Aruba Ostrich Farm Tour with Lunch

Aruba’s ostrich farm gives you a close look at birds that are far stranger and more entertaining than their calm farm setting suggests. You learn how ostriches and emus defend themselves, feed them, and visit the incubator, hatchery, and young-bird pens.

I like the mix of hands-on animal encounters and useful facts. I also like that the $38 price includes a proper lunch, not just a quick snack. The main catch is transportation: you must arrange your own ride, and the farm can take roughly 40 minutes from Oranjestad.

• Feed ostriches and emus: Get close to the birds and take part in feeding them.
• Learn how large flightless birds survive: The guide covers speed, defense, mating, feeding, and rearing.
• See the next generation: The visit includes the incubator, hatchery, and pens for young ostriches and emus.
• Lunch is included: Choose from locally inspired home-cooked meals with a beer, soft drink, or fruit smoothie.
• A manageable family outing: The visit lasts about 90 minutes and limits the group to 25 people.
• Plan your own transport: Private transportation is not included, and children ages 3 to 7 buy tickets at the farm.

Meeting Aruba’s Ostriches and Emus

The first surprise is scale. Ostriches are big, powerful birds, and seeing one close up is very different from spotting one in a zoo enclosure or on a television screen. Emus add another layer to the visit, with their different size, shape, and Australian origins.

The farm is home to more than 80 animals, including ostriches and emus, along with roosters, turtles, peacocks, and young birds. That makes the visit feel like more than a single-animal stop, though the two large flightless birds remain the main attraction.

Your guide leads the walk and explains how these birds live and react. The information covers their remarkable running speed, ways of protecting themselves from predators, feeding habits, mating behavior, and how they raise their young. It is the sort of background that helps you understand what you are seeing instead of simply taking photographs.

I would expect the tone to be relaxed rather than academic. The guide is there to make the birds understandable and approachable, and Mara is one guide specifically associated with the experience. The tour is also capped at 25 people, which should help keep the group from feeling unwieldy around the animal pens.

Feeding the Birds Without Losing Your Nerve

The feeding encounter is the most memorable part for many families. You get the chance to offer food to ostriches and emus at close range, which gives you a direct sense of their size and behavior.

This is not the same as quietly watching birds from behind a barrier. You are near the animals, and that makes the experience fun, but you should listen closely to the guide and follow the farm’s instructions. A large bird can be amusing one moment and surprisingly forceful the next.

Children tend to have a good time here, especially if they enjoy animals and are comfortable with unusual creatures. I would prepare younger children for the birds before arriving. Ostriches are not soft, cuddly pets, and their height alone can be startling.

The animal interaction also gives the tour a useful purpose. You are not just looking at an ostrich’s feathers or long legs. You are seeing how the bird moves, feeds, and responds to people. That practical contact makes the guide’s explanation about speed and defense easier to remember.

From Eggs to Young Ostriches

The tour continues beyond the adult birds. You visit the incubator and hatchery, then see special pens for young ostriches and emus.

This section adds a welcome change of pace. Adult ostriches are the obvious stars, but the hatchery explains how the farm manages the next stage of the birds’ lives. You get a clearer picture of rearing and development, subjects that can feel abstract when they are discussed only in general terms.

The young birds are also a strong reason to bring children. The farm includes peacocks and baby peacocks among its animals, so you may see more than the main pair of species. The exact animals visible can vary, but the farm’s broader collection keeps the walk from becoming repetitive.

I especially like this part because it connects the entertaining side of the visit with the practical work of raising animals. You see adult birds, then learn how eggs and young birds fit into the farm’s daily routine.

A 90-Minute Visit That Packs In Plenty

The activity takes about one to two hours, with the main tour lasting around 90 minutes. That is a useful length for Aruba. You can fit it into a day of sightseeing without giving up an entire afternoon.

The short format is also a realistic expectation. This is not a full-day farm program, and you should not book it expecting hours of animal care or a long nature walk. The tour gives you a focused introduction, some close encounters, and lunch.

For some people, the quick pace will be a benefit. Families with younger children often do better with a compact outing, especially in a warm climate. If you want a very slow, detailed study of animal behavior, the visit may feel brief.

The maximum group size of 25 matters here. A smaller group can make it easier to hear the guide and get a turn during the feeding portion. It may still feel busy when everyone gathers around the birds, but the stated limit keeps the experience from becoming a huge crowd.

Lunch Turns a Short Stop Into Better Value

At $38 per person, the included meal changes the value calculation. You are paying for the farm visit, the guided information, the animal interaction, and lunch in one package.

Lunch includes a selection of popular home-cooked, locally inspired meals. You also receive an ice-cold local beer, soft drink, or fruit smoothie. The meal is not an incidental add-on. It gives you a reason to slow down at the farm after the walking and animal encounter.

Fried grouper with fries is one specific dish worth looking for if it is available when you visit. The food has received especially strong praise, and the meal can be more affordable than you might expect for a sightseeing stop. Shaved ice is also available separately.

The exact lunch selection is not listed, so I would not book this expecting a particular dish or a special dietary menu. If you have dietary needs, ask the farm about your options before relying on the included meal.

The lunch also makes the outing easier to plan. Instead of arranging a separate restaurant stop after the tour, you can eat on-site. That matters if you are traveling with children or building a busy day around Oranjestad and nearby attractions.

Getting There From Oranjestad

The farm is a short drive from Oranjestad, but you must arrange transportation yourself. Private transport is not part of the $38 ticket.

Allow roughly 40 minutes from Oranjestad based on the timing associated with the outing, though your actual drive can vary. A taxi, rental car, or another independently arranged ride may be needed. Do not assume a standard tour bus will collect you from your hotel.

This is the most important practical detail to settle before booking. One missed visit happened because transportation had not been understood in advance. That is an avoidable problem: confirm your ride, allow extra time, and save the farm’s meeting point, Aruba Ostrich Farm, in your plans.

The activity begins and ends at the farm. That makes it easy to combine with your own rental-car route, but less convenient if you want a fully packaged excursion with pickup and return.

Is the Farm Suitable for Families?

Yes, especially for children who like animals and hands-on activities. Feeding the ostriches and emus gives the outing a clear focus, while the young birds and peacocks add variety.

Children ages 3 to 7 do not need a reserved tour ticket in advance because their tickets are available for purchase at the farm. The adult booking price is $38 per person. If you are arranging a family budget, remember to account for those on-site child tickets separately.

Most people can take part, and the tour is not presented as a demanding physical activity. Still, you will be walking around animal areas in Aruba’s heat, so bring water, use sun protection, and choose comfortable clothing. Those are sensible precautions for any outdoor stop on the island.

I would be more cautious with a toddler who dislikes loud, large, or unfamiliar animals. The birds are the point of the visit, and close contact can feel intense for a very young child.

What the Staff and Guide Add

A farm visit can be ordinary if it lacks a clear explanation. Here, the guided format gives the animals context. You learn why ostriches rely on speed, how they respond to threats, and how their feeding and mating habits differ from those of emus.

The guide’s personality also matters. Mara is specifically named as a guide connected with the experience, and the tour is designed to be both informative and light. A good guide can keep the group moving while making room for questions and feeding opportunities.

The farm staff are also part of the experience. You can expect help around the animal areas and at the restaurant, although the exact guide and staff lineup may vary by date.

The visit is not meant to be a formal wildlife study. It is a friendly, accessible introduction to unusual farm animals. That makes it a good match for first-time visitors who want something different without committing to a long excursion.

Art, Crafts, and Time in the Shade

Before or after the tour, you can browse the Art Shop. It carries authentic goods from Zimbabwe along with local art and crafts.

That gives the visit a small cultural and shopping element beyond the animal pens. You may want to allow a little extra time if you enjoy handmade items or want a souvenir tied to the farm setting.

You can also relax in the shade. This is a useful detail in Aruba, where an outdoor activity can feel more tiring than its schedule suggests. The shade and on-site meal make it easier to turn the visit into an unhurried stop rather than rushing straight back to your next activity.

The shop and shaded areas are optional, so you can keep the visit close to 90 minutes if your schedule is tight. If you have more time, they provide a natural pause before your ride back.

Price, Group Size, and Weather Planning

The $38 price is reasonable if you value the lunch. A similar animal visit without food would need to be judged mainly on the tour length and interaction. Here, the meal, drink choice, guided experience, and hatchery visit are bundled together.

The value is strongest for families and couples who want a compact activity with food included. It is less compelling if you are only interested in seeing ostriches from a distance or already have a full meal planned nearby.

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the visit, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

That policy is fairly flexible, but it is still worth checking the forecast and your transport plan before the deadline. Aruba’s weather can be a major part of any outdoor schedule.

Who Should Book the Aruba Ostrich Farm Tour?

I would choose this tour if you want an unusual Aruba activity that is shorter and calmer than a full-day excursion. It works particularly well for families, animal lovers, and anyone who enjoys learning through direct contact rather than simply taking photographs.

The strongest reasons to book are the chance to feed ostriches and emus, the visit to the hatchery and young-bird pens, and the included lunch. The fried grouper and fries are worth asking about, and the drink choice makes the meal feel complete.

I would skip it if you need hotel pickup, dislike farm animals, or want a long wildlife outing. The transport gap is real, and the tour may feel quick if you have traveled a long way only for the birds.

For most visitors who can arrange a ride, it is a pleasant half-day addition to an Aruba itinerary. Just confirm transportation, remember that young children buy tickets on-site, and leave room for lunch rather than treating the meal as an afterthought.

FAQ

Where does the Aruba Ostrich Farm Tour begin and end?

The activity begins at Aruba Ostrich Farm and ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the tour take?

The experience lasts approximately one to two hours, with the farm visit listed at about 90 minutes.

Is transportation included?

No. Private transportation is not included, so you must arrange your own way to and from the farm.

How far is the farm from Oranjestad?

The farm is a short drive from Oranjestad. The drive can take about 40 minutes, depending on conditions and your starting point.

What animals can you see?

The farm has more than 80 animals, including ostriches and emus. It also includes roosters, turtles, peacocks, and young birds.

Can children join the tour?

Yes. The tour is suitable for families, and most people can participate. Children ages 3 to 7 can buy their tickets at the farm without reserving them in advance.

What does the lunch include?

Lunch includes a selection of home-cooked, locally inspired meals, plus a local beer, soft drink, or fruit smoothie.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded. If poor weather causes the farm to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.