Montecasino Bird Gardens

Parrots at the Montecasino Bird Gardens NJR ZA/cc by-sa 1.0

Lorikeet Aviary at Montecasino Bird Gardens. Martie Swart/cc by 2.0

Blue Crane, Part of the Flight of Fantasy show at Montecasino Bird Gardens. Martie Swart/cc by 2.0

A Toco Toucan at Montecasino Bird Gardens. Axel Bührmann/cc by-sa 2.0

Inside the aviary at the Montecasino Bird Gardens. NJR ZA/cc by-sa 3.0

A Guira Cuckoo at Montecasino Bird Gardens. derekkeats/cc by-sa 2.0

Hornbill at Montecasino Bird Gardens, Part of the Flight of Fantasy show. Martie Swart/cc by 2.0

Guinea Fowl at the Montecasino Bird Gardens. Martie Swart/cc by 2.0

Inside the aviary at the Montecasino Bird Gardens. NJR ZA/cc by-sa 3.0

Scarlet ibises, Nicobar pigeons, pelicans, vultures, cranes, and owls converge at the Montecasino Bird Gardens, a conservation-meets-entertainment center in Fourways, Johannesburg.

Birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and plants cohabit these delightful bird gardens, which also boasts the world’s largest collection of South African Cycads. Strolling the grounds you’re like to find chameleons, sloths, rare red ruffed lemurs (exclusive to the island of Madagascar) and of course Oliver the pelican, who doubles as the featured talent in the park’s “Flight of Fantasy” bird show.

Other highlights of the gardens include a walk-through aviary, a frog room, the parrot gallery, some 37 species of over 750 cycads, and the cafe located next to a flamingo pond. The Flight of Fantasy bird show takes places in Montecasino’s Tuscan amphitheater twice a day from Monday through Friday, and three times a day on Saturdays and Sundays.

Know Before You Go

The Montecasino Bird Gardens are open 364 days a year, closed only on Christmas Day. Opening hours are 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Half-hour Flight of Fantasy bird shows take place at 11 a.m. and again at 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Atlas Obscura Trips