Tour OverviewWhen ranking biodiversity hotspots on the African continent, not one gets closer to the top spot than South Africa’s Western Cape. Geo-topographically it contains hundreds of kilometres of coastline, wetlands, high mountains, Afromontane forest patches, the desolate Karoo desert and of course the famous fynbos of the Cape Floral Kingdom.
This varied and spectacular habitat also result in a wonderfully unique bird component and the Western Cape is the place for the endemics-seeker, with up to 40 endemic and near-endemic species possible in our 9 day trip! Throw in breathtaking and picturesque scenery, warm and welcoming people, a long and interesting history, world class wineries and top cuisine, iconic Table Mountain and superb tourism infrastructure and the result is an unforgettable birding, wildlife and cultural experience in this remarkable piece of land.
Our itinerary has been honed over the years to include the top birding spots while keeping travel and in-car time to a minimum. Two nights (at least) in all the hotspots ensure an unhurried pace and lots of time to seek out the special and endemic species. Southern Right Whales are virtually guaranteed between September and November, while the onset of spring is the beginning of the famous Cape flower season. Indeed, once you’ve experienced it, you’ll understand just why it has long been dubbed as the “fairest Cape” of them all.
Let’s go birding!
Get more info on what to expect on this tour: Go to full itinerary
Safari starts and ends in Cape Town
Tour duration: 9 days / 8 nights
Type of accommodation: Comfortable, mid-to-upper range
Next departure dates: To be confirmed
Private and small group, customised safaris can be booked on request for your preferred travel dates
World famous Cape Town, the “mother city”
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens-
A birding gem right in the heart of the city
Cape Point Nature Reserve-
Dramatic cliffs teeming with top birds and rare mammals
Bontebok National Park-
Haven for the rare Bontebok, unique plants and excellent birds
De Hoop Nature Reserve-
Land-and-marine based fauna & flora wonderland
Tankwa Karoo National Park-
remote, desolate and starkly beautiful, and home to 200 bird species
West Coast National Park-
Lots of water, sand, fynbos, thousands of birds and great mammals all in one place!
Top Birds:
*Denotes Endemic species
• Cape Rockjumper*
• Cape Sugarbird*
• Cape Bulbul*
• Cape Siskin*
• Cape Weaver*
• Protea* and Cape Canary
• Orange-breasted Sunbird*
• African Penguin
• African Oystercatcher
• Southern Black Korhaan*
• Grey-winged Francolin*
• Blue Crane
• Knysna* and Ground Woodpecker*
• Southern Tchagra
• Southern Boubou
• Knysna* and Victorin’s Warbler*
Top Mammals:
• South African Fur Seal
• Blesbok
(Bontebok/pygargus subspecies)
• Mountain Zebra
(Cape/zebra subspecies)
• Hartebeest
(Red/caama subspecies)
• Cape Grysbok
• Grey Rhebok
• Springbok
• Chacma Baboon
Optional Activities:
• Pelagic birding trip (see full itinerary)
| ITINERARY OVERVIEW |
|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival in Cape Town |
|---|---|
| Day 2 | The Cape Peninsula (Boulders Beach and Cape Point) |
| Day 3 | The Cape Peninsula (Kommetjie, Strandfontein, Rondevlei) |
| Day 4 | Cape Town to Bontebok National Park |
| Day 5 | De Hoop Nature Reserve |
| Day 6 | Grootvadersbosch and drive to Ceres Valley |
| Day 7 | Tankwa Karoo National Park |
| Day 8 | West Coast National Park |
| Day 9 | Return to Cape Town and End of Tour |
All our tours can be customised according to your specific requirements.
Get in touch with one of our team members for more information at info@naturetravelbirding.com