The World of Birds Wildlife Sanctuary and Monkey Park is an extensive bird and wildlife park located along Valley Road in Hout Bay, Cape Town. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport or parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
This guide was updated in March 2026, noting the latest entry fee adjustments implemented by the sanctuary to cover rising operational costs.
Quick facts
| Feature | Details |
| Opening hours | 09:00–17:00 daily (latest entry 16:00) |
| Ticket prices | Adults R145, Children (3-18) R60, Pensioners and Students R90, Under 3s free |
| Address | Valley Road, Hout Bay, Cape Town, 7806, South Africa |
| Nearest public transport or parking | Free on-site parking; Blue Route Hop-On Hop-Off City Bus stop |
| Typical time needed | 2 to 3 hours |
World of Birds opening hours
The World of Birds opening hours run from 09:00 to 17:00 every day of the week, 365 days a year, with the last permitted entry at 16:00.
There are no seasonal variations to these operating hours, though specific experiences within the park have restricted access times. For instance, the Monkey Jungle is only open from 11:30 to 13:00 and from 14:00 to 15:30 daily.
5 great Cape Town experiences to book
- ⛰️ Combine the region’s natural highlights on a Table Mountain, Boulders Penguins and Cape Point day tour.
- 🚌 Take the genuinely useful hop-on, hop-off city tour, with an optional harbour cruise.
- 🏛️ Go on a hassle-free Robben Island tour, with pre-booked tickets and transfers.
- 🦁 See the Big Five at the Aquila Game Reserve on a day trip including lunch.
- 🧗 Go ziplining at the foot of Table Mountain.
World of Birds ticket prices
General admission for World of Birds costs R145 for adults, R60 for children aged 3 to 18, and R90 for pensioners and students with valid identification cards. Children under the age of three enter for free. Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in March 2026.
The sanctuary is included in the City Pass Cape Town, along with other regional attractions such as the Groot Constantia Wine Estate, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, and the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway.
Why book the Cape Town City Pass?
- 🚠 Table Mountain Cableway: Enjoy included access to Cape Town’s most famous landmark, providing breathtaking 360-degree views of the city, the Atlantic, and the Twelve Apostles.
- 🚌 Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour: Navigate the city effortlessly with a City Sightseeing bus ticket, connecting you to major sites like Camps Bay, the V&A Waterfront, and the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
- 🍷 Wine & Wildlife Experiences: Choose from a variety of unique activities, including wine tastings at Groot Constantia, sunset harbor cruises, or visits to the Two Oceans Aquarium.
- 💰 Huge Savings: Save significantly on total admission costs compared to purchasing individual tickets at the gate for each attraction.
- 📱 100% Digital & Easy: Manage your entire trip from your smartphone—simply show your pass at any of the 80+ participating attractions for instant, paperless entry.
How to get to World of Birds
You can reach World of Birds by driving along the M6 coastal route via Camps Bay and Llandudno, or via the M41 through Kirstenbosch and Constantia into Hout Bay.
If you are using public transport, the sanctuary is a designated stop on the Blue Route of the Hop-On Hop-Off City Sightseeing Bus, which departs regularly from the V&A Waterfront and central Cape Town.
Parking at World of Birds
Parking at World of Birds is free and available directly outside the main entrance on Valley Road. There are clearly signposted parking bays to accommodate both private vehicles and larger tour buses.
How long to spend at World of Birds
Visitors typically spend between two and three hours exploring World of Birds, as the site covers four hectares of land with more than 100 walk-through aviaries.
If you intend to watch the scheduled feeding times for the penguins, pelicans, cormorants, or birds of prey, you may need to extend your stay to align with the afternoon schedules.
Accessibility at World of Birds
Accessibility at World of Birds is not especially well-supported, despite claims to the contrary. The pathways are supposedly accessible, but are in practice so uneven, it’s very difficult to get a wheelchair along them. Trust me, I know from personal experience on this front, and it was very disappointing. However, visitors in wheelchairs are granted free entry to the sanctuary.
What to see at World of Birds
The World of Birds houses over 3,000 birds and small animals representing 400 different species. The primary feature of the park is its network of more than 100 spacious walk-through aviaries, which allow visitors to walk directly through the habitats rather than viewing from behind external fencing.
Species on display include eagles, owls, falcons, flamingos, pelicans, cormorants, and a colony of penguins. Mammals such as meerkats, porcupines, baboons, and guinea pigs are also housed within the sanctuary.
A key highlight is the Monkey Jungle, a large walk-through enclosure home to nearly 40 squirrel monkeys. These New World monkeys move freely around the environment, allowing visitors to experience direct, barrier-free contact.
The sanctuary serves as an active hospital, orphanage, and breeding centre. Behind-the-scenes work includes caring for injured wildlife and breeding threatened species such as the Blue Crane and the Bald Ibis.
Practical visitor tips
| Category | Tip |
| Timing | Plan your visit around the scheduled feeding times, such as the penguin feeds at 11:30 and 15:30, to see the animals at their most active. |
| Crowds | The Monkey Jungle can get busy during its restricted opening windows, so arrive right when the inner gates open to avoid queuing. |
| Layout | Pick up a printed map at the entrance to navigate the four-hectare property and ensure you do not miss any aviaries. |
| Entry process | No advanced booking is necessary, as tickets can be purchased directly at the entrance gates upon arrival. |
| On-site logistics | You are welcome to bring your own picnic basket to eat at the Flamingo Terrace, or you can purchase light meals from the on-site Hornbill Café. |
Frequently asked questions about World of Birds
| Query | Answer |
| Is World of Birds suitable for children? | Yes, the park features a toddler playground, and pushcarts can be hired for R20. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for World of Birds? | No advanced booking is required, and tickets are available at the entrance. |
| Is World of Birds open on Sundays? | Yes, the sanctuary is open 365 days a year, including Sundays and public holidays. |
| Are bags allowed at World of Birds? | Yes, but you must ensure all belongings are safely zipped up and secured when entering the Monkey Jungle. |
Things to do near World of Birds
- Hout Bay Harbour: A working fishing harbour where you can see resident seals and buy fresh seafood.
- Chapman’s Peak Drive: A scenic coastal toll road offering expansive ocean views and picnic spots.
- Bay Harbour Market: A weekend market in Hout Bay featuring local food, crafts, and live music.
- Llandudno Beach: A boulder-strewn beach situated a short drive up the coastal road.
- Groot Constantia: South Africa’s oldest wine-producing estate, located a 15-minute drive away over Constantia Nek.
More Cape Town travel
Other Cape Town travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- How to see the Boulders Beach penguins and Cape of Good Hope in one day.
- A practical guide to visiting the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.
- A guide to tackling Chapman’s Peak Drive in Cape Town.
- Plan your visit to the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa in Cape Town.
- Plan your visit to the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town.
- Guide to riding the Flying Dutchman Funicular at Cape Point.
