Rugged, windswept landscapes, lots of of cute penguins, and different fascinating wildlife. Appears 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.Â
Don’t imagine me? Let me provide the ins and outs about every part it’s worthwhile to learn about Volunteer Level that may undoubtedly make your journey right here one to your bucket listing.

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 positioned on the northeastern a part of East Falkland, the bigger of the 2 primary islands that make up the Falklands. Â

The world is a well-liked vacationer vacation spot finest 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 Necessary Fowl 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 novel 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 take a look at a few of the finest issues to do right here:
- Volunteer Level’s primary attraction: its massive rookery of king penguins, one of many largest on the planet. Gentoo and Magellanic penguins are additionally current right here.
- Fowl/Wildlife Watching: apart from the penguins, there are additionally totally different chicken species like Falkland steamer geese, finches, in addition to southern elephant seals.
- Pictures: With its gorgeous 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 may certainly be one of many highlights of your go to to Volunteer Level. With their vivid orange and black plumage, they’re a placing sight to behold, particularly whenever you see lots of 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 nearly went extinct on the Falklands up to now. However at this time? Not solely are they thriving, however additionally they have one of many largest rookeries on the planet proper right here with over 1000 to 1500 breeding pairs.


Easy methods to go to Volunteer Level
Though Volunteer Level is sort of distant, getting right here is straightforward from Port Stanley. A technique is by reserving a land tour from certainly one of many tour operators like Viator, Estancia Excursions and Journey Falklands. These journeys will normally take you on a 2 ½-ish hour of cross-country driving on a 4×4. As for automobile 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.

Nevertheless, 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 outside 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 possibility to trip a helicopter. Shall we embrace that it’s bucket listing 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 must test with the landowners upfront 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 Finest Time to Go to Volunteer Level?
On the subject of the most effective time for visiting Volunteer Level, you possibly can just about go any day of the 12 months. 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 12 months spherical.
From round September to November, grownup penguins who didn’t breed the 12 months 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 mother and father take turns warming up the egg. Newly hatched chicks can principally be seen round January to February, hiding between their guardian’s ft of their distinguishable brown feathers. By March, you possibly can see these chicks in teams waddling about briefly distances. As soon as winter comes (Might 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.


Suggestions 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 secure and fulfilling 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 on. Climbing boots are additionally advisable. For windy days, put on some sun shades to assist preserve the sand off your eyes.
- Preserve your distance – preserve no less than 20 ft (6 meters) of distance between you and wildlife. By no means get in the best way of any wildlife as nicely.
- Observe the ‘Depart-No-Hint’ rule – as with all wildlife journey, at all times bear in mind to ‘take nothing however footage, depart nothing however footprints.’ Hold any trash in your particular person as you permit the place. And talking of images, flash is just not 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.
- E book upfront – day journeys to Volunteer Level are one of the vital common excursions, particularly for visiting cruises. As slots are restricted, make sure to e book upfront.

With its gorgeous surroundings and engaging wildlife, it’s no marvel why a visit to Volunteer Level needs to be on everybody’s bucket listing. Whether or not you’re a nature fanatic, pictures buff, or any type of traveler, you’re in for an exhilarating journey as you discover the nooks and crannies of this distant spot within the Falkland Islands.
Finest Suggestions for Visiting Falkland Island’s Volunteer Level
Easy methods to Get to Falkland Island’s Volunteer Level:  Mount Nice (MPN) Airport is a serious hub and most airways will fly into it. You’ll be able to simply test for the most effective fare offers at Skyscanner, which additionally has the choice to decide on ‘most cost-effective month’ because the departure to seek out the bottom priced dates to fly to your vacation spot. Though Volunteer Level is sort of distant, getting right here is straightforward from Port Stanley. A technique is by reserving a land tour from certainly one of many tour operators like Viator, Estancia Excursions and Journey Falklands. Nevertheless, if you wish to take your journey a step up, you possibly can skip the lengthy drive and fly there with Falklands Helicopter Companies.
Getting Round:Â Â Driving in a brand new vacation spot generally is a little bit of a problem, however in case you select to lease a automobile, RentalCars.com has nice offers. In case you are not renting a automobile, there are many different choices. Taxis and Uber can be found all around the metropolis. For a extra funds pleasant choice, you possibly can take the general public bus.
Finest Time to Go to Falkland Island’s Volunteer Level: From round September to November, grownup penguins who didn’t breed the 12 months 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.
The place to Keep close to Falkland Island’s Volunteer Level: It’s finest to remain close to the town middle, public transportation or the realm that you can be spending essentially the most time in. Malvina Home Lodge, The Waterfront Boutique Lodge and Southernwind – Spareroom are nice selections in Port Stanley. Or search some nice offers on accommodations of your selection at Reserving.com. If you happen to’re in search of extra of a house environment (or are touring with a gaggle of individuals), head over to VRBO that has homes, flats and even only a room for lease in each value vary.Â
Finest Tour in Falkland Island’s Volunteer Level: You will discover a few of the prime excursions at Get Your Information or Viator, and listed below are a few of the prime ones excursions:
Common Adapter: Your American plugged gear will want an adapter. I take advantage of the Celtic Common Adapter, which has introduced me all over the world with no issues.
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