Ostrich Farms 

Oudtshoorn | Mosselbay | George | Wilderness | Sedgefield | Knysna | Plettenberg Bay | Tsitsikamma 

Oudtshoorn Ostrich Farms 2026: The Most Fun & Unforgettable Day Trip on the Garden Route  

(Perfect from Knysna)

Every year I ask guests what surprised them most on the Garden Route.  

Nine times out of ten they say the same thing: “The ostriches.”There’s just nothing else like it. You stand on an egg that refuses to break, get a feathery neck hug from a bird taller than you, and – if you’re brave – climb on its back while it sprints across the Karoo like a feathered rocket. It’s ridiculous, joyful, and completely unique to Oudtshoorn. 2026 is shaping up to be the best year yet to visit the ostrich farms. New shaded decks, smaller tour groups, and guides who’ve turned storytelling into performance art mean the experience feels fresher and more intimate than ever. The smartest travellers all do the same thing: stay in Knysna and treat the ostrich day as a full-day adventure that ends on the lagoon at sunset.

Why an ostrich farm visit shoots straight into most people’s top 3 Garden Route memories?

During the early 1900s ostrich feathers were worth more than gold. Oudtshoorn millionaires built sandstone palaces, threw lavish parties, and the town became known as the “Jerusalem of the South”. When the feather market crashed in 1914, the palaces stayed — and the farms reinvented themselves as some of the most entertaining attractions in South Africa.

Today three farms stand out. All are excellent, but each has its own personality.

1. Highgate Ostrich Show Farm – still the undisputed favourite

Highgate has held the #1 spot on TripAdvisor for Oudtshoorn attractions for years (4.8/5 from 4,200+ reviews as of late 2025) and nothing suggests that will change in 2026.

The guides are born entertainers. You’ll feed the birds, stand on eggs, watch the ostrich derby (think horse racing but with attitude), and – yes – ride one if you dare. The restaurant serves what many call the best ostrich steak on the route, and the new shaded deck with mountain views is perfect for a cold drink afterwards.

2026 prices: Adults R250 | Kids 4–14 R140 | Tours every 30–45 min  

Best slot: 9:30 or 10:00 – cooler and quieter.

2. Safari Ostrich Farm – the most authentic working-farm vibe

You arrive on vintage tractors that bounce through the camps while ostriches run alongside. The guides are actual farmers who grew up on the land, and you see incubators, chicks, and leather production up close. Feels less “show” and more “this is real life”.

2026 prices: Adults R230 | Kids R130  

Tip: Book the tractor tour – it’s the highlight.

3. Cango Ostrich Farm – perfect if you’re also doing the caves

Literally two minutes from the Cango Caves entrance. Smaller, simpler, but still includes feeding, egg-standing, and neck hugs. Ideal when you’re short on time.

2026 prices: Adults R195 | Kids R110

The Perfect Ostrich Day from Knysna (the route 90 % of our guests love)

Option 1 – Classic & comfortable

07:30 Leave Knysna (coffee at Ile de Pain)  

09:30 Highgate tour + lunch (their ostrich fillet is ridiculous)  

13:30 Quick visit to Cango Caves (Heritage Tour) or wine tasting at Karusa  

16:00 Drive home via Outeniqua Pass  

17:45 Back in Knysna  

18:15 Sunset cruise with Knysna Charters – oysters, bubbly, Heads glowing orange

Option 2 – Scenic & slow (for photographers)

07:00 Take the beautiful old Montagu Pass (gravel but well-maintained)  

10:00 Safari Ostrich Farm tractor tour  

12:30 Lunch in Oudtshoorn (Jemima’s or Black Swan at Buffelsdrift)  

14:30 Optional meerkat add-on or feather palace drive-by  

17:45 Back in Knysna for golden-hour private charter

Total driving: about 4–5 hours round trip.

Quick FAQ

How far is Oudtshoorn from Knysna?  

120–140 km, 2–2.5 hours each way.

Which ostrich farm is best?  

Highgate for fun and polish, Safari for authenticity, Cango if you’re also doing the caves.

Can kids ride ostriches?  

Only adults over 75 kg at Highgate and Safari (and only if the bird feels like it that day).

Best time of year?  

March–May and September–November for perfect weather and fewer crowds.

Where should we stay?  

Knysna – lagoon-side or Thesen Island. You’ll thank yourself at sunset.

2026 summer dates for both the ostrich farms and prime sunset charters are already filling fast. Book your boat trip the same week you lock in your farm tour and you’ve just built one of the most memorable days the Garden Route can give you.

See you in the feathers… and then on the water.