KwaZulu-Natal Animal Parks

The 1000 Hills Bird Park offers an enchanting experience with rare and exotic feathered friends. The riotous chorus of calls, colourful plumage and character of these birds is a magnet for kids and adults alike. Visitors can admire their spectacular paint-box colouring and quirky antics, either from outside contained aviaries or strolling in walk-through aviaries, landscaped gardens and paddocks. An exciting new feature is the 150-metre zip slide. Bring your own picnic basket or order a snack hamper two days in advance. Braais facilities are available. Open Tuesday to Sunday and public holidays 08:00 – 16:00.

Home to eleven of the twelve owl species, five of the eight vulture species and numerous magnificent raptors found in Southern Africa, the African Bird of Prey Sanctuary is well worth a visit. Dedicated to conserving indigenous raptors, the haven is also a base for continuing research, breeding and rehabilitation projects for birds of prey, mostly run ‘behind the scenes’. There is also a large selection of captive-bred or ‘non-releasable rehabilitation’ birds. These feathered friends can be viewed in their ‘micro-environment’ visitors keen to discover more about South Africa’s beautiful aerial predators. Specially trained birds wow spectators with their daily flight displays, given to educate and facilitate awareness of effective conservation of our environment and its creatures. These demonstrations allow the winged beauties themselves to become both teachers and ambassadors for their wild counterparts, giving the audience a first-hand experience of these rare and elusive birds. Open Tuesday to Sunday 09:00 – 16:00. Closed on Christmas Day and during the Comrades Marathon. Flying Display Times: weekdays (except Mondays) 10:30, weekends and public holidays 10:30 and 15:00. 'Gobble and Squabble' Vulture Feeding Sessions: weekends 12:00 (phone and confirm should this be your primary reason for visiting). Entrance fees: adults R35, children under 13 years R20. Cash and cards are accepted. www.africanraptor.co.za +27 (0) 31 785 2981 or (0) 82 925 3023.

Also known as the Umdoni Bird Park, the Amanzimtoti Bird Sanctuary is well worth a visit. A large expanse of shimmering water is flanked by rolling lawns and lush plantings on the one end and indigenous forests on the other. Picnic spots and pleasant 30 minute self-guided trails meanders through the forest. The sanctuary is a haven for birdlife and visitors have the chance of spotting many of the 150 bird species including resident spurwing geese, white faced duck, greenback heron, giant kingfisher, brown-hooded kingfisher and hamerkop. Look out for Narina trogons and the endangered spotted ground-thrush. Rare blue duiker and Cape clawless otter also frequent the park. +27 (0) 31 903 7498 Umdoni Road, Amanzimtoti.

Take an inspirational walk through the tropical house of Butterflies for Africa. This lush and spectacular environment brings visitors into close contact with free-flying indigenous and exotic butterflies. Butterflies for Africa flies high with some of the top butterfly houses from around the globe with some unique offerings. The complex features a walk-through butterfly house, craft shop, art gallery, coffee bar, African art and craft centre, butterfly nursery and a garden planted with a big variety of food plants for butterflies. +27 (0) 33 387 1356 37 Willowton Rd, Willowton, Pietermaritzburg Tuesday to Friday 09:00 – 16:30 Saturday 09:30 – 15:30 Sunday 10:30 – 15:30 Closed on New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Join a heart-warming educational experience and support the gentle wildlife residents at Crag’s View Wild Care Centre. Situated on Crag’s View Farm, Crag’s View Wild Care Centre is the only official wildlife rehabilitation centre serving the lower South Coast region. Animals and birds that have sustained injuries or are orphaned mainly due to human influence are rehabilitated for release into the wild. Patients include the rare blue duiker, bush buck, other antelope and a variety of birds and small mammals indigenous to the area. Crag’s View Wild Care Centre offers their educational talk and experience from Monday to Sunday at 10 am by appointment only. +27 (0) 39 311 2488 wildlife@cragsview.co.za Crag’s View Farm, Izingolweni Road, Port Edward.

Find out how many teeth crocodiles have and other amazing facts. Daily crocodile tours offer a fascinating experience where visitors can learn about the lifestyle of crocs from newborn hatchlings to 100-year-old giants during their feeding times at 11:00 and 15:00. The lush park comprises gardens and indigenous forest where numerous reptiles, mammals and birds can be viewed safely in their natural habitats. A farmyard section offers young visitors an experience of a variety of domesticated animals including sheep, goats and horses. On site is a curio shop and the Crocodilian Restaurant with great views over the park.

Check out the coolest of Africa's cats Just outside Hluhluwe is the only wild cat rehabilitation facility in Zululand, situated on Emdoneni Lodge and Game Farm, a private game reserve with sand forest vegetation. Emdoneni Cat Rehabilitation Centre offers twice-daily educational tours, with informative talks by an experienced guide and feeding during the afternoon. Orphaned or injured wild cheetah, serval, African wildcats and lynx are rehabilitated for release back into their natural habitat where possible.Funding for the project comes from tour fees or an ‘adoption’ programme which allows visitors to contribute to the centre. These funds go directly to veterinary care, feeding, camp and fence maintenance, as well as workers’ salaries. By implementing a system based on donations, it is hoped to improve each cat’s stay at the centre.The aim of the project is to keep as few cats as possible in captivity. Once their numbers increase, suitable animals are released back into the wild.

PheZulu Safari Park boasts a crocodile and snake park offering guests interesting tours led by knowledgeable guides. Learn fascinating facts about fearsome crocodiles and snakes, meet 'Junior' their 102-year-old Nile crocodile and have a hands-on experience with Cleo, their lovely Burmese python who weighs in at 42 kilograms and is 3.2 metres long. Don’t miss the chance of ogling many snake species including African rock pythons, green and black mambas, boomslang, vine snakes, puff adders, spitting cobras, rinkhals, forest cobras, Egyptian cobras, bush snakes, night adders, spotted house snakes, southern brown egg eaters, olive house snakes, Burmese pythons, anacondas and boa constrictors. +27 (0) 31 777 1000 Old Main Road, Botha's Hill, Valley of 1000 Hills, KwaZulu-Natal.

If you’re on holiday with kids along the Hibiscus Coast drive them straight to Pure Venom Reptile Park. Here they can eyeball some of the most fearsome and venomous snakes on the planet; count all 70 teeth of a crocodile and stroke the scales of an iguana. If you’re brave enough you can even have your mug shot taken while holding a python, mamba, cobra or viper! The park is situated on an old estate in Izotsha near Shelly Beach. The beautiful grounds are graced by enormous wild olive trees that date back to the 1800s. Publicized as the biggest reptile farm in Africa, it is home to an awesome collection of indigenous and exotic reptiles. This includes nine species of rattlesnake, the largest variation of this species outside the USA, and five species of crocodile. The highly threatened giant sungazer lizard breeds here and you might even witness the mating and courtship rituals of gaboon vipers, boomslang and mambas. Kids big and small will be thrilled as they get up close and personal with numerous snakes, iguanas and crocodiles. Pure Venom Reptile Park also presents an interesting educational experience. Here you will find out funky facts about snakes including the fact that egg-eating snakes have teeth in their necks and mole snakes have up to ninety five babies! Guided tours and snake demonstrations are on offer daily. Don’t miss witnessing the fascinating spectacle of crocodiles and alligators being fed on Sundays. +27 (0) 39 685 0704 Open daily 09:00 – 17:00.

Home to over 200 adult Nile crocodiles and numerous juveniles, Riverbend Crocodile Farm has become a popular spot for families holidaying in Southbroom. A number of bird species also share the space on this beautiful estate that has landscaped breeding enclosures similar to the feisty reptiles’ natural habitat. The snake house houses some of the southern Africa’s most deadly and handsome snakes. On Sundays and more frequently during the holiday season, interesting and informative snake presentations take place. The education centre’s displays uncover the mysteries and life cycle of crocodiles and snakes. It also gives an overview of the daily activities on the farm. The highlight of any visit is feeding time and when the crocodiles hatch during January and February. +27 (0) 39 316 6204 Old Main Road, Southbroom, KwaZulu-Natal.

Get in touch with your wild side with the luminous feathered inhabitants of Umgeni River Bird Park. Tumbling waterfalls, lush semi-tropical vegetation, lively birds singing and squawking, walk-through aviaries and open paddocks contribute to make this a renowned bird paradise. View dazzling macaws, parading flamingoes, stately cranes, and comical toucans. And you’ll see loads more – witness how some of the world’s rarest birds live and breed. Make your way to the 'baby room' viewing window and follow the activity in the nursery where plump little chicks are reared by loving foster-parents. Don't miss the Free flight Bird Show with critically endangered species like the Wattled Crane, owls, storks, hornbills and a Cape Vulture in free unrestricted flight. It's highly educational but also loads of fun. Free flight Bird Shows take place at 11am and 2pm every day.

Come nose to snout with a toothy predator in one of the five largest aquariums in the world. uShaka Sea World incorporates a unique shipwreck-themed aquarium, a 1 200 seater dolphin stadium, a seal pool and penguin rookery as well as interactive activities in the dive tank, snorkel reef and touch pool.Gaze at huge Ragged-tooth sharks, Zambezi sharks, Hammerhead sharks, giant grouper and giant guitarfish. Touch a starfish, feel a sea cucumber or be adventurous and try the Oceanwalker Experience.