Eagle Encounters | Stellenbosch
In the heart of the Stellenbosch Winelands, Eagle Encounters – a bird of prey centre with a difference, offers visitors a personal encounter opportunity with eagles and owls and amazing daily interactive shows.
The daily shows give visitors the chance to interact with the birds and photograph them whilst the experience handlers free-fly several different birds of prey. The shows is very informative and will also give you the chance to see how the different type of raptors find their prey.
About Us
It all started with Hank & Tracy Chalmers, after realizing the dire need for such a centre in the Western Cape, they founded Eagle Encounters in 2001. The land they use was generously donated by Spier and provides the perfect location for Eagle Encounters to do rehabilitation, release, conservation, education & eco-tourism programmes. Thanks to Hank and Tracy’s efforts, Eagle Encounters boasts the largest raptor education program in the Western Cape
Eagle Encounters receives birds that have been injured, poisoned, abused and hand-reared. ‘Our first priority, in every case, is to rehabilitate and release as soon as possible’. Only hand-reared birds are retained for education purposes.
Interaction bridges the gap between passive awareness and an active will to conserve.
Look deep into Nature, and then you will understand everything better
~ Einstein
Objectives
EAGLE ENCOUNTERS’ core function is the rehabilitation of birds of prey. We receive birds that have been injured; poisoned or confiscated – our primary objective in every case being to release healthy; fit; successfully hunting and able-breeding raptors back into the wild.
To date, out of all the birds received at Eagle Encounters; 30% have been released; 35% are still in the rehabilitation-for-release process; 15% have proved non-releasable and there has been a 20% mortality rate, we proudly boast an extremely successful 65% overall release rate.
(Statistics is subject to constant change)
In the heart of the Stellenbosch Winelands, Eagle Encounters – a bird of prey centre with a difference, offers visitors a personal encounter opportunity with eagles and owls and amazing daily interactive shows.
The daily shows give visitors the chance to interact with the birds and photograph them whilst the experience handlers free-fly several different birds of prey. The shows is very informative and will also give you the chance to see how the different type of raptors find their prey.
About Us
It all started with Hank & Tracy Chalmers, after realizing the dire need for such a centre in the Western Cape, they founded Eagle Encounters in 2001. The land they use was generously donated by Spier and provides the perfect location for Eagle Encounters to do rehabilitation, release, conservation, education & eco-tourism programmes. Thanks to Hank and Tracy’s efforts, Eagle Encounters boasts the largest raptor education program in the Western Cape
Eagle Encounters receives birds that have been injured, poisoned, abused and hand-reared. ‘Our first priority, in every case, is to rehabilitate and release as soon as possible’. Only hand-reared birds are retained for education purposes.
Interaction bridges the gap between passive awareness and an active will to conserve.
Look deep into Nature, and then you will understand everything better
~ Einstein
Objectives
EAGLE ENCOUNTERS’ core function is the rehabilitation of birds of prey. We receive birds that have been injured; poisoned or confiscated – our primary objective in every case being to release healthy; fit; successfully hunting and able-breeding raptors back into the wild.
To date, out of all the birds received at Eagle Encounters; 30% have been released; 35% are still in the rehabilitation-for-release process; 15% have proved non-releasable and there has been a 20% mortality rate, we proudly boast an extremely successful 65% overall release rate.
(Statistics is subject to constant change)
At Eagle Encounters visitors will get the chance to learn more about the various species and getting to know their particular quirky behavioral patterns and the change to interact with several of the raptors at the centre.
Eagles & Owls (All Day)
Our experienced handlers await you in the Touching Gallery to facilitate your personal encounter. Hold Wally, the Wahlberg’s Eagle & cuddle Fagen (Barn Owl) & Sykes (Spotted Eagle Owl).
Black Eagle (All Day)
If you are daring enough, you can experience the great power of the Black Eagle.
Variety (All Day)
Eagle Encounters is not a zoo, and our birds do not live in cages. Take a stroll through our ‘weathering area’, where you can openly view the largest, smallest, strongest, fastest and cheekiest.
Show Times
11h00 Stars in Training
On a potluck basis, we welcome you to observe as we utilize age-old falconry techniques to train various birds. The Peregrine Falcon is the fastest living creature on earth.
Nowhere in the wild would you find the opportunity to witness and photograph Africa’s largest eagles in flight, as close-up as you can see them at Eagle Encounters. Watch in awe as our experienced handler puts these majestic raptors through their paces.
14h00 Falconry Display (interactive)
You are invited to spectate and participate as we fly a selection of owls, kites, buzzards, hawks and falcons around and to you. This ever-popular, interactive show is a unique and thrilling experience for all ages!
15h00 Out to Lunch with the Secretary
We simulate a snake hunt to demonstrate for you the deadly accuracy of the Secretary Bird’s powerful kick.
16h00 Built for the Kill
Nature has equipped each raptor species with its own unique adaptations for individual hunting style. We set the stage and provide the props for our performers to display their spectacularly distinctive natural talents.
Fees
- Adults pp R40
- Children (3 to 12 years) pp R30
- Students (with Student ID Card proof) pp R35
- Pensioners (ID may be requested) pp R35
and includes personal encounters with:
- Woody, the adorable Wood Owl
- Our unique pair of dancing Barn Owls
- Having the Spotted Eagle Owls in the front enclosure flown to you!
Personal Encounters with Eagles
- Personal Encounter with Wally, the Wahlberg’s Eagle = R25 pp
- Personal Encounter with Mick / Leo, the Verreaux’s Eagles = R50 pp
Looking for a feathered star? We have them here
Famous Visitors
Eagle Encounters has played host to some world famous celebrities. They have enjoyed their time interacting with our birds. Unfortunately, we are seldom forewarned of their visits, so we have only been able to capture a few of them on camera, the good thing though is we make a visit to Eagle Encounters special every single day.
Birds from Eagle Encounters are often used in photographic shoots, music videos and appearances in movies, which provide much needed income to drive the more serious conservation programmes. Rest assured that our very experienced handlers are always on set to make sure the birds don’t get hurt and stay calm.
'lights, camera..
Action'
Wally the Wahlberg’s Eagle features in Jamiroquai’s music video ‘Corner of the Earth’, while our Black Eagle can be seen in ‘The Curse of the Ring’ with Alicia Witt and in a music video with Dido. Some of the raptors featured in photo shoots which include local personalities like models Tanit Phoenix and Mercedes and our very own space tourist Mark Shuttleworth.
Other celebrities that visited us include:
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Junior Volunteers
Children between the ages of 10 and 16 years, who display a sincere passion and flair for dealing with raptors, have been welcomed to spend time at Eagle Encounters learning about the various species and getting to know their particular quirky behavioural patterns.
We believe very strongly that today’s youth could be tomorrow’s high-powered business tycoon. Therefore, if we can teach today’s younger generation to respect and appreciate the environment, then we have hope of developing a conservation-minded community that is willing to work towards and protect a balanced eco-system.
We presently have 6 dedicated Young Volunteers, who willingly give-up their spare time to assist us at the Centre. Over time, they have built relationships with many of our birds, studied-up on their facts and some are now even taking guests on guided tours around the facility.
Guests, parents and teachers have expressed their amazement at the confidence, enthusiasm and sound knowledge displayed by these youngsters. Parents have also identified the potential for their children’s interest in a sustainable project possibly preventing them from becoming involved in hazardous vices such as drug and alcohol abuse.
Eagle Encounters boasts the largest raptor education program in the Western Cape, and we have tailored our education packages to suit the age groups and specific needs of the various learning institutions.
We welcome school groups to enjoy a casual and interactive learning experience with us, either at our Centre or on their own home ground. Underprivileged groups visit free of charge, and constitute a significant portion of our overall educational group numbers annually.
Tourism inadvertently provides a further educational opportunity. Whilst visitors from both local and international communities relax and enjoy the ambience and unforgettable experience at Eagle Encounters, they are in fact learning about and ultimately contributing to the conservation of these magnificent masters of the skies.
Schools Programme
Learning institutions have become more actively involved in environmental education. As arguably the largest Raptor Rehabilitation and Education Centre in South Africa, we also believe that an awareness and appreciation for the environment should be nurtured from young. The casual and personal manner in which we approach our education program encourages children to ask questions about, and interact directly with, a variety of raptors at their own pace.
During the course of our hands-on demonstration, the following topics will be briefly discussed:
- Species identification
- Comparison between appearance adaptations and natural habitat
- Breeding habits
- Rehabilitation & release
- Falconry, falconry techniques and their benefits in rehabilitation
- What to do with an injured or abandoned raptor
- Design for function
- Food preference and hunting techniques
- Behavioural patterns
- Habitat destruction, poisons and persecution vs Organic farming methods & co-existence
- Conservation regulations regarding raptors (basic)
We have discovered that children retain considerably more information from a learning experience when it has involved all of their senses, as opposed to expecting them to sit through slides, videos or a droning talk
School Bookings and Confirmation
Bookings can be made directly with Tracy Chalmers, whereafter I would require a written confirmation on your school letterhead, including:
- Date and time of visit
- Package selection
- Number of people attending
- Whether or note you will be taking the Spier Historical Tour
- Directions to your school (if Package 1)
- Email adress (for our database)
- Cheques must please be payable to EAGLE ENCOUNTERS
- Indemnity form to kindly be completed and handed in upon arrival at Spier
Please Note:
- Payment terms strictly COD
- Bookings will be cancelled, without prior notification, if written confirmation is not received within one week of booking date.
Eagle Encounters is a self-funded Non-Profit Organization. Your support funds our rehabilitation, education, conservation & community outreach programmes.
Sponsorship Options
Help support Eagle Encounters to succeed in its conservation and community programmes. If you are interested in one of the sponsorship options below, please get in touch with Tracy
- Material Donations
Eagle Encounters will be relocating to a new site on the Spier Estate, and we would greatly appreciate the donation of any materials (eg: shade cloth; wire; wire mesh; timber ; tin roofing; screws and nails; bricks; cement; appliances; equipment; etc.) - Programme Patron (R500 / programme per annum)
Acknowledgement in our Annual Newsletter (including events, programme development, new / released family members and conservation issues). - Adopt-A-Raptor (R1 000 per annum)
Adoption Certificate with photograph of your chosen raptor; name / logo next to him / her; name on our main sponsorship board; on our website and acknowledgement in our Annual Newsletter.
Mews Patron (R5 000 per annum)
Your name / logo (at our discretion) on the mews (cage) of your choice; on our website; on our main sponsorship board plus acknowledgement in our Annual Newsletter.
Sponsors
- Spier provides Home & Amenities
- Steve & Carol Nicolas
- William & Myra Chalmers
- Alnet
Patrons
- Boland Secretarial Services
- Computer Specialists
- Dave Persse
- Fred Hagen
- Gary & Madeleine Kannemeyer
- Jason Buttery
- Gielie Snyman
- John & Roz Stuart
- Lizanne Roux
- Lourens Pelser
- Mr O. Grapow
- Pat & Brian Le Herissier
- P.A. Marnitz
- Peter & Annette L.
- Smith Family
- Stephen Gold & Lynn Befera
- Strand Signs
Thanks to all our Sponsors, Patrons & 'Godparents'
BIRD | SPECIES | ADOPTER |
007 | Harris Hawk | Furn-Hite |
Alfonso | Peregrine Falcon | PRANKI |
Angie | Peregrine Falcon | – |
Aussie | Spotted Eagle Owl | James Cooper |
Barney Jnr. | Barn Owl | Bjørn Grapow |
Barney Snr. | Barn Owl | Al & Maggie Dalton |
Batman | Barn Owl | Ethel McCullough |
Ben | Yellowbilled Kite | Ben Le Roux |
Benedict | Peregrine Falcon | – |
Bojangles | Spotted Eagle Owl | Storm Cook |
Brutus | Martial Eagle | Caz Knights & Nigel Fossey |
Buddy | Harris Hawk | George & Ann Schofield |
Carcass | Cape Vulture | Gary & Madeleine Kannemeyer |
Chatterbox | Lanner Falcon | Christine Nell |
Cigano | Black Eagle | Charles Post |
Crikey | Spotted Eagle Owl | Andrew Cooper |
Eddie | Martial Eagle | Chrismare Cruywagen |
Edward | Wood Owl | Rhea Swartz |
Einstein | Spotted Eagle Owl | Henri & Jakoleen Louw |
Eve | Spotted Eagle Owl | Mauritz & Ankia Venter |
Evita | Bengal Eagle Owl | Evita Bezuidenhout |
Fagen | Barn Owl | Dave, Jenny & Jason Briggs |
Felix | Gymnogene | Angie & Lori Wilen |
Flash | Yellowbilled Kite | – |
Gemma | Spotted Eagle Owl | Patrick Hulley |
Gizmo | Spotted Eagle Owl | Kai Grapow |
Glory | Barn Owl | Diane McAllister |
Goliath | Martial Eagle | Gary & Madeleine Kannemeyer |
Goggo | Rock Kestrel | Zia Mohamed |
Hadassah | Barn Owl (dancing) | Ria Smith & Hannelie Hugo |
Harlow | Spotted Eagle Owl | Taylor Cook |
Harry | Harris Hawk | Cameron & Imogen Tilley |
Hercules | Cape Vulture | Tristan & Tatum Killops |
Hooch | Spotted Eagle Owl | Oddette Boshoff |
Houdini | Barn Owl (Taxi) | Emilia, Alessandro & Andrea Paini |
Jelly Bean | Gymnogene | Gary & Madeleine Kannemeyer |
Jimmy Male | Gymnogene | – |
Jimmy Female | Gymnogene | – |
Karma | African Crowned Eagle | Mark Cook |
Keira | Spotted Eagle Owl | Rhea Swartz |
Leo | Verreaux’s Eagle | Makeeda Nova Minnitt |
Makka Pakka | Barn Owl | Sivi, Bev & Kaleb Pillay (dancing owl) |
Mary-Anne | Secretary Bird | Furn-Hite |
Mick | Black Eagle | Cadshop & SmartDraw (D Power) |
Milady | Peregrine Falcon | Leslie Jacoby |
Mom | Spotted Eagle Owl | Sam Raslan |
Monty | American Black Vulture | Paul Mendelson & Gareth Hughes |
Morgana | Wood Owl | Leslie Jacoby |
Napoleon | Spotted Eagle Owl | Myrna McGrath, Laura & Lehore Hauspie |
Nelson | Verreaux’s Eagle | Anria & Izak Breytenbach |
Nena | Yellowbilled Kite | Laura & Lahore Hauspie |
Neptune | African Fish Eagle | John & Jean Ridley |
Ninja | Blackshouldered Kite | – |
Odie | Burrowing Owl | The Vorster Family |
One-Eye Jack | African Wood Owl | James & Andrew Bowker |
Piggy | Spotted Eagle Owl | Sayuri Naidoo |
Scarlett | Peregrine Falcon | – |
Scout | Yellowbilled Kite | Zandri van der Kooij |
Setty | Lanner Falcon | Shaun Bowker |
Skye | Jackal Buzzard | The Yogi Family (Baches) |
Snowball | Gyrfalcon | Kara vd Westhuizen |
Speedie | Lanner Falcon | Mr O. Grapow |
Spike | Rock Kestrel | Furn-Hite |
Spitfire | Eurasian Hobby | Mikhail Lovric |
Stealth | Black Sparrowhawk | Peter & Nicky Thomson |
Steffi | Blackshouldered Kite | – |
Tesla | Bengal Eagle Owl | Anastasios Kourkoutas |
Thor | African Goshawk | Nishen, Pathma & Sayuri Naidoo |
Tiffany | Tawny Eagle | Farrell Saunders |
Toot & Toto | African Scops Owls | Maurice Otto |
Twiggy | Wood Owl | Tina & Reed Copsey |
Wally | Wahlberg’s Eagle | Cadshop & SmartDraw (D Power) |
Womble | Gymnogene | Jorg Weissenborn |
Woody | Wood Owl | Bjorn Grapow |
Physical Address: R310 Lynedoch Road, Spier Wine Estate
Postal Address: PO Box 152, Lynedoc, Stellenbosch
Postal Code: 7600
Telephone: +27(0)218581826
Email: eagles@telkomsa.net
Website: http://www.eagle-encounters.co.za/
Directions: Down Dorp Street turn left into Adam Tas. Right into Baden Powell, past Vredenheim , past Van Ryns Distillery, Spier on left hand side
From N2 go past the Airport take exit 33 Baden Powell towards Stellenbosch. Carry on till you pass a traffic light - Spier will be on your right-hand side
Latitude: -33.97678055462094
Longitude: 18.77946203429019