You can visit Birds of Eden and Monkeyland on the same day or split a combo ticket over two days, according to the South African Animal Sanctuary Alliance. The sanctuaries are next to one another in The Crags near Plettenberg Bay. Do both in one visit if you have a clear half-day and want to make one drive. Split them if you want to spend longer in the aviary or would prefer a shorter outing each day.

How the combo ticket works

SAASA's ticket guidance confirms that its Plettenberg Bay combo and three-sanctuary tickets can be used on the same day or over two days. If you want to split the visits, tell the ticket desk which dates and sanctuaries you plan to use and ask how to retain or present the ticket for the second visit. Confirm any special arrangements before assuming a gap of several days is allowed.

The Birds of Eden rate page lists R440 per adult for one sanctuary and R704 for any two in 2026. The equivalent 2027 rates are R470 and R752. The alliance also publishes lower child rates and says admission is free for children two and younger. The official contact and rate pages describe the upper child age differently, so confirm the category when a child is 12. A combo only saves money when you actually use both admissions.

For an ordinary visit, the Birds of Eden contact page says you can buy at the door. If you need a specific language, group arrangement or a guide in the aviary, contact the relevant venue first. Both list 08:00 to 17:00. Leave enough time for the actual tour or walk, and ask for the latest start when planning a late arrival.

Allow different amounts of time at each sanctuary

Birds of Eden: The sanctuary's visitor FAQ describes a self-guided boardwalk and a typical visit of about 90 minutes to two hours. You can stop to watch birds and move at your group's pace. Ask ahead if a guide would help. The FAQ describes ramps and particular toilet limitations. Check the exact route, toilets and any equipment needs with the venue before relying on a general accessibility description.

Monkeyland: The Monkeyland visitor FAQ describes a guided forest tour of about an hour. Add time to check in and join a departure. You have more control over your own pace at the aviary, so on a single day it can help to ask when the next Monkeyland tour leaves and fit the aviary around that.

Close view of a lemur at Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary — Lemur at Monkeyland photographed in January 2018. Octagon, CC BY 4.0. Displayed at a smaller size. Individual sightings vary.

When splitting the visit is worth it

One visit works well if the group wants both experiences and can give them a morning. Splitting helps when a keen birder wants to linger or when several people prefer a shorter walking block. If you are driving from further away, consider the extra return journey before deciding. From the Plett area, you can set one sanctuary as the main outing on each of two days.

If you only want one experience, choose Birds of Eden for a self-paced aviary walk or Monkeyland for guided interpretation in the forest. SAASA applies a hands-off policy at both. Keep food outside the aviary, follow venue instructions and enjoy watching animals without approaching to feed or touch them. Our Knysna or Plettenberg Bay guide compares the two towns if you are choosing a base for several Garden Route outings.

Featured photo: Macaw at Birds of Eden in January 2015. Birdsofeden, CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized and may be cropped for display, shared under the same licence.

Reviewed by Aqua Terra on 3 November 2026 using current sanctuary and alliance information. Confirm date validity, accessibility requirements and any special ticket category with the venue.