Falkland Island’s Volunteer Level: King Penguins Tour

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. 

Don’t consider me? Let me provide the ins and outs about all the pieces you have to learn about Volunteer Level that can undoubtedly make your journey right here one on your bucket record.

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 finest recognized for its massive rookery of king penguins, attracting guests who come to see the penguins and benefit from the rugged great thing about the Falkland Islands.

It’s designated as a Nature Reserve and an Necessary Chicken 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 number of the finest issues to do right here:

• Volunteer Level’s principal attraction: its massive rookery of king penguins, one of many largest on the earth. Gentoo and Magellanic penguins are additionally current right here.
• Chicken/Wildlife Watching: other than the penguins, there are additionally totally different chicken species like Falkland steamer geese, finches, in addition to southern elephant seals.
• Images: 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 fantastic thing about the Falkland Islands.

About King Penguins

King penguins — they are going to absolutely be one of many highlights of your go to to Volunteer Level. With their brilliant orange and black plumage, they’re a hanging sight to behold, particularly once 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 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 price noting that they virtually went extinct on the Falklands up to now. However immediately? Not solely are they thriving, however in addition they have one of many largest rookeries on the earth proper right here with over 1000 to 1500 breeding pairs.

How one 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 normally 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.

Nonetheless, if you wish to take your journey a step UP (actually!), you may skip the lengthy drive and fly there with Falklands Helicopter Companies. Whilst you is probably not 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 simply’ll get the possibility to trip a helicopter. Let’s assume that it’s bucket record 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 have to test with the landowners prematurely 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 relation to one of the best time for visiting Volunteer Level, you may 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 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 principally be seen round January to February, hiding between their mother or father’s toes of their distinguishable brown feathers. By March, you may see these chicks in teams waddling about briefly distances. As soon as winter comes (Could to September,) the adults go away for the ocean whereas the just about 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.

Suggestions for Visiting Volunteer Level

Now that we’ve gone by means of the whats, wheres, whens, and hows, it’s time for some helpful suggestions that can assist make your go to to Volunteer Level a secure and satisfying one.

• Put on correct apparel – the climate across the Falklands is cool/chilly, so that you would possibly need to put on some heat clothes like jackets, hoodies, and so forth. Climbing boots are additionally really helpful. For windy days, put on some sun shades to assist maintain the sand off your eyes.
• Keep your distance – maintain not 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 all wildlife journey, at all times keep in mind to ‘take nothing however photos, go away nothing however footprints.’ Maintain any trash in your particular person as you allow the place. And talking of images, flash isn’t allowed.
• Be observant – maintain 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 prematurely – day journeys to Volunteer Level are one of the vital widespread excursions, particularly for visiting cruises. As slots are restricted, remember to e book prematurely.

With its beautiful surroundings and engaging wildlife, it’s no surprise why a visit to Volunteer Level ought to be on everybody’s bucket record. Whether or not you’re a nature fanatic, images 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.

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