.png?width=5556&height=3125&name=rent.%20buy.%20manage.%20sell%20(1).png "rent. buy. manage. sell (1)")
If you find yourself in Cape Town with a free morning or afternoon, there’s a place in Hout Bay that feels like stepping into another world. The World of Birds Wildlife Sanctuary and Monkey Park is exactly what its name suggests, but also so much more. It’s not just about watching animals behind glass or wire; this is a fully immersive experience, where you walk among the birds in landscaped aviaries set against the most dramatic of mountain backdrops.
In this blog, we’ll cover:
-
A Sanctuary in the Valley: Over 3,000 birds and animals set against a spectacular mountain backdrop.
-
More Than a Tourist Attraction: How the sanctuary also serves as a hospital, orphanage and breeding centre.
-
A Legacy of Passion: The story of Walter Mangold and how World of Birds began.
-
Highlights of the Park: From flamingo lagoons to Monkey Jungle, here’s what you’ll see.
-
Conservation at Work: Behind-the-scenes efforts to protect endangered species and habitats.
-
The Visitor Experience: Practical tips and features to make the most of your visit.
A Sanctuary in the Valley
Spread across four hectares of tropical gardens in the Hout Bay Valley, the sanctuary is framed by the towering ridges of Table Mountain, the Twelve Apostles, Chapman’s Peak, Constantiaberg and Little Lion’s Head. Over 3,000 birds and small animals, representing 400 different species, live here in more than 100 spacious, walk-through aviaries.
It’s easy to see why this is one of Cape Town’s most popular attractions, drawing in around 100,000 visitors every year. Whether you’re a keen photographer, a family with children, or just someone who enjoys being close to nature, it’s a rewarding day out.
More Than a Tourist Attraction
What makes World of Birds particularly special is its heart. The sanctuary also serves as a hospital, orphanage and breeding centre, taking in injured birds and animals, hand-raising orphans, and quietly running behind-the-scenes breeding programmes. Over the past 35 years, they’ve cared for more than 40,000 creatures, and all without any official or corporate funding.
They’ve had remarkable successes, too. Threatened species such as the Blue Crane (South Africa’s national bird), the Bald Ibis, the Hawaiian Goose (Nēnē), and several rare South American marmosets and tamarins have been bred here.
Source: World of Birds - Official Site on Facebook
A Legacy of Passion
The story of World of Birds begins with Walter Mangold, a German immigrant who settled in Hout Bay in the 1940s. Passionate about birds, he envisioned a place where people could connect with the incredible diversity of bird life. In 1971, he opened the sanctuary, which has steadily grown ever since.
Today, the park includes a wide variety of habitats, wetlands, forests, savannas and grasslands – while staying true to Mangold’s original mission of education and conservation.
Highlights of the Park
The sanctuary is thoughtfully divided into themed sections, each offering something unique:
-
Aviaries: From colourful macaws and parrots to owls, eagles and the ever-popular African penguin colony, where you can watch the penguins waddle, swim and play.
-
Flamingo Lagoon: A tranquil spot where a large flock of flamingos gather, framed by lush greenery.
-
Waterfowl Pond: Ducks, geese, swans and herons dot the water here, an idyllic scene especially in late afternoon light.
-
Monkey Jungle: Not just birds! This lively corner is home to lemurs and monkeys in a naturalistic setting.
-
Reptile Garden: For those curious about creatures that slither and crawl, this is the place to meet snakes, lizards and turtles.
Source: World of Birds - Official Site on Facebook
Conservation at Work
Conservation underpins everything at World of Birds. Beyond the breeding successes, they are actively involved in:
-
Education programmes, from school groups to guided tours, encouraging visitors to understand the importance of protecting ecosystems.
-
Research partnerships with universities and institutions, deepening our understanding of bird behaviour and ecology.
-
Habitat restoration projects, both locally and abroad, from planting indigenous vegetation to removing invasive species.
The Visitor Experience
Spending time at the World of Birds is both relaxed and enriching. Some thoughtful touches make it easy to linger:
-
A gift shop filled with books, toys and souvenirs, with proceeds directly supporting the sanctuary’s work.
-
A picnic area, perfect for a break, surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature.
-
Full wheelchair and stroller accessibility makes it a welcoming destination for families and those with mobility needs.
Why You Should Go
The World of Birds isn’t just about ticking off a tourist attraction. It’s about experiencing nature up close in one of Cape Town’s most beautiful settings, while supporting a place that quietly does vital conservation work. Whether you have a couple of hours or a whole day, it’s well worth adding to your Cape Town itinerary.
Source: World of Birds - Official Site on Facebook
Need a place to stay? We’ve got you covered.
Exploring Cape Town’s natural wonders is even better when you have the right base to return to. At Nox Cape Town, we manage a curated collection of premium homes and apartments across the Atlantic Seaboard, all ideally located for making the most of your visit. Whether you’d like to stay close to Hout Bay, or nearer to Camps Bay, Clifton or Sea Point, we’ll help you find the perfect spot to unwind after a day at the World of Birds.
