If you’re planning a trip to Cape Town and looking for a fun, family-friendly activity, World of Birds & Monkey Park in Hout Bay is one of those places that surprises you in the best way.
We visited with my husband and our 1.5-year-old baby, and honestly… we all loved it. Yes, even Santi — and yes, even with monkeys jumping on us 😅
Here are the 10 things you need to know before visiting World of Birds & Monkey Park, so you can plan your visit like a pro 👇
@pilarnoriegaa Visited World of Birds & Monkey Park 🐒🤍 in Hout Bay and it’s one of the most fun experiences with the family! What you should know before going: • 🎟️ Entry: ~R145 adults / ~R60 kids (babies usually free) • 🕘 Open daily: 09:00 – 17:00 • 🐒 Monkey Jungle: open from 11:30 – 13:00 and 14:00 – 15:30. • 🦜 Animals: monkeys, flamingos, penguins, birds, meerkats, reptiles, small mammals & more • 👶 Baby-friendly? YES – but going with a stroller is a bit tricky as the paths are tight • 📍 Location: Hout Bay, Cape Town (easy stop if you’re doing Chapman’s Peak drive) • ⏰ Best time: morning = fewer people + more active animals • 🌐 Official website: https://worldofbirds.co.za #CapeTown #HoutBay #birds #southafrica #monkeys ♬ Hey Lover - The Daughters Of Eve
Table of Contents
1. It’s the Perfect Stop in Hout Bay
The park is located in Hout Bay, about 20 minutes from Cape Town.
It’s a great add-on if you’re exploring:
- Chapman’s Peak Drive
- Camps Bay
- Noordhoek
Pro tip: Combine it with lunch at Hout Bay Market (more on that below).
2. Opening Hours
- Open daily from 09:00 to 17:00
- Last entry usually around 16:00–16:30
We went earlier in the day, and I’d recommend that — fewer crowds and more active animals.
3. Entry prices are affordable
- Adults: ~R145
- Children: ~R60
- Babies/toddlers: usually free
For the experience you get, it’s actually really good value.
4. The Monkey Jungle is the main event
Let’s be honest — this is why you’re going.
Inside the Monkey Jungle, monkeys roam freely and will:
- Jump on your shoulders
- Sit on your head
- Use you as a personal playground
We went in as a family and it was chaos… but the fun kind.
Check the opening times when you enter as it’s not open all day.
5. You’re basically inside giant bird cages
One of the coolest things about this place is that it’s not a typical zoo.
It feels like you’re inside a huge enclosed world, walking among:
- Parrots and exotic birds
- Flamingos
- Peacocks
- And many more
Our baby LOVED this part — so many colors, sounds, and movement.
You can get super close to the animals (sometimes too close 😅), and while you can touch some birds… you probably shouldn’t.
6. Don’t miss the penguin feeding
One of our favorite moments was the penguin feeding .
- A caretaker feeds them at specific times
- You can’t enter the enclosure
- But you can watch from outside
It’s such a cute and calm experience — a nice contrast to the monkey chaos.
7. There’s more than just birds & monkeys
World of Birds is actually Africa’s largest bird park, but it’s much more than that.
🐦 Birds
- Parrots, macaws, flamingos
- Owls, eagles, and other birds of prey
- Penguins and water birds
🐒 Mammals
- Various monkey species (including squirrel monkeys)
- Meerkats
- Small mammals and exotic species
🦎 Reptiles
- Snakes
- Lizards
- Other reptiles
The park is divided into multiple walk-through aviaries and enclosures, making it a very immersive experience
8. Main Sections of the Park
You can take your time, there’s no rush here. We explored at our own pace and stayed as long as we wanted. Most people will spend around: 1.5 to 3 hours
Perfect for a relaxed, not-too-structured outing.
🗺️ Sections
Here’s how the park is generally organized:
- Monkey Jungle – interactive monkey enclosure
- Walk-through Bird Aviaries – free-flying birds all around you
- Birds of Prey Section – eagles, hawks, owls
- Penguin & Water Bird Area
- Meerkat & Small Mammal Enclosures
- Reptile Section
- Kids Play Area
🍴 Facilities
- Small café/snack area
- Picnic spots
- Gift shop
- Toilets available
9. It’s baby-friendly (with one important tip)
We visited with our toddler and overall it was very family-friendly:
- Easy to walk around
- Shaded areas
- Lots to keep little ones entertained
BUT here’s the thing…
We brought a stroller, and while it worked, it wasn’t ideal.
Some paths are:
- Not completely flat
- A bit narrow
- Slightly tricky between enclosures (going through doors)
👉 I highly recommend bringing a baby carrier
Being able to hold your baby in front or on your side is a game-changer.
10. Pair it with Hout Bay Market (weekend tip!)
After our visit, we went to Bay Harbour Market for lunch (in Hout Bay), and it was the perfect ending.
💡 Important:
- The market is open on weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday), so plan accordingly
Great food, relaxed vibe, and ideal after a morning of animal encounters.
💛 Final Thoughts
Visiting World of Birds & Monkey Park was one of those experiences that’s:
- Fun
- Slightly chaotic
- Totally unforgettable
Seeing monkeys jump between us while our baby watched in pure curiosity? That’s a memory we’ll keep forever.
If you’re visiting Cape Town — especially with kids — this place is 100% worth it.
🌐 Official Website
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