Umgeni River Bird Park

Umgeni River Bird Park is a celebrated avian sanctuary set in a landscaped former quarry in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, covering 3.5 hectares of lush tropical flora. Opened in April 1984, the park is home to over 800 birds representing approximately 200 species housed across three aviaries and a range of open exhibits, with natural waterfalls adding to the scenic atmosphere. The highlight Free Flight Bird Show features owls, cranes, hornbills, macaws, kookaburras, toucans, and vultures performing in an open-air auditorium, with participants drawn from North and South America, Africa, Indonesia, and Australia. The park is particularly renowned for its Wattled Crane Breeding Program, contributing to the recovery of one of South Africa's most critically endangered birds, and breeds 17 of the 24 threatened species in its collection. A nursery viewing window allows visitors to observe how birds are hatched and raised.