Montecasino Bird Gardens

The basics

The Montecasino grounds are located in the upmarket Sandton area, encompassing several hotels, restaurants, entertainment centers, and the largest theater in South Africa—plus the bird gardens. Visitors often make a day of it, exploring the shops and restaurants in the replica Italian village, challenging each other at the bowling alley or in the laser-tag arena, or catching the latest movie at the cinema.

Things to know before you go

• Check the weather, as the gardens are entirely outdoors.

• Children are only allowed into certain parts of the complex, as it does include a casino.

• If you’re staying at one of the hotels on the Montecasino grounds, you’ll get a discount on your ticket.

How to get there

From downtown Johannesburg, it’s a 30-minute drive via the M1. Taxis and Uber are easy to find if you don’t have a car. For those staying in the Sandton area, head to the Sandton Gautrain station, where you can catch the S5 Montecasino Midibus, which leaves every 10 minutes. It’ll take you about 30 minutes from Sandton station.

When to get there

The bird gardens are open from Wednesday to Sunday, but skip the weekend if possible, as it gets crowded. Aim to make it there for the 11am bird show, which gives you plenty of time to explore the gardens and the complex. March to May is the best time to visit Johannesburg, as the autumn brings cooler weather and fewer tourists.

Lunch at the Flamingo Cafe

After you’re done wandering, grab a table at the Flamingo Cafe. Overlooking the flamingo pond, you can pick hearty sandwiches, burgers, and milkshakes from their menu as you watch the vibrant birds. You’ll notice plenty of free-flying birds around, so watch out for your lunch and keep your camera ready!