World of Birds near Hout Bay is the biggest bird park in Africa. It contains over 400 different bird species and several species of mammals and reptiles for good measure. There are over 100 walkways that take you through the large, airy aviaries so you can see the birds in their next to natural habitat. Chapman’s Peak Drive provides access to World of Birds from the southern peninsular, while the coastal drive from Camps Bay, Llundudno and Kirstenbosch provides access from the north.
Some of the more exotic birds on display include swans, eagles, vultures, pelicans, flamingos, falcons, brightly coloured parrots and cranes, including:
- Crowned Cranes, which have bright red patches on their chins and above their eyes and a plume of thin feathers like a halo around their heads. World of Birds has crowned cranes from southern and eastern Africa. They are renowned show-offs and keen reptile and amphibian eaters.
- Blue Cranes are South Africa’s national bird. They are becoming increasingly rare in the wild but the breeding programme at World of Birds is doing very well and currently has 40 birds in its breeding flock.
Other birds include the Great Horned Owl, whose distinguishing feature is its old man hairy ear tufts, and the Indian Blue Peafowl (or Peacock), which struts its stuff with its bright blue colours and fan of feathers. They roam freely in the bird sanctuary and have been known to kill snakes, so watch out for your feet.
Among the mammals you’ll encounter are meerkats, porcupines, foxes, mongooses, squirrels and pot-bellied pigs. There are also squirrel monkeys that are housed in a walk-through enclosure so you can get up close and personal with the critters. But be warned, they are accomplished thieves and will take any opportunity to relieve you of phones, earrings and keys or anything else their deft little fingers can find.
The reptiles that call World of Birds their home include tortoises; green iguanas, which are native to Mexico, Brazil and Paraguay; rock monitors; and blue-tongued skinks, which are only found naturally in Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea.
There is a small restaurant, the Robin’s Nest Cafeteria, for light meals but there is also a beautiful picnic spot on the Flamingo Terrace where you can relax and soak up the surroundings. World of Birds is open every day of the week, all year round. For more information call 021 790 2730 or email info@worldofbirds.org.za.
Jade Scully is a copywriter excited about writing copy and stories, blogging about the world and editing. She currently and regularly publishes her stories on a number of blogs. Jade loves animals and hopes to begin writing copy for the animal rescue charity TEARS as her contribution to the cause.
