highgate offers good value without asking you to give up half a day.

FAQ

How long does the Highgate Ostrich Farm tour last?

The tour lasts approximately one hour and 15 minutes. You may want additional time afterward for the restaurant and gift shop.

What is included in the ticket price?

Entrance fees, all listed activities, taxes, fees, and handling charges are included. Food and drinks are not included unless specifically stated.

Can I feed an ostrich?

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

Can I ride an ostrich?

The tour information mentions sitting on or riding an ostrich, but recent information says riding is no longer allowed. Confirm the current policy directly with Highgate before booking if this activity is important to you.

Does the tour include an ostrich derby?

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

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 15 people.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable clothes, a hat, and sunblock. The tour includes outdoor areas at the farm.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted, and the cut-off uses the experience’s local time.