Thursday, March 3, 2011

Birds of Eden Bird Sanctuary

The world’s largest single span aviary, just a few kilometres east of Plettenberg Bay in the Garden Route, where birds are free to fly free provides an incredible experience for those who visit, and a wonderful way of life for over 2000 previously caged birds.


The completely unique venture of Birds of Eden is an enormous two hectare dome spanning a gorge filled with verdant, indigenous forest. Within it are some 100 species of incredible African birds, a few of them endangered that provide anyone entering the dome with a literal experience of paradise. There are 1.2 kilometres of wooden walkway to lead you through the beautiful place (unlike Monkey Valley, you don’t need a guide to take you through the refuge), over a river and behind a waterfall (part of the sanctuary’s mysterious ruin). Birds of Eden’s dome emulates thunder storms, complete with renditions of claps of thunder and short cloudbursts from the irrigation system in the dome structure.


The same group of people who created Monkeyland, the popular primate sanctuary that is just next door to Birds of Eden making a two-in-one day trip effortless, were behind the incredible project that provides a safe haven not only for birds and miniature monkeys, but for rehabilitated pet birds too.


But the overwhelming experience of being in the wild with hundreds of birds as they swoop, fly and call around you is what Birds of Eden is essentially about.


The park has seven dams, the largest of which has a floating bridge with seating at which you can order light meals; a 200-seater amphitheatre and a breath-taking canopy walk.

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