Eagle Encounters

A fascinating wildlife rehabilitation and eco-tourism centre for eagles, owls and other raptors, based at historic Spier Wine Farm in Stellenbosch. Enjoy personal encounters and spectacular interactive flying shows!

Highlights

A fascinating wildlife rehabilitation, conservation, education and eco-tourism centre
Based at historic Spier Wine Farm in Stellenbosch
Enjoy personal encounters & spectacular interactive flying shows

Description

Spend an afternoon in the Cape winelands exploring enclosures of local and exotic birds. See owls, various species of eagles, hawks, kites, vultures and secretary birds. Knowledgeable, friendly guides share the details of these fascinating animals, most of which have been rescued and then rehabilitated by the Eagle Encounters team. Enjoy the entertaining falcon displays and the bird shows, which feature clever animals that fly straight into the hands of brave guests. Get up-close and personal with other animals as well, including snakes, lizards, tortoises, rabbits and even venture into the owl cage to stroke and interact with the majestic nocturnal predators

History

Eagle Encounters is a wildlife rehabilitation, conservation, education and eco-tourism centre based at the historic Spier Wine Farm. The centre was founded in 2001 by Hank and Tracy Chalmers. Hank Chalmers was introduced to his first falcon, around the age of 5, by his father who was one of the first falconers in South Africa. Many years later, he and Tracy decided to get fully involved with rescue, rehabilitation and conservation programmes to preserve South Africa’s raptors. This was the beginning of the much-loved Eagle Encounters centre, which is enjoyed by both locals and tourists from around the world. But these birds are not confined to the centre. The couple’s home is filled with animals of all sorts, and raptors are welcomed day and night.

Day	Open	Close
Monday	09:30	17:00
Tuesday	09:30	17:00
Wednesday	09:30	17:00
Thursday	09:30	17:00
Friday	09:30	17:00
Saturday	09:30	17:00
Sunday	09:30	17:00

Closed on Christmas

Phone: +27 (0)21 858 1826
Website: wwww.eagle-encounters.co.za

Advice for visitors

Prior to arriving at Eagle Encounters, It is highly recommended to book the hour long walk, departing at 17:00, with Harris Hawks. It is a pleasantly paced hike with hawks freely following hikers. Once you have spent several hours with the Eagle Encounters centre, take some time to stroll around the vast grounds of Spier. One can easily spend an entire day in the Stellenbosch winelands, and Spier Wine Farm in particular has a lot on offer. Bring comfortable walking shoes and walk along the river route, try the wine tasting, or pop into the Hoghouse BBQ & Bakery restaurant for a delicious tapas-style lunch.

Did you know

Raptors are remarkably fragile animals, and when they are incorrectly managed in captivity they readily sustain injuries and contract disease. If you encounter a raptor, be sure to note their eyes, which are noted for having sparkles, and their glossy plumage. This is a deserved reflection of the care with which these birds are attended, and the considerable expertise of the centre’s management team.