Ostrich Farm - Returning after 12 years

14th to 16th January: Our first trip together as a couple to South Africa is 12 years ago and we have a particularly great memory of the 'Skeiding Guest Farm' ostrich farm in Heidelberg. Back then, we even managed to bring a whole ostrich egg home and devour it with the whole family for breakfast. The owner referred to us as 'crazy Germans'. So we return, a few years older and with three children in tow. And we are not disappointed. At first glance, hardly anything has changed, the owners have aged, but are still as friendly and warm-hearted as they were back then. However, the number of ostriches has significantly decreased as the meat could no longer be sold due to bird flu. The birds practically ate the owner out of house and home. And so the farm now only has 40 ostriches, compared to more than 500 twelve years ago. However, the number of sheep has increased significantly. The owner of the farm has set his mind on breeding a particularly rare breed of ostrich, namely 'white' ostriches. These can be sold to wildlife resorts for 15 times the price. He is also successful and getting closer to his goal with each new generation. Before breakfast, we take a farm tour to see the ostriches and sheep on both days. The cute lambs have captivated her completely. She is over the moon. For breakfast, an ostrich egg is cracked open for all guests. By the way, an ostrich egg corresponds to about 24 chicken eggs. In the evening, we have ostrich fillet straight from the grill. By the way, ostrich couples usually stay 'married' for life and share the incubation of the eggs (up to 12 eggs at a time). He takes the night shift, she incubates during the day.

We use the second, heavily rainy day to do homework and play lots of games. And we light the outdoor fireplace. That's Africa in midsummer. Unfortunately, it rained very locally, still no rain in Cape Town and the surrounding area. The water problem is unfortunately getting extremely serious. And the amount of water per day per person has been reduced to 50 liters. There's practically no more showering :-(