Falkland Island’s Volunteer Level: King Penguins Tour

Rugged, windswept landscapes, a whole lot of cute penguins, and different fascinating wildlife. Feels like the right day journey vacation spot within the Falkland Islands? You wager it’s!

As one of many archipelago’s hottest wildlife websites, Volunteer Level is a nature lover/photographer’s paradise the place the journey begins even earlier than you even set foot on the place. 

Don’t consider me? Let me provide the ins and outs about every thing it’s essential learn about Volunteer Level that may undoubtedly make your journey right here one in your bucket checklist.

Seeing the Falkland Island’s King Penguins at Volunteer Level by Helicopter is the BEST Tour

What and The place Is Volunteer Level?

Volunteer Level is a headland situated on the northeastern a part of East Falkland, the bigger of the 2 principal islands that make up the Falklands.  

The realm is a well-liked vacationer vacation spot finest identified for its giant rookery of king penguins, attracting guests who come to see the penguins and benefit from the rugged fantastic thing about the Falkland Islands.

It’s designated as a Nature Reserve and an Essential Hen Space and can be a part of Johnson’s Harbour Farm, a privately-owned farm within the Falklands. And though it’s comparatively distant, those that make the journey will certainly be in for a singular and unforgettable expertise.

What to see and do at Volunteer Level?

Volunteer Level is actually a nature lover’s paradise, providing guests an opportunity to see the native wildlife and scenic landscapes. Let’s try a number of the finest issues to do right here:

• Volunteer Level’s principal attraction: its giant rookery of king penguins, one of many largest on this planet. Gentoo and Magellanic penguins are additionally current right here.
• Hen/Wildlife Watching: apart from the penguins, there are additionally totally different hen species like Falkland steamer geese, finches, in addition to southern elephant seals.
• Images: With its beautiful landscapes, various wildlife, and photogenic penguins, Volunteer Level is a photographer’s dream come true, so carry your cameras and seize the fantastic thing about the Falkland Islands.

About King Penguins

King penguins — they’ll absolutely be one of many highlights of your go to to Volunteer Level. With their vivid orange and black plumage, they’re a putting sight to behold, particularly whenever you see a whole lot of them going about their day across the shores of Volunteer Seashore.

These majestic creatures can develop as much as about 3 ft tall, second solely to the Emperor penguin (which is a foot taller.) Like most penguins, king penguins love consuming small fish (particularly lantern fish) and squid, which they hunt in depths of as much as 300m.

It’s additionally price noting that they virtually went extinct on the Falklands previously. However right this moment? Not solely are they thriving, however in addition they have one of many largest rookeries on this planet proper right here with over 1000 to 1500 breeding pairs.

Tips on how to go to Volunteer Level

Though Volunteer Level is sort of distant, getting right here is simple from Port Stanley. A technique is by reserving a land tour from considered one of many tour operators like Viator, Estancia Excursions and Adventure Falklands. These journeys will often take you on a 2 ½-ish hour of cross-country driving on a 4×4. As for automobile leases, you may solely drive as much as Port Louis from Stanley, because the final 14 miles of the journey to Volunteer Level is off-road with no indicators and tracks.

Nevertheless, if you wish to take your journey a step UP (actually!), you may skip the lengthy drive and fly there with Falklands Helicopter Services. When you might not be experiencing the Falklands’ nice open air up shut on a 4×4, the views from up excessive are breathtaking, and it’s not all the time that you simply’ll get the possibility to journey a helicopter. Shall we embrace that it’s bucket checklist worthy?

Whichever one you select, each ‘roads’ will certainly make for distinctive experiences that may make your go to an already memorable one.

P.S. You’ll have to verify with the landowners upfront earlier than you may go to Volunteer Level. They solely settle for guests when the off-road half is dry to keep away from the 4x4s being caught.

When Is the Greatest Time to Go to Volunteer Level?

In the case of one of the best time for visiting Volunteer Level, you may just about go any day of the yr. One factor about King Penguins is that they’ve a looong breeding cycle. This lasts for about 14 to 16 months, which is why it isn’t uncommon to see penguins at totally different phases of their lives at Volunteer Level all yr spherical.

From round September to November, grownup penguins who didn’t breed the yr prior will start a brand new breeding cycle. Throughout this time, you may see the penguins doing courtship rituals and mating. That is additionally the time the place older chicks start to molt away their brown feathers to disclose their signature white/black/orange plumage.

Egg laying/incubation interval begins from November to December, the place the dad and mom take turns warming up the egg. Newly hatched chicks can largely be seen round January to February, hiding between their mother or father’s ft of their distinguishable brown feathers. By March, you may see these chicks in teams waddling about in brief distances. As soon as winter comes (Could to September,) the adults depart for the ocean whereas the virtually absolutely grown chicks are left behind.

There’s additionally a lambing season right here (which occurs from October to December) the place new lambs are born.

Ideas for Visiting Volunteer Level

Now that we’ve gone by way of the whats, wheres, whens, and hows, it’s time for some helpful ideas that may assist make your go to to Volunteer Level a protected and pleasing one.

• Put on correct apparel – the climate across the Falklands is cool/chilly, so that you may wish to put on some heat clothes like jackets, hoodies, and many others. Mountain climbing boots are additionally advisable. For windy days, put on some sun shades to assist maintain the sand off your eyes.
• Keep your distance – maintain no less than 20 ft (6 meters) of distance between you and wildlife. By no means get in the way in which of any wildlife as nicely.
• Observe the ‘Depart-No-Hint’ rule – as with every wildlife journey, all the time keep in mind to ‘take nothing however footage, depart nothing however footprints.’ Hold any trash in your individual as you allow the place. And talking of images, flash is just not allowed.
• Be observant – maintain your eye out for any nests/burrows you may come throughout to keep away from trampling over them, particularly within the hills.
• Ebook upfront – day journeys to Volunteer Level are one of the well-liked excursions, particularly for visiting cruises. As slots are restricted, you should definitely e book upfront.

With its beautiful surroundings and engaging wildlife, it’s no surprise why a visit to Volunteer Level needs to be on everybody’s bucket checklist. Whether or not you’re a nature fanatic, images buff, or any form of traveler, you’re in for an exciting journey as you discover the nooks and crannies of this distant spot within the Falkland Islands.

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