Discover fascinating native and exotic birds at Durban’s Umgeni River Bird Park. Learn how rare bird species live and breed, watch birds hatch in a nursery and marvel at the live flight displays. Set amid a well-maintained 3.5-hectare (8.6-acre) park of tropical flora, the Umgeni River Bird Park is home to more than 800 birds representing 200 species.
Follow the paths that wind around the park to walk through aviaries and outdoor enclosures. Get close to colourful toucans and squawking macaws, hornbills, kookaburras and owls. Take time to admire the thick green trees and vegetation. Watch the waterfall cascade down a rock face into a pond, where you can spot cranes, flamingoes and swans. Nurseries provide information about the rearing and hatching of birds.
Major highlights of the park are the free-flight demonstrations hosted by knowledgeable bird trainers. Watch as birds from Africa, Australia, the Americas and Indonesia fly and swoop spectacularly above an open-air auditorium. You’ll get to see endangered species, such as the Cape vulture, in unrestricted flight. Hold a feeding tray for playful and colourful lorikeets to land on your outstretched hand.
Located close to the banks of the Umgeni River, the park is about a 15-minute drive north from downtown Durban. The easiest way to get here is via taxi or rented car. Free parking is available at the entrance to the park. Consider combining your visit with attractions located in Durban’s northern suburbs. Go to nearby Beachwood Mangroves Nature Reserve, which has walking trails, birdlife and various types of mangrove trees.
The Umgeni River Bird Park is open daily, except for Christmas Day, and it has an admission fee. The free-flight show takes place twice a day from Tuesday to Sunday and on Mondays during school holidays. Visit the park’s café to purchase drinks, snacks and light meals. For more information on opening hours, admission fees and specialized children’s activities, visit the park’s official website.
