Cape Town - Every time I take the R44 turn-off from the N1 on my way to Stellenbosch or Franschhoek, I whizz past Butterfly World and think, “Damn, I really must go there again.” Last weekend I grabbed the opportunity and added it to the itinerary.
Butterfly World is a large, lush indoor tropical jungle setting, hot and humid because that’s how the hundreds of butterflies like it.
That’s on a perfect day; the lepidoptera are only very active on sunny days, and are not fans of the cold and gloom. Who can blame them?
There is a sign announcing this at the entrance, and because visitors might not get the full experience of being surrounded by a cloud of bright colourful fluttering wings, there is 10 percent off the entrance fee in the case of bad weather, which is rather nice of them.
There was a bit of sunlight, and we did get to see a few different species of butterflies, nonetheless.
However, this place is more than just butterflies.
There are reptiles like iguanas who sit so still you wonder if they are real, fresh water fish tanks, glass containers filled with big hairy spiders (thankfully also sitting very still; if they had to move I think I’d leap back and scream like a girl), little bokkies, snakes (again, mostly motionless), marmoset monkeys, guinea pigs having bad hair days, and exotic birds, including the biggest budgie I have ever seen.
Most of these creatures are out in the open and there are signs asking you not to touch or interfere with them. Perhaps they should have sent the birds that memo too.
As we were leaving the aviary enclosure, a bright green parrot (apologies to the bird for not identifying it more accurately) flew out with us and perched on Tamar’s shoulder.
We went back inside so it could stay in its own area, but it was having none of this. To her delight it stayed on her shoulder, nuzzling her face and neck, nibbling at her lips, and wolf-whistling in her ear, and generally being adorable.
I was happily taking photos until another one of the same species swooped in and took up a position on my shoulder. We had one each, but as is the story of my life, I ended up getting the jerk.
My bird was not gentle.
It bit my fingers, tugged at my nose piercing, pecked my eyelashes, and made every attempt to insert its beak forcefully into my mouth.
When I resisted, it screeched loudly and muttered “naughty boy-boy” followed by a petulant “eh” as it pulled back to eye my reaction.
Yes, these are the guys I meet. Tamar thought it was hilarious, but this encounter made our day, as did the blue morpho butterfly which also hitched a ride on Tam’s neck for a while.
While pupae are brought in every week, Butterfly World is a sanctuary for small animals, mostly donated wild animals that were kept as pets, in co-operation with conservation and welfare authorities, as well as the general public.
The marmoset monkeys are cute as buttons, but they are not ideal to have at home. An information board listing their habits is enough to put anyone off.
Very high maintenance, is all I’m saying.
It’s this kind of education that is an important part of the park, along with promoting natural habitat protection, and reducing the need for wild pet trading, and teaching general natural history.
Butterfly World is lovely for all ages – although I do wish parents would exercise more control over their children when it comes to the animals. The iguanas displayed far more patience than I ever could.
Once you’ve wandered around the garden for a while (you’ll need at least an hour to see everything, and take lots of photographs), there is a gift shop full of sparkly butterfly things, and a restaurant.
l Butterfly World is on the R44, just off the N1. It’s open daily from 9am till 5pm (except Christmas Day). Entrance fees (without discount) are R65 for adults and R37 for children.
For more information, call 021 875 5628, or see www.butterflyworld.co.za
Weekend Argus