Skip the Line: Highgate Ostrich Farm Tour Ticket

This experience is interesting because you get up close with the world’s largest bird in a setting built for learning and family fun on South Africa’s Garden Route. You’ll watch how ostriches live, how they’re cared for, and how people use parts of the birds in practical craft work. It’s also tied to big South African open-air energy, with Klein Karoo valley views and the Swartberg Mountains in the background.

I love how the tour mixes real animal time with hands-on moments, especially hand-feeding an ostrich. I also like the way the guide connects biology to everyday farm details, like how incubators work and why gizzard stones matter. For a small tour (max 15 travelers), it feels personal rather than rushed.

A possible drawback: the tour description mentions you can sometimes sit or even ride an ostrich, but permission can change. If ostrich riding is a must for you, I’d confirm on arrival, since some recent experiences have noted it was not allowed anymore.

Key things to know before you go

• Hand-feeding ostriches up close, with staff on hand to keep it safe and smooth
• Two-part farm tour, including the main yard and the farmlands
• Biology you can see, like incubators and gizzard stones, not just facts on a sign
• Craft demonstrations using plumage, eggs, and leather
• Ostrich derby viewing to end the tour with energy
• Small group size (max 15), which helps you get questions answered

Highgate Ostrich Show Farm, Garden Route Style

Highgate Ostrich Show Farm is one of those stops that makes sense on the Garden Route, because it’s not only about animals. You’re there to learn how ostriches behave, how the farm runs, and how people turn ostrich products into crafts. The setting also helps. You’re out in the open with Klein Karoo valley scenery and views toward the Swartberg Mountains, so the experience feels like a real day on the route, not a quick roadside photo stop.

The tour runs about 1 hour 15 minutes, so it fits neatly into a travel day. And because it caps at 15 travelers, you spend more time actually interacting with the farm and less time waiting for the group to move.

If you’re traveling with kids, this is a strong match. The tour is built around fun, but it also gives you actual takeaways: how the birds live, why certain parts of the operation exist, and what goes into caring for them.

Skip-the-Line Ticket Comfort, Timing, and What to Expect

You’re buying a mobile ticket, and the name of the experience focuses on getting you in without waiting around. That matters if you’re building a schedule on the Garden Route and don’t want your day to hinge on slow lines.

Plan for about 75 minutes total. The flow is simple: you enter, you move through the farm in two main sections, you get hands-on activities and craft demos, then you finish with an ostrich derby viewing. Afterward, there’s time to stop by the restaurant and gift shop.

Small group size is more than a nice perk. With only up to 15 people, you’re more likely to get clear answers from the guide when questions come up. And those questions do come up, because ostriches look odd up close in the best way. They’re tall, fast, and curious. You’ll want to ask things like how feeding works and what you’re seeing when the birds react.

What you won’t have to worry about is whether you’re “missing” activities. The tour price covers the entrance fee and all activities, so you’re not constantly doing add-ons just to get the full experience.

Main Yard: Feeding Ostriches and Seeing Farm Biology Up Close

The first big chunk of the tour is the main yard, where you get your closest encounters and your first wave of learning. This is where the experience really clicks, because you’re not just watching from behind a fence.

You start with a guided look at key farm items and ostrich basics:

• Different ostrich feathers and what makes them special
• Incubators and how they work
• Gizzard stones, and why these are part of the birds’ system
• A chance to feed an ostrich by hand, with staff guiding the interaction

That hands-on feeding is the moment most people remember, because it feels more personal than a “stand and point” exhibit. You’ll be close enough to notice how the birds move and how staff manage the pace. The guide should also explain what you’re seeing, not just tell you to take photos.

One practical tip: wear clothes you’re comfortable getting a little warm or a little dusty in, and use sun protection. The tour suggests a hat and sunblock, and that advice is smart because you’ll be outside in open-air areas.

This main yard segment also helps set context for the rest of the tour. Once you understand incubators and the role of gizzard stones, the farmlands portion makes more sense, because you start looking at the birds as living animals with a whole care system around them.

Farmlands Section: Behavior, Space, and Why It Matters

The tour has two parts, and the second is the farmlands. This is where you shift from learning farm equipment to observing the birds as they live and move in their environment.

The farmlands portion matters for two reasons. First, ostriches are active animals. When you see them in a more open space, their behavior becomes clearer. Second, it gives you a sense of how the farm handles the animals day-to-day, which makes your earlier “what is an incubator?” questions feel grounded in real life.

In the farmlands area, you’ll also keep getting guided explanations as staff talk through how ostriches behave and why certain methods are used. That’s where you start to appreciate the farm as more than a tourist set-up. You’re getting a story about animal care, routines, and the logic behind the operation.

Also, the farm environment helps the whole experience feel less like a quick showroom. You’re out in a working landscape where you can watch animals moving and interacting. Some visitors also specifically praise the birds having ample space and being well treated, and that aligns with what this farmlands segment is trying to show you.

Craft Demonstrations from Feathers, Eggs, and Leather

After the animal time, the tour shifts to craft demonstrations. This is one of the most valuable parts for me, because it connects something you see on a bird to real human work.

You’re shown how crafts can be made using:

• Ostrich feathers (plumage)
• Ostrich eggs
• Leather

Even if you never plan to make anything yourself, these demos help you understand what farmers mean when they say ostrich products have uses beyond meat. You start to see how the farm fits into broader use of materials, not just an attraction.

This portion also tends to be engaging for families. It gives a change of pace from animal watching and keeps the tour varied. If you like collecting travel knowledge, this is where you get practical, visual learning. You’re less likely to forget this part because you’ll have something concrete to remember, like the texture and look of feathers or the idea of how egg material can be handled.

Guides often bring extra local details too. More than one guide has been recognized for adding interesting farm and area tidbits, including pepper tree notes and other small facts, and that kind of added context makes the tour feel less scripted.

The Ostrich Derby Finish, Then Gift Shop and Restaurant

The tour doesn’t end after the crafts. You finish with a viewing of the ostrich derby, which adds motion and excitement when the rest of the tour is more explanatory.

Think of the derby as your energy reset. You go from hands-on feeding and educational demos to something that feels more like a show. It’s a good way to keep the group engaged through the end, especially if you have kids who start to lose patience near the last stop.

After the derby, you can stop by the restaurant and gift shop. This is worth planning for, because it turns the tour into an actual half-block of time in your day, not a quick drop-in.

If you’re the type who likes to buy small souvenirs that connect to the place you just visited, the gift shop is your natural next step. And if you need a meal, the restaurant gives you a convenient option so you don’t have to find food immediately after your tour ends.

Price and Value: Is $11.28 a Good Deal?

At $11.28 per person, this tour sits in the value category for the Garden Route, especially because the price covers more than a basic entry ticket.

Here’s what you’re really paying for:

• Entrance fees included
• All activities included
• Guided tour with education on biology and behavior
• Hands-on moments like feeding an ostrich by hand
• Craft demonstrations and an ostrich derby viewing
• Access to the gift shop and restaurant afterward

Even with modest spending, this tour avoids the common problem of “pay for entry, then pay again for the fun parts.” The pricing structure is straightforward: you buy once, you do everything.

Duration also supports the value. 1 hour 15 minutes is long enough to feel complete, not so long that it drags when you’re tired from driving. And the small group size helps justify the price, because you get interaction, not just a herd-moving experience.

If you’re trying to build a budget for the Garden Route, this is the kind of stop that punches above its weight. It’s not about luxury. It’s about real animal time plus guided learning, all in one go.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Want to Adjust Expectations)

This tour is a great fit if you want:

• Up-close animal encounters with real guided explanation
• Family-friendly fun that doesn’t skip education
• A short, organized stop you can plan into a road trip

It’s also a solid choice if you like structured farm experiences. Some farms can feel like you’re wandering and trying to figure out what you’re looking at. Here, the guide brings order to the experience: main yard first, then farmlands, then craft work, then derby.

The one group that should adjust expectations is anyone who is specifically focused on ostrich riding. The tour description suggests you can sit or even ride, but at least one recent experience noted riding was not allowed anymore. So treat ostrich riding as a maybe, not a guarantee. If it’s crucial to you, confirm what’s currently permitted before you get your hopes locked in.

In general, the tour notes that most travelers can participate, which helps. But as with any animal interaction, you’ll want to be comfortable standing, walking, and being outdoors.

Should You Book Highgate Ostrich Ostrich Farm?

I think you should book this if you want a Garden Route stop that feels genuine and teaches you something while still being fun. The hand-feeding, the clear biological explanations like incubators and gizzard stones, the craft demonstrations from feathers, eggs, and leather, and the ostrich derby finish make it feel complete for the money.

Book it sooner rather than later if you’re traveling in busy season, since tours are limited to small groups. And if you care about ostrich riding, ask ahead once you’re there so you’re not disappointed.

If your trip is packed and you only have one chance to see ostriches in a guided way, this is a strong candidate because it bundles learning, interaction, and entertainment into one neat block.

FAQ

How long is the Highgate Ostrich farm tour?

The tour runs about 1 hour 15 minutes.

Where is the tour located?

It takes place in the Western Cape, South Africa, on the Garden Route region, at Highgate Ostrich Show Farm.

What is included in the ticket price?

Entrance fees to Highgate Ostrich Farm are included, along with guided activities such as feeding an ostrich by hand, craft demonstrations, and viewing the ostrich derby.

Is food and drink included?

Food and drinks are not included unless specified.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable clothes, and bring a hat and sunblock since much of the experience is outdoors.

Is there a limit on group size?

Yes, the tour has a maximum of 15 travelers.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded. Free cancellation is available.