Updated in September 2026, this Highgate Ostrich Show Farm guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking, accessibility and what to see.
Highgate Ostrich Show Farm is a working ostrich farm and visitor attraction in Oudtshoorn, in South Africa’s Klein Karoo. Adult admission is now R235, though some tour operators still list the older rate of R225. This guide was updated in September 2026 to reflect the current rate. You can book in advance through Viator before your visit.
Quick facts about Highgate Ostrich Show Farm
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | R328, Volmoed, Oudtshoorn, 6620 |
| Opening hours | 8am–5pm daily, closed Christmas Day |
| Adult admission | R235 |
| Child admission | R155, ages 6–12 |
| Infant admission | Free, under 6 |
| Parking | Free, on site |
| Typical visit duration | 75–80 minutes for the tour alone |
Why book Highgate Ostrich Show Farm tickets?
- 🏛️ The world’s first ostrich show farm: Highgate has welcomed visitors since 1938, making it Oudtshoorn’s oldest ostrich attraction.
- 🎟️ Hand-feed the world’s biggest bird: Get close enough to feed an ostrich yourself in the main yard.
- 🌿 Watch the ostrich derby: Local jockeys race ostriches for a one-of-a-kind finale.
- 📜 Genuine local craft: The showroom sells leather, feather and egg products made by Highgate’s own skilled staff.
- 💰 Dine with a view: The Pepper Tree Restaurant looks out over the Klein Karoo valley and the Swartberg Mountains.
Opening hours at Highgate Ostrich Show Farm
Highgate opens daily from 8am to 5pm, with no seasonal variation published. The only closure each year is Christmas Day. Guided tours run throughout the day, and the last tour typically departs in the late afternoon.
Ticket prices for Highgate Ostrich Show Farm
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | R235 |
| Child (6–12 years) | R155 |
| Infant (under 6) | Free |
| Traditional Tour & Classic Meal (minimum 10 people) | Tour price plus a set meal rate |
| Traditional Tour & Premier Meal (minimum 10 people) | Tour price plus a higher set meal rate |
Prices are current as of September 2026 and may change without notice. The tour-and-meal packages reserve a table at The Pepper Tree Restaurant as part of the booking. You can book through Viator to secure your preferred time.
How to get to Highgate Ostrich Show Farm
By car, exit Oudtshoorn on the Cape Town/Mossel Bay road, turn onto the R328 towards Mossel Bay, then follow the signposted Volmoed turn-off after about 9.5km.
On a tour, several Oudtshoorn day-tour operators include Highgate as a stop alongside the Cango Caves and Cango Wildlife Ranch.
There’s no public transport route directly to the farm, so a hire car, taxi or organised tour is the practical way to arrive.
Parking at Highgate Ostrich Show Farm
Free parking is available on site for cars and tour coaches.
How long to spend at Highgate Ostrich Show Farm
The Traditional Ostrich Tour runs for around 75 to 80 minutes. Adding a Classic or Premier Meal at The Pepper Tree Restaurant extends a visit to roughly two hours and 20 minutes in total.
Accessibility at Highgate Ostrich Show Farm
Highgate is a working farm, so paths between the main yard and the farmlands cross open, uneven ground. The official site doesn’t publish a specific accessibility statement, so visitors with mobility needs should call ahead on +27 44 272 7115 to check the route before booking.
What to see at Highgate Ostrich Show Farm
The main yard. Guides show off different ostrich feathers, explain how the incubators work, and let visitors handle gizzard stones before hand-feeding an ostrich.
The farmlands. The tour continues to a breeding pair’s nest and covers ostrich anatomy, with the option to sit on or ride an ostrich if you’re within the weight limits.
The ostrich derby. Highgate’s jockeys race ostriches in a lighthearted finale that’s become one of the farm’s signature moments.
The Pepper Tree Restaurant. Set in the historic homestead, the restaurant serves ostrich fillet, ostrich egg frittata and other local dishes, either al fresco under the pepper tree or on the stoep.
The showroom. Highgate’s factory shop sells genuine South African-made ostrich leather goods, feather dusters and decorated eggs.
Practical tips for visiting Highgate Ostrich Show Farm
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Weigh up the ride | Sitting on an ostrich has a 100kg limit, and riding one has a 75kg limit. |
| Ask for a language guide in advance | English, Afrikaans, German and French run as standard; other languages need 48 hours’ notice. |
| Book the meal combo ahead | Tour-and-meal packages need a minimum of 10 people and a reserved table. |
| Bring a hat and sunblock | Much of the tour takes place outdoors in the Klein Karoo sun. |
| Book tickets in advance | Advance booking is recommended, especially in peak season, and you can book through Viator. |
Frequently asked questions about Highgate Ostrich Show Farm
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How long does the tour take? | The Traditional Ostrich Tour runs for around 75 to 80 minutes. |
| How much does admission cost? | Adult admission is R235; some tour operators still show the older rate of R225. |
| Can everyone ride an ostrich? | No. Riding is limited to visitors under 75kg, and sitting on an ostrich to those under 100kg. |
| Is there a restaurant on site? | Yes, The Pepper Tree Restaurant serves lunch and dinner in the farm’s historic homestead. |
| Should I book in advance? | Yes, particularly for tour-and-meal packages. You can book in advance through Viator. |
Things to do near Highgate Ostrich Show Farm
The Cango Caves are a dramatic system of limestone caverns north of Oudtshoorn, about 30 minutes’ drive away.
The C.P. Nel Museum, in central Oudtshoorn, traces the town’s ostrich-feather boom through antique vehicles and period exhibits.
The Swartberg Pass is a spectacular mountain pass through the range visible from the farm itself, a scenic half-day drive.
Le Roux Townhouse is a restored “ostrich feather palace” in Oudtshoorn, showing the grand houses built during the feather boom.
Route 62 runs through the Klein Karoo past wine estates and fruit farms, a scenic drive in either direction from Oudtshoorn.
Alternative attractions to Highgate Ostrich Show Farm
Safari Ostrich Show Farm, closer to central Oudtshoorn, offers a similar working-farm tour with its own restaurant and shop.
Cango Ostrich Show Farm, on the road towards the Cango Caves, adds a coffee shop and a selection of local wines to its ostrich tour.
Berluda Farm runs an ethical ostrich tour without riding, focused on hatchery visits and the birds’ role in local crafts.
Cango Wildlife Ranch pairs cheetah encounters with reptile exhibits, a short drive from Highgate.
Buffelsdrift Game Lodge offers game drives and a hippo hide in the foothills of the Swartberg Mountains, a short drive from Oudtshoorn.
More South Africa travel
Other South Africa travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Kynsna Elephant Park visitor guide: Entry fees and how the elephant encounters work.
- Knysna Old Gaol: What to expect and when it’s open.
- How to see the Boulders Beach penguins and Cape of Good Hope in one day.
- A practical guide to visiting the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.
- A guide to tackling Chapman’s Peak Drive in Cape Town.
