West Coast Ostrich Show Ranch
The West Coast Ostrich Ranch has pioneered the revival of ostrich farming in the shadow of Table Mountain. Photo courtesy Alan Manson
For a tourism experience with a difference, visit the West Coast Ostrich Show Ranch. This family-owned ostrich business features informative tours, high-quality, great-value leather, curio shops and a restaurant that serves ostrich dishes.
Gavin and Pawel Kanigoski are on hand to greet visitors arriving at their farm, which lies on the sea-facing slopes of the Durbanville hills and is just 20-minutes’ drive from Cape Town’s famous waterfront. The farm offers magnificent views of Table Mountain and the Hottentots Holland mountains in an area steeped in local history.
The West Coast Ostrich Show Ranch offers guided tours in English, Afrikaans, German and French. Other languages can be arranged given 48-hours’ notice. For the general public, tours are run every half-hour, on the hour. However, tours are run as requested for booked groups and a tour guide is assigned to the group for the duration of the visit.
The tour comprises a 45-minute informative trail showcasing West Coast white ostriches, dwarf ostriches, black-necked ostriches, emus, rheas, peacocks, ostrich chicks and a cactus garden. The highlight is the ostrich show, during which each tour member may sit on an ostrich. With more than 200 birds on the farm ranging from chicks to 20-year-old breeding pairs, it is not uncommon to see chicks that have just hatched or witness an egg being laid. A common sight is the majestic mating dance of the male ostrich.
Ostrich chicks were originally traded with the 1652 Dutch settlers by the Cape’s Khoi inhabitants. They were later exported from Cape Town to Batavia (now Indonesia) in 1656. There were also exports to India and to the Emperor of Japan in 1658. The first documented ostrich farm was established in the centre of Cape Town in 1679. The West Coast Ostrich Ranch has pioneered the revival of ostrich farming in the shadow of Table Mountain.
Tours cost R60 for individual adults, R50 for adults in a tour group, R45 for children aged 6 to 16 and R15 for children under 6 (if accompanied by a parent). Pensioners, students and the disabled pay R30 for a tour. Special rates are available for tour operators and school groups on enquiry.
- Phone: +27 (0)21 972 1669 / +27 (0)21 972 1955
- Email: info at ostrichranch dot co dot za
Walking in Cape Town
Many visitors want to explore nature on higher ground as soon as they arrive in Cape Town and with Lion’s Head and Table Mountain beckoning, many do get to experience the local flora and fauna on foot. However, the entire peninsula can be enjoyed by avid walkers. From Blouberg Beach, with its picture perfect views from its sandy shores, to the more adventurous guided Hoerikwaggo Trails along the spine of Table Mountain, visitors have an expanse of ground to cover.
St James
Just a little further on from Cape Town’s well-known Muizenberg beach (with its ubiquitous Victorian bathing boxes) is St James.
African Wildlife
Although Cape Town and the Western Cape are probably not the best places to experience a safari (Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal provinces are better known for that), it is possible to have an encounter with South Africa’s big game not far from the Mother City.
Llandudno and Sandy Bay
Only 18km from the Cape Town city centre, an arc of fine white sand gives away the secluded location of one of Cape Town’s most beautiful beaches, Llandudno.
Macassar Dunes Project
The Macassar Dunes Project is located on the Cape Town coast adjacent to Macassar and Khayelitsha and is bounded by the Eerste River, Baden Powell Drive and False Bay.
Reviews
Be the first to review this provider.
Add your review
Book
Accommodation online
Cape Town Tourism has over 1000 accredited establishments to choose from. Find your perfect match and get booking now.
