This is one of Aruba’s more unusual half-days. You’ll get a guided look at an Aruba Ostrich Farm full of adult emus and ostriches, plus a follow-up stop at the incubator and baby pens. I like how much you learn in a short time, from speed and defense tactics to feeding and rearing routines, and then you wrap it up with lunch on site. One thing to plan for: transportation isn’t included, so you’ll need your own ride from Oranjestad.

Two things I particularly liked are the close-up animal time and the way the guide turns bird behavior into real survival stories you can picture. The tour also keeps a family-friendly pace, and a guide named Mara stood out in one review for being both funny and informative. If you’re coming with very little kids, note that children’s ostrich tour tickets (ages 3–7) are purchased on-site, so don’t wait for a pre-booked ticket for the youngest group members.

If you want a hands-on break from beaches, this is a simple, good-value way to do it. The farm is also a relatively easy drive from Oranjestad, so it doesn’t eat your whole day.

Quick hits before you go

• Close-up feeding time with ostriches and emus during the guided visit
• Lunch is included, with home-cooked options plus a local beer, soft drink, or fruit smoothie
• Incubator, hatchery, and baby pens for young ostriches and emus
• Small group size, with a maximum of 25 travelers
• Good family fit, and children’s tickets can be bought on-site (ages 3–7)
• Art shop stop, with Zimbabwean goods and local crafts if you have time before or after

Entering Aruba Ostrich Farm: what you’re really paying for

You’re paying for two main things: a guided animal experience and lunch. That sounds basic, but it matters because ostriches and emus aren’t just “big birds.” They have a whole set of survival behaviors that the guide explains in plain language, and then you get to see the birds right there, not in a distant viewing setup.

The farm experience starts with meeting a collection of animals that includes ostriches and emus, with additional animals around the property. One review even called out peacocks and turtles as part of the overall ambiance. Even if you’re not a bird person, it’s the kind of place where curiosity takes over fast because the birds are so large and so different from the animals most people grow up seeing.

Also, the timing is friendly. The visit runs about 1 to 2 hours, and the main tour portion is listed at around 1 hour 30 minutes. That makes it a practical choice when you want something meaningful without committing to a full-day excursion.

The guided farm tour: ostriches, emus, and the survival lessons

During the tour, you’ll get an intro to the adult birds and how they live, feed, and defend themselves. The guide talks about ostrich behavior, including their remarkable speed and the kinds of defense mechanisms they use against predators. You also learn about mating, rearing, and feeding habits—details that make the visit feel less like a quick stop and more like a guided lesson you actually remember.

Here’s what I think makes the guided component worth it: the guide doesn’t just point and name. The information is tied directly to what you can see in the pens. For example, you’re likely to notice how these birds move and react when people are nearby. When the guide explains why the birds act a certain way—whether it’s feeding behavior or survival posture—you start connecting the dots without needing to be a zoologist.

And yes, you get personal encounters. That’s the part people remember later: seeing ostriches up close for real. One review described the chance to feed the birds, and that’s a big reason this works for families. It’s not just watching; it’s participating in a safe, controlled way that feels special.

The pacing stays reasonable for kids. It’s long enough to feel satisfying, but not so long that the energy in the group collapses. Since the group cap is 25 travelers, you’re less likely to feel like you’re lost in a huge herd.

Incubator and hatchery: why the baby pens add real value

After the main animal portion, the tour concludes with a visit to the incubator, hatchery, and pens for young ostriches and emus. This is one of those add-ons that quietly boosts the whole experience because it answers the question most people have: how do these birds actually get from eggs to adults?

Seeing the incubator and hatchery side gives the visit a behind-the-scenes feel. Instead of treating the birds as static exhibits, you get a sense of the cycle—how the farm manages growth stages and care. Then the baby pens make it tangible. Young birds also tend to draw attention naturally, especially for kids who are more interested in motion and cuteness than biology terms.

If your group includes parents, this is a nice break in the action. Adults often appreciate the educational angle, while kids usually latch onto the baby birds. You basically get a built-in “everyone wins” moment.

Lunch on site: what’s included and how it changes the day

Lunch is included with your ticket, and that’s where the value pops. The meal includes a selection of the farm’s popular home-cooked, locally inspired options. You also get a drink choice: an ice-cold local beer, a soft drink, or a fruit smoothie.

Why this matters in real life: it removes one of the biggest hassles on short trips. If you’re visiting a farm outside of central Oranjestad, finding lunch nearby can be hit-or-miss. Here, lunch is handled for you. It also means you can plan your day around the farm without thinking about whether you’ll find something that works for picky eaters or timing constraints.

You can also get a sense for what people like at the restaurant. One review recommended fried grouper and fries, and another mentioned shaved ice. If you’re the type who likes a simple snack reward after animals, this is a good moment to do it.

The lunch spot also adds comfort. After time in the pens, you get shade, a proper meal, and a short reset before you head back out.

Don’t get stuck: price, transport, and timing from Oranjestad

At $38 per person, this is priced like a straightforward, guided, included-lunch experience—not a budget zoo ticket, and not an all-day private tour. For many people, the biggest value kicker is that lunch comes with it.

But here’s the key consideration: private transportation is not included. That means you’ll need to arrange a taxi, rental car, or another ride on your own. The farm is described as a short drive from Oranjestad, with one review estimating about 40 minutes. So it’s manageable, but it still needs a plan.

Practical tip: if you’re relying on a taxi, leave a little buffer. Farm visits move at a set pace, and you don’t want to cut it close for pickup. Also, since the experience requires good weather, have a flexible attitude if clouds roll in or conditions change.

The group size cap of 25 also helps. Smaller groups usually mean better attention from the guide and fewer long bottlenecks at the feeding area. When everyone can hear the guide and move smoothly between pens, your time feels like it’s actually being used.

Art shop stop: local crafts and Zimbabwean goods

Before or after your tour, you can browse the on-site art shop. It’s stocked with goods from Zimbabwe plus a local art and craft collection. This is a small add-on, but it’s handy if you like buying something that feels connected to where you are instead of picking up the same souvenirs you see everywhere else.

I like setting aside a few minutes for this, especially if the day includes animals and food. You’ll already be in the mood for something authentic, and the timing works because it’s on the property.

If you’re traveling with someone who doesn’t want another hour of shopping, keep your expectations realistic. This isn’t a massive market—it’s an art shop you can hit quickly if you want.

Family-friendly reality check: kids, feeding, and ages 3–7

This is a strong option for families, and the animal interaction is a big part of that. If your kids like animals, they’ll get plenty of “look at that” moments, and the chance to feed ostriches is the kind of experience kids talk about later.

A key detail for parents: children’s ostrich tour tickets for ages 3–7 are available to purchase on-site, and no reservation is needed. That means you can’t assume the youngest ones are covered automatically through the same pre-booking process as adults. Plan to stop by and buy on arrival.

For families deciding between this and a beach day, consider your kids’ energy. Ostrich and emu pens are visually engaging, but the tour is still guided and involves walking around. If your child is okay with structured time and short attention spans, it’s a win.

For teens and bird fans, this can also be surprisingly fun. There’s enough factual detail about behavior and survival tactics to make it interesting even if you’ve never studied ostriches before.

The vibe and care at the farm: what to watch for

From the feedback you’ll see, people tend to appreciate friendly staff and good organization. Guides are described as engaging, and the animals are described as well cared for. In one review, a guide named Mara got extra praise for being funny and informative, which tells me the tour style isn’t stiff or lecture-only.

When you arrive, look around the pens and the overall setup. You’ll want to feel like the farm is clean, the animals seem calm, and staff are managing the space responsibly. That’s not something you should ignore, especially if you’re feeding animals with your group.

Also, be ready for big-bird scale. Ostriches can look even more impressive up close because they don’t just stand there—they move, react, and sometimes surprise you with speed. If you’re expecting a slow, cute petting farm, you’ll still enjoy it, but the experience is more active and animal-driven than that.

Should you book Aruba Ostrich Farm with lunch?

Book it if you want:

• A short, easy-to-fit activity with lunch included
• Close-up time with ostriches and emus
• A guided experience that explains behavior instead of just letting you walk around

Consider skipping or swapping it if:

• You’re depending on included transportation and don’t want to arrange a ride
• Your schedule is tight enough that weather-related changes would be annoying
• You’re looking for a long, multi-stop day with lots of different sights beyond the farm

If you’re in Aruba for a few days and want one memorable, different activity that’s still practical, this is a solid choice. It’s not complicated, it’s well timed, and the combination of animal education plus a real lunch makes it feel like more than a quick photo stop.

FAQ

How long is the Aruba Ostrich Farm tour with lunch?

The experience runs about 1 to 2 hours, with the tour portion listed around 1 hour 30 minutes.

What does the $38 ticket include?

Your ticket includes the guided farm tour plus lunch at the on-site restaurant.

What’s included in the lunch?

Lunch includes home-cooked locally inspired meal options and an ice-cold local beer, soft drink, or fruit smoothie.

Is transportation included to or from the farm?

No. Private transportation is not included.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Aruba Ostrich Farm, Aruba, and ends back at the meeting point.

Are there children’s tickets, and do I need to reserve them?

Children’s ostrich tour tickets for ages 3–7 are available for purchase on-site. No reservation is needed.

How large are the groups?

The experience has a maximum of 25 travelers.

Is weather an issue for this tour?

Yes, this activity requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.