Kuimba Shiri ~ ‘Singing Bird’
Zimbabwe’s World Famous Bird Sanctuary, located just outside the capital city of Harare.
We invite you to explore our world renowned bird park where we raise, rehabilitate, train and release Africa’s wild hawks, owls, eagles, falcons and more.
Your Adventure Starts Here!
Scroll down for full information.
A map showing our location is at the bottom of the page.
Location: Lake Chivero, Norton, Zimbabwe
Telephone: +263-77-299-0082
Plus code: 4RJ2+2H Norton, Zimbabwe
Our Story
Kuimba Shiri is situated at the shores of Lake Chivero, in a Recreational Park boasting over 400 species of wild birds. Kuimba Shiri (which means ‘singing birds’ in Zimbabwe’s Shona language) was founded by conservationist and falconer Gary Stafford, in 1994. By 2002 he had established the largest collection of indigenous birds in Africa. A number of our birds have been featured in BBC Documentaries such as ‘The life Of Birds’ and ‘Eagles’ with David Attenborough.
In 2002, approximately 1000 birds were moved to South Africa for safe keeping due to the deteriorating situation in Zimbabwe. The Stafford family faced many challenges but survived. They re-started renovations back at Kuimba Shiri in 2010.
Lake Chivero was declared one of the seven RAMSAR sites in Zimbabwe by UNISCO and WWF and the Government of Zimbabwe. RAMSAR is the international convention for the protection of wetlands.
Recognised for our peaceful position during difficult times in Zimbabwe, we were also declared a Sri Chinmoy International Peace Park in 2014. Kuimba Shiri shares this privilege with 800 other sites around the world such as the Great Barrier Reef, Mount Fuji and Victoria Falls.
The bird Park is a non-profit organisation offering refuge for injured and orphaned birds. We also offer educational trips for students from kindergarten to university. Injured and captive birds are released to the wild if they are successfully rehabilitated. All this is made possible by people supporting our restaurant, bar, accommodation and camping facilities. Boat trips to the National Park to see wild game on the plains, including White Rhino, can also be enjoyed. We are open every day of the year.
Please scroll down to learn more about our facilities, restaurant, accommodation options, and various family activities that can be enjoyed in our park.
Bar & Restaurant
Enjoy a delicious meal, cocktails or mocktails in our two restaurants located on our sprawling grounds overlooking Lake Chivero, complete with full service bar, coffee shop and sweet shop.
Accommodation
Stay for the weekend or the week, in one of our 8 chalets overlooking hippo creek, complete with spectacular sunsets. Or set up your tent in our Campsite for a budget stay.
Cruise & Canoe
Come and join us for a sunset cruise on the lake, or rent a canoe and paddle yourself on your own adventure.
“Let us remember that animals are not mere resources for human consumption. They are splendid beings in their own right, who have evolved alongside us as co-inheritors of all the beauty and abundance of life on this planet.”
Check out our FaceBook Gallery, below, and for the latest news and happenings at Kuimba Shiri, visit us on our FaceBook page, here.
