Ostriches get personal at Highgate. This short Highgate Ostrich Show Farm tour on South Africa’s Garden Route mixes hand-feeding the world’s largest bird with hands-on explanations about eggs and feathers, plus staff-led demonstrations that connect you to how these animals are raised and cared for. You’ll also get big, clear views over the Klein Karoo valley toward the Swartberg Mountains while you’re doing all of it.

I also like that the experience feels personal because the group stays small, with a maximum of 15 people, so your guide can actually answer questions. In fact, guides like Samantha, Ben, and Jean are specifically praised for making the info stick and keeping the tour fun. One thing to consider: riding may be limited or not offered anymore, even if it appears in some tour descriptions.

Key things to know before you go

• Hand-feeding included so you’re not just watching from a distance
• Craft demonstrations using feathers, eggs, and leather add variety to the animal time
• Two-part farm layout with the main yard and then the farmlands
• Incubators and gizzard-stone displays make the biology side feel practical
• Ostrich derby viewing gives the tour a fun finish
• Small group size (15 max) keeps the questions flowing

Highgate Ostrich Show Farm is built for an easy stop on the Garden Route

If you’re driving the Garden Route, Oudtshoorn is one of those places where you start to see the region’s big bird reputation everywhere. Highgate Ostrich Show Farm is a very workable way to experience it without committing to a long day. The tour runs about 1 hour 15 minutes, which fits neatly into a lunch break, a mid-afternoon slot, or as a half-day add-on to other Oudtshoorn-area plans.

The best part is how quickly the tour shifts from animals-in-the-yard to real farm-life details. You get a mix of education and interaction, and it doesn’t feel like school. The setting helps too: you’re surrounded by the Klein Karoo valley and views toward the Swartberg Mountains, which makes even the waiting moments more pleasant.

What you learn about ostrich biology and behavior (without it feeling like a lecture)

This tour is designed to teach you how ostriches work as living creatures, not just how they look in photos. You’ll hear explanations tied directly to what you’re seeing in front of you—especially around reproduction and how chicks are raised.

In the main yard, the staff show you features like feather types, incubators and how they work, and gizzard stones. That combination matters because it connects body features (feathers), daily farm routines (incubation), and digestion-related care (those stone displays) into one guided story. It’s also the kind of information that sticks because you can picture it immediately.

You also learn how ostriches behave and move, which helps you understand what you’re watching during feeding and derby viewing. Even if you only know the basics like the ostrich being the world’s largest bird and laying the largest egg, this tour gives you a more rounded view of the animal you’re interacting with.

Hand-feeding and the feather-and-egg craft demonstrations

The main interaction highlight is the chance to feed an ostrich by hand. This is the moment where the tour stops being passive. The staff guide you through what to do, and you’re right there close enough to notice behavior—head movement, pacing, curiosity—rather than just looking at a fence line.

Then the tour adds variety through demonstrations focused on what ostriches provide and how people turn those materials into crafts. You’ll see explanations for products or craft processes using ostrich feathers, eggs, and leather. This part is valuable because it explains the farm’s purpose beyond animal viewing. It also gives you something different to talk about afterward, which is handy when you’re traveling with kids or friends who want a memory with a story.

A quick practical note: you’ll want to be ready for sun. Comfortable clothing, and a hat and sunscreen, make a real difference here, since most of the experience involves time outdoors.

Main yard vs farmlands: the two-part flow of the tour

The tour is structured in two sections: the main yard and then the farmlands. That split helps the experience feel balanced. The main yard is where you’ll get the most guided explanation and where the feeding and display elements are easiest to manage. It’s also where you can see the setup for things like incubators and feather displays.

When you move to the farmlands, you’re shifting from the show-and-learn space into a more working-farm feel. The goal is to help you connect what you learned in the yard to how ostriches live across a larger area. That’s one reason this isn’t just a quick photo stop.

About the animal interaction expectations: the tour description includes mentions that you may be able to sit on, and even ride, an ostrich. But there’s a caution worth taking seriously. One guide-directed experience included disappointment that riding was not allowed anymore, even though it showed in promotional info. If riding is a key goal for you, I’d treat it as uncertain and confirm what’s currently available before you plan around it.

The ostrich derby and your follow-up time at the restaurant and gift shop

Near the end, you’ll finish with a viewing of the ostrich derby. The name alone signals a more energetic finale compared with the slower educational segments. It’s a smart way to close the loop: you’ve learned about behavior and farm life, and then you get a show moment that puts movement and instinct on display.

After the tour, you can stop by the restaurant and gift shop. I like these add-ons because they give you time to slow down after the active parts of the tour. You can browse at your pace, grab a snack or drink, and decide if you want to extend your Oudtshoorn day.

This is also where you’ll appreciate the small-group format. When you’re not rushed through, it’s easier to enjoy the derby viewing and then linger without feeling like the staff are waiting to move you on immediately.

Price and value: why this is a good deal at around $11.28

At about $11.28 per person, this is one of the more budget-friendly ways to get both interaction and guided education in Oudtshoorn. The key value point is what’s included. Entrance fees to Highgate Ostrich Farm are built into the tour price, and the activities are included as well.

That matters because many animal experiences charge separately for basic access, then upsell you for the parts you actually came for. Here, the core experience—guided tour elements plus the included farm activities—fits the ticket price.

Also, you’re not just buying time with animals. You’re paying for a guide-led explanation and for structured moments like displays and demonstrations. With a max group size of 15, you get more attention than you’d likely get in a very large attraction.

Food and drinks are not included unless specified, so if you want a full meal, budget extra for the restaurant stop after the tour.

Practical tips to help you get the most out of your 1 hour 15 minutes

Because the tour is short, preparation helps. Here’s what I’d do before you arrive:

• Wear comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting a little dusty, since farm yards can be outdoors and active.
• Bring a hat and sunscreen, then use them. The Klein Karoo can be bright, and the tour spends time outside.
• Keep your phone ready, especially around feeding and the derby viewing. You’ll want quick access for photos and short videos.
• Ask your guide questions during the quiet moments in the yard. Guides like Samantha, Ben, and Jean are praised for answering questions and sharing farm history and small details.
• If you’re hoping for an animal-riding moment, ask what’s currently allowed. The difference between what’s advertised and what’s permitted can change over time.

One of the nice things about the tour is that it’s not just facts. Guides also share small bits of local context. For example, one guest highlighted extra info about pepper trees, and that kind of detail makes the farm feel more like a place rather than a set.

Who should book this tour (and who might not love it)

This is a strong pick if you want a family-friendly, guided animal experience that’s both interactive and educational. It also works well if you’re on the Garden Route and Oudtshoorn is a logical stop but you don’t want to commit to half a day or more.

You’ll likely enjoy it most if you fall into one of these categories:

• You like hands-on experiences like feeding animals
• You want straightforward explanations about ostriches (largest bird, largest egg, and how farm operations connect)
• You enjoy short guided activities with time for photos and a show ending

It might be less ideal if your top priority is a long, immersive wildlife safari. This is a farm setting, with guided structure and displays. It’s also not a guarantee that riding will be available, so plan around the feeding and the guided tour rather than treating riding as the main event.

One more reassuring point from the overall tone of the experience: the animals are described as having very much space and being well treated, which is the kind of reassurance that matters before you pay and interact.

Should you book the Highgate Ostrich Farm Tour?

Book it if you want a short, well-paced experience that combines hand-feeding, education you can actually visualize, and a fun finale with the ostrich derby. The price is low enough that you can justify it even if you’re also doing other Oudtshoorn stops, and the fact that entrances and activities are included makes it easy to feel like you’re not missing key parts.

I’d especially recommend it if you value a guide who can answer questions and share farm details. Based on guide praise, you’re likely to get a tour that feels animated rather than rushed. Just keep your expectations realistic about ostrich riding, and you’ll come away with a memorable, genuinely different animal stop.

FAQ

How long is the Highgate Ostrich Farm tour?

It lasts about 1 hour 15 minutes.

What does the tour price include?

The ticket includes entrance fees to Highgate Ostrich Farm and all activities mentioned for the tour.

Do I need to pay for food or drinks?

Food and drinks are not included unless specified. You can also stop by the restaurant after the tour.

Is there a mobile ticket?

Yes, the tour offers a mobile ticket.

What should I wear to the farm?

Wear comfortable clothes and bring a hat and sunblock.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. If you cancel within 24 hours, the amount paid is not refunded.