Ostrich Farm

November 10, 2025

Last night I discovered another reason to repeat tour besides from seeing things from a different perspective, you forget. I chatted with my brother on Facetime last night and he reminded me that we were at the caves last time but I didn’t remember so I checked my photos. Sure enough I took exactly the same photos this time. Sad to get old.

Today is a rest day but we did go to an ostrich farm to learn about these funny creatures. This farm has about 1000 birds for show only. They come from 3 places South Africa, Kenya and Zimbabwe. They are very curious and know as soon as they see the tractor that they will get fed. Many of us purchased a bucket of feed but their table manors are terrible. In the afternoon I visited the local bike shop and enjoyed a 2 hour nap in my air conditioned room while it was 35C outside.

Our accommodation is affectionally nicknamed a “feather palace” because men who made lots of money in selling ostrich feathers built these fancy homes.

We are staying at the Adley Guest House that once was the home of well known ostrich feather merchant. Many South Africans made fortunes, even more than in gold mining, selling ostrich feathers to high class Europeans. The bottom fell out of the market during 😁WWII which is when they switch to selling the bird meat, which is delicious.

An example of the old time architecture. BTW they call stop lights here robots.

This curious fellow came straight to us as we entered gate in out trailer. He is male South African ostrich.

This guy is the boss male. Our guide teases him so when she goes near he starts beaking off at him and fluffy out his wing feathers.

Male and female Kenyan ostrich eating the feed I put in the trough.

You can tell the Kenyan ones by size and the pink neck.

Some chicks only 5 weeks old. They are fully grown in 14 months.

Comparing the size of the various ostriches.

What parts of the body are used for meat.

Comparing the nutritional information across 4 types of meat.

A variety of birds and ostrich egg feeders. I thought about buying a carved ostrich egg lamp but they are very expensive. The eggs are extremely strong so I wasn’t worried about breaking it.

I saw this long tailed willow bird fly in and out from the feeders but could not capture him with my camera.

Ostrich feather dusters are for sale everywhere

We had to checkout the local bike shop that has a great name. If their shop jersey had had a South African flag on it I would have bought one.

Part of the menu for tonight. This is a carnivore country for sure.

A lovely residence across the street from the restaurant.the architecture is similar to what I have seen in Australia.

Eland the largest antelope in South Africa was the venison specialty of the night.

Here it is on my plate cooked the way the chef recommends which is medium. I ordered the port and cranberry aus jus as the sauce. Delicious paired with an SA Pinotage

Karley’s chicken complete with. porcupine quill as decoration.

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