Falkland Island’s Volunteer Level: King Penguins Tour

Rugged, windswept landscapes, a whole lot of cute penguins, and different fascinating wildlife. Seems like the right day journey vacation spot within the Falkland Islands? You guess 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 imagine me? Let me provide the ins and outs about every thing it’s essential learn about Volunteer Level that can undoubtedly make your journey right here one on 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 world is a well-liked vacationer vacation spot greatest identified for its massive 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 Vital Chook Space and can also 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 among the greatest issues to do right here:

• Volunteer Level’s principal attraction: its massive rookery of king penguins, one of many largest on this planet. Gentoo and Magellanic penguins are additionally current right here.
• Chook/Wildlife Watching: other than the penguins, there are additionally completely different hen species like Falkland steamer geese, finches, in addition to southern elephant seals.
• Pictures: With its beautiful landscapes, numerous wildlife, and photogenic penguins, Volunteer Level is a photographer’s dream come true, so convey your cameras and seize the great 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 vibrant orange and black plumage, they’re a placing sight to behold, particularly whenever you see a whole lot of them going about their day across the shores of Volunteer Seaside.

These majestic creatures can develop as much as about 3 toes 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 value noting that they virtually went extinct on the Falklands up to now. 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.

How you can go to Volunteer Level

Though Volunteer Level is sort of distant, getting right here is simple from Port Stanley. A method is by reserving a land tour from considered one of many tour operators like Viator, Estancia Excursions and Journey Falklands. These journeys will often take you on a 2 ½-ish hour of cross-country driving on a 4×4. As for automotive leases, you possibly can 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.

Nonetheless, if you wish to take your journey a step UP (actually!), you possibly can skip the lengthy drive and fly there with Falklands Helicopter Companies. When you might not be experiencing the Falklands’ nice outdoor up shut on a 4×4, the views from up excessive are breathtaking, and it’s not at all times that you just’ll get the prospect to experience a helicopter. Let’s say that it’s bucket checklist worthy?

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

P.S. You’ll must test with the landowners prematurely earlier than you possibly can 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?

With regards to the very best time for visiting Volunteer Level, you possibly can 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’s not uncommon to see penguins at completely different levels 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 possibly can 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 father or mother’s toes of their distinguishable brown feathers. By March, you possibly can see these chicks in teams waddling about briefly distances. As soon as winter comes (Could to September,) the adults depart for the ocean whereas the virtually totally 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 can 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 would possibly wish to put on some heat clothes like jackets, hoodies, and so forth. Mountain climbing boots are additionally really useful. For windy days, put on some sun shades to assist preserve the sand off your eyes.
• Keep your distance – preserve no less than 20 toes (6 meters) of distance between you and wildlife. By no means get in the best way of any wildlife as effectively.
• Observe the ‘Go away-No-Hint’ rule – as with every wildlife journey, at all times bear in mind to ‘take nothing however footage, depart nothing however footprints.’ Preserve any trash in your particular person as you allow the place. And talking of images, flash isn’t allowed.
• Be observant – preserve your eye out for any nests/burrows you would possibly come throughout to keep away from trampling over them, particularly within the hills.
• Ebook prematurely – day journeys to Volunteer Level are one of the vital widespread excursions, particularly for visiting cruises. As slots are restricted, make sure to e-book prematurely.

With its beautiful surroundings and engaging wildlife, it’s no marvel why a visit to Volunteer Level must be on everybody’s bucket checklist. Whether or not you’re a nature fanatic, pictures buff, or any sort 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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