Visit our centre
Join us for one of our educational and fun guided tour & flying demonstrations, where you will have the opportunity to see some of our trained resident birds of prey as they demonstrate their agility and grace in our open air flying area. We are located at The Heath Complex which offers a variety of shops and a restaurant providing a perfect location for a day’s outing. For more information please get in touch.
What we offer
Daily guided tour & flying demonstrations
Photographic tour
School & group bookings
Gift & souvenir shop
Daily tour times (closed Mondays)
10:00AM / 12:00PM & 2:00PM
Reception / shop
CALL TO BOOK (078) 135 3611
Where to find us?
THE HEATH COMPLEX, N2 PLETTENBERG BAY
What we offer
GUIDED TOUR & FLYING DEMO
Join us on a 1 hour guided tour of the centre, where you will learn about our resident birds. We have a variety of birds, from our smallest Southern White-faced owls to our largest, the Black or Verreaux’s Eagle. You may enjoy watching our trained birds demonstrating their skills in our open-air flying area. We are not able to fly the birds in bad weather and a walk through with no flight demo will be charged at our usual rate, so please book ahead to avoid disappointment.
Adults R140.00pp
12+ and students R120.00pp
Seniors 60+ R120.00pp
Children (3-12) R90.00pp
SCHOOL & TOUR GROUPS
School and Group tours will be customized to suit the age of the pupils and/or the needs of a particular group. Our tours are educational and enjoyable ensuring the group’s interest and attention is captured. We cover a wide range of topics including conservation, habitat, and diet. Group rates and additional benefits for tour groups are only available to customers who have made a booking. We also provide educational presentations at schools.
20-30 Scholars/Students R50pp
10-20 Scholars/Students R60pp
Activity & Learning Booklet R20pp
PHOTOGRAPHIC TOUR
The Photographic Tour is a 2 hour guided tour geared toward birding and photographic enthusiasts. We limit the number of guests to a maximum of 10 people per group and allow those who would like to spend more time with our birds to do so. Photographic tours can be arranged in conjunction with a birding outing with our friend and local birding guide Ian Pletzer. Photographic tours are only available to customers who have made a booking.
1-3 Photographers R850pp
4-6 Photographers R650pp
7-10 Photographers R450pp
WHAT'S AVAILABLE AT THE HEATH
Ideally situated just off the N2, this is the perfect location for a day’s outing or refreshment break. The Hen House Cafe offers delicious breakfasts and lunches, and a range of hot and cold drinks. There is ample free parking with an easy turning circle for buses. The Heath complex also boasts one of Plettenberg Bay’s best playgrounds, as well as some unique artisanal crafts, clothing and furniture shops, making it a must for the whole family.
The Hen House Cafe
Meet our pilots
Our captain
Jackal Buzzard
Our ambassadors at the centre
Our Aim at Raptor Rescue Plett is to release as many birds as possible back into the wild. Some birds can, however, not be released due to their circumstances. We provide a sanctuary for these injured and orphaned birds to live in comfort with the best possible care. They act as ambassadors for their species in our educational tours and eco-adventure programmes. Birds that we can’t release but that still require exercise to keep them fit and healthy are flown using falconry techniques during our guided tours allowing the public to see them up close. We have a strict no touch policy, and although the birds are trained, they are still wild. Please follow your guide’s instructions during the tours.
F.A.Q.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch with us should you have any queries. We are available to assist you.
Why is the bird here?
We provide a refuge and sanctuary for birds of prey that cannot be released due to their circumstances or injuries.
Can we touch/hold the owls and other birds?
We have a strict NO TOUCH policy. Birds of prey & owls do not enjoy being “petted” and this places unnecessary stress on our animals. In addition, the oils transferred from many hands can damage the birds feathers.
Can we walk through without joining a tour?
We do not allow the public to walk through the centre unaccompanied. Some of our birds become stressed and our guide is there for the birds and your protection.
What do you feed the birds?
Birds of prey are carnivorous and rely on their hunting abilities for food. In the wild, they primarily prey on small mammals. They may vary their diet with many different types of game and even insects. We feed our birds predominantly with chicken, mice and rats from local free-range suppliers.
Why are the birds tied to perches?
Tying a bird to a perch is not cruel, and much effort is taken to ensure birds are cared for both physically and mentally. A falconer tethers a bird for protection and to prevent the bird from injuring itself.
Don't they get bored?
These birds are not like parrots or parakeets. For the most part, they are not looking for social interaction. There are some individuals and some species that are highly social, however these birds are doing just what they would do in the wild – waiting for their next meal.
Do you breed them?
We do not breed in captivity, however some of our birds lay eggs and some have raised their own young which have then been released.
DREAM CATCHER WORKSHOPS
There is something magical about the process of weaving your own dream catcher. Join us for one of our workshops during which you will learn how to create your own web as well as have the opportunity to see and learn about the birds whose feathers you will be provided with. All the feathers used in our workshops have been naturally dropped during the bird’s yearly molting cycle. If you are interested in attending a workshop, please join our mailing list for up-to-date notifications.
Kids eco-education programmes
COMING SOON! SUBSCRIBE FOR UPDATES
Tour group booking
PARKING & EASY TURNING CIRCLE
The Safari Series books
Story by Ian Pletzer, illustrations by Joni-leigh Doran
Birds of the mystical forest
Paper print artwork by Ingrid Nuss
African trade beads & silver
Jewellery by Aminatu Jewellery
Martial Eagle illustration
Paper print artwork by Jo Howell
We prefer to view the flying of our birds as exercise and stimulation for their well-being and don't promote them as "show-birds", there is however one animal that always steels the hearts of our guests, and he happily believes he is strictly there for your entertainment!
VISIT US – GUIDED TOURS & FLYING DEMONSTRATIONS
Open Tuesday to Sunday. Closed Mondays except for public holidays and during school holiday periods.
Our tours and flying demonstrations may be affected by adverse weather conditions and we are limited to 50 people per tour so please phone ahead and book to avoid disappointment.
To protect yourself against Covid-19 and to protect our birds from avian flu. You are required to wear a mask and sanitize your hands and shoes upon arrival.
Adults R140
Children (3-12) R90
12+ and students R120
Seniors (60+) R120
Where to find us?
THE HEATH COMPLEX PLETTENBERG BAY
Our reviews
We popped in close to closing time and we were the only two visitors booked on the tour at the time. Our own personal tour. It was wonderful to interact with the birds, a unique experience.
Mark is incredible with the birds and very patient with us spectators. He’s brilliant with the kids as well! My fourth visit and I’ll be back next time I pass that way.
Mark’s knowledge and ability to explain the intricacies of these beautiful creatures makes for a genuinely enriching time! Thank you, Edmund and I really enjoyed it!
This is a beautiful experience with people who truly care about the well-being of the birds; the birds come first. A great experience for kids and parents alike.
My little girl absolutely loves the birds, we have visited many times and will continue to go back. Marc has a special gift with his ability to care for and connect to these amazing birds. Highly recommend! animals!
Photography credits
Spotted eagle owl, Mark & Black eagle – Ian Pletzer / Children playing – Oakhill primary / Jackal buzzard, Barn owl, African goshawk – Ian Thomas / Yellow billed kite – Ernest Porter / Mark & Black eagle, Aminatu model – Grace Harrison
