The weather outside is delightful, which means it’s time to start making those holiday plans! For holidaymakers and residents on the Mid-KZN South Coast, Crocworld Conservation Centre in Scottburgh has it covered with an epic festive season programme running from 13 December 2023 to 17 January 2024.
“This is one of our favourite times of the year as we get to share our centre and charismatic creatures with so many new visitors,” explained Crocworld Conservation Centre Manager, James Wittstock. “We’ve put together another great holiday programme so that no matter what time you arrive, you will get to experience an animal feeding or interaction. We also have the 123rd birthday party for our most famous resident, Henry the Nile crocodile, and have partnered with WILDED on a superb holiday camp. It’s all happening at Crocworld!”
Crocworld Holiday Programme
Crocworld Conservation Centre is one of the province’s leading zoological facilities, with almost 400 animals residing on-site. This includes crocodiles, snakes, monitor lizards, tortoises, and a variety of rehabilitated and wild bird species. There is also the farmyard where little ones can interact with furry creatures such as bunnies and guinea pigs. Visitors can also take home great mementoes of their day at Crocworld by stopping in at the souvenir-stocked Crocworld Curio Shop at the entrance.
Crocworld’s daily programme includes:
- 09.30am to 10.30am: Guided tour of the park and guests can go straight from the tour to the interactions
- 10am to 11am: Snake demonstraton
- 11am – Nile crocodile feeding
- 11.30am – Juvenile Nile crocodile interaction
- 2pm – Marabou Stork feeding (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday) and Cape Vulture feeding (Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday)
- 15pm – Nile Crocodile feeding
- 15.30pm – Juvenile Nile crocodile handling
Party with Henry!
December is a time for much celebration – especially for one of the most famous Nile crocodiles in the world, Henry. On Saturday, 16 December, everyone is invited to Crocworld to enjoy a free cupcake (while stocks last!) with Henry as he celebrates his 123rd birthday. Henry himself will opt for a juicy piece of meat rather than a cupcake as everyone honours him for being the oldest known Nile crocodile in captivity. This is also a great opportunity to check in on Henry’s oldest mate, Colgate, who might be a bit younger than Henry at 90-odd years, but is the second-biggest croc at the centre and a star in his own right!
WILDED Holiday Camp
Adventurous youngsters, aged 8 to 14, will not want to miss out on the popular WILDED Holiday Camp which is running at Crocworld Conservation Centre from 18 to 22 December daily, from 8.30am to 3.30pm. Matt Machell-Cox, who runs student expeditions, adventure programmes, and holiday camps all over Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, will be leading the camp, supported by a solid staff team of outdoor and education professionals and animal experts at Crocworld. Children will enjoy epic animal encounters, learn wilderness skills, compete in team survival challenges and more! Don’t miss the early-bird special running until 30 November. To sign up click here or email camps@wilded.co.za for more information.
Great eats at The Fish Eagle Café
Crocworld’s on-site restaurant, The Fish Eagle Café, offers the best burger-and-view combination on the KZN South Coast! The friendly staff is ready to serve delicious meals and drinks, alleviating parents of culinary responsibilities for a day. Nestled above an indigenous coastal forest, the restaurant’s wraparound deck provides unparalleled 180-degree views of Aliwal Shoal, one of South Africa’s Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
For more information about Crocworld, visit www.crocworld.co.za, ‘Crocworld Conservation Centre’ on Facebook or call 039 976 1103.
