Against their will, Grace and Thomas Khumalo’s braai area turned into an Airbnb for owls in what has become a hilarious series of events that has seen the same owl family come back to the braai time and time again.
Gauteng, South Africa (29 May 2025) — The first time the Khumalo’s realised they were unknowingly running an Airbnb for Owls, it was a bit of a drama and an event; Thomas and Grace Khumalo thought it would be a one-time thing.
In May last year, it was revealed that the Khumalo’s built-in braai had been chosen by a breeding pair of Barn Owls as the perfect accommodation to raise their fledglings. None-the-wiser, the human couple were caught completely off guard when they discovered the feathered family (it’s not every day three owls choose your braai to nest, after all).
Enter wildlife rescuer and accidental owl concierge Shawn Hefer.
As the South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Center recall, Shawn arrived to help both families and “with the air of someone who’s opened one too many owl filled ovens, Shawn calmly approached the braai door. The moment he opened it, one of the three owls launched itself into the room in a flurry of wings and indignation.”
Shawn caught the owl carefully while a shocked Grace watched the scene unfold.
Eventually, the owls were taken to their new (and far more fitting accommodation) at the Owl Rescue Centre.
However, this was not the last the Khumalo’s would see of their owl guests. Fast forward to this year, and guess who came back for another stay in the braai?
“The same feathered squatters, clearly feeling nostalgic (or just opportunistic), returned for round two after discovering the chimney was still blissfully unmeshed. (Hey.. If it ain’t blocked, why stop the flock)?” The South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Center shared.
This time, a teen owl (a young fledgling) had made himself at home, and Shawn once again got the Khumalo’s call.
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This rescue was an easier effort as Shawn set the fledging on the ground and watched him fly off into the sunset.
But, he’d clearly given the braai a five-star review, as just a few weeks later, another female fledging popped by!
“When the third owl-related WhatsApp lit up on Shawn Hefer’s phone, he didn’t even blink. He just burst out laughing. Of course it was Grace and Thomas. Of course it was another Barn owl in their braai. (At this stage, we’re considering a loyalty card)!” The South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Center commented.
Hot on the case again, the owl was carefully moved from her accommodation and into the rehabilitation centre’s clinic to join other fledglings.
The urgency to mesh the area had never been more clear to the Khumalo’s.
As the SA Wildlife Rehabilitation Center share in reference to meshing the chimney,
“Thomas, with a weary smile and the haunted look of a man who’s learned the hard way that owls will be back, promised to sort it out.”
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